irondale 8th grader

[lovetopuck]

well since this topic is about Meghan Lorence she had 2 goals in Irondales 5-0 win over St.Francis tonight.

[hockeyfancy]

My daughter started playing at HS on varsity as a 8th grader only because she was too old for the 12U and there was no 14U or 16U available. Either she would have had to travel to another district for practices and games with girls she didn't know and try to arrange transportation daily for those rides was impossible. Or play in her home town with girls she skated with before and enjoyed the team. She tried out for varsity and made it and parents were upset - but it was our personal decision. She was happy to skate with her friends and we could manage the transportation and she excelled by playing at a higher level. For us having her skate at HS in 8th grade was a good decision - for others it may not be...it really depends on how competitive the athlete is and is she comfortable and enjoying it, make your decisions based on that and don't worry about what others say behind your back. Just be a parent plain and simple.

[hockeyrube7]

If you haven't had a chance to sit in a high school locker room, or hang out with the girl's intimately, you would be a little surprised. Decades ago, there was a huge difference between an eighth grader and a senior. This generation of athletes proves to have a lot in common, and not a large difference. There seems to be an abundant amount of very mature girl's at all ages these days. With a disciplined team, the benefits of playing varsity seem to outway the cons, unless you are a disgruntled parent of course. They always seem to have the most negative posts. Focus your energy in other directions, hop on a treadmill, run a marathon, but don't put an anonymous post on here dissing coaches and players. It is so crude and immature! NO I am not a coach, just sick and tired of the plethera of emails that waste other peoples time!

[/quote]

There was nothing meant "Negatively" in there, just a shared opinion, much like yours here. Too which I appreciate, and I do appoligize if you see it that way. To answer your question, yes, I have sat with these kids and know many of them well. The matter of the fact is that we all make our own choices, each their own. I have made much the same decision in the past, and it worked out fine, but was it the best decision for my kids growth, no not really, not if I had had another option. As "Mature" as my kids were when they went through the system, I did not want my 13 year olds becoming 18 year olds before their time. Gofigure, I was not dissing anyone by my post, but rather looking at the big picture of girls hockey. You can't tell me that it wouldn't be better if a kid, girl or boy, no matter how good they are, to play the game with the kids they are going to grow up with. But again that is your decision. I have seen boys and girls who fall by the way side just because they jump in too early far too often. I'm thinking of the kids first, hockey player second is all.

[hockeyrube7]

Here's something to ponder, if your 8th grader is too good to play with her fellow eight graders now, and she couldn't develop if she stayed with them, why will it be any different in 2 or 3 years when they are all on varsity? Won't she still be too good and be held back because of the girls around her? This is how transfers are born. (not that there's anything wrong with that)

Great post xk1, and is exactly what I was looking at. There is nothing wrong with it at all, it is all a matter of a choice. I didn't have one at the time, and would like to have.

[hockeyrube7]

well since this topic is about Meghan Lorence she had 2 goals in Irondales 5-0 win over St.Francis tonight.

Excellent, she is a great player. Congrats to Meghan! Does that put her at 13g, 13a for a total of 26pts after tonight.

[lovetopuck]

[quote="hockeyrube7"][quote="xk1"]Here's something to ponder, if your 8th grader is too good to play with her fellow eight graders now, and she couldn't develop if she stayed with them, why will it be any different in 2 or 3 years when they are all on varsity? Won't she still be too good and be held back because of the girls around her? This is how transfers are born. (not that there's anything wrong with that)[/quote]

Great post xk1, and is exactly what I was looking at. There is nothing wrong with it at all, it is all a matter of a choice. I didn't have one at the time, and would like to have.[/quote]

i agree. that is probably the best post ive seen on here so far in terms of making me think. good work xk1

[Pucking is my LIFE]

I would for sure agree with lovetopuck!

Gina and Megan are wonderful players! I have had the honor to skate with them myself. They are not only wonderful players, but they are positive and when they are on the ice they make everyone else look good to!

[thegreatone]

I saw that Irondale beat St. Francis the other night 5-0. I've seen a handfull of Irondale games and it seems like the goalie(Brasuhn) for them is very solid. It must of been an easy night for her.

[lovetopuck]

Meghan Lorence had a sweet move yesterday vs bsm in overtime. too bad she couldnt finish it. anyone see it?

[thegreatone]

That was a great move by Meghan Lorence in overtime. That should of been on Sportscenter.

[lovetopuck]

That was a great move by Meghan Lorence in overtime. That should of been on Sportscenter.

haha it would of been if she would've put it in the net. still it was pretty amazing.