ushl

[hockey62]

My son was contacted by a ushl team to a futures camp, but its in california does it sound like its way for teams to pay for there regular season.and send out invites like this?

[Dazed&Confused]

I believe you are correct and I feel the same way. BUT! My son was invited to a camp and he did attend. And I was extremely impressed and felt my time and money was well spent. Truely a top notch camp and the instruction level of play and coaching was great.

[MNHockey08]

What USHL team has a futures tryout in california?

[hockey62]

The team is the TRI CITY STORM We went to LasVegas for a open tryout and now he's been contacted for the futures camp.but the futures camp is'nt posted on there web site which has me a little leary

[Dazed&Confused]

There futures camp is listed and its in Bloomington Minnesota.

[hockey62]

The one in bloomington is full 100 kids, the one in cali has 80 kids max thats what they told me when I contacted them.

[SotaH0ck14]

their futures camp is this upcoming weekend i believe

[Blue&Gold]

Go to the Sioux City web site and contact them about their camp. It will be held in Sioux City. www.musketeershockey.com I believe.

[wild77]

Wait a minute. If their Bloomington camp is full and your son wasn't invited to that camp what does that tell you about where your son fits into their current plans. IMO, they are merely trying to pay for their expenses. Don't fall for it unless you have nothing better to spend your money on. Seriously, if you wanted to give your son some experience in USHL tryouts there were plenty of open tryouts earlier in the year. If he hadn't been invited to any of them....IMO.....wait for next year. Remember, and write this down, USHL coaches and scouts will tell you everything you want to hear. Be very skeptical about what they say. Accept the criticism, but not the promises. If you are not on the 1st or 2nd line or pk your playing time in any game can be very minimal.

[Blue&Gold]

Wait a minute. If their Bloomington camp is full and your son wasn't invited to that camp what does that tell you about where your son fits into their current plans. IMO, they are merely trying to pay for their expenses. Don't fall for it unless you have nothing better to spend your money on. Seriously, if you wanted to give your son some experience in USHL tryouts there were plenty of open tryouts earlier in the year. If he hadn't been invited to any of them....IMO.....wait for next year. Remember, and write this down, USHL coaches and scouts will tell you everything you want to hear. Be very skeptical about what they say. Accept the criticism, but not the promises. If you are not on the 1st or 2nd line or pk your playing time in any game can be very minimal.

Wow pardner, but "1st or 2nd line or PK or won't play much"? These teams play 60 games a season, with two or three games during a weekend. In high school hockey, a team can play two lines for most of the game, but not in the USHL or NAHL. The speed and intensity is so high, you need 4 lines just to survive. Sure, the top two lines might get a few shifts more a game, but they can't play the entire game.

Now, I do agree that these future camps are "suspect" to a degree. The league is working with the "Affiliate" process instead of the "Futures" groups. If your son is being asked by one team, contact others if you want to see where he stands against other prospects. OR, if you're looking for a vacation to LasVegas or California, go for it. If I were in your shoes, I'd check out the Sioux City team as well as others to see if you can get into their camps.

Good luck. PM me if you have any questions, I have some experience with the league.

[wild77]

Wow pardner, but "1st or 2nd line or PK or won't play much"? These teams play 60 games a season, with two or three games during a weekend. In high school hockey, a team can play two lines for most of the game, but not in the USHL or NAHL. The speed and intensity is so high, you need 4 lines just to survive. Sure, the top two lines might get a few shifts more a game, but they can't play the entire game.

Now, I do agree that these future camps are "suspect" to a degree. The league is working with the "Affiliate" process instead of the "Futures" groups. If your son is being asked by one team, contact others if you want to see where he stands against other prospects. OR, if you're looking for a vacation to LasVegas or California, go for it. If I were in your shoes, I'd check out the Sioux City team as well as others to see if you can get into their camps.

Good luck. PM me if you have any questions, I have some experience with the league.

Ist of all I am not a coach, but I have watched quite a few USHL games for a few years. 2nd, I am a fan of the USHL and am familar with some of the current players 3rd, I stand by my remark. In ANY game that is a penalty filled game (which is not uncommon in the USHL) 3rd and 4th liners not on the pk can see very limited playing time. Obviously, 4th liners will probably see much less than 3rd liners. Lastly, what really has bothered me about the USHL is the lack of information given to parents and players regarding players rights.
Can a high schooler be traded or cut? What happens if the coach says you are no longer rostered, but tells your kid to keep coming to practice? Can you contact other teams? Can you leave? Can he still be traded? Who has his rights? Should he contact a NAHL team? Just, IMO.

[Blue&Gold]

"Ist of all I am not a coach, but I have watched quite a few USHL games for a few years. 2nd, I am a fan of the USHL and am familar with some of the current players 3rd, I stand by my remark. In ANY game that is a penalty filled game (which is not uncommon in the USHL) 3rd and 4th liners not on the pk can see very limited playing time. Obviously, 4th liners will probably see much less than 3rd liners. Lastly, what really has bothered me about the USHL is the lack of information given to parents and players regarding players rights.
Can a high schooler be traded or cut? What happens if the coach says you are no longer rostered, but tells your kid to keep coming to practice? Can you contact other teams? Can you leave? Can he still be traded? Who has his rights? Should he contact a NAHL team? Just, IMO."

Let me see if I can help just a bit here. First off, if ANY parent sends their kid to ANY league and not know the answers to these questions, then shame on them. (sorry if too blunt.. but I knew these answers before sending my son off..) Yes, a high schooler can be traded or cut. They don't do it very often, but it does happen. (think about that if you've enrolled in a school, you aren't going to come back and play for your high school team, right?) If you keep your player at the team's location when not on the roster, then you are saying that you want him to develop there, but won't play. If the player is NOT rostered, OR on the Affiliated list, then they are FREE. You can contact teams in any league at that time. There will not be a trade if not on the roster or affiliated list as no rights are owned at that time.

I've said it in previous posts, but it bears repeating: Junior Hockey is a BUSINESS, regardless of A or B, or Tier I, II or III. Coaches need to put a winning team on the ice in order to put butts in the seats. They are NOT there to develop Johnny, although if they can be successful AND develop Johnny, then that's great.

So, the USHL teams own the rights of the players on the active roster AND the affiliated roster. The active roster is down to 23 players after September 30th, for the season. The Affiliated roster is (I believe) 12. Players can be shuffled somewhat, but for the most part, this is how it works. (Roster is at 30 after the draft, until July 1, then 25 until September 30th.)

If you think this is tough of the USHL, just check the other leagues (especially the former B, now Tier III) and how they've handled their livestock (players) in the past. If you're not sure if you'll play regularly, it's a long season. If you're going to be a regular contributor then it's the best hockey around.

I don't want to scare anyone here, but do some homework before going to any league that is a business. Ask questions of people that have been involved at any level.

I hope this helps, and I apologize if I was too blunt in any response, but it's important that people know, not just assume.

[wild77]

You weren't too blunt, but I am not the one that needs the answers. I was posing those questions to get the original poster to think about them. I've been through it a few times and know the answers to those questions, but I have seen a lot of parents and kids that did not understand their situations. I love the hockey, but dislike the lack of respect most kids receive from their coaches and the league regarding their situations. A kid drives all the way back home, which was in New Jersey, for the Christmas break. He drives all the way back after christmas break only to have the coach tell him he has been cut. He packed up the next morning and drove back to new Jersey. What choices did he have? I'll bet that was a nice drive. Like you said, most players are just cattle to the organization. They are a big part of the reason teams make a profit, yet they are not on the payroll. Free labor! I wish I had it in my business. Just, IMO. BTW, I am not trying to scare kids away from Junior hockey. I just want to reiterate what the previous poster posted. Be informed and be honest about your or your kid's talent level. Also, one more thing. If you have some real in depth knowledge about hockey opputunities after the high school level and could write kind of a junior hockey for dummies type of book I think it would sell very well. I get quite a few questions about the leagues on a regular basis from parents in our hockey program and other programs close by. Good Luck!

[Blue&Gold]

I assume when I write things, it's for the masses anyway. And I agree with the frustrations you mentioned of the NJ kid. I know one who was released after the "Buc Bowl" as a senior in high school and had to find a spot in the NAHL. The coach of the USHL team did help with that, though.

Observer85 and I could probably answer just about any question that you have. If you were to send me a PM I could help with many questions. I'm not much of a writer whereas Observer is. Maybe he and I could to a "Junior Primer for the Parents". You probably could answer most yourself, and I appreciate that you ask them to get people to think.

Good Luck to all!!

[Can't Never Tried]

This is one of the most informative threads I've seen on post HS or Junior hockey I hope it gets archived and you guys keep submitting answers to the good questions that are asked, and even more importantly the ones that are not asked.

Thanks B&G and Observer!!

[juniorhockey]

It never gets out about the coach/team who keeps the High School kid all year when he wasn't ready. Sometimes the player who returns from Christmas break was found to be a trouble off the ice during the first half of the season and the reason he was let go was his fault.

You all will hear so many bad stories, but the fact is these are few and far between, Nearly all organizations are well run and put the kids first. If they didn't do this, kids would demand trades more often.

There also was a big push several years ago for a "Players Bill of Rights." I believe that it was approved, but I'm not sure where to find a copy. Someone might know where to get one.

My overall point is... it's not as bad as everyone always makes it, and the level of hockey is very high.

[Blue&Gold]

I certainly don't mean to make it sound bad. My son went as a senior, and it was a great experience! However, everyone should know what they're getting into as making a team is just one step, and some kids don't play, or are released, etc.. Go into the junior programs with your eyes wide open, and make sure you understand all the issues.

My son would not have traded that year for anything. Great hockey, good people, he made some great friends (both on the team and at the local high school) and experienced things that a kid won't while staying home with Mom taking care of everything.

Good luck to all, and do what's right for YOU..

[breakout]

I certainly don't mean to make it sound bad. My son went as a senior, and it was a great experience! However, everyone should know what they're getting into as making a team is just one step, and some kids don't play, or are released, etc.. Go into the junior programs with your eyes wide open, and make sure you understand all the issues.

My son would not have traded that year for anything. Great hockey, good people, he made some great friends (both on the team and at the local high school) and experienced things that a kid won't while staying home with Mom taking care of everything.

Good luck to all, and do what's right for YOU..

Great info on this thread. There is some solid input from people with USHL experience.

I am old school and think that kids should should stay in high school and play with their friends and leverage Elite League(s), etc. Maybe get a chance at being a Captain if you are viewed as a leader.

However, I agree............do what's right for you and your situation.

[Observer85]

I have been reading this thread and want to express some of my thoughts. Blue & Gold and I have both experienced junior hockey and have had many conversations about the good and bad of this phase of a young hockey player's career.

The one in bloomington is full 100 kids, the one in cali has 80 kids max thats what they told me when I contacted them.

These are camps for players who are hoping to get noticed. There are alot of kids in other parts of the country that have skill and ambition, only they lack the exposure. If you go to one of these, remember to keep things in perspective. Some kids peak early, some later. These camps will show your son were he is in relation to other kids his age.

I've said it in previous posts, but it bears repeating: Junior Hockey is a BUSINESS, regardless of A or B, or Tier I, II or III. Coaches need to put a winning team on the ice in order to put butts in the seats. They are NOT there to develop Johnny, although if they can be successful AND develop Johnny, then that's great.

This is very true...it is a BUSINESS. Coaches are charged with putting together teams that win. However, it is also a business at the next level too. Whether that be college hockey, major juniors or professional ranks. So in some ways, by sending your son to a junior league, the innocence of the amateur high school game is gone. When you leave HS for this level, you actually have to compete for your GAME ice time during weekly practices. You no longer can just go through the motions with your HS team and play because you are better than your classmates/teammates.

Observer85 and I could probably answer just about any question that you have. If you were to send me a PM I could help with many questions. I'm not much of a writer whereas Observer is. Maybe he and I could to a "Junior Primer for the Parents". You probably could answer most yourself, and I appreciate that you ask them to get people to think.

There are many parents who have gone through this experience, many for multiple kids. I know some parents who had one son whose experience was positive and the other one struggled and ended up leaving the game.

It never gets out about the coach/team who keeps the High School kid all year when he wasn't ready. Sometimes the player who returns from Christmas break was found to be a trouble off the ice during the first half of the season and the reason he was let go was his fault.

You all will hear so many bad stories, but the fact is these are few and far between, Nearly all organizations are well run and put the kids first. If they didn't do this, kids would demand trades more often.

There also was a big push several years ago for a "Players Bill of Rights." I believe that it was approved, but I'm not sure where to find a copy. Someone might know where to get one.

My overall point is... it's not as bad as everyone always makes it, and the level of hockey is very high.

Junior Hockey makes many good points. A lot of times you will only hear the bad stories but unless you have inside knowledge, you have no idea if the junior experience was negative because of the kid or the organization. Before my son played, I used to think that the kid must not have had what it took if he got traded, released, etc. Not all situations are good for all kids. Some good examples from this past season would be the goalie who going to Wisconsin (Scott Gudmandson) who started in the USHL and ended up in the AJHL (Alberta); a defenseman (Dan Lawson) who struggled in Chicago and did well in Lincoln (USHL) after a trade; Wayzata's Joey Miller who started the year in Sioux Falls and ended up in Lincoln mid season.

I certainly don't mean to make it sound bad. My son went as a senior, and it was a great experience! However, everyone should know what they're getting into as making a team is just one step, and some kids don't play, or are released, etc.. Go into the junior programs with your eyes wide open, and make sure you understand all the issues.

My son would not have traded that year for anything. Great hockey, good people, he made some great friends (both on the team and at the local high school) and experienced things that a kid won't while staying home with Mom taking care of everything.

Good luck to all, and do what's right for YOU..

Great info on this thread. There is some solid input from people with USHL experience.

I am old school and think that kids should should stay in high school and play with their friends and leverage Elite League(s), etc. Maybe get a chance at being a Captain if you are viewed as a leader.

However, I agree............do what's right for you and your situation.

And my son almost went to the USHL his senior year but ended up staying in his high school. Instead he played in the Elite League, had a great senior season, got to do the Captain leadership thing and played this past year in the USHL. Now he is off to college. Had he gone his senior year to the USHL, maybe he would have gone to college last year instead of this year. All I know is these kids grow up so fast and before you know it, it is over....

[myhockeyman]

Observer85, Blue&Gold, and others:

I don't see mentioned the kid's maturity. Beyond simple maturity, the ability to make good decisions when not under the control of a parent. Seems to me to be a real issue. 16-19 year old boys are not usually blessed with great decision making skills. Or are you of the opinion that you throw them to the fire and the ones that come back alive are the ones that wanted it the most?

Any feedback from those seeing it first hand is appreciated.

[Blue&Gold]

Observer85, Blue&Gold, and others:

I don't see mentioned the kid's maturity. Beyond simple maturity, the ability to make good decisions when not under the control of a parent. Seems to me to be a real issue. 16-19 year old boys are not usually blessed with great decision making skills. Or are you of the opinion that you throw them to the fire and the ones that come back alive are the ones that wanted it the most?

Any feedback from those seeing it first hand is appreciated.

Great point. There are those kids who will find trouble no matter where they are. And some end up on these teams, some go to college, etc. One point in favor of going to the juniors (at least the experience I've witnessed) is that it's sort of a "safer" way to turn them loose. For the most part, the teams try to control the free time, and the players live with families so that there is a pseudo family situation. Someone will watch the clock for curfew, and (usually) the goings-on at the house are monitered and controlled. So the player gets the chance to spread their wings a bit, but usually with some control. If a young man goes directly from living at home to living in the dorms with other kids his age, then they have to fly right or crash, no test flights.

Now, I say that knowing full well that there are those who can find a way around the rules, or that there will be situations where a billit family might not be the best situation. But that is true in high school too. (We all know the kids that are doing the wrong stuff in high school, right?)

Maturity is very important, and if they don't have it when going to the USHL, they probably will when they come home after the season. I think that it was a safer way to test my son's maturity than sending him a dorm type of situation.

Oh, and remember, these are only my opinions based on my experiences and those that have been relayed to me by others. Your Mileage May Vary.

[1991SeattleWA]

The team is the TRI CITY STORM We went to LasVegas for a open tryout and now he's been contacted for the futures camp.but the futures camp is'nt posted on there web site which has me a little leary

My son was also at the Las Vegas Showcase, quite possible we saw each other there. He too has received an invite to the California futures camp. I was very happy that we attended the Vegas showcase, good hockey, good kids, good parents and good coaches. The information shaired by the coaches about Tier A and B hockey was valuable and in my opinion it was candid and honest. My son was offered and signed a Tender with one of the teams represented . . . although in hind sight we signed a bit premature . . . we are new to this and could have asked additional questons but we were impressed by the coach and signed largely in part on percieved integrity/value which we saw in him. . . and the excitement which was obvious in my son's eyes.
As for the California futures camp, I too could not find the camp posted on the web sight, however I am sure it is legitimate in the sense that it is run by the Storm. I have not really concerned myself with whether or not it is a money making venture for the Storm or not. I feel they have the right to pursue money making ventures and in order to survive must continue to do so. My hope is that my son will take the inititive to prepare himself to put forth his top game as to get noticed. My son is a late bloomer and has gone through some emotional experiences in that he has been the last kid released from top tier teams, after being on the team for over a month, and I have done my best to have a positive outcome for him. He knows that in "my mind" he is the best hockey kid on the ice, but that he is my son and I will always believe in him and support him. He can chase his dream as long as he wants, but to be honest with himself and give heed to the coaches and why he was released or how he can get better. I would love for him to go all the way to the NHL which requires great talent and some furtunate breaks. . . but I try to stay focused on what I can do which is to help him become a solid man regardless of his status in hockey and I use his hockey experiences for his future growth as a man.

[1991SeattleWA]

The one in bloomington is full 100 kids, the one in cali has 80 kids max thats what they told me when I contacted them.

Did you learn anything else about the California camp? I am curious if it is for just the western states or if invites went out to the entire U.S and Canada.
What state are you from? I am curious if we had a chance to meet or talk.

[highschoolhockeyfan]

I would say for some people it is the right choice to go and play for the USHL but for others it would be better to just stay. For example Ryan Mcdonagh could have made any USHL team if he wanted but Minnesota high school hockey can get you so much exposure. If your good enough to get drafted or get the D1 scholarship you wanted you would be better off staying. Say if you did not think you could get that D1 scholarship right out of high school USHL would probibly be your best option to play and get you a better chance.

[gmoola89]

The Elite League has been mentioned quite a few times when talking about juinor hockey or the ushl in this case. How much do you think that playing in that league helps players get to the 'next' level? As far as skill development and exposure..