HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

" My son plays for one of the top AAA teams"

What are the top teams?

We are still talking about 8 year olds right? Do you really need an explanation on the "Parents without Perspective" line? The only parents WITH perspective of 8 year old hockey players are those where this must be the oops baby and they've already had older kids go through the program and make it to the HS level or not. There is absolutely no way to have perspective without the experience.

They are 8 years old. Make sure you have a nice, encouraging coach that can teach them the game and not yell at them when they make mistakes. One that has fun but instructive drills and allows them to play any other sport they want! We've experienced good and bad coaches - it really is the most important factor at this age. All other things being equal (and it sounds like many of the young clubs have excellent coaches), I'd go with the Blades and the tradition if possible. When they get to be older, it will be more important for exposure opportunities if everything doesn't change in the next 5 years.

trippedovertheblueline wrote:" My son plays for one of the top AAA teams"

What are the top teams?

Depends on the age group.

Doglover wrote:We are still talking about 8 year olds right? Do you really need an explanation on the "Parents without Perspective" line? The only parents WITH perspective of 8 year old hockey players are those where this must be the oops baby and they've already had older kids go through the program and make it to the HS level or not. There is absolutely no way to have perspective without the experience.

They are 8 years old. Make sure you have a nice, encouraging coach that can teach them the game and not yell at them when they make mistakes. One that has fun but instructive drills and allows them to play any other sport they want! We've experienced good and bad coaches - it really is the most important factor at this age. All other things being equal (and it sounds like many of the young clubs have excellent coaches), I'd go with the Blades and the tradition if possible. When they get to be older, it will be more important for exposure opportunities if everything doesn't change in the next 5 years.

Doglover- Curious. Why the Blades? With so many good teams out there why are the Blades the best option? I know many good programs that offer the same if not more.
I'm already starting to see top kids bailing on the top two programs for other programs.

Judgeandjury wrote:

Doglover wrote:We are still talking about 8 year olds right? Do you really need an explanation on the "Parents without Perspective" line? The only parents WITH perspective of 8 year old hockey players are those where this must be the oops baby and they've already had older kids go through the program and make it to the HS level or not. There is absolutely no way to have perspective without the experience.

They are 8 years old. Make sure you have a nice, encouraging coach that can teach them the game and not yell at them when they make mistakes. One that has fun but instructive drills and allows them to play any other sport they want! We've experienced good and bad coaches - it really is the most important factor at this age. All other things being equal (and it sounds like many of the young clubs have excellent coaches), I'd go with the Blades and the tradition if possible. When they get to be older, it will be more important for exposure opportunities if everything doesn't change in the next 5 years.

Doglover- Curious. Why the Blades? With so many good teams out there why are the Blades the best option? I know many good programs that offer the same if not more.
I'm already starting to see top kids bailing on the top two programs for other programs.

From what I've seen, the Blades has the best program and the kids I've noticed, over the years, who've played with the Blades (and some of the Machine) seem to be the best players due to the fact that they've competed with and against other like skilled players at a higher level. This isn't to say there are not other good Summer teams to chose from but I've yet to see one as thorough as the Blades at all levels.

What Hockeyguy_27 said!!

I would also add that when exposure becomes more important than development (around age 14-15) if at all possible, you want your player with the Blades so they get invited to the top tournaments. The Blades have such a strong tradition of bringing quality teams, they get invited. The talent is all diluted with all the AAA teams at the younger ages (many of which just call themselves AAA) in MN but from what I've seen the playing field narrows and the better players gravitate to the Blades club if they weren't there all along. They still have the best model and typically the better coaches.

The game becomes faster and more physical and many of the talented and fast Squirt stars get left behind. I would invest my money in good skating coaches at the younger ages (the Ness group is outstanding) and avoid clubs that do not allow your 8-11 year olds to play baseball or lacrosse or soccer. The MM model is showing cracks and I believe will not work in the long run. Make sure your player plays for a good coach - if they're psycho change teams no matter what. It needs to stay fun. If your player is invited to skate with the Blades I'd jump on board but if they're not, not to worry. Keep them playing lots of sports and with a solid, wise coach and their friends and they will get the exposure they need in HS if they are truly talented.

Doglover wrote:What Hockeyguy_27 said!!

I would also add that when exposure becomes more important than development (around age 14-15) if at all possible, you want your player with the Blades so they get invited to the top tournaments. The Blades have such a strong tradition of bringing quality teams, they get invited. The talent is all diluted with all the AAA teams at the younger ages (many of which just call themselves AAA) in MN but from what I've seen the playing field narrows and the better players gravitate to the Blades club if they weren't there all along. They still have the best model and typically the better coaches.

The game becomes faster and more physical and many of the talented and fast Squirt stars get left behind. I would invest my money in good skating coaches at the younger ages (the Ness group is outstanding) and avoid clubs that do not allow your 8-11 year olds to play baseball or lacrosse or soccer. The MM model is showing cracks and I believe will not work in the long run. Make sure your player plays for a good coach - if they're psycho change teams no matter what. It needs to stay fun. If your player is invited to skate with the Blades I'd jump on board but if they're not, not to worry. Keep them playing lots of sports and with a solid, wise coach and their friends and they will get the exposure they need in HS if they are truly talented.

That's what so great about summer hockey...unlike association hockey, in the summer you actually have some control over who will be coaching your kid. Nothing you can do about the 'psycho' coach in your association....

I pretty much agree with everything you say. The Blades have a good reputation for finding and developing the elite players. The proof is in the pudding and if you need any evidence, just go to their website and look at their alumni page.

http://www.minnesotablades.com/

Just a rumor but I heard all the top 2000's from the Northern suburbs are skating Miracle...This includes kids who turned down the Machine, the Blades and the Cyclones.

It looks like a great developmental program that is on the rise.

Now can they compete with the Blades, Machine???

The tide may be turning...

HG37, It appears based on previous posts you have a vested interest in the Miracle program, posting tryouts etc....
Instead of tip toeing around the way you just did. What confuses me about Miracle is that the Herb Brooks philosophy was to broaden the base of the pyramid of youth hockey. If you ask me that program is trying to exist in a word it just cannot. If the organizers were thinking they would try to take on Showcase instead of beat their head against the wall trying to match up to Machine. Herb would be rolling in his grave if he knew that a program in his namesake was being organized to cater to elite athletes.

If you have vested interest I also think it is ridiculous for you to be on here touting the ability of 2000 born players....???!
I think hockey can be enjoyed by the community at large at all levels but throwing the glove down at this level is insane.

HockeyGuy37 wrote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a rumor but I heard all the top 2000's from the Northern suburbs are skating Miracle...This includes kids who turned down the Machine, the Blades and the Cyclones.

It looks like a great developmental program that is on the rise.

Now can they compete with the Blades, Machine???

The tide may be turning...

I heard on rumor that there are some great kids on the Blades, Machine, Duece, Grinders, Snipers, Monopoly, Icemen, Synergy, Stealth, Miracle, Magicians, etc...

They're 8 year olds. They're all great until proven otherwise.

As far as strength of proven programs -- Miracle? Are you serious? Not bashing that program at all, but it's not on a par with the Blades or the Machine yet. In time, maybe.

If there's a great 2000 Miracle group that's forming, we'll know just how good they are in another 4, 5, 6+ years or so. Same for the Blades and Machine and every other group of 2000s...

HockeyGuy37 wrote:Just a rumor but I heard all the top 2000's from the Northern suburbs are skating Miracle...This includes kids who turned down the Machine, the Blades and the Cyclones.

It looks like a great developmental program that is on the rise.

Now can they compete with the Blades, Machine???

The tide may be turning...

HockeyGuy37 wrote:Just a rumor but I heard all the top 2000's from the Northern suburbs are skating Miracle...This includes kids who turned down the Machine, the Blades and the Cyclones.

It looks like a great developmental program that is on the rise.

Now can they compete with the Blades, Machine???

The tide may be turning...

I know for a fact that 3 of St. Michaels top '00 skaters are skating for CCM Monopoly. All three also these kids were also Squirt move-ups for STMA. Plus this Monopoly team has some other very good players from that neck of the woods including Rogers top Mite player and a few from Elk Rivers top Mite team. Truth is all programs have some top players for their age which is great to see.

I just think not all parents have their kids tryout for one of the MN Made teams or the Blades. They like to stay close to home and there's other quality developmental programs out there.

YeahYeahYeah
I am not tip toeing around anything...I have a son in the program and we are excited about it and I am happy to help promote the program.
I will re-phrase my original post to say - I heard a lot of the top 2000's from the Northern Suburbs are skating Miracle.
I watched some of the evaluations and know some of the boys skating the 2000 program who are very skilled and the parents told me they turned down the programs mentioned to skate the Miracle program for various reasons.
I personally never met Herb Brooks but it sounds like he may have been a close personal friend of yours...
My posting was in reply to the original post Blades / Machine...From the sounds of it, the base may be broadening with many skilled kids staying closer to home and choosing to participate in programs like the Miracle, Monopoly and Easton. That works for me...

If it is such a great program why did all the kids leave the 98 team? The good news is you have a good coach at 2000 and I hope they do have good players but the rest of that program disappeared,why?
You don't have to be Herbs close personal friend to know that he would be disgusted by a program catering to, or trying to cater to, elite level players at this age. Not to mention having its organizers bragging about it on a webpage.
You want to call me out on what herb thought? read a book, do some research, watch a movie.
The next miracle is your slogan, seriously?
seems like a marketing slogan to pull on the dads heart string.
I hope the kids have fun.

From what I heard, most of the 98s left because they were tired of having a different coach at each practice/game/tournament. The kids never knew which coach would show. Sometimes it was the head coach, sometimes it was what they call a "staff coach" (beware, they still use this philosophy) and sometimes there were even 98 dads stepping up to help out when needed.

Inconsistent practices and very little immediate correction/feedback when skills were executed incorrectly are just a few of the many things '98 parents were unhappy about...several of the 99s have left as well. It's too bad Miracle screwed things up and lost these boys, they were talented players and would have helped build this program. Most of the 98s made their association A squirt team this season, a handful as first years. Not to worry, they will still be skating this summer...most of them were picked up by other reputable programs.

The bottom line is that Miracle is a glorified version of Showcase. This is totally fine if that is what you are looking for but seems awfully expensive for dads to be on the bench opening the door for line changes.

YeahYeahYeah...

Do you even read the posts?

MG37 never said anything about the program being great. He simply stated that the 2000 group appears to be somewhat talented and some of these kids chose to stay close to home and skate with the program.

Also, I see on the website that the Executive Director of the Herb Brooks Foundation is an advisor to the program.

Pull your head out...

Go CYCLONES

HockeyGuy37 wrote:Just a rumor but I heard all the top 2000's from the Northern suburbs are skating Miracle...This includes kids who turned down the Machine, the Blades and the Cyclones.

It looks like a great developmental program that is on the rise.

Now can they compete with the Blades, Machine???

The tide may be turning...

The Tide is indeed turning. There are more and more programs popping up. May I add within a couple years some of these teams will be able to compete with the Machine and Blades. This is good for Minnesota hockey. I know a lot of people are driving a long distance to Minnesota made up to three to four times a week if not more. People are starting to figure out they can stay closer to home and receive the same development. As soon as AAA hockey comes to Minnesota things will get even better.

Bottom line we are talking about 8 year olds. Pull YOUR head out. HG37 referenced that he was sharing "rumors" with us about 8 year olds. THAT is the problem.

I am not looking to start a fight just calling a spade a spade. If the 2000 Miracle is that good why not wait until the first tourney and let the boys talk for themselves. Instead, we have a guy that used his first post to announce the complete Miracle tryout schedule (nothing wrong with that at all) only to come back later and tout an apparent budding team of 8 year olds and attempt to slander other programs with more rumors(players choosing Miracle over, MM, Blades etc..

PSSST here is a rumor for you there is a group in the womb that will have more first round draft picks than any unborn players ever and the parents have already submitted their down payment to an un-named AAA organization, 2009 born.

If I am not mistaken Larry Hendrickson, Darby and many others were program advisors too. Did they ever join on the ice? Anyone can promise the world but few programs can deliver.

For the kids sake I hope this program succeeds.
Judge you are right on, I agree completely.

perhaps this spring this "bored" will have its own forum for AAA Hockey?
That would be coo.

YYY & YB,

WOW!!!

You 2 guys must really hate the Miracle program.

Did somebody from the program molest your dog or maybe you just weren't held enough as children.

Either way - Have a Nice Day!!!

I am forever out of this posting...

play4fun wrote:

HockeyGuy37 wrote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a rumor but I heard all the top 2000's from the Northern suburbs are skating Miracle...This includes kids who turned down the Machine, the Blades and the Cyclones.

It looks like a great developmental program that is on the rise.

Now can they compete with the Blades, Machine???

The tide may be turning...

I heard on rumor that there are some great kids on the Blades, Machine, Duece, Grinders, Snipers, Monopoly, Icemen, Synergy, Stealth, Miracle, Magicians, etc...

They're 8 year olds. They're all great until proven otherwise.

As far as strength of proven programs -- Miracle? Are you serious? Not bashing that program at all, but it's not on a par with the Blades or the Machine yet. In time, maybe.

If there's a great 2000 Miracle group that's forming, we'll know just how good they are in another 4, 5, 6+ years or so. Same for the Blades and Machine and every other group of 2000s...

There is a reason that people drive and play for the organizations like the blades and the Machine.. The are competitive at the national level (Consistently at all levels) HG37-- promote all you want about having a "northern Suburb powerhouse" but until you can compete and pull kids from all over the Nation to play with you in a tourney you will be forever known as another AAA wanna be. AAA is set up to promote elite players. Get over the fact that all of these budding AA , wanna be true AAA organizations are directed at one thing and trying to slice the pie til it dilutes the top dogs Check your wallet at the door and see if they are really recruiting top kids or recruiting top kids in a geographical area. If they are not pulling kids out of other areas you will have a really good OMG or Northern suburbs AA team playing MN AAA. Remember that when you are Writing out the Checks.....I don't believe the current model will support another top tier team in the state but I could be wrong. To follow up on an earlier post let the kids do the talking after winning a couple of tournaments. Until then enjoy watching your kid play at a AA level and find more constructive up front ways to improve your Miracle...

dogeatdog1 wrote:

play4fun wrote:

HockeyGuy37 wrote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a rumor but I heard all the top 2000's from the Northern suburbs are skating Miracle...This includes kids who turned down the Machine, the Blades and the Cyclones.

It looks like a great developmental program that is on the rise.

Now can they compete with the Blades, Machine???

The tide may be turning...

I heard on rumor that there are some great kids on the Blades, Machine, Duece, Grinders, Snipers, Monopoly, Icemen, Synergy, Stealth, Miracle, Magicians, etc...

They're 8 year olds. They're all great until proven otherwise.

As far as strength of proven programs -- Miracle? Are you serious? Not bashing that program at all, but it's not on a par with the Blades or the Machine yet. In time, maybe.

If there's a great 2000 Miracle group that's forming, we'll know just how good they are in another 4, 5, 6+ years or so. Same for the Blades and Machine and every other group of 2000s...

There is a reason that people drive and play for the organizations like the blades and the Machine.. The are competitive at the national level (Consistently at all levels) HG37-- promote all you want about having a "northern Suburb powerhouse" but until you can compete and pull kids from all over the Nation to play with you in a tourney you will be forever known as another AAA wanna be. AAA is set up to promote elite players. Get over the fact that all of these budding AA , wanna be true AAA organizations are directed at one thing and trying to slice the pie til it dilutes the top dogs Check your wallet at the door and see if they are really recruiting top kids or recruiting top kids in a geographical area. If they are not pulling kids out of other areas you will have a really good OMG or Northern suburbs AA team playing MN AAA. Remember that when you are Writing out the Checks.....I don't believe the current model will support another top tier team in the state but I could be wrong. To follow up on an earlier post let the kids do the talking after winning a couple of tournaments. Until then enjoy watching your kid play at a AA level and find more constructive up front ways to improve your Miracle...

Dog- I agree people are driving a long way for the Machine and Blades. The main reason is development. With this said the tides are slowly starting to change. I would say within the next couple years some of these kids will start staying closer to home. Why drive across the metro or from outside the metro when you can receive the same development closer to home?

I would love to stay home and get the development. The only problem with that, and I have been around hockey for a long time, is that you get the geographic team that will develop but hit a plateau because you don't cut the bottom 4 or 5 every year and try to keep the top end kids challenged. Do I agree with this philosophy? Not really, it would be great if you could get a group of top enders to keep moving up and make a new "Miracle" team when they are 18,but kids develop at different rates and some kids will end up moving on. When you look at the Bernie board and the Blades alumni they all didn't play on the team for 10 years and get their hockey skills from the "organization". In fact some of those are on both alum lists? A lot of those kids had great experiences, learned from ALL of the teams that they played on and had opportunities that not all kids get. So that being said enjoy the opportunity that you get if you are fortunate to be asked by the elite organizations to participate. Make sure that you and your child are prepared to be let go as fast as you were asked to play and when all is said and done enjoy organization that you chose and don't take yourself or your kids talent too seriously. I wish the best of luck to the Miracle, RBK, Majicians, Edge, Sniper,Grinder, and any other fillin the blank startup teams in the metro area. You can never have enough places for kids to play if you ask me. It all has to be in perspective. ESPECIALLY When you are talking about a 2000!

dogeatdog1 wrote:I would love to stay home and get the development. The only problem with that, and I have been around hockey for a long time, is that you get the geographic team that will develop but hit a plateau because you don't cut the bottom 4 or 5 every year and try to keep the top end kids challenged. Do I agree with this philosophy? Not really, it would be great if you could get a group of top enders to keep moving up and make a new "Miracle" team when they are 18,but kids develop at different rates and some kids will end up moving on. When you look at the Bernie board and the Blades alumni they all didn't play on the team for 10 years and get their hockey skills from the "organization". In fact some of those are on both alum lists? A lot of those kids had great experiences, learned from ALL of the teams that they played on and had opportunities that not all kids get. So that being said enjoy the opportunity that you get if you are fortunate to be asked by the elite organizations to participate. Make sure that you and your child are prepared to be let go as fast as you were asked to play and when all is said and done enjoy organization that you chose and don't take yourself or your kids talent too seriously. I wish the best of luck to the Miracle, RBK, Majicians, Edge, Sniper,Grinder, and any other fillin the blank startup teams in the metro area. You can never have enough places for kids to play if you ask me. It all has to be in perspective. ESPECIALLY When you are talking about a 2000!

I'm not saying I'm just saying. Is there any truth when people say the 99's are the most talented group of kids to come along in sometime? I find it hard to believe when people make comments like this but I've heard it many time from different groups of coaches. I guess compared to the 2000's it's not even close?

[quote="dogeatdog1"]I would love to stay home and get the development. The only problem with that, and I have been around hockey for a long time, is that you get the geographic team that will develop but hit a plateau because you don't cut the bottom 4 or 5 every year and try to keep the top end kids challenged. Do I agree with this philosophy? Not really, it would be great if you could get a group of top enders to keep moving up and make a new "Miracle" team when they are 18,but kids develop at different rates and some kids will end up moving on. When you look at the Bernie board and the Blades alumni they all didn't play on the team for 10 years and get their hockey skills from the "organization". In fact some of those are on both alum lists? A lot of those kids had great experiences, learned from ALL of the teams that they played on and had opportunities that not all kids get. So that being said enjoy the opportunity that you get if you are fortunate to be asked by the elite organizations to participate. Make sure that you and your child are prepared to be let go as fast as you were asked to play and when all is said and done enjoy organization that you chose and don't take yourself or your kids talent too seriously. I wish the best of luck to the Miracle, RBK, Majicians, Edge, Sniper,Grinder, and any other fillin the blank startup teams in the metro area. You can never have enough places for kids to play if you ask me. It all has to be in perspective. ESPECIALLY When you are talking about a 2000! [/quote]

You sir deserve a day to be able to drive to work and get every green light. A day to take the freeway, and go the speed you want. Good post