improving mite hockey

8691 · Post by **8691** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:23 am

iceman23 - a lecture for you. I don't care who skateguymn is, but attempting to "out" him or her on this board because you disagree with the opinions is very low. Many of us like to lurk on the boards and enjoy the give and take of the various participants opinions...ANONYMOUSLY. To try and call somebody personally out on this board (and getting it wrong), when they are just sharing opinions, is about as classless as you can get.

skateguymn · Post by **skateguymn** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:45 pm

Slasher sorry if I projected my experiences over yours. You seem to understand where I am coming from. It is just a matter of mutual respect.
Emails are great and any board member should appreciate that and be prompt in responding to your questions.
Regarding board meetings, I really do not like leaving my sons baseball games, hockey games, school events, family dinner etc... halfway through either but I do this at least once a month so I can fulfill my duties as a board member. At that moment it sucks but someone has to do it or the association business would not get done.

I am going ot go out on a limb and say it is very likely and possible that some members of your board could have a chip on their shoulder as a result of respect for time. They spend all this time to report the busines in a public forum and very very few people show up for public meetings instead they all want private time. I hope you can understand how that can frustrate board people.

PLEASE do not think I am projecting this on your situation, I am not assuming anything. I am only sharing the feelings I get from time to time.
This is just a good place for a board member to receive some cheap psycho therapy, wouldn't it be great if it helped others understand what it is like to be in someone elses shoes?

Last thing I care to say, We are all on the same side - We all believe that Hockey is a great sport, that is proven by the attention we all give to this board. I would like nothing more than to find a way for associations everywhere to cater to the top, mid and recreational levels. I think there is a way but it is impossible to think that a board of few individuals can make that happen. So that is where Minnesota Made steps in and does what they do and they do a good job of it.

watchurback15 · Post by **watchurback15** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:22 pm

I see that Dmom started this tread, I was wondering... what does the D stand for?

slasher · Post by **slasher** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:49 pm

skateguymn wrote:Slasher sorry if I projected my experiences over yours. You seem to understand where I am coming from. It is just a matter of mutual respect.
Emails are great and any board member should appreciate that and be prompt in responding to your questions.
Regarding board meetings, I really do not like leaving my sons baseball games, hockey games, school events, family dinner etc... halfway through either but I do this at least once a month so I can fulfill my duties as a board member. At that moment it sucks but someone has to do it or the association business would not get done.

I am going ot go out on a limb and say it is very likely and possible that some members of your board could have a chip on their shoulder as a result of respect for time. They spend all this time to report the busines in a public forum and very very few people show up for public meetings instead they all want private time. I hope you can understand how that can frustrate board people.

PLEASE do not think I am projecting this on your situation, I am not assuming anything. I am only sharing the feelings I get from time to time.
This is just a good place for a board member to receive some cheap psycho therapy, wouldn't it be great if it helped others understand what it is like to be in someone elses shoes?

Last thing I care to say, We are all on the same side - We all believe that Hockey is a great sport, that is proven by the attention we all give to this board. I would like nothing more than to find a way for associations everywhere to cater to the top, mid and recreational levels. I think there is a way but it is impossible to think that a board of few individuals can make that happen. So that is where Minnesota Made steps in and does what they do and they do a good job of it.

Skateguymn- Well said! I think we're in agreement. I for one appreciate all the hard work that people put into our association. I used to coach. I currently coach football and baseball. Those alone are huge time commitments. I couldn't imagine attending weekly or montly meetings on top of that. Not to mention volunteering at the rink.
The only thing I ask is that the board members try to do their best to answer simple or basic questions. I honestly believe that part of being on the board comes with many questions and or comments. As a coach I simply try to answer the question. If I don't know the answer I let them know I will get back to them. It shouldn't matter what I think of this person. It doesn't matter what I think of the question. It's part of my duty to make sure his/her question gets addressed. When I accepted to coach. I accepted the responsibilities along with it.
With that said. People also need to give others their personal space.

One question: What are some suggestions that associations can do to bridge the communication gap? I read last year the Bloomington Jefferson met with a high buck consultant. One suggestion he had was to place a suggestion box at the arena. If parents have any questions or concerns they could write it on a post-it note and place it in the drop box. Then they had a committee to answer the questions or look at the suggestions. I'm not sure if this is still in place. Or exactly how it works. But what a great way to ask a question or make a suggestion.

When it all comes down to it. Instead of having the freedom to ask questions. Parents are scared that they're going to make someone mad and get marked as a complainer or whiner. I'm a believer that no question is a dumb question.

Good luck the rest of the year.

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:58 pm

This is amazing, "improving mite hockey". Let the kids play!!!. I know that the MM stuff comes from the dads that want to live through their kids. I am sure that the kids were never asked, the players are over there because mom and dad want to do it. I know some people that have gone over there and also know that the kids would never have done it without dad pushing them. These will be the kids that will be burned out by HS
It is the same thing as far as when parents want co op high school teams to split to give their son or daughter a chance to play varsity. What ever happened to work for it put a effort out and time in. If my kid wants to play varsity I tell him to work for it. I am not going to move to a different school, complain about the coach or go someplace else as a youth.
The thread is improving mite hockey. let the boys and girls play have fun and if they are one of the better get them use to passing and playing with confidence and if they are the weaker encourage them to work hard but most importantly have fun!!!
Slasher/ boogey we all know what you say each time and save space nobody on here needs to keep reading your love for bernie and mm

The time goes fast and we all need to stop and enjoy watching them play. Before you know it they graduate and it will be over.Then go back and watch the mite games they are priceless

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:16 pm

Abe wrote:This is amazing, "improving mite hockey". Let the kids play!!!. I know that the MM stuff comes from the dads that want to live through their kids. I am sure that the kids were never asked, the players are over there because mom and dad want to do it. I know some people that have gone over there and also know that the kids would never have done it without dad pushing them. These will be the kids that will be burned out by HS
It is the same thing as far as when parents want co op high school teams to split to give their son or daughter a chance to play varsity. What ever happened to work for it put a effort out and time in. If my kid wants to play varsity I tell him to work for it. I am not going to move to a different school, complain about the coach or go someplace else as a youth.
The thread is improving mite hockey. let the boys and girls play have fun and if they are one of the better get them use to passing and playing with confidence and if they are the weaker encourage them to work hard but most importantly have fun!!!

The time goes fast and we all need to stop and enjoy watching them play. Before you know it they graduate and it will be over.Then go back and watch the mite games they are priceless

your last name must be Lincoln, because you sure speak the truth IMO

slasher · Post by **slasher** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:44 pm

Abe wrote:This is amazing, "improving mite hockey". Let the kids play!!!. I know that the MM stuff comes from the dads that want to live through their kids. I am sure that the kids were never asked, the players are over there because mom and dad want to do it. I know some people that have gone over there and also know that the kids would never have done it without dad pushing them. These will be the kids that will be burned out by HS
It is the same thing as far as when parents want co op high school teams to split to give their son or daughter a chance to play varsity. What ever happened to work for it put a effort out and time in. If my kid wants to play varsity I tell him to work for it. I am not going to move to a different school, complain about the coach or go someplace else as a youth.
The thread is improving mite hockey. let the boys and girls play have fun and if they are one of the better get them use to passing and playing with confidence and if they are the weaker encourage them to work hard but most importantly have fun!!!
Slasher/ boogey we all know what you say each time and save space nobody on here needs to keep reading your love for bernie and mm

The time goes fast and we all need to stop and enjoy watching them play. Before you know it they graduate and it will be over.Then go back and watch the mite games they are priceless

Honest Abe- Let me ask you:
1) Why does it personally concern you where my son plays hockey? Please tell me how this effects you?

I think it's important to note. My son is skating with 11 other close friends at Minnesota made. This might suprise you. But my son had the final say where he was going to play. The biggest misconception about Minnesota made. Why do people think all the parents are over the top? Dollar for dollar Minnesota makes more sense for my family. Better instruction, more ice time, cheaper ice time. No Brainer! All is good at Minnesota made. I hate to see a good program get ripped for nothing. As long as my son is having fun. No worries!

I don't know what association your kids play for. But no two associations are the same. There are pros and cons to each.

By the way............. I encourage my son to:
1) Have fun
2) Work hard
3) Play hard
4) Learn the game
5) Be respectful to the other players and coaches

I'm not putting any un-needed pressure on him to be better than anyone. I have no plans on him playing Squirt "A", high school, D1 college or pro. Like many parents. I just want him to have fun.

Conclusion: You are flat out wrong. Majority of Minnesota made parents are not over the top. People know a good thing when they see it. If you have time stop by Saturday morning. Check out the Mite games. I think you'll be impressed. It might shock you that no one will care who wins or loses. Including the kids. As far as I'm concerned. If you're not part of it. Can't knock it.

Good luck!

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:08 pm

Abe, Truthbetold, Dmom, skateguymn, ironrangehockey55,

does anyone else feel we are trapped in a warped hockey 'bored' version of Bill Murray's Groundhog's Day??

Does anyone remember how he was able to finally get the day to move forward?

Maybe Feb 29th should be red iculous day?

DMom · Post by **DMom** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:32 pm

Tom
A carpenter by trade or by hobby? hit the nail squarely on the head.

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:51 pm

DMom wrote:Tom
A carpenter by trade or by hobby? hit the nail squarely on the head.

by necessity considering the bridges I burn.

Tim "the tool man" Taylor was fashioned after my exploits.

I'm getting a nail gun soon...everybody hit the deck!

ironrangehockey55 · Post by **ironrangehockey55** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:08 pm

I was thnking of another movie to, and the line would be changed slightly to look like this

lasher: "So Mernie BcBain, how do you like my 6 year olds chances to make it big?"

mernie: "I would say not good."

lasher: "You mean like 1 out of 100?"

mernie: "No, i mean more like 1 out of a million."

lasher: "So youre tellin me there's a chance!!"

slasher · Post by **slasher** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:23 am

tomASS wrote:Abe, Truthbetold, Dmom, skateguymn, ironrangehockey55,

does anyone else feel we are trapped in a warped hockey 'bored' version of Bill Murray's Groundhog's Day??

Does anyone remember how he was able to finally get the day to move forward?

Maybe Feb 29th should be red iculous day?

tomASS, To answer your question. This is a youth hockey chat room. It is your right to ignore content on this thread. Yet you choose to read it. Then you choose to complain about it?
You make it sound like you know more than the next guy.
Someone mentioned in the past that your kids are all older now. I believe there's a JV hockey / Junior Gold site you can use to chat.

Since I have everyones attention:
1) Please let me know why you even care where Mite aged kids are skating?
2) How does this personally effect you?

Good luck!

Idiot · Post by **Idiot** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:19 am

All I can get from this whole section is two things;

1. This Bernie guy must be good or he would not garner this much attention and dislike for him or his system.

2. I, just as much as anybody here would love to see my son and daughter excel in athletics but I have come to the conclusion that what happens now will not effect the future of their sports careers. Their biggest decision right now is which sport they would like to play. Since at some point in their lifetime I would assume they will hit puberty, gain some weight, coordination, and likes or dislikes for certain things. Until that is all panned out I am just happy they do not sit in front of a TV playing video games all day, like and have fun at school, like and have fun at practice for hockey, football, soccer, baseball, and the outdoors!

Please let the kids be kids, if they are playing with friends does it really matter what level or dot they are at? When they are done growing, then they can be concerned what level they play at..

DMom · Post by **DMom** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:01 am

Idiot, Idiot, Idiot...you have picked the wrong name. You are, as you know, absolutely correct. My youngest, as did my two oldest, will play basketball next year during the week, hockey on the weekend (he's particularly addicted to the Xbox so this is an excellent thing). As they both come to a close we will ask him, while the experiences are fresh in his mind, what he wants to do the following winter, and that is what he will do. Will it be an adjustment to become a basketball mom, nope, cause through it all I am just his mom, whether it be cub scouts or book club or science club or (god forbid) a goth concert (hey, at least it wouldn't be hannah montana!!!).

shoot, i'll never get to 4,000 if I don't learn to stop being so wordy.

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:34 am

DMom wrote:Idiot, Idiot, Idiot...you have picked the wrong name. You are, as you know, absolutely correct. My youngest, as did my two oldest, will play basketball next year during the week, hockey on the weekend (he's particularly addicted to the Xbox so this is an excellent thing). As they both come to a close we will ask him, while the experiences are fresh in his mind, what he wants to do the following winter, and that is what he will do. Will it be an adjustment to become a basketball mom, nope, cause through it all I am just his mom, whether it be cub scouts or book club or science club or (god forbid) a goth concert (hey, at least it wouldn't be hannah montana!!!).

shoot, i'll never get to 4,000 if I don't learn to stop being so wordy.

You Have to

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:34 am

learn to break up

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:35 am

your thoughts or use more

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:36 am

icons

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:37 am

Dmom - what ?? no soccer mentioned??

DMom · Post by **DMom** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:48 am

tomASS wrote:your thoughts or use more

]
I'm supposed to think first???

DMom · Post by **DMom** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:16 am

tomASS wrote:Dmom - what ?? no soccer mentioned??

they all tried it and picked baseball instead, although the middle one just asked for soccer this week. Says he hates baseball (cause tryouts are in two weeks). Unfortunately I think we missed traveling soccer tryouts, I'm checking on it. The rec league isn't till August and than it bumps into football, plus humidity is too high and asthma gets to be an issue.

what I have just recently figured out about soccer is that the levels my kids played it it was a lot like mite hockey. The strong kid takes the ball and the rest chase him around and get tired out. Mine all hated mite hockey games, but loved practices. At the older travel levels when they get to own a piece of the ice instead of chasing (or being chased) all over the ice, than they love games and start to really care about winning. Is soccer similar to that as they get older? Cause at the lower levels they were like ducks flying in formation after the ball.

tomASS · Post by **tomASS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:57 am

DMom wrote:
tomASS wrote:Dmom - what ?? no soccer mentioned??
they all tried it and picked baseball instead, although the middle one just asked for soccer this week. Says he hates baseball (cause tryouts are in two weeks). Unfortunately I think we missed traveling soccer tryouts, I'm checking on it. The rec league isn't till August and than it bumps into football, plus humidity is too high and asthma gets to be an issue.

what I have just recently figured out about soccer is that the levels my kids played it it was a lot like mite hockey. The strong kid takes the ball and the rest chase him around and get tired out. Mine all hated mite hockey games, but loved practices. At the older travel levels when they get to own a piece of the ice instead of chasing (or being chased) all over the ice, than they love games and start to really care about winning. Is soccer similar to that as they get older? Cause at the lower levels they were like ducks flying in formation after the ball.

Somewhat - most community soccer clubs make sure that all the younger ages are small sided games on smaller size fields so everyone has the opportunity for more touches on the ball. Doing this improves the touches for all by a huge margin

Just about every community soccer club is set up in the same fashion as community hockey associations except for the following differences.
1) There is a Recreational Level for kids 5 to 13/14 and a Competitive Level (Travel) for kids 9-19. Depending on the club and director of coaching, both can offer very good training.

2) Every Community has a club but there are no boundaries - you can open enroll in any club anywhere in the state. However, once committed to that club for the season, you can not change until the next season. Thus tryouts for the next year usually happen right at the end of the season. I know some kids that have been with over 9 different clubs within a 12 year period. Club hopping looking for that college scholarship.

3) Clubs are not not guaranteed any level of play. It must be earned.
Premier Level starts at age 14 and only 6 teams are allowed at that playing level in the state every year. Then it descends from there; C1, C2, C3 Every team earns their level of play each year. For example take a C2 team - if they earn 75% of all possible league points during the season, they will be promoted to C1. If they score 25% or below of all possible league points, they then would be relegated to C3 play. If they fall in the middle they remain at the same playing level.

There are some pros and cons to this system and needs some refinement.

Back to the flock of ducks
But of course at this younger age it is all about the kid who is advanced athletically for his age that will dominate. Rarely has much to do with skill since the faster, more coordinated kids will appear to be better skilled. Keep it fun, instill a passion and love for the game and see where the kid wants to take it

slasher · Post by **slasher** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:15 am

DMom wrote:
tomASS wrote:Dmom - what ?? no soccer mentioned??
they all tried it and picked baseball instead, although the middle one just asked for soccer this week. Says he hates baseball (cause tryouts are in two weeks). Unfortunately I think we missed traveling soccer tryouts, I'm checking on it. The rec league isn't till August and than it bumps into football, plus humidity is too high and asthma gets to be an issue.

what I have just recently figured out about soccer is that the levels my kids played it it was a lot like mite hockey. The strong kid takes the ball and the rest chase him around and get tired out. Mine all hated mite hockey games, but loved practices. At the older travel levels when they get to own a piece of the ice instead of chasing (or being chased) all over the ice, than they love games and start to really care about winning. Is soccer similar to that as they get older? Cause at the lower levels they were like ducks flying in formation after the ball.

You have some smart kids. (work on the middle one) they chose the right sports. Xbox? Come on? Playstation is where its at.

My son cannot wait to play baseball this Spring. He's already talking about the football too. He loved the football camp last summer. And he is excited to go fishing. As long as the kids are having fun. Why not?

Let-the-KIDS-play · Post by **Let-the-KIDS-play** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:52 am

I cant beleive this!!!!Dmom does your kid belong in the top group? Who has the problem here you sitting in the stands seeing your kid out there with younger kids learning or the kid out there trying to learn? Is your kid upset with being there? Do you tell them if you keep working hard you CAN get there? Or do you get in the car after practice and tell them you shouldnt be there with the beginners? Im sorry Dmom but kids need their parents encouragement and support NOT their Defense!! So many people only worry about their own kids.

I can only imagine what OUR kids(mine too!) would feel if they knew we were on here talking about this.

I love this game and have been wondering why I do....Now I remember....My parents brought me to practice and never said a word or questioned any coaches, They brought me to games and cheered for the TEAM and never complained, If I complained they told me to work harder and do my best and everything will work out the way its meant to. THEY LET ME BE ME! Im going to call my mom today and Thank HER again!

Will OUR kids do the same???

Truthbetold · Post by **Truthbetold** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:58 pm

Slasher/Boogey: do you save your comments and then simply cut it into every one of your posts? It is always the same thing. We have heard it.......great!

Tomass, I remember when my son was 8 and he would jump on the internet searching for hockey camps and Mite programs or rush home and check the mail for the next days invites to MM, or reach into the local rinks bins of programs and sort through to find the best developmental opportunites during the winter. Then that cute little guy would wake me up in the middle of the night and beg me to skate elsewhere. Oh, those where the days.

He also asked to stay up all night, to not have to pick up, you get the picture... It is always the kids choice?

I think it's important to note. My son is skating with 11 other close friends at Minnesota made. This might suprise you. But my son had the final say where he was going to play. The biggest misconception about Minnesota made. Why do people think all the parents are over the top?

HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

improving mite hockey

iceman23 post last night

Bernie McBain