The Truth

[boblee]

I have been hearing rumors that girls on this "bored" are becoming very angry with the two cents of some people who post. I was wondering what you guys/gals think of this. If a team is struggle is it wrong to post that they have been struggling, or "playing poorly" or underachieving? I don't know, but last time I checked, teams get hot, teams get cold, and every quality fan has an opinion, which is truth based. So I am asking, do we need to stop talking about the negatives side to a team's performance(s)?

[ghshockeyfan]

I have been hearing rumors that girls on this "bored" are becoming very angry with the two cents of some people who post. I was wondering what you guys/gals think of this. If a team is struggle is it wrong to post that they have been struggling, or "playing poorly" or underachieving? I don't know, but last time I checked, teams get hot, teams get cold, and every quality fan has an opinion, which is truth based. So I am asking, do we need to stop talking about the negatives side to a team's performance(s)?

The whole reason I ever started posting on here was to stop that which I thought was far too negative and to try to change what appeared to be a place for people to come and hide behind a screen name and bash KIDS.

It's interesting though, as I think that it's tough to be honest w/o at times being critical of teams. Last year, my kids loved the commentary on here by one SSP backer that motivated them SO much that they wanted to play SSP tougher than ever and they played their best game while still very much outplayed the second time we saw SSP last year. But some kids won't take this as motivation.

We can't control free speech, and thank goodness this is the case, but I think that we do all need to keep in mind that there really may not be a need to bash. I'd prefer we talk up the good and refrain from attacking, etc. the bad.

Where do you draw the line though? Naming individual player's names? Naming teams? Etc., etc.? I don't know that any of us should really make that determination. I'd just ask that each person think of being in the shoes of those that they may be negatively speaking of - or consider if that was your kid or your kid's team that you're commenting on.

There's so much to be positive about, that I don't think we need to talk about the negatives...

[hockeyrube7]

I have been hearing rumors that girls on this "bored" are becoming very angry with the two cents of some people who post. I was wondering what you guys/gals think of this. If a team is struggle is it wrong to post that they have been struggling, or "playing poorly" or underachieving? I don't know, but last time I checked, teams get hot, teams get cold, and every quality fan has an opinion, which is truth based. So I am asking, do we need to stop talking about the negatives side to a team's performance(s)?

I for one think the kids need to deal with the trueth, yet there has to be a limit. Bob, I have seen nothing negative in your comments, and admire your honesty. Kids though, especially teenagers, are much more sensitive to these things, and read in to them way too far. I guess you'd have to look at it as they do with college or pro sports, don't read the media if you can't take the critisism.

I am from no where near GR, and yet have seen this team for several years now. And I would have to agree with all that you have posted so far. Before the year began, I too thought GR would be the 7AA favorites, and that may very well still end up that way, yet the team hasn't seemed to form in to a team as of yet. I haven't had a chance to see them yet this year, and will at some point, maybe at state, should they start to form as a team.

[hockeygod]

the basic rule for me is not to get personal about my comments, I say what I feel and I try to respect others opinions. If a kid asks me a question I tell them what I think they can do to improve....i guess honesty should never be discouraged, the truth hurts sometimes but it will set you free

[GoFigure]

I don't think it is necessarily the truth, but the way it is presented. Quite simply "treat others how you want to be treated" is a very simple rule to follow and live by. I think some of the posts on this board are not always of an intellectual nature. The purpose is to discuss matters, but not to belittle or berate a team, player, or coach. But simply to express a positive opinion. When you get adults interacting with the young athletes, you are talking about two totally different levels of maturity. When you post, remember, would I or my daughter want to be reading this about ourselves. And for those who insist on taking the immature route, please don't, it is only an insult to yourself and makes people like me go "get the heck off the board!" If we wanted to listen to unintellectual conversations we would hang out at the local preschool! And they would give some a challenge!

[hockeygod]

your right presentation is also a big part of it

[Zamman]

So many people on these boards comment on what they read here and in the paper. I would bet that most people on here do not see many games. I am at plenty of games at the Richfield arena for both AHA and Richfield. Girls games, at least from our two high schools, do not draw a lot of people and most of them are parents and families.
I wish more students would come and watch, both teams AHA and Richfield are playing real good and are fun to watch. Richfield has a quality goaltender in Claire RIchards and some quick offense with Sonja Sorakrai and Michelle Lunneborg. Their defense is big and quick, all four of them. For AHA, they play very good together and have solid goaltending. They are 9 - 0 and have been to the state tournament for 2 years now. I can only comment on these teams as I see them all the time, I do see the opponents and can only comment on who they play. Once.

[elliott70]

A couple of years ago I said Bemidji was behind Elk River at the beginning of the year. Of course, I was right, but SOME of the kids and SOME of the parents chastised me for even thinking this. They said I should be a Bemidji supporter no matter what.

My response was simple, I support Bemidji but I am not going to lie when expressing my opinion.

Being negative to the point of being mean is one thing, but being mean is not what BOBLEE does (unless its Junior Gold).

If you can't take the heat; don't come into the kitchen.

[boblee]

A couple of years ago I said Bemidji was behind Elk River at the beginning of the year. Of course, I was right, but SOME of the kids and SOME of the parents chastised me for even thinking this. They said I should be a Bemidji supporter no matter what.

My response was simple, I support Bemidji but I am not going to lie when expressing my opinion.

Being negative to the point of being mean is one thing, but being mean is not what BOBLEE does (unless its Junior Gold).

If you can't take the heat; don't come into the kitchen.

Well, I think that simply answered my question. Thanks for the answers everyone. Keep this topic going though. It is a good one.

[hockeyrube7]

A couple of years ago I said Bemidji was behind Elk River at the beginning of the year. Of course, I was right, but SOME of the kids and SOME of the parents chastised me for even thinking this. They said I should be a Bemidji supporter no matter what.

My response was simple, I support Bemidji but I am not going to lie when expressing my opinion.

Being negative to the point of being mean is one thing, but being mean is not what BOBLEE does (unless its Junior Gold).

If you can't take the heat; don't come into the kitchen.

Will do Boblee, and here goes. Elliot: I too find it hard to say "support your home team no matter what". Our home town team will win a total of maybe 5 or 6 games this year, and maybe less the year after. I won't say who it is, but I find them hard to watch, yet support my daughter whole heartily. It's kind of like supporting the Vikes, you want them to do well, and you hope the best everytime you go to the game, yet your better side knows what will most likely happen.

And I agree complete with the "heat in the kitchen" take! Only thing is we are talking about kids anywhere from 13 to 19 years old, they might just be a little emotional.

[hockeygod]

personally I was not a huge fan of girls hockey in general, but i have a couple of daughters that play so I have been forced to learn about it and now I enjoy it sort of. even if my girls arn't on good teams i will support them wholeheartedly in what ever the try and it's up to me to learn to enjoy it...i'm honest with them about what they have to work on but i do lie to them sometimes when they ask if i enjoyed the game...I do enjoy the speed and skill of the boys game and I'm sure as womens hockey matures i will see more and more skilled teams and will enjoy it more

[elliott70]

rube
On this site I try to talk about individuals only on occassion and theat is in a positive way.
But as a team they need to know the truth. Age 12 and up is my rule for telling kids what they need to do to improve (no matter what sport, school etc...)
But that does not mean you do not support them.
I am sure your team knows about how well they will do, but hey also know that you are at the game, cheering for all the positives.

And as I tell the teams I coach, as long as you respect the game, yourself, your team, the other team and all involved, you, as an are a winner. Coaches lose games, kids win games. I try to be honest at all times (sometines I wrap the honest in a comforting blanket, but I still try to be honest.)

And BOBLEE contributes a ton to this sight, so know one should ask him to pull his punches.

GRG - YOU NEED TO SCORE GOALS, CONSISTENTLY.

YOU KNOW IT, YOUR COACH KNOWS IT AND SO do the rest of us.

When that happens you may be a top ten team, right now, GRG is not a top twenty team.
But like I told some BHS girls, its December, keep working on getting better.

[hockeygod]

VINDICATION.... I took alot of heat (mostly from coaches) when I critisized the Hill Murray Coaches for having there team prepicked during tryouts...I watched as one girl absolutly tore through tryouts and the coaches paid no attention....well after being the best player on the ice for all of the JV season so far and being a dependable scoring threat, they have noticed and promoted her to varsity where she belonged since the begining of tryouts..good luck to her, I'm glad someone finally opened there eyes. Maybe we should call it a christmas miricle, but it's nice to see that skill won out over popularity.

[hockeyrube7]

VINDICATION.... I took alot of heat (mostly from coaches) when I critisized the Hill Murray Coaches for having there team prepicked during tryouts...I watched as one girl absolutly tore through tryouts and the coaches paid no attention....well after being the best player on the ice for all of the JV season so far and being a dependable scoring threat, they have noticed and promoted her to varsity where she belonged since the begining of tryouts..good luck to her, I'm glad someone finally opened there eyes. Maybe we should call it a christmas miricle, but it's nice to see that skill won out over popularity.

This sounds like way all too common of a theme! The problem here is every kid is at the mercy of what every one individual believes, "The Coach". If their coach has a preconcieved notion about the kid, they are lucky to get a chance. Mean while, what some would call misguided kids get all the breaks, as the coach likes them. Good for your kid, to break through!

[finance_gal]

One of my daughters used to play for hill. It seems the coaches don't take the time to notice anyone outside of their little orbits. They have good teams but it has nothing to do with the coaching it has more to do with the parental involvment. Good coaches are hard to find, thats why we have an OE problem and we will continue to have this problem until there are enough high quality coaches that are capable of taking a player to the next level.