Monopoly Hockey

[hotsauce]

Congrats to the Monopoly Hockey program. Last weekend their 99' invite team took 2nd and their 00' invite team took 2nd. This weekend in the open tournament their 01's took the championship and the 98' Flyers (their top 98' team) took 2nd. Sounds like things are going in a good direction for that program.

And Yes this is my first post and I am a parent of a player in the program, though his team hasn't played in a tournament yet. Just wanted to recognize a fairly young program that seems to be gaining momentum while doing things right.

[Snowmass]

Congrats to the Monopoly Hockey program. Last weekend their 99' invite team took 2nd and their 00' invite team took 2nd. This weekend in the open tournament their 01's took the championship and the 98' Flyers (their top 98' team) took 2nd. Sounds like things are going in a good direction for that program.

And Yes this is my first post and I am a parent of a player in the program, though his team hasn't played in a tournament yet. Just wanted to recognize a fairly young program that seems to be gaining momentum while doing things right.

Well stated. Monopoly did a nice job and it's nice to see other programs do well too rather than the 1 or 2 dynastys winning it all. It's healthy for MN hockey in general. Congrats.

[DonnyHockey]

I agree it's good to see other programs besides the usual place in these tourney's.

I heard the '00 invite championship 2 weeks ago between Monopoly/ Icemen was a heck of a game. I heard the Icemen goalie played a heck of a game and saved 40+ shots.

[old goalie85]

Looks and sounds like the AAA landscape is changing. Not only with up and coming programs like this, but, some new well run tournys.[Warrior, Caribou]

[hockeydad11]

The Meltdown and Easton Cup are at risk.

[old goalie85]

My oldest is a 94. I remember when those two were the only option. Now with my younger kids[98,00,01,02] I can't believe all the different options.

[InigoMontoya]

How many kids do you have? What are you a farm cat?

[old goalie85]

Five. I think it was from that old toilet seat. I got rid of that damn thing.

[muckandgrind]

The Meltdown and Easton Cup are at risk.

The hilarious part is that McBain, Capra and Hawkinson brought this upon themselves by shutting everyone out who wasn't a member of the so-called "Alliance"...Did the other organizations feel left out? Nope...they just created their own tournaments: Warrior Cup, Caribou Coffee Classic, etc. And these tournaments are quickly overtaking the Meltdown and Easton Cup in promenence.

Classic!!!!!

[old goalie85]

Muck- I know the first two names. Who is the third and what program is he from?

[InigoMontoya]

http://www.unitedaaahockey.com/page/show/110775-contact

[old goalie85]

Thank You!

[Mac15]

Muck- I know the first two names. Who is the third and what program is he from?

Hawkinson is Showcase Enterprises.

[Secord sucks]

It is funny to me how people measure a great program. My opinion is, you select a team and develop it as best you can and enter these kids in tournaments that fit thier skill level. Then the team will grow and develop as a team.

Many of these so called great new programs, Monopoly, Legacy, Icemen pick thier team only to leave thier weaker kids at home for tournaments. Then they go about picking up any strong payers they can find to play the tournaments. A great confidence builder for the weaker kids.

I believe a great prgram should be determined by the coaching and development and the confidence these young kids are left with.
Not wins and losses.

Do your homework before you get caught in one of these programs.

Say what you want about BM at MM and BC w/Easton but you will not see them pulling this kind of crap just for the"W".

[hotsauce]

It is funny to me how people measure a great program. My opinion is, you select a team and develop it as best you can and enter these kids in tournaments that fit thier skill level. Then the team will grow and develop as a team.

Many of these so called great new programs, Monopoly, Legacy, Icemen pick thier team only to leave thier weaker kids at home for tournaments. Then they go about picking up any strong payers they can find to play the tournaments. A great confidence builder for the weaker kids.

I believe a great prgram should be determined by the coaching and development and the confidence these young kids are left with.
Not wins and losses.

Do your homework before you get caught in one of these programs.

Say what you want about BM at MM and BC w/Easton but you will not see them pulling this kind of crap just for the"W".

That seems to be a bit general. I know the Monopoly only had "their" players for the meltdown. They do development with all of their players. I watch their practices. I can't speak for other programs, i.e.legacy, icemen

[muckandgrind]

It is funny to me how people measure a great program. My opinion is, you select a team and develop it as best you can and enter these kids in tournaments that fit thier skill level. Then the team will grow and develop as a team.

Many of these so called great new programs, Monopoly, Legacy, Icemen pick thier team only to leave thier weaker kids at home for tournaments. Then they go about picking up any strong payers they can find to play the tournaments. A great confidence builder for the weaker kids.

I believe a great prgram should be determined by the coaching and development and the confidence these young kids are left with.
Not wins and losses.

Do your homework before you get caught in one of these programs.

Say what you want about BM at MM and BC w/Easton but you will not see them pulling this kind of crap just for the"W".

Ummmm.....yes you do.

It's not uncommon for programs to have an open and an invite team. Some programs have a tournament team, and then practice players. My advice to parents is to make sure you know where your kid fits in before you write that check.[/b]

[square corners]

Good advice, Muck. I'll add my two cents. . . Before you write that check, find out whether the AAA program brings in kids to play in a tournament who aren't regulars on the team and who haven't paid to skate. Then, determine whether the coaches sit some of the "tournament" kids (who made the team and paid to skate) while the newbies play and skate for free. Legacy has a history of doing this bait and switch to kids. Mind you, they wait until mom and dad have written the final check before they "gift" your kid's paid tournament ice time to freeloading newbies.

The best summer hockey AAA programs consist of teams where the coaches pick their kids, stand by their selections and develop the kids. Five years from now, no one is going to remember how many games your son's AAA team won or lost, but they might remember a coach who developed boys into the best they could be, was a good role model and didn't cast his selections aside for short term, unearned gains in a meaningless tournament.

I don't have a problem with programs who make kids try out and make the team every year, but I do have an issue with programs that play bait and switch during the season.

[donkypunchr]

Good advice, Muck. I'll add my two cents. . . Before you write that check, find out whether the AAA program brings in kids to play in a tournament who aren't regulars on the team and who haven't paid to skate. Then, determine whether the coaches sit some of the "tournament" kids (who made the team and paid to skate) while the newbies play and skate for free. Legacy has a history of doing this bait and switch to kids. Mind you, they wait until mom and dad have written the final check before they "gift" your kid's paid tournament ice time to freeloading newbies.

The best summer hockey AAA programs consist of teams where the coaches pick their kids, stand by their selections and develop the kids. Five years from now, no one is going to remember how many games your son's AAA team won or lost, but they might remember a coach who developed boys into the best they could be, was a good role model and didn't cast his selections aside for short term, unearned gains in a meaningless tournament.

I don't have a problem with programs who make kids try out and make the team every year, but I do have an issue with programs that play bait and switch during the season.

Really...Legacy has a history of doing this! My son has been in their program since the beginning. Not one time did the coaching staff bring in a player for a tournament only. You must be confused with the icemen or easton teams. Get your facts straight.

[InigoMontoya]

Good advice, Muck. I'll add my two cents. . . Before you write that check, find out whether the AAA program brings in kids to play in a tournament who aren't regulars on the team and who haven't paid to skate. Then, determine whether the coaches sit some of the "tournament" kids (who made the team and paid to skate) while the newbies play and skate for free. Legacy has a history of doing this bait and switch to kids. Mind you, they wait until mom and dad have written the final check before they "gift" your kid's paid tournament ice time to freeloading newbies.

The best summer hockey AAA programs consist of teams where the coaches pick their kids, stand by their selections and develop the kids. Five years from now, no one is going to remember how many games your son's AAA team won or lost, but they might remember a coach who developed boys into the best they could be, was a good role model and didn't cast his selections aside for short term, unearned gains in a meaningless tournament.

I don't have a problem with programs who make kids try out and make the team every year, but I do have an issue with programs that play bait and switch during the season.

Really...Legacy has a history of doing this! My son has been in their program since the beginning. Not one time did the coaching staff bring in a player for a tournament only. You must be confused with the icemen or easton teams. Get your facts straight.

Uh-oh. The gauntlet has been thrown down. The donkypunchr (his wife must be very proud) has claimed no substitutes at Legacy - would that be just the last couple years, or back when they were the Cyclones, as well. Square Corners seemed pretty confident, however.

[square corners]

Donkey,

I speak the facts, buddy. My knowledge is based on first hand experience.

Sounds like your son is on the '96 team and you've had a good experience. Good for you. But life is different on the younger teams where some coaches are desperate to inflate their stats.

[donkypunchr]

Good advice, Muck. I'll add my two cents. . . Before you write that check, find out whether the AAA program brings in kids to play in a tournament who aren't regulars on the team and who haven't paid to skate. Then, determine whether the coaches sit some of the "tournament" kids (who made the team and paid to skate) while the newbies play and skate for free. Legacy has a history of doing this bait and switch to kids. Mind you, they wait until mom and dad have written the final check before they "gift" your kid's paid tournament ice time to freeloading newbies.

The best summer hockey AAA programs consist of teams where the coaches pick their kids, stand by their selections and develop the kids. Five years from now, no one is going to remember how many games your son's AAA team won or lost, but they might remember a coach who developed boys into the best they could be, was a good role model and didn't cast his selections aside for short term, unearned gains in a meaningless tournament.

I don't have a problem with programs who make kids try out and make the team every year, but I do have an issue with programs that play bait and switch during the season.

Really...Legacy has a history of doing this! My son has been in their program since the beginning. Not one time did the coaching staff bring in a player for a tournament only. You must be confused with the icemen or easton teams. Get your facts straight.

Uh-oh. The gauntlet has been thrown down. The donkypunchr (his wife must be very proud) has claimed no substitutes at Legacy - would that be just the last couple years, or back when they were the Cyclones, as well. Square Corners seemed pretty confident, however.

No subs dating back to the cyclones.

[donkypunchr]

Donkey,

I speak the facts, buddy. My knowledge is based on first hand experience.

Sounds like your son is on the '96 team and you've had a good experience. Good for you. But life is different on the younger teams where some coaches are desperate to inflate their stats.

square - I'm very familiar w/ both the 96's & 97's... and speak only facts, buddy. same story for both.

[Secord sucks]

This is funny! It seems to me that many programs let the coach of each level make these decisions. Just because the 96 Legacy was lucky enough to form a strong team and has never plucked kids does not mean that the lower levels are not plucking kids all over the place. Legacy, Icemen, Monopoly are doing this at the younger levels.. If you are lucky enough to say your kid has not had this experience well good for you. But trust me it is happening all over the place and it's not good for the program or AAA hockey.

Make sure you discuss these matters with the coach before you write the check.

[stupidiswhatstupiddoes]

This is funny! It seems to me that many programs let the coach of each level make these decisions. Just because the 96 Legacy was lucky enough to form a strong team and has never plucked kids does not mean that the lower levels are not plucking kids all over the place. Legacy, Icemen, Monopoly are doing this at the younger levels.. If you are lucky enough to say your kid has not had this experience well good for you. But trust me it is happening all over the place and it's not good for the program or AAA hockey.

Make sure you discuss these matters with the coach before you write the check.

I find it funny that when people on this forum, or life in general, get all bent out of shape and lay fault with another person or institution or program, etc. They tend to never look at their own personal involvement and tend to have trouble coming to ask themselves what they would have done differently to avoid the negative situation or circumstance.

Truth be told, when people have a problem there is always another side to the story.

In the cases you are claiming against these programs you are implying that the coaches told the parents and the kids that they would be playing in the tournaments and therefore paid to play in the tournaments but when the tournaments come around they are telling them they can't play??? Is that what you are saying?

Or, maybe, are you seeing names on rosters or on the ice that don't associate with a particular program and making an assumption that somebody got screwed so this other kid could play.

What is it?

[Secord sucks]

This is funny! It seems to me that many programs let the coach of each level make these decisions. Just because the 96 Legacy was lucky enough to form a strong team and has never plucked kids does not mean that the lower levels are not plucking kids all over the place. Legacy, Icemen, Monopoly are doing this at the younger levels.. If you are lucky enough to say your kid has not had this experience well good for you. But trust me it is happening all over the place and it's not good for the program or AAA hockey.

Make sure you discuss these matters with the coach before you write the check.

I find it funny that when people on this forum, or life in general, get all bent out of shape and lay fault with another person or institution or program, etc. They tend to never look at their own personal involvement and tend to have trouble coming to ask themselves what they would have done differently to avoid the negative situation or circumstance.

Truth be told, when people have a problem there is always another side to the story.

In the cases you are claiming against these programs you are implying that the coaches told the parents and the kids that they would be playing in the tournaments and therefore paid to play in the tournaments but when the tournaments come around they are telling them they can't play??? Is that what you are saying?

Or, maybe, are you seeing names on rosters or on the ice that don't associate with a particular program and making an assumption that somebody got screwed so this other kid could play.

What is it?

Here is what I see happening. Parents are told that their kids will have a fair chance to make the tournament team. When tournament time comes around and the coach can pick up better skaters from other teams, he will. Some coaches, not all will play their own kids based on how many studs they can pluck. It happens a lot and I think it is wrong. If you think this is OK then you can be put in the group of people that would put the "W" before the confidence of a third line skater. If a kid is told he is a practice player that is fine but I do not believe in giving kids false hope and crushing thier confidence.