Ice availability?

[DMom]

Just wondering if every association has a surplus of ice this year in the metro area? Are all associations short teams due to the economy? We are being told that we cannot give back or sell ice and that our team will be billed for all hours scheduled. This is a radical change in policy for our association. Almost all of the mite teams (12 kids per team) have solo ice this weekend, and it isn't due to deer hunting, because all of the travel teams also have solo ice. What I need to know from my friends here, who know a lot, is this some kind of new "normal"?

[MNHawker]

The joys of owning your own Rink!!!

[TellItHowItIs]

The problem with most assocations is they "Bully" their way to collect fee's and set schedules, etc. This problem is then elavated because parents know things are not right, or cannot afford things but do it anyway to not cause problems. An example of this, is late night practices, games, we always hear parents complain its to late for the kids, but they all still show up. if parents all got togather and Said NO! sleep and school is more important changes would have to be made. How many kids missed out on Halloween because their team had practice or a game. Parents Kids do not get these years back. In this economy alot of parents are struggling, with ice bills going wild, game fee's going up. 2 - 3 out of town tournaments. now throw a broken hockey stick in there. or your child Grew (equipment) Common sense could go along way. we all have it, we know whats right. Lets STOP doing what we know is not right.

[DMom]

TellIt, you are my new best friend. Don't know if that's a good thing for you or not

We were just told to expect 9:45pm to 10:45pm ice, on school nights, BUT only for the older teams, not the squirts. The older kids buses run between 6 and 7:15am, the squirt's buses run from 8:00 to 9:00 am?? Whose getting more sleep? Not that I am advocating ice that late for any child, but someone is. So far we have only experienced a 9:30 to 10:30pm school night practice, and it was solo and there were only 9 kids on a full sheet of ice. Rediculous!

Mite teams with 12 kids on them are getting full sheets. I just think that kind of excess, when other teams may be in need of ice, is uncalled for. But it maybe that other associations don't need the ice.

The association doesn't own the arena and only has to use ice they have purchased, not under an agreement to buy all leftover ice.

[TellItHowItIs]

A coach cannot run a practice if the players are not there! If it is not a good Parenting choice to have kids out that late, then have the parents Say NO! alot of common sense is lacking on some of these coaches and associations when it comes to Child developing and raising kids. But Parents Still need to be parents. have parents decide as a whole if they want those hours. If not tell Coach / Assocaition etc. Ice time may be compromised, but the association / coach will get the message that its not an exceptable behavior in raising a child.

Back when I was a kid, parents would have never went for it. now most are to afraid to do whats right for fear of being labeled... I would hate to labeled as a "smart" Parent

[InigoMontoya]

I would hate to labeled as a "smart" Parent

You're safe.

[tourneytickssince59]

Just wondering if every association has a surplus of ice this year in the metro area? Are all associations short teams due to the economy? We are being told that we cannot give back or sell ice and that our team will be billed for all hours scheduled. This is a radical change in policy for our association. Almost all of the mite teams (12 kids per team) have solo ice this weekend, and it isn't due to deer hunting, because all of the travel teams also have solo ice. What I need to know from my friends here, who know a lot, is this some kind of new "normal"?

Does the associtation own the rink(s)? We don't and do not have a surplus. The ice scheduler bought what was budgeted for. We have actually had to buy ice in Wisc. too. Also, our numbers are up over last year (almost 900 kids total)

[play4fun]

The joys of owning your own Rink!!!

That probably sums it up. From the FLAAA website:

"While the Sports Center is up and running, we are still short of funds for some important enhancements, such as a dryland training area and better heat in the field house. Your donation will be much appreciated..."

Also, I'm guessing there's a substantial debt load being carried on the new facility.

Wish list + debt load = lots and lots of ice for the kids, and some big ice bills for the parents?

[justhavefun]

[quote="TellItHowItIs"]A coach cannot run a practice if the players are not there! If it is not a good Parenting choice to have kids out that late, then have the parents Say NO! alot of common sense is lacking on some of these coaches and associations when it comes to Child developing and raising kids. But Parents Still need to be parents. have parents decide as a whole if they want those hours. If not tell Coach / Assocaition etc. Ice time may be compromised, but the association / coach will get the message that its not an exceptable behavior in raising a child.

Back when I was a kid, parents would have never went for it. now most are to afraid to do whats right for fear of being labeled... I would hate to labeled as a "smart" Parent [/quote]


Very Good Point. Parents - be parents!!! put an end to things that do not make sense. Hockey is a Sport, a youth activity, not a profession. its sappose to be Fun. compromising school, sleep, family etc. all for What ?? a possible High school position?? 95% of high school kids do not go on to play after high school. imagine a kids life - 7 days a week hockey hockey hockey for 10, 12, 14+ years and then BOOM! it all stops. at 18 years old no longer any competative as you grew up knowing. that is a huge adjustment on kids...

[Spinerama]

I would hate to labeled as a "smart" Parent

You're safe.

Perfect!