Not what I meant at all ... I love local hockey. I believe the community model is what's best for the majority of youth hockey. (I said the majority, not the entirety!)SCBlueLiner wrote:Dr. Gaf,
I wouldn't blame that on local hockey. I would blame your son being pigeonholed as a defensman on a shortsighted coach. Kids at Squirts and PeeWees should get experience playing C, W, and D. It will only help their overall game and make them better at whatever they end up doing.
That being said, I think you should be happy your son played D at an early age. Young D generally develop better overall skating skills than forwards. It might be ice time since less D are carried on a team, but I think it has more to do with skating backwards, pivoting, transition skating, etc. that make them stronger skaters.
I agree though, defense is where it's at.
I was referring to skating with the same families all summer, all winter, rinse and repeat year after year after year. If kids are not given an opportunity in other situations you really never know what they have.
I am encouraging this next generation of hockey parents to get out of the local rink and teach your little Gretzky to fly. Take you kid to a tryout where they don't know the coach and or half the team already... they might surprise you.
Whatever, just my thoughts on it.
