Squirt A Hockey

[Thunderstruck]

What are the opinions or feelings of Associations that have or don't have Squirt A programs. How does it effect future success or hurt/help programs?

[Cowboy]

I don't think there is a right answer. If your association has enough 'A' level players and only have a few bubble players then you should go A. If you have 2-3 'A' players and the rest of the team are probably 'B' players then you should play B.

That being said I don't think it hurts development one way or another. Most of the development will take place in practice either way. Play at whatever level allows the kids to have the most fun. Losing every game is not fun nor is winning everygame by large margins.

[northwoods oldtimer]

By far the goofiest age of Parents you will ever run into. So you have to factor that into consideration when going to A level and splitting the kids up. If you track the progression of kids who play Varsity that made the A squirt teams in a lot of programs the numbers can and most likely will suprise you. I think it is a 50-50 wash either way you slice it going A level or no A level. My opinion on it is in the outstate you put kids on the road for too long when they should and could be at the local outdoor rink logging time. I think if associations PDC came up with some creative ways to push the high end kids without having to travel 2 or 3 hours for games they are further ahead. For example area 3 on 3 tournaments for district level kids (i.e. D-11 and D-12 kids). At risk in the parent trap is the one to possible four kids you might lose out of the program (by pee wee level) that in the long run hurt small community based programs and just could be the kids the HS coach needed to round out a very nice line up in 6 years. We have all seen the A coaches who shorten the bench to get a win, this is an absolute insane approach to hockey development for the squirt. Any sane person would most assurdly agree. It is indeed very entertaining watching a skilled group of A level players but I am not certain there is as big a payoff in 6 years time. i think your program is better served by bringing up the whole. By bantam and high school it all sorts itself out anyway and that is something the squirt level parent just has not factored into rational thought. Thanks for asking a very good question Thunderstruck.

[InigoMontoya]

A tough question that needs to be asked is, "Is there something we are doing, or not doing, in our mite program that is causing us to lag so far behind the communities in our area that we cannot compete with any of them?"

[Night Train]

Unfortunately there's luck involved too.

As I look back at my sons youth hockey years I realize how fortunate he was to have the coaches he did. Had he been a year older, or younger, he wouldn't have had the strong coaches he did. Some associations are blessed with a lot of strong hockey dads that can really benefit the Mites and Squirts with passionate, dedicated, coaching and training. That's luck. Non parent coaches, at those levels, rarely have the dedication and determination a hockey dad has. My son had the right ones other kids didn't.

[Educator29]

Just enjoy the game. have Fun

[InigoMontoya]

NT, I agree. In addition, the guys that are hockey knowledgeable, passionate, and able to communicate with the kids (not surprisingly) often have children that succeed in hockey and make the A team. The B team is often left without hockey knowledgeable, passionate coaches that are able to communicate with the kids.

E29, I agree. Too often non-profit organizations are run without any direction. The association has elected the popular folks in the community that often have no hockey knowledge, nor, sadly, any desire to acquire said knowledge - the frightening aspect is that they also have no idea how to run an organization. The mission statement is meaningless, goals or objectives are vague and not measurable, and strategies or tactics are nonexistent.

[westervillego19]

A tough question that needs to be asked is, "Is there something we are doing, or not doing, in our mite program that is causing us to lag so far behind the communities in our area that we cannot compete with any of them?"

Good question. Rosemount and Farmington have never been top level programs, but this year their Squirt A teams were among the best in the state. Maybe its because its a group of Super Athletes? More likely, they have some strong hockey dads in this age group who have done the work with these guys starting mites. Both of these teams were very well coached this year. [/u]

[auld_skool]

For what it's worth Erik Johnson didn't make the Jefferson Squirt A team his first year.

[SmallTownBigStick]

A tough question that needs to be asked is, "Is there something we are doing, or not doing, in our mite program that is causing us to lag so far behind the communities in our area that we cannot compete with any of them?"

Good question. Rosemount and Farmington have never been top level programs, but this year their Squirt A teams were among the best in the state. Maybe its because its a group of Super Athletes? More likely, they have some strong hockey dads in this age group who have done the work with these guys starting mites. Both of these teams were very well coached this year. [/u]

I think there's a bit of both going on in Farmington and Rosemount. Yes some kids have been taught aggressively since mite by "passionate" coaches and hours of off season AAA while some have made their mark in a few short years that didnt include the AAA 100 hr off season regiments. Conclusion: A good mix of both natural athletes and strong coaching.