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Anyone know anything about this league?

Any information would be great!

Thanks

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I've never heard of this League...is it new?

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Probably depends where you live. If you live in the metro I would strongly recommend the Minnesota AAA Hockey League which is run by the largest hockey organization in the world, Showcase Hockey.

http://www.showcasehockey.com/default.aspx

I think my second option, if I lived on the east side, would be the St. Croix League.

http://stcroixhockey.pucksystems2.com/

All three are similar models. The Minnesota AAA Hockey League has been around for around 10 years, Showcase over 20, and fields the strongest teams of the three. The St. Croix League is a couple of years old and they're trying hard. Not really AAA. The Wisconsin League is in it's second year and really only has a few teams at a few levels. Not really AAA.

All have tryouts which is a good experience for all the kids that are interested in taking their game, and involvement, to the next level. Players should get used to tryouts as there are plenty ahead for all of them. Once your player has been invited to join a team you'll be considering cost, other players you may know and quality, coaches, convenience of the primary practice location and frequency.

Good luck finding a good situation for your player!

You are doing the right thing by asking around before you commit. I don't know much about this League you're asking about, but stay away from the St. Croix AAA League, I have heard nothing but bad things from parents and kids who played in that program. It's not "AAA" by any stretch of the imagination. They make real "open" AAA teams look like invitational AAA teams, by comparison.

Showcase AAA is a decent "open" AAA summer league. All Showcase AAA team participate in the Meltdown and Easton Cups tournaments which are very well-run. And they also give you the months of May, June and July off if you want to play other sports. I have heard some complaints about the AAA league, although I think most of the issues are due to growing pains within Showcase Hockey as they have expanded greatly over the past couple of season. But for open-level AAA hockey, they have some decent teams.

If you live in Central/Northern Wisconsin, check out the Northern Wisconsin Blizzard.

Let me clearify some whats is being said about the Min-Wis AAA league.
It is not like Showcase, which in the AAA community doesn't have the greatest rep. It is based in Wisconsin but there is a metro team that practices at several rinks including the superrink. Their teams do very well in tournments and play at the invite level. They are different from other AAA teams as they do not have the intense summer time commitments in that respect they are like showcase. Some hints in your search, find a team with history, one that fits into your schedule and are well run. Also most important contact the coach of the team your player would fit and ask them what they expect, their coaching style and experience level. Just don't drink the showcase koolaid right away. And by the way I have coached in the showcase AAA league. Hope this helps.

Coachk wrote:Let me clearify some whats is being said about the Min-Wis AAA league.
It is not like Showcase, which in the AAA community doesn't have the greatest rep. It is based in Wisconsin but there is a metro team that practices at several rinks including the superrink. Their teams do very well in tournments and play at the invite level. They are different from other AAA teams as they do not have the intense summer time commitments in that respect they are like showcase. Some hints in your search, find a team with history, one that fits into your schedule and are well run. Also most important contact the coach of the team your player would fit and ask them what they expect, their coaching style and experience level. Just don't drink the showcase koolaid right away. And by the way I have coached in the showcase AAA league. Hope this helps.

I'm not saying Showcase is the "end all be all", but for open-level AAA, they are decent and convenient. Coaching is the key, I agree. Both of my sons have played Showcase and both have had good experiences. That's all that I can speak to.

Agreed, having a good experience for the kids is the most important thing.
I just want to point out there is a twin cities team and the organization is alittle more user friendly then others. Thanks for your input.

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Mn/Wis last year their AAA 98 Jr. Badgers won the Meltdown open as well as the Northern Exposure in Duluth, also won the Silver Medal in Lake Placid. The whole program is about development making new friends and having fun in a positive enviroment. If you feel you would like to join a part of it hop on board. For their first year I would say what a nice start! 2009 should be even better.

coach75 wrote:Mn/Wis last year their AAA 98 Jr. Badgers won the Meltdown open as well as the Northern Exposure in Duluth, also won the Silver Medal in Lake Placid. The whole program is about development making new friends and having fun in a positive enviroment. If you feel you would like to join a part of it hop on board. For their first year I would say what a nice start! 2009 should be even better.

Junior Badgers is a great program made better by awesome parents. Fun team and fun program.

Junior Badgers is a great program made better by awesome parents. Fun team and fun program.

Great program that has at least one current Blades skater and one current Icemen skater, along with other players that are already rostered on other AAA teams. Don't pretend that this some new and special program that is entitled to rest on its own laurels.