What has happened to century high schools hockey program?

[hockeyislife3]

I heard lots of kids quit the team at the end of the season.

[Marty McSorely]

Simple.....the city hasn't grown that direction... and all those who moved there for the new high school have graduated.

[grandmeadowhockeyfan]

Does that make anyone else nervous that players quit in season. What reasons were given? Were they first liners, fourth liners? Team was fairly average last year. One or two slightly above average players.

[Roy01]

Hockey in Rochester overall has declined in the past few years, especially at the youth level and now it is being felt at the high school level (well, maybe not with Lourdes...but Section 1A isn't exactly known for its strength). I don't know anything about players quitting mid/prior to the season, but I know just in the growth of that city, the schools, the area, etc. There isn't going to be that great influx of players as there was in the past. Maybe not for some time at least...

[TheSiouxSuck]

They redrew the lines for school districts and Century became landlocked, with no additional students being added. All the new developmental area's were put into Mayo and J.M. Looks like pretty lean times ahead for Century.

[hockeyislife3]

I heard a lot of kids went to mayo/jm because of the coaching situation at century.

[Bluelightspecial]

Hockeylife3, so you and some of your buddy's quit because of the coaches. Now your on hear searching for applause. Nice!

[hockeyislife3]

No bluelightspecial, I dont even live in rochester, im just a guy looking for answers.

[Marty McSorely]

I don't recall any kids quitting last season. They cut a couple of kids due to suspension issues and some weren't JV quality by any stretch of the imagination.....

As for questionable coaching.... my kids have played for the head and D- Coach and loved them.

As for Rochester Hockey and all other sports in general. The city continues to grow but the number of families with children hasn't risen much. The school district is saying there will be a need for a new elementary school within the next few years. With 20-40 percent of the student body being from non-sporting countries it's a tough road for all sports.

[old goalie85]

What countries are they from ??

[LivinDaDream]

If not mistaken - Century was/still is a young team. Mainly Juniors this upcoming year? Would assume some JV skaters have moved on...knowing the opportunity to skate varsity is slim.

Doubt there has been any movement (of skaters) to Mayo or JM due to coaching issues. That'd just be rumor garbage and 'scapegoat' mentality.

Growing pains of boundary adjustments - and four high schools....less hockey players feeding into them.

[Marty McSorely]

Somalia, South Texas & Arabs.

I believe they have between 20-28 players total for captains practice.

[hockeyislife3]

For jv and varsity????

[goldy313]

Century has about 1100 students, JM and Mayo about 1600. That's inline with what the voters approved when the bond referendum to build Century was approved, Century had a higher enrollment when JM and Mayo were being added on to and remodeled but now that those projects are over and the enrollments are where they really should be. The other thing with enrollments is the district tried to balance out the free/reduced lunch numbers, at one time JM was up near 40% and Century was around 10%, so a couple of sizable neighborhoods switched schools; kids on the F/R lunch program aren't playing hockey.

From what I understand the problem will get worse, there are about 20 kids playing hockey at the middle school that feeds Century and some will, as they do from all schools and always have, migrate to Lourdes or quit hockey by the ninth grade.

I do think there is some blame that can fairly be put on the coaching staff as well.

[hocmom]

A common problem in many cities with changing demographics. Small towns with 1 high school with 1000 students. 10 years ago those 1000 students came from families with football, hockey, basketball & baseball traditions. It is now common for 50% of the class to have none of these sports in their backgrounds.

Many of the new families in these towns are also transient, they will only live in the area for a few years.

Hard to build a hockey program with these kids.

On the other hand there are some really good soccer teams.

[inthetwine]

A common problem in many cities with changing demographics. Small towns with 1 high school with 1000 students. 10 years ago those 1000 students came from families with football, hockey, basketball & baseball traditions. It is now common for 50% of the class to have none of these sports in their backgrounds.

Many of the new families in these towns are also transient, they will only live in the area for a few years.

Hard to build a hockey program with these kids.

On the other hand there are some really good soccer teams.

Not to mention Badmiton!

[goldy313]

Century isn't fielding a JV as of at least tonight, I showed up at 7pm for their game with JM tonight and there was 6 minutes left in the 3rd period of the varsity game, the JV game was cancelled due to lack of players by Century, argh, it would have been nice of the local paper to report the time change.

[bestpopcorn]

A common problem in many cities with changing demographics. Small towns with 1 high school with 1000 students. 10 years ago those 1000 students came from families with football, hockey, basketball & baseball traditions. It is now common for 50% of the class to have none of these sports in their backgrounds.

Many of the new families in these towns are also transient, they will only live in the area for a few years.

Hard to build a hockey program with these kids.

On the other hand there are some really good soccer teams.

Not to mention Badmiton!

Never forget that in the end it is ALWAYS the youth boards fault. It is mandatory that you stand at the end of the rink and run them up the flagpole.

[wooshlager]

Good to see them beat JM last week.

What is the problem with the coaching staff? In my view I would see them as having the top ones in the city with Zmolek helping out.