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Question:

Lets say there's an association that decided to go from three "B" Squirt teams to two "B" squirt teams and add an extra "C" team.
What do you do with the second year squirts that played on one of the "B" teams last year.
1) Let them automatically play on the squirt "B" team - grandfathered in regardless of talent?
2) Make them try out and place them either on "B" or "C" team depending on eval scores?

Would it make sense on placing these kids on a Squirt "B" team one year and place him on a Squirt "C" his second year? Would parents go for this?

DuckDuckQuackQuack wrote:Question:

Lets say there's an association that decided to go from three "B" Squirt teams to two "B" squirt teams and add an extra "C" team.
What do you do with the second year squirts that played on one of the "B" teams last year.
1) Let them automatically play on the squirt "B" team - grandfathered in regardless of talent?
2) Make them try out and place them either on "B" or "C" team depending on eval scores?

Would it make sense on placing these kids on a Squirt "B" team one year and place him on a Squirt "C" his second year? Would parents go for this?

If that is the level of the talent the association has in total, you let them try out and place them where they score.

With that said if a first year and second are basically tied, I believe the nod goes to the older kid.

It sounds like you are talking about ONE kid. Put him/her on the B team. Anything else seems needlessly cruel.
If there are five or 6 kids who might be C players, that's a different story.

DuckDuckQuackQuack wrote:Question:

Lets say there's an association that decided to go from three "B" Squirt teams to two "B" squirt teams and add an extra "C" team.
What do you do with the second year squirts that played on one of the "B" teams last year.
1) Let them automatically play on the squirt "B" team - grandfathered in regardless of talent?
2) Make them try out and place them either on "B" or "C" team depending on eval scores?

Would it make sense on placing these kids on a Squirt "B" team one year and place him on a Squirt "C" his second year? Would parents go for this?

That's easy, they tryout and no one gets grandfathered in.

Obviously this is no guarantee but what if a C player worked their a** off this summer, shooting and skating 100+ hours developing into quite the driven player (earning their spot). Would you penalize him/her by grandfathering a B kid in that didn't do a d*** thing and now their skills are lacking in the right areas?

It sounds like the family(s) just assumed B was a shoe in! Shame on them. The odds changed but they always do. Maybe the kid should have worked harder this summer and the summer before then this wouldn't be a problem now?

It's a bummer but "that's life".

If I'm not mistaken, Edina tried to make sure all 2nd year players made the B level last year. Placing a 10-year-old on Squirt C is akin to suggesting they quit the sport.

In your scenario the kids should play B.

Otownclown with all your knowledge about Edina when you are from
Florida you should change your name to Idreamofgenie I am truly
impressed.

The way I look at it. If you have a tryout process it shouldn't matter the age of a skater.
If there's a tryout process to make a team the kids should make a team based on their evaluation scores. It shouldn't matter if 75% of the squirt A or B team is made up of first year players.
After all tryouts are being held to pick the top players to play on certain teams. Rank the players and place them on teams based off of talent not age, grade or who their parents are.

At squirts and below when I coached a good looking mom never hurt your chances

All players should be placed on teams according to their ability, and how they score within the tryout format and that's it.
1st or 2nd year or even underage playing up shouldn't be a factor.

Why is there a mandatory number of B teams?

Kids tryout and make teams of one A, 6 B teams, and 0 C teams if that is their skill level.

A ten year old kid that skates well enough should play B hockey.
If not, or they do not want to travel (incur additional expense) then they play C.

O-townClown wrote:If I'm not mistaken, Edina tried to make sure all 2nd year players made the B level last year. Placing a 10-year-old on Squirt C is akin to suggesting they quit the sport.

O-town, I think you are mistaken. My son played C squirt in Edina last season and had 5 second years on his team. So I believe it was a straight tryout and draft with some bubble B/C players making B and some making C based on coaches selections (a couple of those kids could have certiainly played B). I don't know how many of those kids will not be back this season, I know at least a couple will be trying out for pee-wee.

elliott70 wrote:Why is there a mandatory number of B teams?

Kids tryout and make teams of one A, 6 B teams, and 0 C teams if that is their skill level.

A ten year old kid that skates well enough should play B hockey.
If not, or they do not want to travel (incur additional expense) then they play C.

Wish it was that simple Elliot, but in D6 we had to have our team declerations in yesterday. Telling them team numbers and levels (A, B1, etc..) and tyrouts haven't even started.

boardguy1998 wrote:

elliott70 wrote:Why is there a mandatory number of B teams?

Kids tryout and make teams of one A, 6 B teams, and 0 C teams if that is their skill level.

A ten year old kid that skates well enough should play B hockey.
If not, or they do not want to travel (incur additional expense) then they play C.

Wish it was that simple Elliot, but in D6 we had to have our team declerations in yesterday. Telling them team numbers and levels (A, B1, etc..) and tyrouts haven't even started.

Tell them to stick it.

elliott70 wrote:

boardguy1998 wrote:

elliott70 wrote:Why is there a mandatory number of B teams?

Kids tryout and make teams of one A, 6 B teams, and 0 C teams if that is their skill level.

A ten year old kid that skates well enough should play B hockey.
If not, or they do not want to travel (incur additional expense) then they play C.

Wish it was that simple Elliot, but in D6 we had to have our team declerations in yesterday. Telling them team numbers and levels (A, B1, etc..) and tyrouts haven't even started.

Tell them to stick it.

This is why you are All Stars GM

gt331 wrote:O-town, I think you are mistaken. My son played C squirt in Edina last season and had 5 second years on his team. So I believe it was a straight tryout and draft with some bubble B/C players making B and some making C based on coaches selections (a couple of those kids could have certiainly played B). I don't know how many of those kids will not be back this season, I know at least a couple will be trying out for pee-wee.

Thank you GT. Someone else PM'd me with a similar response. I heard someone say they (EHA) "didn't want" kids to play second-year C. I guess it wasn't avoidable in some cases.

Good for those kids who are still playing this year in PW. If they were late to the game there is a chance they improve a lot. Starting at 9 or 10 isn't too late, but for most it is because they are frustrated by being so far behind others

My answer is the same. This kid - or these kids - in question should play B if possible. They played B last year. How bad are they?

Put them at B or C, it really doesn't matter. Just make sure they get their trophy at the end of the year for participating.

hiptzech wrote:Put them at B or C, it really doesn't matter. Just make sure they get their trophy at the end of the year for participating.

I like the medals better personally.....they're easier to lose/misplace or they make nice coasters

I still get a kick out of parents that complain about an association they don't really belong to.

Found out with some simple research why Chaska/Chanhassen decided to go with 3 C teams at the squirt level and reduce the B level teams to 2.

Last year at Squirts they had 2 C teams. Those two teams won a combined 4 games between them and the season did not end up being as productive developmentally as CC would have liked. They are hoping that by restricting the number of B teams they will improve the competitive level and developmental progress of the C level teams.

Simple as that and to me it makes great sense.

tomASS wrote:

hiptzech wrote:Put them at B or C, it really doesn't matter. Just make sure they get their trophy at the end of the year for participating.

I like the medals better personally.....they're easier to lose/misplace or they make nice coasters

I still get a kick out of parents that complain about an association they don't really belong to.

Found out with some simple research why Chaska/Chanhassen decided to go with 3 C teams at the squirt level and reduce the B level teams to 2.

Last year at Squirts they had 2 C teams. Those two teams won a combined 4 games between them and the season did not end up being as productive developmentally as CC would have liked. They are hoping that by restricting the number of B teams they will improve the competitive level and developmental progress of the C level teams.

Simple as that and to me it makes great sense.

tomASS- By that logic you're sacrificing 15 skaters who are "B" level skaters to benefit 30 "C" level skaters. That makes sense to you?

Not quite sure why your association would want to go backwards in their hockey development? It appears that your association is making the squirt "C" teams much more competitive without developing the better skaters. The middle of the road players are being left behind.

Thank goodness there's Choice(s) out there.

DuckDuckQuackQuack wrote:

tomASS wrote:

hiptzech wrote:Put them at B or C, it really doesn't matter. Just make sure they get their trophy at the end of the year for participating.

I like the medals better personally.....they're easier to lose/misplace or they make nice coasters

I still get a kick out of parents that complain about an association they don't really belong to.

Found out with some simple research why Chaska/Chanhassen decided to go with 3 C teams at the squirt level and reduce the B level teams to 2.

Last year at Squirts they had 2 C teams. Those two teams won a combined 4 games between them and the season did not end up being as productive developmentally as CC would have liked. They are hoping that by restricting the number of B teams they will improve the competitive level and developmental progress of the C level teams.

Simple as that and to me it makes great sense.

tomASS- By that logic you're sacrificing 15 skaters who are "B" level skaters to benefit 30 "C" level skaters. That makes sense to you?

Not quite sure why your association would want to go backwards in their hockey development? It appears that your association is making the squirt "C" teams much more competitive without developing the better skaters. The middle of the road players are being left behind.

Thank goodness there's Choice(s) out there.

1) It's not my association
2) via tryouts the kids are placed at the appropriate level they deserve to be at to achieve the success that will help them enjoy the game more
3) there is no sacrificing any kids - nor are they left behind - The parents of the other 30 B kids could use your logic and argue that by having that additional team / 15 kids dilutes their kids ability to compete and develop.
4) There is nothing wrong with C hockey. The captain of last year's Chaska Hawks HS Varsity team played C level hockey all the way until his second year of Pee Wee. He earned Bantam A his second year at that level. He started all three years at varsity. No one is left behind playing C hockey - especially at the squirt level

Is this your first rodeo? .......First kid thru youth sports??
Slow down a bit..

iwearmysunglassesatnight wrote:Is this your first rodeo? .......First kid thru youth sports??
Slow down a bit..

To each his own I guess.............

Last I looked there's no squirt state tourney. Instead of having kids play down have them play up with better skaters to work on their skills. Especially when the first year squirts have more numbers than the group ahead of them.

DuckDuckQuackQuack wrote:

iwearmysunglassesatnight wrote:Is this your first rodeo? .......First kid thru youth sports??
Slow down a bit..

To each his own I guess.............

Last I looked there's no squirt state tourney. Instead of having kids play down have them play up with better skaters to work on their skills. Especially when the first year squirts have more numbers than the group ahead of them.

Hey Quack,

I am kinda interested myself. Is this your first kid going through youth sports? You do push Choice alot, too much in my opinion. I am a choice parent myself but I don't get on this board and rant a rave about it. We are fortune to have a choice at this time, call it luck and timing. Ride the wave of choice while you have it, it may not be here tomorrow or it may be the trend moving forward. I don't know, I only know this season and am happy that my kid is playing the game.

You are really starting to embarass me as a Choice Parent, I am sure your embarassing others. Settle down, your name will not be on the Cup. You are correct there is no State Championship for Squirts, only Districts. There are no district championships for Choice only 3 other teams to play against time after time. But that doesn't really matter to a guy like you because you are all about development, at least when it fits your platform.

Again, I need to go back to the original question. Is this your first kid going through youth sports?

First of all, your post, Quack, started with an innocent (?) question. It's clear as one reads future posts, you once again are making a statement about dreaded association hockey and how it doesn't measure up to your precious "choice" league. Better be careful, though. It looks like "Choices" may be getting a bit slimmer and losing some of it's competitive edge. I noticed on the MM website they've moved from "No Sunday morning practices" to "Rarely Sunday morning practices". One is left to wonder what's next?

hiptzech wrote:

DuckDuckQuackQuack wrote:

iwearmysunglassesatnight wrote:Is this your first rodeo? .......First kid thru youth sports??
Slow down a bit..

To each his own I guess.............

Last I looked there's no squirt state tourney. Instead of having kids play down have them play up with better skaters to work on their skills. Especially when the first year squirts have more numbers than the group ahead of them.

Hey Quack,

I am kinda interested myself. Is this your first kid going through youth sports? You do push Choice alot, too much in my opinion. I am a choice parent myself but I don't get on this board and rant a rave about it. We are fortune to have a choice at this time, call it luck and timing. Ride the wave of choice while you have it, it may not be here tomorrow or it may be the trend moving forward. I don't know, I only know this season and am happy that my kid is playing the game.

You are really starting to embarass me as a Choice Parent, I am sure your embarassing others. Settle down, your name will not be on the Cup. You are correct there is no State Championship for Squirts, only Districts. There are no district championships for Choice only 3 other teams to play against time after time. But that doesn't really matter to a guy like you because you are all about development, at least when it fits your platform.

Again, I need to go back to the original question. Is this your first kid going through youth sports?

Duck,

We (or at least I) are waiting for a reply...A little disappointing that you would take the time to post yet another repitition posting and not clean up old business. Give us some sort of creditial or something to hang our hats on of substance that will validate your wisdom to all of us common folk.

hiptzech wrote:.A little disappointing that you would take the time to post yet another repitition posting and not clean up old business. Give us some sort of creditial or something to hang our hats on of substance that will validate your wisdom to all of us common folk.

hiptzech wrote:

DuckDuckQuackQuack wrote:

iwearmysunglassesatnight wrote:Is this your first rodeo? .......First kid thru youth sports??
Slow down a bit..

To each his own I guess.............

Last I looked there's no squirt state tourney. Instead of having kids play down have them play up with better skaters to work on their skills. Especially when the first year squirts have more numbers than the group ahead of them.

Hey Quack,

I am kinda interested myself. Is this your first kid going through youth sports? You do push Choice alot, too much in my opinion. I am a choice parent myself but I don't get on this board and rant a rave about it. We are fortune to have a choice at this time, call it luck and timing. Ride the wave of choice while you have it, it may not be here tomorrow or it may be the trend moving forward. I don't know, I only know this season and am happy that my kid is playing the game.

You are really starting to embarass me as a Choice Parent, I am sure your embarassing others. Settle down, your name will not be on the Cup. You are correct there is no State Championship for Squirts, only Districts. There are no district championships for Choice only 3 other teams to play against time after time. But that doesn't really matter to a guy like you because you are all about development, at least when it fits your platform.

Again, I need to go back to the original question. Is this your first kid going through youth sports?

Hiptzech- The fact that you're at Minnesota made tells speaks volume. If you choose not to stick up for Minnesota made that is your choice. More power to you. With respect, I don't really care what you think of me. We all have to do what's in the best interest of our kids.
I have coached hockey and currently coach baseball and football. When it all comes down to it you can either offer a developmental program or recreational program. I choose to send my son to a developmental program. I feel my son will be a better player for doing so. Yes! I know kids will all peak at different times and I know everyone has a story of a kid who played "C" teams all the way through and one day received a D1 offer. I think that is great. In the end everyone needs to do what they have to do. As long as my son is having fun playing hockey then I'm happy for him. It's really that simple.