AAA Rosters

[ilike2score]

The summer season is upon us. I am curious to know how many summer teams" AKA " AAA teams are out there. I am most intereseted in the 19998 and the 2002 levels. I would like to compile a list of All teams at these levels with their AAA team, and their winter home association. My motive is to track these players and see who ends up D-1

[trippedovertheblueline]

The summer season is upon us. I am curious to know how many summer teams" AKA " AAA teams are out there. I am most intereseted in the 19998 and the 2002 levels. I would like to compile a list of All teams at these levels with their AAA team, and their winter home association. My motive is to track these players and see who ends up D-1

[ACTUALFORMERPLAYER]

The summer season is upon us. I am curious to know how many summer teams" AKA " AAA teams are out there. I am most intereseted in the 19998 and the 2002 levels. I would like to compile a list of All teams at these levels with their AAA team, and their winter home association. My motive is to track these players and see who ends up D-1

Good idea but, to be able to look back upon it and give credit where it is due you will have to track these boys from birth. A year in one program is worth 3 or 4 in others. You will also have to figure in the dryland programs. Those guys will want some credit. I know the overall success of the association program to actually do some individual coaching and development is minor but they still should get a small percentage of the credit for any D-I signess. You will also have to set up all the D-I programs up on a point system because a scholarship playing D-I is just not enough. It has to be at the right school and there should be none of that silly USHL development mixed in clouding the results. I think if you apply for some government funding to study this you would have a chance to get permantly endowed. 15-16 years of tracking we will know where to send the kids to become D-I. Good thing DNA has nothing to do with it or it would be impossible to get any real closure.

[ilike2score]

OK you guys got me I am a total idiot. My 98 and 02 are not going D-1. I know that. I guess what I really want to know is how many teams at the 98 and below level are playing AAA.

[DMom]

OK you guys got me I am a total idiot. My 98 and 02 are not going D-1. I know that. I guess what I really want to know is how many teams at the 98 and below level are playing AAA.

Far too many.

[InigoMontoya]

Far too many.

I could not disagree more.

[countryboy]

Machine
Blades
Lake Superior Stars
Icemen
Stealth
Synergy
RBK
Edge
Magicians
Mavericks
Northern Wings
Flames
Storm
Jr Force
Jr Bulldogs
Great Lake Gulls
Fighting Loons
Jr Beavers
Jr Islanders
Mud Sharks
Jr North Stars
Jr Owls
ITR 26ers
Crush

Just off the top of my head. Please continue the list with what you have.

[DMom]

Far too many.

I could not disagree more.

I agree that it is great for all kids to get to play summer hockey, but it will be impossible to get out of state teams here if there isn't more consolidation. How long will the Blades be representative of the best Minnesota has to offer? I would say that stopped with the 95 team, and part of that is due to Mr. McBain and his wonderfully, talented Machine team. It's good, very good.

But for all that I am happy to see the Alliance fail, I liked that the Conn. Yankees, the Long Island Gulls, Team NPI, etc, made the trip here to play multiple top teams. They aren't going to come to beat people by ten goals.

Worse, it was much easier to argue that Association hockey wasn't an evil empire keeping kids from playing against top competition, when they could play against those same teams in the summer and win, or keep it close. Or, as the Blades are, accepted into distant tournaments, with even better teams attending, to play against.

I think the Blades are a great organization and they have done a lot for a lot of Minnesota teams, and it was good to have them and the Machine to represent the best that Minnesota had to offer, that's my only reason for being disappointed in the developments at the Meltdown.

The other reason I don't like all of the teams, is because so many parents are going into it without a clue as to how their child will spend their summer. Active is good, skating is good, for profit moderate hockey, not so much.

[DMom]

Machine
Blades
Lake Superior Stars
Icemen
Stealth
Synergy
RBK
Edge
Magicians
Mavericks
Northern Wings
Flames
Storm
Jr Force
Jr Bulldogs
Great Lake Gulls
Fighting Loons
Jr Beavers
Jr Islanders
Mud Sharks
Jr North Stars
Jr Owls
ITR 26ers
Crush

Just off the top of my head. Please continue the list with what you have.

Red Bull
Legacy
Skate to Excellence
Bauer Vapor
Bauer Supreme
CCM Capitals
CCM Elite
HBTC All Stars
South Metro Hockey Club
Team Reebok or Reebok Nats, whichever one isn't represented above.
The MN. Edge or the Northern Edge, " " " " " " .
Rockets

[old goalie85]

Northern Edge Nationals, Reebok Nationals are the same.

[silentbutdeadly3139]

Far too many.

I could not disagree more.

I agree that it is great for all kids to get to play summer hockey, but it will be impossible to get out of state teams here if there isn't more consolidation. How long will the Blades be representative of the best Minnesota has to offer? I would say that stopped with the 95 team, and part of that is due to Mr. McBain and his wonderfully, talented Machine team. It's good, very good.

But for all that I am happy to see the Alliance fail, I liked that the Conn. Yankees, the Long Island Gulls, Team NPI, etc, made the trip here to play multiple top teams. They aren't going to come to beat people by ten goals.

Worse, it was much easier to argue that Association hockey wasn't an evil empire keeping kids from playing against top competition, when they could play against those same teams in the summer and win, or keep it close. Or, as the Blades are, accepted into distant tournaments, with even better teams attending, to play against.

I think the Blades are a great organization and they have done a lot for a lot of Minnesota teams, and it was good to have them and the Machine to represent the best that Minnesota had to offer, that's my only reason for being disappointed in the developments at the Meltdown.

The other reason I don't like all of the teams, is because so many parents are going into it without a clue as to how their child will spend their summer. Active is good, skating is good, for profit moderate hockey, not so much.

Sorry you don't like all the teams and your not happy with how parents are choosing to spend THEIR time and money. Why is there too many teams ? The Blades and Machine and perhaps 1 or 2 others are still alive to represent the best just as they did in the "good old days". If they don't represent the best why aren't the best going to those teams ? should other less talented players stay home so they don't "get in the way" and confuse the the hockey landscape ... I say no.

There is a classification in place, open vs. invite to indicate the level of talent. The tournaments just need to enforce it. Top teams can/should still get the "best" and represent MN well as they have the reputation of being a top team. More teams will allow more players the opportunity to improve and perhaps one day play on the top team .... much like minor leagues feed the majors. I would argue that perhaps there are too many tournaments vying for the best teams making it harder to get the best teams in 1 tournament.

[DMom]

I could not disagree more.

I agree that it is great for all kids to get to play summer hockey, but it will be impossible to get out of state teams here if there isn't more consolidation. How long will the Blades be representative of the best Minnesota has to offer? I would say that stopped with the 95 team, and part of that is due to Mr. McBain and his wonderfully, talented Machine team. It's good, very good.

But for all that I am happy to see the Alliance fail, I liked that the Conn. Yankees, the Long Island Gulls, Team NPI, etc, made the trip here to play multiple top teams. They aren't going to come to beat people by ten goals.

Worse, it was much easier to argue that Association hockey wasn't an evil empire keeping kids from playing against top competition, when they could play against those same teams in the summer and win, or keep it close. Or, as the Blades are, accepted into distant tournaments, with even better teams attending, to play against.

I think the Blades are a great organization and they have done a lot for a lot of Minnesota teams, and it was good to have them and the Machine to represent the best that Minnesota had to offer, that's my only reason for being disappointed in the developments at the Meltdown.

The other reason I don't like all of the teams, is because so many parents are going into it without a clue as to how their child will spend their summer. Active is good, skating is good, for profit moderate hockey, not so much.

Sorry you don't like all the teams and your not happy with how parents are choosing to spend THEIR time and money. Why is there too many teams ? The Blades and Machine and perhaps 1 or 2 others are still alive to represent the best just as they did in the "good old days". If they don't represent the best why aren't the best going to those teams ? should other less talented players stay home so they don't "get in the way" and confuse the the hockey landscape ... I say no.

There is a classification in place, open vs. invite to indicate the level of talent. The tournaments just need to enforce it. Top teams can/should still get the "best" and represent MN well as they have the reputation of being a top team. More teams will allow more players the opportunity to improve and perhaps one day play on the top team .... much like minor leagues feed the majors. I would argue that perhaps there are too many tournaments vying for the best teams making it harder to get the best teams in 1 tournament.

It's the exact opposite of the AAA all year around people's argument. And in season, I agree with you, but last summer I sat in the stands while one of my kid's teams beat a team by more than ten goals. The parents for the other team were still screaming at their kids to hustle and (my favorite) "hit somebody". They paid $1700 to be on this AAA team.
Poor little johnny, being screamed at on a beautiful summer afternoon because he couldn't stop kids who were just better than he was on this given day.

So you are saying that kids should not be loyal to their club, should not be developed for their club's future success, but should be developed so possibly they'll be recognized by one of the better teams and get to move on to playing better competition?

The tournaments won't enforce it because they are for profit.

[InigoMontoya]

The tournaments won't enforce it because they are for profit.

Then don't feel sorry for the Meltdown, they screwed themselves. They pushed too fast to get in on the leading edge of the summer hockey boom, and to lend local credibility to several of their teams, they played them in the invite division, thereby losing credibility nationally.

[MoreCowBell]

You can add Raging Bulls to AAA but they are primarily a training program.

[hockeyover40]

Add Miracle and Monopoly to the list.

[silentbutdeadly3139]

I agree that it is great for all kids to get to play summer hockey, but it will be impossible to get out of state teams here if there isn't more consolidation. How long will the Blades be representative of the best Minnesota has to offer? I would say that stopped with the 95 team, and part of that is due to Mr. McBain and his wonderfully, talented Machine team. It's good, very good.

But for all that I am happy to see the Alliance fail, I liked that the Conn. Yankees, the Long Island Gulls, Team NPI, etc, made the trip here to play multiple top teams. They aren't going to come to beat people by ten goals.

Worse, it was much easier to argue that Association hockey wasn't an evil empire keeping kids from playing against top competition, when they could play against those same teams in the summer and win, or keep it close. Or, as the Blades are, accepted into distant tournaments, with even better teams attending, to play against.

I think the Blades are a great organization and they have done a lot for a lot of Minnesota teams, and it was good to have them and the Machine to represent the best that Minnesota had to offer, that's my only reason for being disappointed in the developments at the Meltdown.

The other reason I don't like all of the teams, is because so many parents are going into it without a clue as to how their child will spend their summer. Active is good, skating is good, for profit moderate hockey, not so much.

Sorry you don't like all the teams and your not happy with how parents are choosing to spend THEIR time and money. Why is there too many teams ? The Blades and Machine and perhaps 1 or 2 others are still alive to represent the best just as they did in the "good old days". If they don't represent the best why aren't the best going to those teams ? should other less talented players stay home so they don't "get in the way" and confuse the the hockey landscape ... I say no.

There is a classification in place, open vs. invite to indicate the level of talent. The tournaments just need to enforce it. Top teams can/should still get the "best" and represent MN well as they have the reputation of being a top team. More teams will allow more players the opportunity to improve and perhaps one day play on the top team .... much like minor leagues feed the majors. I would argue that perhaps there are too many tournaments vying for the best teams making it harder to get the best teams in 1 tournament.

It's the exact opposite of the AAA all year around people's argument. And in season, I agree with you, but last summer I sat in the stands while one of my kid's teams beat a team by more than ten goals. The parents for the other team were still screaming at their kids to hustle and (my favorite) "hit somebody". They paid $1700 to be on this AAA team.
Poor little johnny, being screamed at on a beautiful summer afternoon because he couldn't stop kids who were just better than he was on this given day.

So you are saying that kids should not be loyal to their club, should not be developed for their club's future success, but should be developed so possibly they'll be recognized by one of the better teams and get to move on to playing better competition?

The tournaments won't enforce it because they are for profit.

I guess I'm not following your post about assoc. vs. AAA. I'm only talking about off season. As someone said don't feel sorry for the Meltdown they allowed a team in the invite that shouldn't have been or your team should have been in the invite. Yes they are for profit as they have always been and that is the only option in summer. Now you are seeing other tournaments competing with the meltdown, probably because of the product the Meltdown is offering.

So you are saying that kids should not be loyal to their club, should not be developed for their club's future success, but should be developed so possibly they'll be recognized by one of the better teams and get to move on to playing better competition?

Yes, I am. Are the clubs loyal to the players ? NO. Players skills, abilities, size change and so do the makeup of the teams. Are you saying a players should be guaranteed there position on the team from year to year ?

All I am saying is that there should be a place to play summer hockey for all who want to play and pay. But yes there is a problem with how teams are classified.

Unless your son is on one of the 2 or 3 best teams then there is a good chance his team would also loose by quite a bit to those 2 or 3 teams and I would ask you what you are doing paying money to sit in a rink on a beautiful summer day because he couldn't stop kids who were just better than he was on that given day.

edit: added link which applies here. I couldn't have said it better myself so here it is http://www.ushsho.com/forums/viewtopic. ... ht=#505067. Yes it references assoc. hockey but change a few words and same could be said for off season hockey. If your team is too good for local tournies then go to Chicago, Toronto, Winnipeg etc. or hold your won tournament and invite only who you want to play.

Thanks Inigo

[gorilla1]

There are too many AAA teams? Why? Because you think the tourneys can't attrack out of state teams? Our tourneys will always attrack out of state teams. Is it because you are concerned that without the top out of state teams coming in the Blades and Machine won't have anyone to play here?? Again, who cares. If they don't have teams to play, let them travel. They do well where ever they go.

I agree that there are very good players spread out over many teams. The Machine and Blades team fade as they get older because, while they have good players on their teams, they teach a system at a young age that gives them a big edge when playing. As the kids get older, this advantage disapates. There are many kids even on open teams that could be on the Blades and/or Machine if they wanted, but choose a different option because they want to play other sports during the summer. To say there are too many AAA teams in Minnesota is silly.

[dogeatdog1]

There are too many AAA teams? Why? Because you think the tourneys can't attrack out of state teams? Our tourneys will always attrack out of state teams. Is it because you are concerned that without the top out of state teams coming in the Blades and Machine won't have anyone to play here?? Again, who cares. If they don't have teams to play, let them travel. They do well where ever they go.

I agree that there are very good players spread out over many teams. The Machine and Blades team fade as they get older because, while they have good players on their teams, they teach a system at a young age that gives them a big edge when playing. As the kids get older, this advantage disapates. There are many kids even on open teams that could be on the Blades and/or Machine if they wanted, but choose a different option because they want to play other sports during the summer. To say there are too many AAA teams in Minnesota is silly.

Silly gorrilla... you must not know about the two teams that you grunt about ... I don't see the teams fading at the older levels.. they simply fade away to the advanced 15 team and soon to the advanced 14 team if there is going to be one.. The machine teach a system the blades teach total skill development both believe in high tempo practices and try to develop the kids for the next level. Although there are a few players that could compete on those teams out there that chose not to due to other sports etc. There are not many and the two teams that you are talking about recruit those kids until they say no many times...That is the way true AAA works. Try to be the best so you can beat the best.

[GreatOne99]

There are too many AAA teams? Why? Because you think the tourneys can't attrack out of state teams? Our tourneys will always attrack out of state teams. Is it because you are concerned that without the top out of state teams coming in the Blades and Machine won't have anyone to play here?? Again, who cares. If they don't have teams to play, let them travel. They do well where ever they go.

I agree that there are very good players spread out over many teams.

The Machine and Blades team fade as they get older because, while they have good players on their teams, they teach a system at a young age that gives them a big edge when playing.

As the kids get older, this advantage disapates. There are many kids even on open teams that could be on the Blades and/or Machine if they wanted, but choose a different option because they want to play other sports during the summer. To say there are too many AAA teams in Minnesota is silly.

I've watched Machine practices (when the curtains weren't up) and son's team played against Machine teams for several years and the reason they dominate at the younger age levels is NOT systems. BM does not teach systems, unless you call a good neutral zone regroup a system. This is one reason, in my opinion, the Machine teams fade, and kids look for better options as they grow older, is because of the lack of system development at the Made. Watch the 99 Machine play, (coached by BM) they have no organized forecheck. They don't work on entering the offense zone properly, they rely on superior individual talent in order to create scoring chances. They are disorganized on the power play and PK. The only systems they work on are face-off plays. MM takes the best kids in the metro area, with initial superior skill development, and of course win. Take these same kids, ie 96 Machine, and fast forward several years and what happens, they are now mediocre, and struggling to get into Championship games in the North America's best AAA tournaments. What MM is turning into is a squirt/PeeWee player development camp, and when kids grow older, they move on to other teams who can teach the game and take these players to the next level. Compare the Select 15 camps for the last several years, how many are Machine players or Blade players. Vast majority are coming from the Blades or other AAA teams that are teaching the game, along with skills. It comes down to coaching and experience. You invest this kind of money on summer hockey, one would expect top quality coaching, teaching the game along with skills. You just don't get that at the Made. At the Made, you get a lot of ice time, but not quality with quality coaching. I've seen on many occasions, Machine teams get out coached and beat by less talented hockey teams at all levels. Take a look at the head coaches at every level for the Machine teams and they tend to be BM or one of the players dad's whom never played past High School, and compare with other upcoming AAA programs coaches. Point is, Machine teams fade because they don't play the "game" of hockey at higher levels, and that's because of poor coaching. Someone here on the blog said a monkey can coach a young Machine team and win, true, but not at the older levels, and you can see that with Machine teams.

[takeitwide]

There are too many AAA teams? Why? Because you think the tourneys can't attrack out of state teams? Our tourneys will always attrack out of state teams. Is it because you are concerned that without the top out of state teams coming in the Blades and Machine won't have anyone to play here?? Again, who cares. If they don't have teams to play, let them travel. They do well where ever they go.

I agree that there are very good players spread out over many teams. The Machine and Blades team fade as they get older because, while they have good players on their teams, they teach a system at a young age that gives them a big edge when playing. As the kids get older, this advantage disapates. There are many kids even on open teams that could be on the Blades and/or Machine if they wanted, but choose a different option because they want to play other sports during the summer. To say there are too many AAA teams in Minnesota is silly.

Silly gorrilla... you must not know about the two teams that you grunt about ... I don't see the teams fading at the older levels.. they simply fade away to the advanced 15 team and soon to the advanced 14 team if there is going to be one.. The machine teach a system the blades teach total skill development both believe in high tempo practices and try to develop the kids for the next level. Although there are a few players that could compete on those teams out there that chose not to due to other sports etc. There are not many and the two teams that you are talking about recruit those kids until they say no many times...That is the way true AAA works. Try to be the best so you can beat the best.

Well stated the Blades and the Machine programs continue to build and improve there teamS all the way through. Both of these programs are invited to tournament all over the country because they are one of the top programs at all there ages. To have somone make the statment that they are fading is rediculous. I did notice the Blades are skating in the Meltdown and I'm sure that is purely to support the tournament. Minnesota AAA hockey has created the mess as I have stated we are the land of 10,000 AAA teams.

[Doglover]

There are too many AAA teams? Why? Because you think the tourneys can't attrack out of state teams? Our tourneys will always attrack out of state teams. Is it because you are concerned that without the top out of state teams coming in the Blades and Machine won't have anyone to play here?? Again, who cares. If they don't have teams to play, let them travel. They do well where ever they go.

I agree that there are very good players spread out over many teams.

The Machine and Blades team fade as they get older because, while they have good players on their teams, they teach a system at a young age that gives them a big edge when playing.

As the kids get older, this advantage disapates. There are many kids even on open teams that could be on the Blades and/or Machine if they wanted, but choose a different option because they want to play other sports during the summer. To say there are too many AAA teams in Minnesota is silly.

I've watched Machine practices (when the curtains weren't up) and son's team played against Machine teams for several years and the reason they dominate at the younger age levels is NOT systems. BM does not teach systems, unless you call a good neutral zone regroup a system. This is one reason, in my opinion, the Machine teams fade, and kids look for better options as they grow older, is because of the lack of system development at the Made. Watch the 99 Machine play, (coached by BM) they have no organized forecheck. They don't work on entering the offense zone properly, they rely on superior individual talent in order to create scoring chances. They are disorganized on the power play and PK. The only systems they work on are face-off plays. MM takes the best kids in the metro area, with initial superior skill development, and of course win. Take these same kids, ie 96 Machine, and fast forward several years and what happens, they are now mediocre, and struggling to get into Championship games in the North America's best AAA tournaments. What MM is turning into is a squirt/PeeWee player development camp, and when kids grow older, they move on to other teams who can teach the game and take these players to the next level. Compare the Select 15 camps for the last several years, how many are Machine players or Blade players. Vast majority are coming from the Blades or other AAA teams that are teaching the game, along with skills. It comes down to coaching and experience. You invest this kind of money on summer hockey, one would expect top quality coaching, teaching the game along with skills. You just don't get that at the Made. At the Made, you get a lot of ice time, but not quality with quality coaching. I've seen on many occasions, Machine teams get out coached and beat by less talented hockey teams at all levels. Take a look at the head coaches at every level for the Machine teams and they tend to be BM or one of the players dad's whom never played past High School, and compare with other upcoming AAA programs coaches. Point is, Machine teams fade because they don't play the "game" of hockey at higher levels, and that's because of poor coaching. Someone here on the blog said a monkey can coach a young Machine team and win, true, but not at the older levels, and you can see that with Machine teams.

This is EXACTLY right on!! I've tried for years to sum up what I've witnessed at Machine games/practices versus the quality I've seen with the Blades but have never been able to summarize it like this. The big bottom line difference folks is one is for profit and one is not!

[silentbutdeadly3139]

There are too many AAA teams? Why? Because you think the tourneys can't attrack out of state teams? Our tourneys will always attrack out of state teams. Is it because you are concerned that without the top out of state teams coming in the Blades and Machine won't have anyone to play here?? Again, who cares. If they don't have teams to play, let them travel. They do well where ever they go.

I agree that there are very good players spread out over many teams. The Machine and Blades team fade as they get older because, while they have good players on their teams, they teach a system at a young age that gives them a big edge when playing. As the kids get older, this advantage disapates. There are many kids even on open teams that could be on the Blades and/or Machine if they wanted, but choose a different option because they want to play other sports during the summer. To say there are too many AAA teams in Minnesota is silly.

Silly gorrilla... you must not know about the two teams that you grunt about ... I don't see the teams fading at the older levels.. they simply fade away to the advanced 15 team and soon to the advanced 14 team if there is going to be one.. The machine teach a system the blades teach total skill development both believe in high tempo practices and try to develop the kids for the next level. Although there are a few players that could compete on those teams out there that chose not to due to other sports etc. There are not many and the two teams that you are talking about recruit those kids until they say no many times...That is the way true AAA works. Try to be the best so you can beat the best.

agree. There is room for tier I or better teams AND room for other teams that may not be the best but aspire too be that good ... even if they may never get there. Its up to teams and tournament officials to schedule competitive tournaments. If they don't then market forces will force them to do a better job ... parents will stop joining teams that schedule teams they can't compete with and tournaments that don't attract the correct level of teams will go by the wayside and be replaced by other tournaments.

[getoveryourbadself]

CAPITALISM? Thought that was a four letter word in Minnesota

[InigoMontoya]

GOYBS, you are correct. It is capitalism in action. Folks are currently a little worked up because of the recent explosion in participation, which has caused a 'building boom' of AAA programs. We can all relax a little, it will eventually reach an equilibrium (not this year, probably not next year) and the better programs will rise to the top, the programs that offer little perceived value will settle to the bottom. Don't place restrictions on it, don't draw imaginary borders on a map, and don't slap labels on the teams or programs yet, let's see where they fall.

DED, you are correct. The Blades don't fade, they get even stronger, most Minnesotans just don't hear about the older groups because they don't play locally (no local competition). The Machine doesn't fade, it completely implodes when those kids get to bantam age.

GO99 and DL, interesting observations about individual skill development v. team play.

--not that any of you need validation from me.

[dogeatdog1]

[quote="InigoMontoya"]GOYBS, you are correct. It is capitalism in action. Folks are currently a little worked up because of the recent explosion in participation, which has caused a 'building boom' of AAA programs. We can all relax a little, it will eventually reach an equilibrium (not this year, probably not next year) and the better programs will rise to the top, the programs that offer little perceived value will settle to the bottom. Don't place restrictions on it, don't draw imaginary borders on a map, and don't slap labels on the teams or programs yet, let's see where they fall.

DED, you are correct. The Blades don't fade, they get even stronger, most Minnesotans just don't hear about the older groups because they don't play locally (no local competition). The Machine doesn't fade, it completely implodes when those kids get to bantam age.

As I become older and way wiser... (Maybe more jaded) The one thing that I do see that has come out of this boom in AA teams is the ability to have independent teams find tourneys to play in. The showcase people used to have a hammer over your head saying that if you don't play with us you will not have any tourneys or games to play and it was true. Now if you have the support of a bunch of families you can start your own little group and develop the way you see fit. (South Metro Grizzleys good example) Bunch of good guys trying to keep development cheap and are making the most of the openings for tourney play. They don't tout themselves as the next great super team and try to find similar competition to play a few games to keep the kids interested. Parents realize that they are getting good coaching and kids are developing and having fun. win win for everyone. Tough to do unless you stay on top of the development. and it is a lot of work.