Alternatives to AAA?

[coachmom]

Are there alternatives to AAA hockey? I just feel the emphasis is too much on games and not on practice and development. I am just looking for other options as both my husband and I are still puppies in the world of hockey.

[O-townClown]

If your kid can move at that size he's a specimen!

First off, I don't like the word elite at an age when many children are afraid of the dark, watch cartoons, and don't know their times tables. Even the best ones aren't very far along yet.

In Minnesota you have AAA hockey where the best of the best get together to play with and against each other. AAA is also Spring/Summer hockey run by clubs outside of the association structure. I'm guessing you are asking about the former since you mention elite. Examples to me are the Blades and Machine.

My advice having lived this as a player and going through it now as a parent is to not worry at these ages about level for off-season, but be sure to provide the opportunity to improve by keeping him on the ice if he wants to skate.

There are scores of players who reach high level hockey every year that hail from sparsely populated areas.

[Multi Tasker]

Speaking strictly from my own personal experience, as a player who played AAA hockey coming up and as an adult player who played the game at it's highest level and as a father of a player who also reached the highest levels of the game and as a coach of elite kids now I would recommend that you allow him to play year round if he wants to.

The worst mistake you can make is discouraging his dream. If he has the potential and the desire let him play as much as he likes.

The great friends I have made through the game have the common thread of MEGA ice time. Wether it was the Brotens who lived and breathed hockey on the ponds of northern Minnesota or the Sutters who played till midnight every night on the family farm where their father had poured a rink. The common thread is ICE TIME and lots of it. I believe the 10,000 hour rule is golden.

In fact a friend of mine who now plays for the Chicago Black Hawks had a very ambitious father who set his goals at age 10 of 300 games per year, 1000 goals scored and 360 days of ice per year.

Not everyone can handle that, but the ones who can't wouldn't have made it anyways. To play this game for any amount of time is not for everyone, but those can do it LOVE to do it. If it's like work they will quit eventually anyways. So let him play and play and play till it's not fun anymore. If he is meant to play for a long time, that day (where its not fun anymore) will never come.

Most important, alomg the way, ENJOY the ride and don't let any of the negative nancies sway your child from his dream. It is the greatest game on earth. Let him play as much as he wants for as long as he wants, because it goes by quick.

Enjoy!

[Multi Tasker]

and feel free to use the word ELITE as much as you want. If he is elite then let him know it. He may not be elite tommorrow or in 5 years or in 10 years, so let him enjoy it while he is elite. I know he will always be elite in your eyes, and let him know that often as well!

Enjoy it!

[Multi Tasker]

Also, if you want to experience true AAA hockey for him, you won't find better hockey than USA Hockey Tier 1 programs.

Having played both Minnesota and Tier 1 AAA and having sons that played both and having coached both, there really is no comparison. Minnesota hockey is great for most players but elite players will thrive in true AAA environments like those prgrams in Michigan, Illinois and other remote (hockey speaking) USA locations. Problem is, they aren't cheap, but like most things in life - you get what you pay for.

[coachmom]

What I am hearing is that it realy doesn't matter the program, but the fact that kids get ice time year round. And yes the word elite gets thrown around too much at such a young age.

[coachmom]

Thank you for the helpful advice.

[MnMade-4-Life]

Not ... sure ... who to aim at

[luckyEPDad]

Not even NHL players play year round. "Experts" recommend against youth focusing on one sport.

http://minnesotahockeyhep.com/columns/p ... too-early/

http://www.laurastamm.net/Training-Diff ... roups.aspx

http://www.upmc.com/Services/sportsmedi ... ports.aspx

http://www.wyslsoccer.org/home/437816.html

I know you can find articles to support any argument on the web, but articles supporting early specialization are few when compared to those that argue against. Do some research and become educated. Don't give much weight to advice from a few kooks on a hockey forum (myself included).

I fear anyone who says "let him play as much as he likes". My daughter was upset when I wouldn't let her go to practice the same day she broke a bone in her leg. She has a teammate who wants to play with a concussion and another who wants to play with a broken collarbone. Kids have no ability to reason. That is what parents are for.

[coachmom]

Not ... sure ... who to aim at

What does that mean? If I posted a question I was not supposed to, a pm with a little advice would be more appreciated than that. Not here to get anyone upset. Just wanted to know if there are any alternatives to AAA.

[O-townClown]

Lucky EP Dad, ain't that the truth. My son is in hockey camp (actually a hockey school with 90 min each am/pm for 5 days...15 hours total) for the week and it will be his only week of the summer. We know a few kids that are doing four weeks and playing as much as they can. Maybe it'll work out best, but the parents are steadfast that "kids are different" and their 8-year-old won't "burn out" because they love hockey so much.

Expert advice isn't welcome.

[luckyEPDad]

Lucky EP Dad, ain't that the truth. My son is in hockey camp (actually a hockey school with 90 min each am/pm for 5 days...15 hours total) for the week and it will be his only week of the summer. We know a few kids that are doing four weeks and playing as much as they can. Maybe it'll work out best, but the parents are steadfast that "kids are different" and their 8-year-old won't "burn out" because they love hockey so much.

Expert advice isn't welcome.

The Laura Stamm article is particularly damning of early specialization. It states " It’s been shown that children who specialize too early do not develop the varied motor skills necessary for maximum athletic performance in later years." It goes on to recommend not specializing in any sport until the age of 13. But what does she know. She's only teaches NHL players how to skate.

My daughter has reached the age of specialization, declares all other sports are inferior to hockey, but is still a diverse athlete. This summer she took up golf and sailing and is thinking of playing tennis in HS. She's also been a skier, swimmer, gymnast, soccer and fastpitch softball player. She has a great foundation to lead an active life that will keep her healthy when HS (and maybe college) hockey is a distant memory. Equally important she's had hundreds of teammates over the years, many whom are still good friends.

[MrBoDangles]

I'm with you guys! But I would probably scale it back if I were you Clown...... Two a Days, for five days in a row, in one Summer? I just put my kids in a three day clinic for twenty minutes a day and thought I was pushing the limits. You're a wildman!

EPGUY, I also filled my children's Summer with many other activities like Swimming, Fishing, Baseball, Wakeboarding and turtle hunting that they wouldn't of been able to do if they had AAA Hockey for a few hours a week.

I can't wait until our kids rise to the top when the others burn out.

[my 7th spam profile(O-tc)]

I can't wait until our kids rise to the top when the others burn out.

that reminds me of our days toting our boys around rinks in Buffalo. There was one crazy dad who owned a car dealership and was hell bent on keeping his kid on the ice for 51 out of 52 weeks a year. Often times had him in 2 tournaments on the same weekend and was madly running him to one rink fully dressed as his game would end at another rink.

The other dads sat back and laughed and forecast of the young boys burnout, but they are still waiting, and while their boys toil in the beer leagues of upstate new york, young Patrick Kane is still moving from rink to rink, but these days it's US Olympic assignments to NHL rinks as he's busy making millions, living his dreams ... and punching out the odd cab drive driver ...

These days it's Patricks dad who sits back and laughs. Sly old fox knew the recipe all along ...

There are many many stories like Patricks in the upper levels of hockey, and in the lower levels, lots of accomplishyed fishermen. It all depends on what you want ... and what you are willing to do to get there ...

[my 7th spam profile(O-tc)]

Expert advice isn't welcome.

"Expert advice" is in the eye of the beholder.

If you are pre-disposed to believe something then when you read something you believe you hold it up as expert proof. However, this same expert proof is usually dismissed as merely an opinion when it doesn't conform to your existing theory.

Don't believe me? Look at the checking rule - EXPERTS have been saying for YEARS (since the 1970's) that checking ought not to be allowed until bantam at MINIMUM and not recommended until midget. These same EXPERTS (AMA, CMA etc.) have also been advocating for a 12 month window in age (i.e. birth year hockey), but one doesn't have to stray further than this forum to see how easily those experts are dismissed when their recommendations don't conform to popular opinion. Here in Minnesota, for example, we think we know better and will hang our hat on any shred of written word to the contrary. So it's no wonder that those who don't believe in year round specialization are quick to dismiss the word of the those who's experience validates it's benefits.

In the end its all a great argument for PERSONAL CHOICE.

[my 7th spam profile(O-tc)]

My daughter has reached the age of specialization ...

This is an interesting statement, as all kids are different, therefore all kids reach the age of specialization at different chronological ages. One might reach that age at 10 while another might not be ready till 14. This is another strong argument for PERSONAL CHOICE.

Players should listen to their bodies and parents should listen to their kids. Just as you wouldn't push him/her if he wasn't ready or didn't want to do something, nor should you hold him/her back if they are passionate about a sport. As the previous poster said, as long as they are having fun, let em play and don't let some so-called "expert" tell you different.

[royals dad]

I can't wait until our kids rise to the top when the others burn out.

that reminds me of our days toting our boys around rinks in Buffalo. There was one crazy dad who owned a car dealership and was hell bent on keeping his kid on the ice for 51 out of 52 weeks a year. Often times had him in 2 tournaments on the same weekend and was madly running him to one rink fully dressed as his game would end at another rink.

The other dads sat back and laughed and forecast of the young boys burnout, but they are still waiting, and while their boys toil in the beer leagues of upstate new york, young Patrick Kane is still moving from rink to rink, but these days it's US Olympic assignments to NHL rinks as he's busy making millions, living his dreams ... and punching out the odd cab drive driver ...

These days it's Patricks dad who sits back and laughs. Sly old fox knew the recipe all along ...

There are many many stories like Patricks in the upper levels of hockey, and in the lower levels, lots of accomplishyed fishermen. It all depends on what you want ... and what you are willing to do to get there ...

And there are 1000s of overbearing crazy parents for every one who has a kid makes it to the NHL. The recipe has more to do with genetics then it does with pushing your kid. What do those kids have when their dads dream ends, fond memories of the inside of a hockey rink? I guess some will take a well adjusted college grad professional who plays Sunday night hockey and teaches his own kid to fish over a 1 in 10 thousand chance at the kid pro sports loto.

I'm not waiting for your kid to fail, and not rooting for it but if your basing how you raise your kid on Patrick Kane's life story I feel sorry for your kid and think people should take more than a grain of salt with your advice. Youth Hockey is not an investment that pays back later on if you think it is, well there is no helping you.

Just saw that there is a program in Eagan that you can get your kid in an on-line school and hockey program. Something like 480 hours on ice, 100 hours off-ice hockey training during the school day. They can still play association or whatever team hockey they want and will take all their classes through an on-line charter school. To me it sounds crazy but others might think it is the way to raise a good kid.

[Lord Baltimore]

This has string has prompted a few questions:

1: If your kid loses the passion for year round hockey at the age of 11, 12 or 13 (call it burn-out or call it whatever you want) does that mean he is doomed to beer league hockey even if he is a talented hockey player and still loves playing 7 months of the year?

2: Lucky Ep dad...did you just call Sailing a sport?

[luckyEPDad]

This has string has prompted a few questions:

1: If your kid loses the passion for year round hockey at the age of 11, 12 or 13 (call it burn-out or call it whatever you want) does that mean he is doomed to beer league hockey even if he is a talented hockey player and still loves playing 7 months of the year?

2: Lucky Ep dad...did you just call Sailing a sport?

More so than golf.

[MrBoDangles]

I can't wait until our kids rise to the top when the others burn out.

that reminds me of our days toting our boys around rinks in Buffalo. There was one crazy dad who owned a car dealership and was hell bent on keeping his kid on the ice for 51 out of 52 weeks a year. Often times had him in 2 tournaments on the same weekend and was madly running him to one rink fully dressed as his game would end at another rink.

The other dads sat back and laughed and forecast of the young boys burnout, but they are still waiting, and while their boys toil in the beer leagues of upstate new york, young Patrick Kane is still moving from rink to rink, but these days it's US Olympic assignments to NHL rinks as he's busy making millions, living his dreams ... and punching out the odd cab drive driver ...

These days it's Patricks dad who sits back and laughs. Sly old fox knew the recipe all along ...

There are many many stories like Patricks in the upper levels of hockey, and in the lower levels, lots of accomplishyed fishermen. It all depends on what you want ... and what you are willing to do to get there ...

And there are 1000s of overbearing crazy parents for every one who has a kid makes it to the NHL. The recipe has more to do with genetics then it does with pushing your kid. What do those kids have when their dads dream ends, fond memories of the inside of a hockey rink? I guess some will take a well adjusted college grad professional who plays Sunday night hockey and teaches his own kid to fish over a 1 in 10 thousand chance at the kid pro sports loto.

I'm not waiting for your kid to fail, and not rooting for it but if your basing how you raise your kid on Patrick Kane's life story I feel sorry for your kid and think people should take more than a grain of salt with your advice. Youth Hockey is not an investment that pays back later on if you think it is, well there is no helping you.

Just saw that there is a program in Eagan that you can get your kid in an on-line school and hockey program. Something like 480 hours on ice, 100 hours off-ice hockey training during the school day. They can still play association or whatever team hockey they want and will take all their classes through an on-line charter school. To me it sounds crazy but others might think it is the way to raise a good kid.

What is your perfect balance (ice time) if your son says to you that he wishes to play in the NHL?

Or have you told your kid that it's not possible and don't even try to reach your goals?

Youth Hockey is an investment that pays back.... The "NETWORK" of friends alone is priceless and there are plenty that have careers in Hockey that didn't make the big show. Aim high and you will more than likely be happy with where you land.

[my 7th spam profile(O-tc)]

1: If your kid loses the passion for year round hockey at the age of 11, 12 or 13 (call it burn-out or call it whatever you want) does that mean he is doomed to beer league hockey even if he is a talented hockey player and still loves playing 7 months of the year?

If he loves playing 7 months a year, let him play 7 months a year. If he loves plaing 3 months a year, let him play 3 months a year. If he loves playing 12 months a year, let him play 12 months a year. Every kid is different.

My point is, it is up to each kid and their family what is right for them and draping the "burnout" blanket over kids/families who choose to go year round is just as bogus as draping them with a cloack of "guaranteed success".

There are no guarantees, so have fun as long as you can, and if the player has fun playing 12 months a year then soak it in and enjoy this great game! If he burns out - so what - lots of guys play as a kid and then don't play as adults. Big deal. So then he has other interests. Thats life.

[my 7th spam profile(O-tc)]

I can't wait until our kids rise to the top when the others burn out.

that reminds me of our days toting our boys around rinks in Buffalo. There was one crazy dad who owned a car dealership and was hell bent on keeping his kid on the ice for 51 out of 52 weeks a year. Often times had him in 2 tournaments on the same weekend and was madly running him to one rink fully dressed as his game would end at another rink.

The other dads sat back and laughed and forecast of the young boys burnout, but they are still waiting, and while their boys toil in the beer leagues of upstate new york, young Patrick Kane is still moving from rink to rink, but these days it's US Olympic assignments to NHL rinks as he's busy making millions, living his dreams ... and punching out the odd cab drive driver ...

These days it's Patricks dad who sits back and laughs. Sly old fox knew the recipe all along ...

There are many many stories like Patricks in the upper levels of hockey, and in the lower levels, lots of accomplishyed fishermen. It all depends on what you want ... and what you are willing to do to get there ...

And there are 1000s of overbearing crazy parents for every one who has a kid makes it to the NHL. The recipe has more to do with genetics then it does with pushing your kid. What do those kids have when their dads dream ends, fond memories of the inside of a hockey rink? I guess some will take a well adjusted college grad professional who plays Sunday night hockey and teaches his own kid to fish over a 1 in 10 thousand chance at the kid pro sports loto.

I'm not waiting for your kid to fail, and not rooting for it but if your basing how you raise your kid on Patrick Kane's life story I feel sorry for your kid and think people should take more than a grain of salt with your advice. Youth Hockey is not an investment that pays back later on if you think it is, well there is no helping you.

Just saw that there is a program in Eagan that you can get your kid in an on-line school and hockey program. Something like 480 hours on ice, 100 hours off-ice hockey training during the school day. They can still play association or whatever team hockey they want and will take all their classes through an on-line charter school. To me it sounds crazy but others might think it is the way to raise a good kid.

I'm not sure what genetics Mr. Kane could have passed on. Not exactly an athletic speciman, if they had settled for genetics Patrick would be selling cars right now.

You are making the assumption that Mr. kane was PUSHING Patrick. That somehow it was Mr. Kane's dream that Patrick make the NHL. But young kane will tell you a very different story, of how he was fortunate to have parents that believed in HIS DREAM and did evertyhing they could do to allow him to pursue it year round.

When he did get drafted he was with his father and they starred at each other and Patrick proclaimed "WE DID IT!"

That might not be for everybody, but there are many devoted athletes in many sports who do devote themselves year round and BECAUSE OF THAT DEVOTION they do reach their goals and realize their dreams.

While it might be popular to sit back and paint every other parent with a brush of PUSHING THEIR KIDS or LIVING THROUGH THEIR KIDS, what you will find at the elite levels is that kids who are PUSHED don't generally make it that far. Instead, you will find people with the PASSION for the game. They didn't need to be pushed. In fact, many dragged their parents, sometimes kicking and screaming to 5 AM practices, summer camps and AAA programs. Those kids are THANKFUL that their parents didn't succumb to the peer pressure of other parents who's children may not have shared the same passion for the game and maybe they just didn't understand what was really happening with that family.

There is a human tendancy to mock what we don't understand and that tendancy is alive and well in hockey.

If you do have one of those rare players who can't get enough - DO NOT HOLD HIM BACK - but instead, let him find out what he/she can be. Families like the Kane's are alive and well. Misunderstood, yes, but they know their kids and they support them. This is a GOOD thing.

There is no shortage of people who think they know what is best for your kid. A certain District Director has a lot of egg on his face these days for making those same mistakes. Well meaning? Probably. Misguided? Yes. Let parents decide what is best for their kids, as nobody knows them like you do.

[Lord Baltimore]

that reminds me of our days toting our boys around rinks in Buffalo. There was one crazy dad who owned a car dealership and was hell bent on keeping his kid on the ice for 51 out of 52 weeks a year. Often times had him in 2 tournaments on the same weekend and was madly running him to one rink fully dressed as his game would end at another rink.

The other dads sat back and laughed and forecast of the young boys burnout, but they are still waiting, and while their boys toil in the beer leagues of upstate new york, young Patrick Kane is still moving from rink to rink, but these days it's US Olympic assignments to NHL rinks as he's busy making millions, living his dreams ... and punching out the odd cab drive driver ...

These days it's Patricks dad who sits back and laughs. Sly old fox knew the recipe all along ...

There are many many stories like Patricks in the upper levels of hockey, and in the lower levels, lots of accomplishyed fishermen. It all depends on what you want ... and what you are willing to do to get there ...

And there are 1000s of overbearing crazy parents for every one who has a kid makes it to the NHL. The recipe has more to do with genetics then it does with pushing your kid. What do those kids have when their dads dream ends, fond memories of the inside of a hockey rink? I guess some will take a well adjusted college grad professional who plays Sunday night hockey and teaches his own kid to fish over a 1 in 10 thousand chance at the kid pro sports loto.

I'm not waiting for your kid to fail, and not rooting for it but if your basing how you raise your kid on Patrick Kane's life story I feel sorry for your kid and think people should take more than a grain of salt with your advice. Youth Hockey is not an investment that pays back later on if you think it is, well there is no helping you.

Just saw that there is a program in Eagan that you can get your kid in an on-line school and hockey program. Something like 480 hours on ice, 100 hours off-ice hockey training during the school day. They can still play association or whatever team hockey they want and will take all their classes through an on-line charter school. To me it sounds crazy but others might think it is the way to raise a good kid.

I'm not sure what genetics Mr. Kane could have passed on. Not exactly an athletic speciman, if they had settled for genetics Patrick would be selling cars right now.

You are making the assumption that Mr. kane was PUSHING Patrick. That somehow it was Mr. Kane's dream that Patrick make the NHL. But young kane will tell you a very different story, of how he was fortunate to have parents that believed in HIS DREAM and did evertyhing they could do to allow him to pursue it year round.

When he did get drafted he was with his father and they starred at each other and Patrick proclaimed "WE DID IT!"

That might not be for everybody, but there are many devoted athletes in many sports who do devote themselves year round and BECAUSE OF THAT DEVOTION they do reach their goals and realize their dreams.

While it might be popular to sit back and paint every other parent with a brush of PUSHING THEIR KIDS or LIVING THROUGH THEIR KIDS, what you will find at the elite levels is that kids who are PUSHED don't generally make it that far. Instead, you will find people with the PASSION for the game. They didn't need to be pushed. In fact, many dragged their parents, sometimes kicking and screaming to 5 AM practices, summer camps and AAA programs. Those kids are THANKFUL that their parents didn't succumb to the peer pressure of other parents who's children may not have shared the same passion for the game and maybe they just didn't understand what was really happening with that family.

There is a human tendancy to mock what we don't understand and that tendancy is alive and well in hockey.

If you do have one of those rare players who can't get enough - DO NOT HOLD HIM BACK - but instead, let him find out what he/she can be. Families like the Kane's are alive and well. Misunderstood, yes, but they know their kids and they support them. This is a GOOD thing.

There is no shortage of people who think they know what is best for your kid. A certain District Director has a lot of egg on his face these days for making those same mistakes. Well meaning? Probably. Misguided? Yes. Let parents decide what is best for their kids, as nobody knows them like you do.

Very logical and honestly I don't disagree. Where I get tripped up is you sort of infer in earlier posts that if you don't play year-round like Kane did, your less likely to be an NHL player.

Do we know that to be true? I mean scientifically? Or is this just N of 1 anecdotal evidence and "gut-feel" that year-round youth players seem to have a better chance at the NHL? I don't mean to put words in your mouth just asking for a clarification.

I am asking for the clarification because one could infer that you are saying - If you don't play year-round then you don't want it bad enough, you don't have enough passion to make it and you you're not willing to do what it takes to get there.

[O-townClown]

Patrick Kane stories are great. You like the "we did it" one, while I favor a few others. Like beating up the cabbie and refusing to pay the fare or asking his dad which team he was going to play for as they drove to his fourth game in a day.

Talk about a poster child for why kids need balance.

I'm going way out on a limb here and will say Patrick Kane would have been as good of a hockey player if he targeted 240 days on the ice rather than 360 when he was 11 and 12.

Dismiss expert opinions all you want, but when people have advanced degrees and deally solely with subjects their opinions tend to get more respect from me.

[my 7th spam profile(O-tc)]

And there are 1000s of overbearing crazy parents for every one who has a kid makes it to the NHL. The recipe has more to do with genetics then it does with pushing your kid. What do those kids have when their dads dream ends, fond memories of the inside of a hockey rink? I guess some will take a well adjusted college grad professional who plays Sunday night hockey and teaches his own kid to fish over a 1 in 10 thousand chance at the kid pro sports loto.

I'm not waiting for your kid to fail, and not rooting for it but if your basing how you raise your kid on Patrick Kane's life story I feel sorry for your kid and think people should take more than a grain of salt with your advice. Youth Hockey is not an investment that pays back later on if you think it is, well there is no helping you.

Just saw that there is a program in Eagan that you can get your kid in an on-line school and hockey program. Something like 480 hours on ice, 100 hours off-ice hockey training during the school day. They can still play association or whatever team hockey they want and will take all their classes through an on-line charter school. To me it sounds crazy but others might think it is the way to raise a good kid.

I'm not sure what genetics Mr. Kane could have passed on. Not exactly an athletic speciman, if they had settled for genetics Patrick would be selling cars right now.

You are making the assumption that Mr. kane was PUSHING Patrick. That somehow it was Mr. Kane's dream that Patrick make the NHL. But young kane will tell you a very different story, of how he was fortunate to have parents that believed in HIS DREAM and did evertyhing they could do to allow him to pursue it year round.

When he did get drafted he was with his father and they starred at each other and Patrick proclaimed "WE DID IT!"

That might not be for everybody, but there are many devoted athletes in many sports who do devote themselves year round and BECAUSE OF THAT DEVOTION they do reach their goals and realize their dreams.

While it might be popular to sit back and paint every other parent with a brush of PUSHING THEIR KIDS or LIVING THROUGH THEIR KIDS, what you will find at the elite levels is that kids who are PUSHED don't generally make it that far. Instead, you will find people with the PASSION for the game. They didn't need to be pushed. In fact, many dragged their parents, sometimes kicking and screaming to 5 AM practices, summer camps and AAA programs. Those kids are THANKFUL that their parents didn't succumb to the peer pressure of other parents who's children may not have shared the same passion for the game and maybe they just didn't understand what was really happening with that family.

There is a human tendancy to mock what we don't understand and that tendancy is alive and well in hockey.

If you do have one of those rare players who can't get enough - DO NOT HOLD HIM BACK - but instead, let him find out what he/she can be. Families like the Kane's are alive and well. Misunderstood, yes, but they know their kids and they support them. This is a GOOD thing.

There is no shortage of people who think they know what is best for your kid. A certain District Director has a lot of egg on his face these days for making those same mistakes. Well meaning? Probably. Misguided? Yes. Let parents decide what is best for their kids, as nobody knows them like you do.

Very logical and honestly I don't disagree. Where I get tripped up is you sort of infer in earlier posts that if you don't play year-round like Kane did, your less likely to be an NHL player.

Do we know that to be true? I mean scientifically? Or is this just N of 1 anecdotal evidence and "gut-feel" that year-round youth players seem to have a better chance at the NHL? I don't mean to put words in your mouth just asking for a clarification.

I am asking for the clarification because one could infer that you are saying - If you don't play year-round then you don't want it bad enough, you don't have enough passion to make it and you you're not willing to do what it takes to get there.

Actually my point is quite the opposite. Kids like Kane and Crosby and the 100's of other kids cut from that cloth who do specialize year round, but there are other ways to get your 10,000 hours in. Look no further than the Broten brothers and Suter brothers who were forced off the ice in the summer but got way more than their fair shares playing 6 to 8 hours a night on the ponds during the winter months. Does it matter if your hours come through 7 months a year or spread through 12? probably not. The common thread isn't months of training, it's HOURS of training. You can further parse the quality of training etc.

My point is that kids are different and the opportunities afforded different kids are also different. The Suters and Brotens took advantage of every drop of quality ice they could get. kane embraced year round training. Crosbey was flown all over the world to hockey camps and kept a year round training station in his basement. Different kids display their passion in different ways, but the common thread is PASSION, that they couldn't get enough - be it shinny on the ponds of norther minnesota, competition between brothers in a frozen barn, bouncing around Europe taking in hockey camps or just spending hour after hour shooting pucks in a make-shift rink in the family room. If hockey burns them out, then they probably weren't meant to do it for a living, as once you hit midget AAA, it does become a full time endevour at the highest levels. Hockey didn't burn these kids out. They couldn't get enough.

That's not for every kid, and we all need to understand that. But also understand that there are different routes to success for kids who are passionate about the game.

You can find an expert to tell you anything you want to hear, and most of them have fancy letters behind their names, but the most important letters, and the most authorative ought to be MOM and DAD.