Importance of Birthdate for Development

[MrBoDangles]

What are the opinions out there?

Born mid sept to be oldest for the NHL Draft was supposed to be the third but I couldn't add the option after. karl?

[YouthHockeyHub]

Funny that you posted this poll Bo.

For the past few months I've had an article brewing in my head about which is the best quarter and the worst by birth.

By far the worst quarter is the second (April to June). I think the best in MN is third quarter:

You play a tougher AAA schedule, but you aren't so young your first year of association hockey that you still have a shot physically and your second year of association, you're a horse.

First quarter is the second best (advantages for AAA and not too far off for association) and fourth quarter is the third best.

Just my .02...now you just saved me an article to write...thanks.

TS

[helightsthelamp]

I respectfully disagee TS!

IMO the first quarter is the best. While I don't disagee with what you are saying about third quarter when the kids are younger, I think the first quarter older player gains the advantage when it really starts to matter... 15's, 16's and 17's. A late 98 was a 15 as first year bantam, while an early 99 (15 next summer) was also first year bantam last winter, but hits same USA level this coming summer. in addition, at 03 level this past year, a third quarter kid was still a mite while a first (or second for that matter) is a squirt. Same progression happens thru PW and Bantam. The kid with the earlier birthyear plays up while the third quarter is still a level behind.

Almost a horse apiece, first quarter is the horse in summer hockey, while the third quarter is horse in winter hockey.

Part of the equation also depends on when child starts school. a second half 03 that started "early" that is now a 5th grader will clearly be at a disadvantage when they get to HS. I.E. Bantam eligibility as a 10th Grader, hard jump from 1st year bantam to Varsity/JV in large school.... One less year to develop. To enter HS program as an 11th grader, well your ship has sailed....

Yep, I think it is first quarter as it plays out thru the years!

[YouthHockeyHub]

He Lights,

I think you make a good and valid point.

I think I was writing from a Squirt to Bantam perspective (where the lion share of our coverage/perspective is).

But we also see a huge difference in age come S15's. Very few post July kids make those teams (repeat, I did not say NONE...just very few).

The S15's next year will have only a few '99 kids with a shot at NY.

I spoke with a '99 mom this week whose son is an elite post July of '99 kid who was a star at PWAA last year. She said her son has no chance of NY...this class of kids is exceptional on the front of end of the birth year...she said she just hopes he can get to St. Cloud. (almost a fact of life for this kid until his physical maturity can catch up).

Hard to argue with her on that one.

[MrBoDangles]

I respectfully disagee TS!

IMO the first quarter is the best. While I don't disagee with what you are saying about third quarter when the kids are younger, I think the first quarter older player gains the advantage when it really starts to matter... 15's, 16's and 17's. A late 98 was a 15 as first year bantam, while an early 99 (15 next summer) was also first year bantam last winter, but hits same USA level this coming summer. in addition, at 03 level this past year, a third quarter kid was still a mite while a first (or second for that matter) is a squirt. Same progression happens thru PW and Bantam. The kid with the earlier birthyear plays up while the third quarter is still a level behind.

Almost a horse apiece, first quarter is the horse in summer hockey, while the third quarter is horse in winter hockey.

Part of the equation also depends on when child starts school. a second half 03 that started "early" that is now a 5th grader will clearly be at a disadvantage when they get to HS. I.E. Bantam eligibility as a 10th Grader, hard jump from 1st year bantam to Varsity/JV in large school.... One less year to develop. To enter HS program as an 11th grader, well your ship has sailed....

Yep, I think it is first quarter as it plays out thru the years!

I remember you talking about your kids being born in January. You had it all planned out.

[MrBoDangles]

I can see the advantage for an early birth year in the rest of the country or Canada since they go by years, but are the numbers just as strong in Minnesota?

Seems to be a very large number of Minnesotan NHL players born in June and July. I wonder if its the same for Minnesotan collegiate players..?

[old goalie85]

I've seen all quarters w/my five kids. Now the AAA landscape has changed ,but, I think my two sons that have Aug [98/01] have had it the best. The AAA season was tougher [better development vs older kids] and they came back to the assc and played younger kids. My 94[ April] is tough to judge because AAA was a different animal back then. My 00 is a Jan oldest during AAA middle of the pack assc. 02 is still a squirt not sure how to judge because we don't choose to skate AAA anymore. [many other options different topic]

[SCBlueLiner]

I think the numbers with USA Hockey show there is an overwhelming number of early year kids who make it to these regional and national teams as opposed to late birthyear kids. I think it is it the same in Canada.

The reasoning is that the early year kids, from the time they start mites, are physically more mature and able to make the top teams where they then are exposed to better coaching. Year after year of better coaching compounded with physical advantages creates a development gap over time that is difficult for the late year kid to overcome. As time goes on the early year kids continue to make the right teams where they then get noticed. I don't how true this all is because I've seen late year kids, kids playing up a year, etc who are just flat out good. But I've also seen late year kids, like days before the cutoff where it would have been best to stay in the womb a couple more days, that would be best served to play back a year until they get older and things even out more. I guess when there is a slim margin in player abilities at an elite camp those little advantages make a difference. I see the promotion of early year players as a flaw in our system.

Oh, I'll add that my wife and I planned our pregnancy. Early year birthdate, of course. She thinks I am nuts.

[helightsthelamp]

I respectfully disagee TS!

IMO the first quarter is the best. While I don't disagee with what you are saying about third quarter when the kids are younger, I think the first quarter older player gains the advantage when it really starts to matter... 15's, 16's and 17's. A late 98 was a 15 as first year bantam, while an early 99 (15 next summer) was also first year bantam last winter, but hits same USA level this coming summer. in addition, at 03 level this past year, a third quarter kid was still a mite while a first (or second for that matter) is a squirt. Same progression happens thru PW and Bantam. The kid with the earlier birthyear plays up while the third quarter is still a level behind.

Almost a horse apiece, first quarter is the horse in summer hockey, while the third quarter is horse in winter hockey.

Part of the equation also depends on when child starts school. a second half 03 that started "early" that is now a 5th grader will clearly be at a disadvantage when they get to HS. I.E. Bantam eligibility as a 10th Grader, hard jump from 1st year bantam to Varsity/JV in large school.... One less year to develop. To enter HS program as an 11th grader, well your ship has sailed....

Yep, I think it is first quarter as it plays out thru the years!

I remember you talking about your kids being born in January. You had it all planned out.

Unlike SBC, two January birth dates was just dumb luck... #3 is May, so I guess he is doomed being in the worst quarter.

[C-dad]

I think the numbers with USA Hockey show there is an overwhelming number of early year kids who make it to these regional and national teams as opposed to late birthyear kids. I think it is it the same in Canada.

The reasoning is that the early year kids, from the time they start mites, are physically more mature and able to make the top teams where they then are exposed to better coaching. Year after year of better coaching compounded with physical advantages creates a development gap over time that is difficult for the late year kid to overcome. As time goes on the early year kids continue to make the right teams where they then get noticed. I don't how true this all is because I've seen late year kids, kids playing up a year, etc who are just flat out good. But I've also seen late year kids, like days before the cutoff where it would have been best to stay in the womb a couple more days, that would be best served to play back a year until they get older and things even out more. I guess when there is a slim margin in player abilities at an elite camp those little advantages make a difference. I see the promotion of early year players as a flaw in our system.

Oh, I'll add that my wife and I planned our pregnancy. Early year birthdate, of course. She thinks I am nuts.

Your wife is right.

[SCBlueLiner]

I think the numbers with USA Hockey show there is an overwhelming number of early year kids who make it to these regional and national teams as opposed to late birthyear kids. I think it is it the same in Canada.

The reasoning is that the early year kids, from the time they start mites, are physically more mature and able to make the top teams where they then are exposed to better coaching. Year after year of better coaching compounded with physical advantages creates a development gap over time that is difficult for the late year kid to overcome. As time goes on the early year kids continue to make the right teams where they then get noticed. I don't how true this all is because I've seen late year kids, kids playing up a year, etc who are just flat out good. But I've also seen late year kids, like days before the cutoff where it would have been best to stay in the womb a couple more days, that would be best served to play back a year until they get older and things even out more. I guess when there is a slim margin in player abilities at an elite camp those little advantages make a difference. I see the promotion of early year players as a flaw in our system.

Oh, I'll add that my wife and I planned our pregnancy. Early year birthdate, of course. She thinks I am nuts.

Your wife is right.

Of course she is. I've at least learned that much.

[thefatcat]

I was thinking about this the last few weeks as I have a January '08 and a December '04. I was thinking "if only my better half could have kept her hoo-hoo dilly shut for 2 more weeks...my December '04 would be an early '05 and he would totally have it made!".

Luckily my late '04 evaluated well enough to play squirts at MM this winter. It's going to be a tough season for him but the addt'l ice time and games should be better for development.

[B-Ville Hockey Guy]

I respectfully disagee TS!

IMO the first quarter is the best. While I don't disagee with what you are saying about third quarter when the kids are younger, I think the first quarter older player gains the advantage when it really starts to matter... 15's, 16's and 17's. A late 98 was a 15 as first year bantam, while an early 99 (15 next summer) was also first year bantam last winter, but hits same USA level this coming summer. in addition, at 03 level this past year, a third quarter kid was still a mite while a first (or second for that matter) is a squirt. Same progression happens thru PW and Bantam. The kid with the earlier birthyear plays up while the third quarter is still a level behind.

Almost a horse apiece, first quarter is the horse in summer hockey, while the third quarter is horse in winter hockey.

Part of the equation also depends on when child starts school. a second half 03 that started "early" that is now a 5th grader will clearly be at a disadvantage when they get to HS. I.E. Bantam eligibility as a 10th Grader, hard jump from 1st year bantam to Varsity/JV in large school.... One less year to develop. To enter HS program as an 11th grader, well your ship has sailed....

Yep, I think it is first quarter as it plays out thru the years!

I remember you talking about your kids being born in January. You had it all planned out.

Unlike SBC, two January birth dates was just dumb luck... #3 is May, so I guess he is doomed being in the worst quarter.

Three Kids for me all born in or near the second quarter. Two born on the same day in May. one in late march. There have beeen studies and a lot of talk about this best birtday... most of the data points to april-may birth dates have the best shot at playing at a higher level. I think it has been an advantage in the summer hockey and somewhat of an advantage in association also. My kids have been fortunate enough to squeak into an A team on their first year of Peewees and Bantams and have done well to adapt playing with older kids. When it comes to the summer teams they are older so they have had success. Select 15s and 16s my son made it to NY. I think a lot has to do with the ability to adapt to an older style of play at a younger age and using that to do well when you are playing with kids your own birth year. I do believe it is more challenging when you are small and have a midyear birth date.