Is your son an elite player?

[MrBoDangles]

We have friends, that have a daughter, that has gymnastic practices that total over 30 hrs a week. Do they believe that she'll amount to much in gymnastics? No, but the girl is doing what she loves and that's what should be important, if they're able.

A good percentage of the kids that play Hockey dream about playing at the college or profesional level. Would any of the greats, been great, if they had parents that told them it wasn't possible?

Tony, Very interesting article, I would like to see more like it.. I think you read me wrong with your response.. I was seriously interested in your opinion on the advancement of kids in the final years of elite (Summer) AAA. Make it, size restraints, burnout, %...?

[SnowedIn]

I think the prudent thing to do while chasing this dream it to figure out how much it is going to cost you to get Little Johnnie to the D1 level. I know that MN Association hockey is the absolute best model to get kids to the pro level so there is a little bit of wiggle room here but.................

Figure out what it is gonna cost you, add it the fees, gas, hotels, extra equipment, personal trainers and etc and get your number for this summer. Now take that number and divide it in half. Take one half and invest it in a 529I fund (Nevada has a good one) so that when your 4'8" boys grows to the towering height of 5'6" (which is what you and your wife tower to) and drops hockey you have a way of helping him go to college. Take that other half and look at your budget, pay off a few credit card bills, fix the car, buy a fishing pole and license for your kid and send him to the lake. Get off of the treadmill, relax and enjoy life. The politics of association hockey are such that everybody needs a break from them (and summer hockey is not a break) to relax, get a new tube of lip balm, figure out who is the A team coach for Little Johnnie next year and go spend some money with his business to earn some brownie points, go get that jacket that has your association's name splashed all over it and buy it and start to wear it around. August can be jacket weather in MN. This is the year that your little Johnnie is gonna figure out that there are difference other than the fact that most girls have longer hair than boys do so summer training is gonna be a bust. The biggest thing that you have to know is that now that your little speedster is done with PeeWee hockey he is going to play Bantam hockey he is gonna get hit, often. The whole dangly, squirt approach to hockey that the PeeWee teams continued with has come to an end so lots of them (perhaps even little Johnnie) are going to drop hockey anyhow so there is even more incentive to save your money as your little guy might be one of the herd that is gonna drop hockey in favor of other pursuits.

Or....you could encourage your child to keep dreaming, think BIG, and support them in every way to help them pursue their dream in hockey and have them work hard and achieve good/great grades in school so they keep all doors open. You can teach them that success comes from failures and no matter what happens to keep learning from small and big failures and continue to work hard to pursue their goals. Work hard for them in your own job and make as much money as you can so that you can support them and their pursuits now while and also building up the college funds if you need to pay some or all of their tuition down the road. If you aren't making enough now you can choose to be prudent or you can choose to make more money. Think outside the box and make it happen. The same message you can send your child.

Life doesn't have to be about being prudent. It can be much bigger than that not only in hockey but in school, in your career, in relationships and all the other pursuits we all have. Some choose to be prudent while others choose to think and dream big and go on to do big things. Maybe the big things will come in hockey. Maybe they won't. Maybe in something else. Big thinking = big goals = big accomplishments. Go ahead and be prudent, and raise your kids to be prudent, but realize that there will be some that look the other way and live life differently.

[This is nuts!]

I think the prudent thing to do while chasing this dream it to figure out how much it is going to cost you to get Little Johnnie to the D1 level. I know that MN Association hockey is the absolute best model to get kids to the pro level so there is a little bit of wiggle room here but.................

Figure out what it is gonna cost you, add it the fees, gas, hotels, extra equipment, personal trainers and etc and get your number for this summer. Now take that number and divide it in half. Take one half and invest it in a 529I fund (Nevada has a good one) so that when your 4'8" boys grows to the towering height of 5'6" (which is what you and your wife tower to) and drops hockey you have a way of helping him go to college. Take that other half and look at your budget, pay off a few credit card bills, fix the car, buy a fishing pole and license for your kid and send him to the lake. Get off of the treadmill, relax and enjoy life. The politics of association hockey are such that everybody needs a break from them (and summer hockey is not a break) to relax, get a new tube of lip balm, figure out who is the A team coach for Little Johnnie next year and go spend some money with his business to earn some brownie points, go get that jacket that has your association's name splashed all over it and buy it and start to wear it around. August can be jacket weather in MN. This is the year that your little Johnnie is gonna figure out that there are difference other than the fact that most girls have longer hair than boys do so summer training is gonna be a bust. The biggest thing that you have to know is that now that your little speedster is done with PeeWee hockey he is going to play Bantam hockey he is gonna get hit, often. The whole dangly, squirt approach to hockey that the PeeWee teams continued with has come to an end so lots of them (perhaps even little Johnnie) are going to drop hockey anyhow so there is even more incentive to save your money as your little guy might be one of the herd that is gonna drop hockey in favor of other pursuits.

Or....you could encourage your child to keep dreaming, think BIG, and support them in every way to help them pursue their dream in hockey and have them work hard and achieve good/great grades in school so they keep all doors open. You can teach them that success comes from failures and no matter what happens to keep learning from small and big failures and continue to work hard to pursue their goals. Work hard for them in your own job and make as much money as you can so that you can support them and their pursuits now while and also building up the college funds if you need to pay some or all of their tuition down the road. If you aren't making enough now you can choose to be prudent or you can choose to make more money. Think outside the box and make it happen. The same message you can send your child.

Life doesn't have to be about being prudent. It can be much bigger than that not only in hockey but in school, in your career, in relationships and all the other pursuits we all have. Some choose to be prudent while others choose to think and dream big and go on to do big things. Maybe the big things will come in hockey. Maybe they won't. Maybe in something else. Big thinking = big goals = big accomplishments. Go ahead and be prudent, and raise your kids to be prudent, but realize that there will be some that look the other way and live life differently.

Well said Snow. It gets very old listening to other people tell my kid he shouldn't play the sport he loves to play as much as he wants to play it. Also tired of people saying my kid should be fishing instead of playing hockey when he thinks fishing is terriblyboring and cant wait to get off the boat. I m also wondering if he should stop golfing so much because he enjoys doing it and plays and practices alot. Oh and by the way he is also a great student.

[MrBoDangles]

[Mite-dad]

I think the prudent thing to do while chasing this dream it to figure out how much it is going to cost you to get Little Johnnie to the D1 level. I know that MN Association hockey is the absolute best model to get kids to the pro level so there is a little bit of wiggle room here but.................

Figure out what it is gonna cost you, add it the fees, gas, hotels, extra equipment, personal trainers and etc and get your number for this summer. Now take that number and divide it in half. Take one half and invest it in a 529I fund (Nevada has a good one) so that when your 4'8" boys grows to the towering height of 5'6" (which is what you and your wife tower to) and drops hockey you have a way of helping him go to college. Take that other half and look at your budget, pay off a few credit card bills, fix the car, buy a fishing pole and license for your kid and send him to the lake. Get off of the treadmill, relax and enjoy life. The politics of association hockey are such that everybody needs a break from them (and summer hockey is not a break) to relax, get a new tube of lip balm, figure out who is the A team coach for Little Johnnie next year and go spend some money with his business to earn some brownie points, go get that jacket that has your association's name splashed all over it and buy it and start to wear it around. August can be jacket weather in MN. This is the year that your little Johnnie is gonna figure out that there are difference other than the fact that most girls have longer hair than boys do so summer training is gonna be a bust. The biggest thing that you have to know is that now that your little speedster is done with PeeWee hockey he is going to play Bantam hockey he is gonna get hit, often. The whole dangly, squirt approach to hockey that the PeeWee teams continued with has come to an end so lots of them (perhaps even little Johnnie) are going to drop hockey anyhow so there is even more incentive to save your money as your little guy might be one of the herd that is gonna drop hockey in favor of other pursuits.

Or....you could encourage your child to keep dreaming, think BIG, and support them in every way to help them pursue their dream in hockey and have them work hard and achieve good/great grades in school so they keep all doors open. You can teach them that success comes from failures and no matter what happens to keep learning from small and big failures and continue to work hard to pursue their goals. Work hard for them in your own job and make as much money as you can so that you can support them and their pursuits now while and also building up the college funds if you need to pay some or all of their tuition down the road. If you aren't making enough now you can choose to be prudent or you can choose to make more money. Think outside the box and make it happen. The same message you can send your child.

Life doesn't have to be about being prudent. It can be much bigger than that not only in hockey but in school, in your career, in relationships and all the other pursuits we all have. Some choose to be prudent while others choose to think and dream big and go on to do big things. Maybe the big things will come in hockey. Maybe they won't. Maybe in something else. Big thinking = big goals = big accomplishments. Go ahead and be prudent, and raise your kids to be prudent, but realize that there will be some that look the other way and live life differently.

In other words, I'll work my Azz off so that whatever Johnny wants, Johnny gets.

[This is nuts!]

I think the prudent thing to do while chasing this dream it to figure out how much it is going to cost you to get Little Johnnie to the D1 level. I know that MN Association hockey is the absolute best model to get kids to the pro level so there is a little bit of wiggle room here but.................

Figure out what it is gonna cost you, add it the fees, gas, hotels, extra equipment, personal trainers and etc and get your number for this summer. Now take that number and divide it in half. Take one half and invest it in a 529I fund (Nevada has a good one) so that when your 4'8" boys grows to the towering height of 5'6" (which is what you and your wife tower to) and drops hockey you have a way of helping him go to college. Take that other half and look at your budget, pay off a few credit card bills, fix the car, buy a fishing pole and license for your kid and send him to the lake. Get off of the treadmill, relax and enjoy life. The politics of association hockey are such that everybody needs a break from them (and summer hockey is not a break) to relax, get a new tube of lip balm, figure out who is the A team coach for Little Johnnie next year and go spend some money with his business to earn some brownie points, go get that jacket that has your association's name splashed all over it and buy it and start to wear it around. August can be jacket weather in MN. This is the year that your little Johnnie is gonna figure out that there are difference other than the fact that most girls have longer hair than boys do so summer training is gonna be a bust. The biggest thing that you have to know is that now that your little speedster is done with PeeWee hockey he is going to play Bantam hockey he is gonna get hit, often. The whole dangly, squirt approach to hockey that the PeeWee teams continued with has come to an end so lots of them (perhaps even little Johnnie) are going to drop hockey anyhow so there is even more incentive to save your money as your little guy might be one of the herd that is gonna drop hockey in favor of other pursuits.

Or....you could encourage your child to keep dreaming, think BIG, and support them in every way to help them pursue their dream in hockey and have them work hard and achieve good/great grades in school so they keep all doors open. You can teach them that success comes from failures and no matter what happens to keep learning from small and big failures and continue to work hard to pursue their goals. Work hard for them in your own job and make as much money as you can so that you can support them and their pursuits now while and also building up the college funds if you need to pay some or all of their tuition down the road. If you aren't making enough now you can choose to be prudent or you can choose to make more money. Think outside the box and make it happen. The same message you can send your child.

Life doesn't have to be about being prudent. It can be much bigger than that not only in hockey but in school, in your career, in relationships and all the other pursuits we all have. Some choose to be prudent while others choose to think and dream big and go on to do big things. Maybe the big things will come in hockey. Maybe they won't. Maybe in something else. Big thinking = big goals = big accomplishments. Go ahead and be prudent, and raise your kids to be prudent, but realize that there will be some that look the other way and live life differently.

In other words, I'll work my Azz off so that whatever Johnny wants, Johnny gets.

Yes, the same way my dad worked his azz off 12 hrs a day 7 days a week in a factory so my brothers and I could have some opportunities and not hang out on street corners with nothing to do but get in trouble. As long as my kids are deserving and keep working hard I will try to provide as many opportunities as I can for my kids.

To snowedin's point, big dreams, lofty goals, and hard work = success in life. Hopefully I can teach this to my kids as I learned it from my father.

[DrGaf]

On a side note: I think the '99 class will be one of the better ones our state will produce.

2000's by a long shot. So deep, so much talent from all over the metro.

Including a possibility of 3-4 "phenom"-type players at that level.

And another with a 2000 son...

goodness people ... I even italicized the word "possibility"

By no means was i inferring future success by any of these wuderkin is inherent. As noted someone previously noted, puberty will be playing a HUGE hairy role very soon.

Although, there is "word on the street" that one 2000 has already been courted by SSM.

[JoltDelivered]

You must have goals in your life, or otherwise be prepared to be used by those who do have them.

Herb Brooks

[JSR]

You must have goals in your life, or otherwise be prepared to be used by those who do have them.

Herb Brooks

Bingo..... most driven people (aka successful people) had driven parents. And that drive usually gets applied to school and sports by those parents. I won't speak to all sports but down here the most successful people in business I know were successful as students and athletes in high school and SOME beyond high school. I do think there are SOME (though FEW) parents that push so hard their kids quit playing or rebel but I think MOST driven/successful parents know how hard to push to get the best from their own kids and do so from a place of love, respect and support of their kid and guess what, it's no surprise when those kids grow up to be successful productive people within society. Meanwhile, the ones who approach sports and life with a lax attitude usually get what they put into their endeavors as well. My grandfather, a very wise man and one I respect a ton was listening in on one of these types of discussions a few weeks back and you know what he piped up and said, he said:

"When I was 11 years old I had to get up at 4:00am and milk the cows, then I went to school, then I came home and did chores til sundown, then I ate supper, did my homework and went to bed. I did this every single school day til I graduated and summers weren't much better, and I had friends who did the same but were also on the football, basketball or baseball teams through high school. And no one ever worried about whether I was going to "burn out" on chores. Yet, I'm listening to you guys gripe to eachother about whether or not "Johnny" is being asked to do to much by playing/practicing a game 8 hours a week (think about it, that 6 hours of practice and two games per week) in addition school and that is all they do.... he ended by saying "it's no wonder people think your generation is soft"...

For the record my own son has quite alot of chores to do at home, buys his own hockey equipment with the money he makes from chores, maintains great grades in school and practices/trains for the sports he loves as much as he is willing to committ to, whihc is ALOT (those being hockey, soccer and golf). He's also moody, normal, has alot of friends, is embarrassed by his parents, takes a summer fishing trip with me and his grandfather every summer and about as normal a kid as you'll meet. I have zero expectation that he'll play D1 hockey some day but I do have the expectation that whatever he does he committs to it and gives everythign he can to it or why else do it. In return I try to give him every OPPORTUNITY I can afford to give him so long as he is earning it on and off the field as they say.

[Trash Hauler]

You must have goals in your life, or otherwise be prepared to be used by those who do have them.

Herb Brooks

A fine quote, when age appropriate. Also, when a goal is inserted into the brain of one person, by another, and then held against that individual to hold true to it, it is bound to fail.

There's no question that young boys and girls have wonderful dreams and goals and their efforts to pursue those dreams should be supported, applauded, and encouraged The problem occurs when others take over the responsibility for those goals and take them on as their own.

My son has a goal to play Division I college hockey and football. He's convinced he can do it. I don't tell him he can't. But I also didn't make him pick one, and "support" him by becoming fanatical about HIS goals. He will weed things out on his own in due time.

Many on this board do not fit the type cast of fanatical. However some are, and a great many are on the edge, while their child is very young in terms of athletic development. I don't mean to tell anyone what they should or should not do. But I do have my own opinion of where their actions may ultimately lead. My opinion, is that in many cases, they will end up with lackluster efforts and uninspired play down the road as the player matures, ESPECIALLY I've seen it many, many times. I hope it doesn't happen to your young athlete.

[BadgerBob82]

I read a study a few years ago that said kids that "specialize" in one sport before age 12 often have their best performance levels prior to age 18. Those specializing in one sport after age 14 have their best performance level after age 18.

"Specializing in one sport" was defined as doing the sport 10-12 months per year at a high frequency. Related to hockey, that would mean doing association hockey then AAA spring/summer/fall hockey, camps, off-ice individual training, etc qualifies as being specialized in hockey. Taking a 3 day fishing trip. Golfing a couple times. Playing Monday t-ball. Church softball. This isn't quite the same has playing "travel" level baseball, travel soccer or competitive golf. And when spring hockey takes priority over t-ball when scheduled on the same night, then you are specializing in one sport.

The other issue with specialization in one sport. Many parents watch their 12 year old specialized athlete compete back in association level with TRUE 3-4 sport athletes and think their accelerated development equates to elite status. Only to find out that puberty and specialization by other kids at age 16 far surpass the memory of their 10 year old super-star.

Goals and dreams are great. But I think we all know the difference between giving kids opportunities and pushing (brain-washing). For instance, how many people know the "over the top" parent that has their kid convinced he will play D1 hockey? And then how many of those even name the D1 school? And how many of those have a complete wardrobe of that D1 school's merchandise? And how many of those are worn not just by the kid, but Mom and Dad too?

[O-townClown]

JSR: I'm burnt out on chores.

Bob: I've got to point out that opportunities to play dwindle rapidly as you get past age 14 in all sports. OF COURSE you will be able to say most kids had their sporting highlight in youth sports. That's what youth sports are about.

I read (I think) on this board over the weekend that Edina has 500 registered 8 & Under players. FIVE HUNDRED! That means something like 100 2003 born boys, 100 2004 born, 75 2005 born, 50 2006 born, 40 2007, and 135 girls. (Just guessing.)

It won't matter if they specialize or not, won't almost all of them have their hockey career highlight before the age of 18?

[SnowedIn]

I'm sure everyone can recite studies both ways. At the end of the day, kids will burn out because they can't compete at the sport they love or if they don't love the sport and are being pushed to play it. Summer hockey is not for every kid and I think the only kids that will get a lot out of it both from the standpoint of fun and for the standpoint of accelerated development are those that love it and are doing it because they want to. Is that 20% of the summer hockey players? 50%? More? Who knows. I know a lot of kids over the years that really love playing hockey year round whether it is on the ice, ball hockey or whatever. They do accelerate and pass up their peers in the fall because they play and practice with passion. Other than working hard and thinking big another great life lesson that we have all been told at one time or another is to do what you love. And if your kid is doing that, there is really no amount of hockey/fishing/baseball/golf that will burn him out. And if they love it they will get better. The one's that are going through the motions will not get better or only marginally.

Lots of people try to impose their ideas based on their own experience or in the case of this thread, what level of interest their kid has in the game and if they aren't head over heels into the sport, they think other kids shouldn't do it. Every kid is different and imo every kid should be encouraged to work hard and dream big at whatever they love to do. And some people think that you should just relax sit back and enjoy people and not get worked up about anything. That's fine too. To each their own.

[Trash Hauler]

I'm sure everyone can recite studies both ways. At the end of the day, kids will burn out because they can't compete at the sport they love or if they don't love the sport and are being pushed to play it. Summer hockey is not for every kid and I think the only kids that will get a lot out of it both from the standpoint of fun and for the standpoint of accelerated development are those that love it and are doing it because they want to. Is that 20% of the summer hockey players? 50%? More? Who knows. I know a lot of kids over the years that really love playing hockey year round whether it is on the ice, ball hockey or whatever. They do accelerate and pass up their peers in the fall because they play and practice with passion. Other than working hard and thinking big another great life lesson that we have all been told at one time or another is to do what you love. And if your kid is doing that, there is really no amount of hockey/fishing/baseball/golf that will burn him out. And if they love it they will get better. The one's that are going through the motions will not get better or only marginally.

Lots of people try to impose their ideas based on their own experience or in the case of this thread, what level of interest their kid has in the game and if they aren't head over heels into the sport, they think other kids shouldn't do it. Every kid is different and imo every kid should be encouraged to work hard and dream big at whatever they love to do. And some people think that you should just relax sit back and enjoy people and not get worked up about anything. That's fine too. To each their own.

I love coaching hockey and teaching young adults more than anything. It's been my lifes passion for many years now. At the end of each season I'm a bit burnt out, and need a break. Should I look for another passion that doesn't burn me out when I give it everything I've got or should I find more summer opportunities to do what I love? I know if I did I would not come back in the fall with the passion the job deserves. Maybe that's just me.

[Trash Hauler]

We have friends, that have a daughter, that has gymnastic practices that total over 30 hrs a week. Do they believe that she'll amount to much in gymnastics? No, but the girl is doing what she loves and that's what should be important, if they're able.

A good percentage of the kids that play Hockey dream about playing at the college or profesional level. Would any of the greats, been great, if they had parents that told them it wasn't possible?

Tony, Very interesting article, I would like to see more like it.. I think you read me wrong with your response.. I was seriously interested in your opinion on the advancement of kids in the final years of elite (Summer) AAA. Make it, size restraints, burnout, %...?

Gymnastics isn't the best example as the age of serious competition is much different than most competitive sports. Shawn Johnson just announced her retirement at age 20.

[This is nuts!]

Badger, Trash, JSR, I agree with all of you but I think the fantatic parents that we all have come across are very few and far between. I understand that there are different levels of this as well.

The big problem is how an Elite hockey player is defined. I think we use the term "Elite" way too much when talking about kids who play invite level AAA hockey. I blame the programs and the tournaments that label themselves as "Elite" programs and Elite level Tournys. The "Elite"term is being passed from the "Elite"program to the kids who play for those teams. Not the kids fault. I using the term "invite" level better myself, but it doenst sound as sexy to the programs as the term"Elite "does.

I think we all know these "Elite" teams are made up of 1-3 very good players, 4-12 good players, and the last 1-3 average players. If you are very lucky you might have 1 "Elite" player on your team that is significantly better then your very good and good players. Having said that I don't see many of those players.

The term "Elite" to me means the best of the best, Crosby, Malkin, ect. I think the term is just being used too loosely and out of context because of the "elite" programs lable themselves.

[JSR]

Badger, Trash, JSR, I agree with all of you but I think the fantatic parents that we all have come across are very few and far between. I understand that there are different levels of this as well.

The big problem is how an Elite hockey player is defined. I think we use the term "Elite" way too much when talking about kids who play invite level AAA hockey. I blame the programs and the tournaments that label themselves as "Elite" programs and Elite level Tournys. The "Elite"term is being passed from the "Elite"program to the kids who play for those teams. Not the kids fault. I using the term "invite" level better myself, but it doenst sound as sexy to the programs as the term"Elite "does.

I think we all know these "Elite" teams are made up of 1-3 very good players, 4-12 good players, and the last 1-3 average players. If you are very lucky you might have 1 "Elite" player on your team that is significantly better then your very good and good players. Having said that I don't see many of those players.

The term "Elite" to me means the best of the best, Crosby, Malkin, ect. I think the term is just being used too loosely and out of context because of the "elite" programs lable themselves.

I'd say that is pretty fair and probably pretty true

[Trash Hauler]

Badger, Trash, JSR, I agree with all of you but I think the fantatic parents that we all have come across are very few and far between. I understand that there are different levels of this as well.

The big problem is how an Elite hockey player is defined. I think we use the term "Elite" way too much when talking about kids who play invite level AAA hockey. I blame the programs and the tournaments that label themselves as "Elite" programs and Elite level Tournys. The "Elite"term is being passed from the "Elite"program to the kids who play for those teams. Not the kids fault. I using the term "invite" level better myself, but it doenst sound as sexy to the programs as the term"Elite "does.

I think we all know these "Elite" teams are made up of 1-3 very good players, 4-12 good players, and the last 1-3 average players. If you are very lucky you might have 1 "Elite" player on your team that is significantly better then your very good and good players. Having said that I don't see many of those players.

The term "Elite" to me means the best of the best, Crosby, Malkin, ect. I think the term is just being used too loosely and out of context because of the "elite" programs lable themselves.

I'd say that is pretty fair and probably pretty true

I agree for the most part, except that I think, and have experienced more than just a few fanatical parents. True, the ones we see are obvious. There are many, many, more that are bubbling on the edge, and still more that are only fanatical in private. As hockey players begin to approach adulthood, 15-18 years old, they tend to "tell" on their parents. Fanatics in sheeps clothing are more common that is appearant.

One reason is exactly what you mention. Events and opportunities are billed as "elite" and for "elite" players. The kids aren't faized by this, but parents tend to grab on and start to sip. Some begin to gulp. I guess we could say the term "elite" is relative. Can you be an elite 8 year old? Sure you can. You can be "elite" for a moment in time, and never be "elite" again. It's the parents literally buying what is being sold, and many kids pay a huge price for this. I have coached young kids, and have spent several years coaching kids at the end of their careers. I don't claim to have all the answers (well, sometimes I might), but I spend alot of time talking to and listening to kids that have reached an age where they are able to express themselves. Believe me, there a LOT of closet fanatics out there. They do it innocently, and for what they believe, at the time, is in the best interest of their kids, who they want the best for. The problem is many never consider or are aware of the end effect.

[SnowedIn]

I love coaching hockey and teaching young adults more than anything. It's been my lifes passion for many years now. At the end of each season I'm a bit burnt out, and need a break. Should I look for another passion that doesn't burn me out when I give it everything I've got or should I find more summer opportunities to do what I love? I know if I did I would not come back in the fall with the passion the job deserves. Maybe that's just me.

Maybe it is you. I don't know you. I do get where you are coming from. I also know I played hockey growing up and I never got enough of playing hockey. If we weren't on the ice we were out in the streets or school parking lots playing ball hockey. Kids are not adults. Kids like to play games - all kinds of games, indoors/outdoors/whatever. They never get sick of playing every day. So if part of their day in the summer, between sleeping in, riding their bike, swiming, hanging with buds and girlies, playing baseball, is an hour of ice every 2 or 3 days, how does that burn them out?? I guess if they don't like it or want to play hockey it would burn them out. Its just another way to kill time playing and getting better at a game.

[The Huge Hook]

If Lauden Swain had the same attitude as some of you people on this "bored", he would not have beaten (pinned) Chutt on his VisionQuest. That stupid Journey song would never have been written.

Lou Holtz once said (and I quote) "If you shoot for the stars, you may not reach them, but you will land on the roof. If you shoot for the roof, you may not reach it and land on your ass."

I, for one, believe in the VisionQuest

[This is nuts!]

Trash, I hear what your saying about the closet fanatic parents and the ones on the bubble. Those parents don't bother me as long as their kids are fanatics too.

It sounds like most of agree that as long the kids are making the choices as to what sports to play and how much they are going to play them. All is good. It just may be hard to sort out the kids that are on Mom and Dads agendas and not their own..

[BadgerBob82]

I would argue the "few and far between" comment. Varying degrees to be sure. And not all AAA parents are fanatics, and some fanatics don't do AAA hockey. But they are easy to spot. In person and in Forum/Blogs.

[MNM JMH]

I would argue the "few and far between" comment. Varying degrees to be sure. And not all AAA parents are fanatics, and some fanatics don't do AAA hockey. But they are easy to spot. In person and in Forum/Blogs.

Sure are easy to spot. You may be one of them.

[Trash Hauler]

I love coaching hockey and teaching young adults more than anything. It's been my lifes passion for many years now. At the end of each season I'm a bit burnt out, and need a break. Should I look for another passion that doesn't burn me out when I give it everything I've got or should I find more summer opportunities to do what I love? I know if I did I would not come back in the fall with the passion the job deserves. Maybe that's just me.

Maybe it is you. I don't know you. I do get where you are coming from. I also know I played hockey growing up and I never got enough of playing hockey. If we weren't on the ice we were out in the streets or school parking lots playing ball hockey. Kids are not adults. Kids like to play games - all kinds of games, indoors/outdoors/whatever. They never get sick of playing every day. So if part of their day in the summer, between sleeping in, riding their bike, swiming, hanging with buds and girlies, playing baseball, is an hour of ice every 2 or 3 days, how does that burn them out?? I guess if they don't like it or want to play hockey it would burn them out. Its just another way to kill time playing and getting better at a game.

The games you talk about playing were probably played in an unstructured, unsupervised fashion. Did you coach show up for the street hockey match after school? Were your parents pasted against the glass or drinking coffee at the end of the driveway? There's a big difference between kids playing, and players training. Too much training and not enough playing. And i don't mean more games in the season and summer. I mean playing, like you did.

[MrBoDangles]

I love coaching hockey and teaching young adults more than anything. It's been my lifes passion for many years now. At the end of each season I'm a bit burnt out, and need a break. Should I look for another passion that doesn't burn me out when I give it everything I've got or should I find more summer opportunities to do what I love? I know if I did I would not come back in the fall with the passion the job deserves. Maybe that's just me.

Maybe it is you. I don't know you. I do get where you are coming from. I also know I played hockey growing up and I never got enough of playing hockey. If we weren't on the ice we were out in the streets or school parking lots playing ball hockey. Kids are not adults. Kids like to play games - all kinds of games, indoors/outdoors/whatever. They never get sick of playing every day. So if part of their day in the summer, between sleeping in, riding their bike, swiming, hanging with buds and girlies, playing baseball, is an hour of ice every 2 or 3 days, how does that burn them out?? I guess if they don't like it or want to play hockey it would burn them out. Its just another way to kill time playing and getting better at a game.

The games you talk about playing were probably played in an unstructured, unsupervised fashion. Did you coach show up for the street hockey match after school? Were your parents pasted against the glass or drinking coffee at the end of the driveway? There's a big difference between kids playing, and players training. Too much training and not enough playing. And i don't mean more games in the season and summer. I mean playing, like you did.

Do you have to drag your kid to practice kicking and screaming? I/They have to drag my kid off the ice at the end of practice/training.

I'd pull my kid in a heartbeat if he wasn't having a blast at practice.