Congrats Hornet Girls!

[topshelfblue]

1. First the fact part:

Here is 2011-12 reality at 14's this year in D6.

Minnetonka 14A team beats the Edina White 14A team 10 - 1 at Cake Eaters. The goalie was visibly upset and Minnetonka was doing what it could to NOT score any more goals before the 2nd period had ended. It could have been a lot worse. Wasn't fun FOR ANYONE playing, coaching or watching! Minnetonka is good, but not insanely good (they traded wins with Centennial in the tourney).

Eden Prairie, Edina both have unbalanced 14UA teams this year. They will each have to play both of their own associations top teams 3 times each and they will have to play Minnetonka and Chaska/Burn co-op 3 times each during league play. Two leagues in one...and its a small league to start.


2. Now the opinion part.

Two balanced A teams makes a lot more sense if you are concerned about development and about kids having fun playing hockey throughout a long 5 month season. In addition, loosing kids from the program, because of the unbalanced system, negates the value of any state championship appearance by the top level A1 team.

[redarmydad]

The best player went to Breck? Forced out? How so? Not quite true. I think you're talking about the family that hed their kid start the tryouts with PWs, realize she wasn't going to make a very mediocre PWA team, switch back to girls, make the A team and then leave to go play for Breck as a 7th grader. There is some outstanding parenting - we don't like the coach so we're going to send our 12 year old to hang out with 16 year olds. My gusess is that they might have done two A teams, but with so many of these types of parents they were worried that everyone would quit - A players because they don't want to play with the lowly part time players, and B players because the teams would have been terrible.

BLUEWHITEFAN - Nice way to rip on a family personally. Jack Wagon. Know your facts,

First. The player you are refering to was asked!!! by the 12UA head coach!!! to come back and play on the girls squad vs Pee-Wee. Didn't leave because of playing on a sub-par Pee-Wee team or not making A.

Second. Any decision that was made was discussed long in advance with all parties involved. And, point of fact, 12UA Head Coach was happy for her success and parents are very good friends. WIERD HUH? People who actually have class, I know you don't get it.

Third. You have the gall to say "Nice Parenting" when you are on this forum hiding behind a secret indentity and ripping a family you obviously know nothing about. Knowing full well everyone would know who you are refering to. COWARD!

If your daughter had earned the opportunity to play with an amazing squad and staff like she did, YOU WOULD NOT HESITATE!!

Also, take a look around the state! Tell me the average age of any Varsity player! They are taking kids younger and younger because of the talent that that class is bringing to the table. The 96,97,98 class is the deepest this state has ever seen, and I am sure the 99-00-01 class will be that much better.
PEACE!

[Northland Cannon]

The best player went to Breck? Forced out? How so? Not quite true. I think you're talking about the family that hed their kid start the tryouts with PWs, realize she wasn't going to make a very mediocre PWA team, switch back to girls, make the A team and then leave to go play for Breck as a 7th grader. There is some outstanding parenting - we don't like the coach so we're going to send our 12 year old to hang out with 16 year olds. My gusess is that they might have done two A teams, but with so many of these types of parents they were worried that everyone would quit - A players because they don't want to play with the lowly part time players, and B players because the teams would have been terrible.

BLUEWHITEFAN - Nice way to rip on a family personally. Jack Wagon. Know your facts,

First. The player you are refering to was asked!!! by the 12UA head coach!!! to come back and play on the girls squad vs Pee-Wee. Didn't leave because of playing on a sub-par Pee-Wee team or not making A.

Second. Any decision that was made was discussed long in advance with all parties involved. And, point of fact, 12UA Head Coach was happy for her success and parents are very good friends. WIERD HUH? People who actually have class, I know you don't get it.

Third. You have the gall to say "Nice Parenting" when you are on this forum hiding behind a secret indentity and ripping a family you obviously know nothing about. Knowing full well everyone would know who you are refering to. COWARD!

If your daughter had earned the opportunity to play with an amazing squad and staff like she did, YOU WOULD NOT HESITATE!!

Also, take a look around the state! Tell me the average age of any Varsity player! They are taking kids younger and younger because of the talent that that class is bringing to the table. The 96,97,98 class is the deepest this state has ever seen, and I am sure the 99-00-01 class will be that much better.
PEACE!

Well put Redarmy and thanks!!! Guys like Bluewhite hide behind their computer and blast away at everyone. I'm sure it makes him feel better to tear down other families, but what can you do. Bluewhite, feel free to get involved and make a difference in the game since you seem to be an expert on everyting from coaching to parenting. Before you spout off incorrect information, double check next time.

[luckyEPDad]

I don't know if Breck has an "amazing squad". Edina regularly has an amazing squad. Breck is noticable a step down. As I see it the only reasons people leave Edina is because they won't make the team or they are afraid to go to a large school. I don't buy the scholastics argument. Edina HS is always highly ranked.

As for "negates the value of any state championship appearance". What is that supposed to mean? The only value a state championship appearance has is for the participants. None of them are going to give a darn if teams were balanced or not. Oh, I mean none of the "real" participants. A few parents will always make up something to complain about. It's not like when my daughter was in the 12UB state tournament and got beat by those small NE teams. Only "true" B teams from associations with an A team should be allowed to participate. Why I ...

[C-dad]

I don't know if Breck has an "amazing squad". Edina regularly has an amazing squad. Breck is noticable a step down. As I see it the only reasons people leave Edina is because they won't make the team or they are afraid to go to a large school. I don't buy the scholastics argument. Edina HS is always highly ranked.

Scholastics can indeed be a reason. My child is in Edina schools but I can see how many students would benefit from schools where there is more personal attention from the teachers. Two kids I know have gone to privates (AHA and St. Thomas) and both have done much better there than in Edina middle schools due to more attention from the teachers and smaller class sizes - basically C students becoming A-B students. One of them also benefited by making varsity where he had no shot at Edina, but I know his parents and they switched schools strictly for academics and it worked.

[blondegirlsdad]

As I see it the only reasons people leave Edina is because they won't make the team or they are afraid to go to a large school. I don't buy the scholastics argument. Edina HS is always highly ranked..

We left for three reasons:

1) Religion
2) Class Size
3) That's where the kid wanted to go

As a graduate of the Edina public school system, it pained me to put all the green & white into a sack, but I have since developed color blindness and have a new appreciation for red.

[hornethockeymom]

The girl in question, along with her parents, made the best decision for them. Just like we all do. I question that she is the "best player", because that age level has multiple talented young girls, along with the year behind them.

I have had the pleasure of watching many of these young ladies, and not just the Edina girls. As stated previously, the entire age group in Minnesota of 96's, 98's, and 99's in particular are an amazing group that I will enjoy watching for many years to come!

[greenpuckhead]

Northland Cannon, you are my hero.

[greenpuckhead]

One last note, as a parent of the girls in Edina hockey program, the hockey player in question at Breck was forced out for the fact her family was not welcomed on multiple aspects of EHA which is a crying shame. And yes, if your child could make varsity at 7 or 8th your child should accept the challenge. This is Minnesota, not California. And this is Edina, not type "B" associations with the expectation that our kids will perform at the highest level with friends they grow up with then onto college and continue to excel. Turn the page!

[dynamo]

Varsity hockey in 7th and 8th grade???? Seriously? I see NO advantage for a girl in a top association like Edina, Minnetonka, EP or many others to leave their association for Varsity hockey. What a waste. Nevertheless, who am I to say it is wrong.

I don't understand it. If your daughter is that good-she'll be that good next year and the year after that as well. Are they really going to be any further along than their peers that play 12U and 14U? NO! They will however be a little more wise to the ways of a mature teenage girl...scary!

[greenpuckhead]

dynamo


Top association, EP? That hurts.

[Cut Above]

As I see it the only reasons people leave Edina is because they won't make the team or they are afraid to go to a large school. I don't buy the scholastics argument. Edina HS is always highly ranked..

We left for three reasons:

1) Religion
2) Class Size
3) That's where the kid wanted to go

As a graduate of the Edina public school system, it pained me to put all the green & white into a sack, but I have since developed color blindness and have a new appreciation for red.

What bothers me, my daughter (let's be honest, us too) wanted red for the same reasons as you. Unfortuneately, there are too many that are choosing Benilde for hockey. Hockey honestly is our reason #4. I hope your daughter gets to play Varsity Hockey eventually. With the recruiting classes they're drawing in is ruining it for those like us choosing it for the right reason so we'll now pass. Good luck! (hope that makes sense?)

[Cut Above]

One last note, as a parent of the girls in Edina hockey program, the hockey player in question at Breck was forced out for the fact her family was not welcomed on multiple aspects of EHA which is a crying shame. And yes, if your child could make varsity at 7 or 8th your child should accept the challenge. This is Minnesota, not California. And this is Edina, not type "B" associations with the expectation that our kids will perform at the highest level with friends they grow up with then onto college and continue to excel. Turn the page!

That kid is a solid hockey player being mentored by some of the classiest best kids in the state. Oh, also being mentored by some of the classiest best hockey players in the state too. Congratulations to her and the great decision her family made for her and what ever the circumstances really were.

[Cut Above]

1. First the fact part:

Here is 2011-12 reality at 14's this year in D6.

Minnetonka 14A team beats the Edina White 14A team 10 - 1 at Cake Eaters. The goalie was visibly upset and Minnetonka was doing what it could to NOT score any more goals before the 2nd period had ended. It could have been a lot worse. Wasn't fun FOR ANYONE playing, coaching or watching! Minnetonka is good, but not insanely good (they traded wins with Centennial in the tourney).

Eden Prairie, Edina both have unbalanced 14UA teams this year. They will each have to play both of their own associations top teams 3 times each and they will have to play Minnetonka and Chaska/Burn co-op 3 times each during league play. Two leagues in one...and its a small league to start.


2. Now the opinion part.

Two balanced A teams makes a lot more sense if you are concerned about development and about kids having fun playing hockey throughout a long 5 month season. In addition, loosing kids from the program, because of the unbalanced system, negates the value of any state championship appearance by the top level A1 team.

As of today:

Edina Hornets 12U A 14-0-0 13.94 4.07 9.87

http://myhockeyrankings.com/rank.php?y=2011&a=p&v=2146

#1 Ranked by a country mile.

It's a joke! Those kids aren't being challenged are they?

Congrats to the Breck girl for the fabulous decision!

[Cut Above]

I don't know if Breck has an "amazing squad". Edina regularly has an amazing squad. Breck is noticable a step down. As I see it the only reasons people leave Edina is because they won't make the team or they are afraid to go to a large school. I don't buy the scholastics argument. Edina HS is always highly ranked.

As I see it the only reasons people leave Edina is because they won't make the team or they are afraid to go to a large school. I don't buy the scholastics argument. Edina HS is always highly ranked.

So it's really all about hockey?

Know your facts, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to dot the "I"'s and figure out the family.

I've now also crossed my "T"'s:

I've read your posts for years. Usually with some respect. However, I now will hide behind my computer and call you an absolute idiot!

[hattricker]

Cut Above:

You say "Edina is 14-0 and ranked #1 by a country mile"...so what! Is it now wrong for a team to be undefeated and dominating? Or is this dominance stopping the "development" of those poor players. How do you know Edina is not being challenged? The last time I looked "development" took place with a practice to game ratio of something like 3:1 at this age...if Edina (or any other team for that matter) practices hard and works on hockey fundamentals they should be getting challenged all the time. USA Hockey modules would say practice, practice, practice. Skills, skills and skills!

The season is early so I would just settle down on Edina running away with the Championship. They play the games for a reason and every year there are a handful of teams that improve, work hard, get a few lucky breaks, get hot goaltending or whatever and end up surprising a lt of people. Edina may be the best right now, but I wouldn't crown them Champs just yet. But as the post says I will Congratulate the Hornets for a great start to their season.

Lastly, everybody needs to leave the "development" up to the coaches and parents of all our fine hockey players. Varsity hockey in 7th grade is not a "fine" decision in this circumstance and it without question will stagnate this players growth at least temporarily. I'm not saying the player in question won't be a great player she is obviously already very good. It will just be a year of trying not to screw up at least in the games that matter which is about 5 or 6 for Breck. In the other 20 she'll get legitimate playing time against players that the Edina 12U team could compete against.

[the puck is green]

Hat____little person________ leave the girl alone, she will develop just fine at varsity. Everyone that keeps posting about this player is jealous of the talent level.

70 skaters and one A team, go EHA!!!!!!!

[hattricker]

the puck is green

Ha! Ha! It sounds to me that anyone commenting on the EHA 12U program is jealous!

Comments about an individual player are directed at 7th graders as a group. They make no impact at the elite Varsity level. You are delusional if you disagree. Girls hockey in Minnesota has changed over the last 5 years. Those are the facts.