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its time that hockey all the way from squirts to high school is brought back to the best player plays, obviously this is my own opinion but lets get real, it happens and everybody knows it, i dont wanna be someone that just bitches and moans but its time that the best player plays! its time to put away the big names and bank accounts . (please state your opinions and thoughts.)

There will always be politics and no one can change that. People just have to live with it and hope that they're not the one getting left out. It sounds like something happened recently to you or someone you know involving poplitics.

Welcome to the human race! My name is Mike.

Politics usually only affects the bubble players anyway. A star player plays regardless (in most instances).

Communism! Only the strong shall live in this world of Natural Selection.

Take me for example. Solid youth years, but me nor my family never had any idea what more we could be doing to expose me.

I'm cool with it.

Better education here I come ^.^

rangefan wrote:its time that hockey all the way from squirts to high school is brought back to the best player plays, obviously this is my own opinion but lets get real, it happens and everybody knows it, i dont wanna be someone that just bitches and moans but its time that the best player plays! its time to put away the big names and bank accounts . (please state your opinions and thoughts.)

Too late.

Politics can hurt a team yes, but don't take it personal because if a player is good enough, politics will not stand in their way.

well if a player is good enough and is getting screwed by politics he usually ends up leaving the program, hence maybe this is why players leave mn high school hockey and minnesota hockey in general. Parents cant take the crap anymore.

rangefan wrote:its time that hockey all the way from squirts to high school is brought back to the best player plays, obviously this is my own opinion but lets get real, it happens and everybody knows it, i dont wanna be someone that just bitches and moans but its time that the best player plays! its time to put away the big names and bank accounts . (please state your opinions and thoughts.)

Welcome to America! I can't really comment because it sounds like you had a personal experience. what team are you rooting for this year?

It seems like at young age some kids become the so called "chosen ones" and are the kids the coaches generally focus most of their attention on, well many other young kids just get pushed aside because of politics. And most people who have ever been in or had a kid in youth hockey can probably relate to this in one way or another.

sorry, most of the posters here are correct about politics always existing. unfortunately it starts at a very young age, and is driven by us "the parents". I never was a good politition, and sometimes my own some was the bubble player to be the last cut. I quit coaching around the squirt level, because those who lobbied made me sick. Eventually I may choose to coach again, but I would choose to coach around a B1 to B2 peewee level. Without a child on the team I would be impartial and enjoy watching the boys grow with the game. As I stated, I am not a good politition and would probably irritate the lobbyists. But thats ok! we all have to remember that the game is for the players to enjoy, and we are all just spectators.

eastside hockey wrote:sorry, most of the posters here are correct about politics always existing. unfortunately it starts at a very young age, and is driven by us "the parents". I never was a good politition, and sometimes my own some was the bubble player to be the last cut. I quit coaching around the squirt level, because those who lobbied made me sick. Eventually I may choose to coach again, but I would choose to coach around a B1 to B2 peewee level. Without a child on the team I would be impartial and enjoy watching the boys grow with the game. As I stated, I am not a good politition and would probably irritate the lobbyists. But thats ok! we all have to remember that the game is for the players to enjoy, and we are all just spectators.

I never contacted a coach before or during tryouts. To me it's about honor and integrity, something apparently too many parents lack. A good friend I work with is an A PeeWee coach in a southern suburb, he was telling me about the calls he has been getting, people offering favors-it's disgusting.

WB6162 wrote:A good friend I work with is an A PeeWee coach in a southern suburb, he was telling me about the calls he has been getting, people offering favors-it's disgusting.

What's even more disgusting is that some coaches allow these tactics to work.

MNHockeyFan wrote:

WB6162 wrote:A good friend I work with is an A PeeWee coach in a southern suburb, he was telling me about the calls he has been getting, people offering favors-it's disgusting.

What's even more disgusting is that some coaches allow these tactics to work.

I have met some really good people through hockey, in fact the vast majority of the people I have met I have nothing but respect for. But every association has a few clowns.

Well, I made the mistake last spring of actually talking to one of these "clowns" while I waited for my son to get out of the locker room. We were talking about the State Tourney when here comes some big nutz guy from D2 hockey. The guy walks away from me without even a good bye so he could go suck up to this D2 guy. I only laughed and kicked myself for expecting anything different. I think it's a mental illness with some people and I actually feel sorry for them.

I did not read all the posts on this string so forgive me but let me pose the following. Say you have a son that is nearing his last year of mite hockey, two or three years prior to Squirt hockey. Typically medium to small associations have parent coaches that take the bull by the horn and set forth coaching teams with the goal of building a quality program that their kid can participate in. So this coach calls you and asks if you want to participate in an off season, light, once a week type development/fun and games program. Parent A says yes, parent B says no. The following year the email/call comes again, once again Parent A says yes and parent B says no. The next year the email goes out to Parent A.
As time goes family A continues to go over and above because they have seen the benefits, the player improves, the team has success. Player B family just gripes every other year that their kid does not make the A team.

Does this sound familiar, does ths happen?

I have talked to coaches that can tell me the same story from all corners of the city. This occurs in nearly every association.

Second point, has anyone read Tom Saterdalens book?
If so do you remember when he met with the HIgh School players parent who's kid he cut?
To paraphrase:
parent - "you gave up on my kid"
Sats - "no you gave up on your kid when you did not get him development in the off season".
Is this politics?
The family chose not to follow the path that would keep the kid in the pipeline. That is ok it is a family decision by the way. However, as a result the kids skill set and knowledge of the Sats system were lacking and he took the kid that continued working all year.
The parent blames the coach. It is not politics it is life.
I have a problem trying to understand what exactly politics are?
Truth and perception.

What kind of "favors" are these parents offering?

spadeaspade wrote:Second point, has anyone read Tom Saterdalens book?
If so do you remember when he met with the HIgh School players parent who's kid he cut?
To paraphrase:
parent - "you gave up on my kid"
Sats - "no you gave up on your kid when you did not get him development in the off season".
Is this politics?
The family chose not to follow the path that would keep the kid in the pipeline. That is ok it is a family decision by the way. However, as a result the kids skill set and knowledge of the Sats system were lacking and he took the kid that continued working all year.
The parent blames the coach. It is not politics it is life.
I have a problem trying to understand what exactly politics are?
Truth and perception.

You raise great points. Just think though, in your example the one kid might be about as good as he can be and the other may be far from bumping up against his ceiling.

Coaches are all for skill development at every level below theirs, but they want to coach and that means system play.

By your statement I assume the kid that resisted off season training is the one not close to the ceiling. If that is the case how will you ever know if he cares to hit the ceiling...the other kid/family have been proving it for years. I know a lot of people who tryout for a team, make the A team and consider that the end of the challenge.
Making the A team or varsity is the beginning of a journey. My experience tells me that the people that acheive a higher level with less off season training are the quickest to settle in and be happy with their appointment to that team. The dedication and passion are not there. MAny times the passion lies with another sport.
I completely understand where you are coming from. There are MANY pure athletes out there that strap the skates on at the first assciation pre-season ice or tryout and stumble through tryouts. They often end up making a lower end team. A month or two later they are dominating the b,b2 or C teams they play.
It is pretty tought to just place the kid on a higher team with the assumption that this will happen. The fallout would be equally as great as taking the player that has been working hard his whole life, people scream politicis because a players skill did not put them on the team, rather their potential.
I am getting a bit off topic.
Can you blame an association, coach or system that takes a proven committed player versus a part time player/family to the sport?

No political connections; I am not trying to pick a fight either but you have experienced something I never have. A player that is so good that he has separated himself from others on ice did not make the team? Youare saying that the player was heads and tails better than 14 other players and he did not make the team?
I have heard and seen instances when player A and player B have similar skill sets. The determining factor on placement went on family commitment, family conduct or some other factor that is not related to on ice performance.

spadeaspade wrote:Can you blame an association, coach or system that takes a proven committed player versus a part time player/family to the sport?

Another very good post. Your final comment makes sense, but remember that ADM preaches involvement in multiple sports as an important LTAD tenet.

It's hard to reconcile these competing priorities.

O - I too believe in multi sport athletes. But that does not mean you can't find ways to remain invoved in some way shape or form. I do not believe ANY 1-4 week program/camp in the middle of summer is enough for kids to maintain the skill they developed in the winter months.
That includes Minnesota Mades stuff (no offense to thsoe folks). Regular development of edge and stride - hands and shot are very critical to proper hockey skill maintenance. That is not to say that the kid needs to be on the ice 3-6 times a week in the off season. 1 time a week would do wonders for the players in that category. On going development, not intensified short term training, in the middle of the summer is a great way to maintain ground.
I do not think that is asking too much. I also think that would work for many multi sport athletes schedules....it does and did mine.
Is this off topic? It all relates to a degree. I believe that player placement based on tryout performance differs based on the shoes you are wearing.
I am sure this is not the case everywhere but I believe, for the most part, kids make the team they should make. I am not sure I have ever seen a first line player not make the top team. I cannot say the same for a 3rd line player too many variables. I gues that is why they call it the bubble it can pop or rise.

spadeaspade wrote:O - I too believe in multi sport athletes. But that does not mean you can't find ways to remain invoved in some way shape or form. I do not believe ANY 1-4 week program/camp in the middle of summer is enough for kids to maintain the skill they developed in the winter months.
That includes Minnesota Mades stuff (no offense to thsoe folks). Regular development of edge and stride - hands and shot are very critical to proper hockey skill maintenance. That is not to say that the kid needs to be on the ice 3-6 times a week in the off season. 1 time a week would do wonders for the players in that category. On going development, not intensified short term training, in the middle of the summer is a great way to maintain ground.
I do not think that is asking too much. I also think that would work for many multi sport athletes schedules....it does and did mine.
Is this off topic? It all relates to a degree. I believe that player placement based on tryout performance differs based on the shoes you are wearing.
I am sure this is not the case everywhere but I believe, for the most part, kids make the team they should make. I am not sure I have ever seen a first line player not make the top team. I cannot say the same for a 3rd line player too many variables. I gues that is why they call it the bubble it can pop or rise.

Ugottabekiddingme...when someone sides with the 30.000 foot view IT guy, there is something that doesn't align within this world as we know it. I can write gibberish as well as the next guy...get back on topic or go to the cafe to voice nuetral opinions....just a suggestion.

WB6162 wrote:

MNHockeyFan wrote:

WB6162 wrote:A good friend I work with is an A PeeWee coach in a southern suburb, he was telling me about the calls he has been getting, people offering favors-it's disgusting.

What's even more disgusting is that some coaches allow these tactics to work.

I have met some really good people through hockey, in fact the vast majority of the people I have met I have nothing but respect for. But every association has a few clowns.

Well, I made the mistake last spring of actually talking to one of these "clowns" while I waited for my son to get out of the locker room. We were talking about the State Tourney when here comes some big nutz guy from D2 hockey. The guy walks away from me without even a good bye so he could go suck up to this D2 guy. I only laughed and kicked myself for expecting anything different. I think it's a mental illness with some people and I actually feel sorry for them.

There is no such thing as D2 hockey in MN haha

truehockeyfan wrote:

WB6162 wrote:

MNHockeyFan wrote: What's even more disgusting is that some coaches allow these tactics to work.

I have met some really good people through hockey, in fact the vast majority of the people I have met I have nothing but respect for. But every association has a few clowns.

Well, I made the mistake last spring of actually talking to one of these "clowns" while I waited for my son to get out of the locker room. We were talking about the State Tourney when here comes some big nutz guy from D2 hockey. The guy walks away from me without even a good bye so he could go suck up to this D2 guy. I only laughed and kicked myself for expecting anything different. I think it's a mental illness with some people and I actually feel sorry for them.

There is no such thing as D2 hockey in MN haha

I'd bet he was talking about District 2 hockey, which is the youth programs in the WBL, Forest Lake, Stillwater area.