Have run into a lot of associations this Summer who are recruiting new kids to their programs. I wrote a quick story on what is working and why it's hard (but not impossible) to grow the game in certain areas of the state.
http://youthhockeyhub.com/recruiting-an ... lifeblood/
Enjoy,
TS
Growing the Game
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
I think you make some great points and I'll add one....
It's never too late to start playing, the notion that if you haven't started by age 5 or 6 you'll never be good is false. There has to be a place for everybody who wants to play to play, hockey does a remarkable job of limiting its talent pool to those who have played since an early age, There is no reason an athletically gifted kid who takes up hockey in 6th or 7th grade can't become a great player in the next few years and (gasp) have fun as well. Set novice leagues up with neighboring communities for older kids who don't want to or can't afford the time and money needed to be an AA player.
The kid who won the MSHSL AAA heavyweight championship was a first year wrestler from Albert Lea who just happened to be a great athlete as well. He wasn't very good at the start of the year, took second in his section and to hear some people tell it took away a spot from a "deserving" wrestler, then won state.
Hockey people will tell you wrestling is different and I get that but wrestling people will tell you if haven't wrestled since preschool you have no shot at being good either.
It's never too late to start playing, the notion that if you haven't started by age 5 or 6 you'll never be good is false. There has to be a place for everybody who wants to play to play, hockey does a remarkable job of limiting its talent pool to those who have played since an early age, There is no reason an athletically gifted kid who takes up hockey in 6th or 7th grade can't become a great player in the next few years and (gasp) have fun as well. Set novice leagues up with neighboring communities for older kids who don't want to or can't afford the time and money needed to be an AA player.
The kid who won the MSHSL AAA heavyweight championship was a first year wrestler from Albert Lea who just happened to be a great athlete as well. He wasn't very good at the start of the year, took second in his section and to hear some people tell it took away a spot from a "deserving" wrestler, then won state.
Hockey people will tell you wrestling is different and I get that but wrestling people will tell you if haven't wrestled since preschool you have no shot at being good either.
My 2 cents:
-Cross Ice (cheaper, more kids on the ice)
-Wood Sticks through Squirts
-Rink Managers who work with associations to create oppportunities to play open hockey
Get kids in the door as cheap as possible, starter hockey gear....then they're hooked. Do this before they have the opportunity to discover basketball and soccer. If this isn't done, 20 years this sport could be done! It's been proven hockeys biggest fans are those who've played it. It takes committed (often a more then committed) parents at the youngest of levels.
-Cross Ice (cheaper, more kids on the ice)
-Wood Sticks through Squirts
-Rink Managers who work with associations to create oppportunities to play open hockey
Get kids in the door as cheap as possible, starter hockey gear....then they're hooked. Do this before they have the opportunity to discover basketball and soccer. If this isn't done, 20 years this sport could be done! It's been proven hockeys biggest fans are those who've played it. It takes committed (often a more then committed) parents at the youngest of levels.
[quote="goldy313"]I think you make some great points and I'll add one....
It's never too late to start playing, the notion that if you haven't started by age 5 or 6 you'll never be good is false. There has to be a place for everybody who wants to play to play, hockey does a remarkable job of limiting its talent pool to those who have played since an early age, There is no reason an athletically gifted kid who takes up hockey in 6th or 7th grade can't become a great player in the next few years and (gasp) have fun as
My son has a friend who didn't start playing hockey until he was nine.
He is a gifted stick handler and shooter who has made the A team every year because he shoots pucks every day.
He made the varsity as a freshman and is playing fr the USA u17 team in the five nations cup right now.
He is probably the exception but it is possible.
It's never too late to start playing, the notion that if you haven't started by age 5 or 6 you'll never be good is false. There has to be a place for everybody who wants to play to play, hockey does a remarkable job of limiting its talent pool to those who have played since an early age, There is no reason an athletically gifted kid who takes up hockey in 6th or 7th grade can't become a great player in the next few years and (gasp) have fun as
My son has a friend who didn't start playing hockey until he was nine.
He is a gifted stick handler and shooter who has made the A team every year because he shoots pucks every day.
He made the varsity as a freshman and is playing fr the USA u17 team in the five nations cup right now.
He is probably the exception but it is possible.