Top 2001 AAA team

[royals dad]

Ricky Bobby: Wait, Dad. Don't you remember the time you told me "If you ain't first, you're last"?
Reese Bobby: Huh? What are you talking about, Son?
Ricky Bobby: That day at school.
Reese Bobby: Oh hell, Son, I was high that day. That doesn't make any sense at all, you can be second, third, fourth... hell you can even be fifth.
Ricky Bobby: What? I've lived my whole life by that!

Living for the moment is great, in the game, during the shift, even over a weekend tournament. What happens to often though is that for some parents there is a need to take it a step further a bit earlier than they need to. USA hockey is backing away from national championships for 10 and under. Minnesota has no state championships for squirts. Not because the kids can’t handle it, because some parents can’t. The need to rank teams and say my team, my choices, my management of my player’s career, my parenting is better than yours. That is all about adults don’t fool yourself into thinking your kids need that to be motivated.
What’s the rush? If you’re lucky your kid will stick with the game and be good enough to play for their HS team. You want to put on a AAA team hat fine but relax and leave the team wear to the coaches and players.

[checco33]

I dont' know what AAA hockey you are watching...but if you think these kids don't pass and do break outs, you're watching AAA hockey that shouldn't be AAA hockey...which is a problem in itself which could be a whole different posting.

We just got back from Canada...and if you think we take our hockey serious here, go up there and play in a tournament. That debunks your whole it's one or two high level kids skating up and down the ice theory. They pass the puck with purpose...as do the high level AAA teams here in MN.

The "fun" is all part of the package. The cool jersys the kids love...the jackets...the hats..the t-shirts....but when the kids start having even more fun is when they start to see improvment..when they get that pat on the back for a nice pass..just as big a pat on the back for scoring the big goal....or they get the high five when they make a great play of defense. So yeah, as usual, we get the whole..."it's for the kids" "it's just for fun" "stop yelling at them" blah blah blah posts...I get it...touchy feelie is the way to go for some. Like I said...go the areas that develop hockey players....Canada...Europe...see how "touchy feelie" they are with their 9 year olds. If you don't want your kid challenged or saddled with too much pressure, have them play showcase or roller blade all summer. True AAA hockey is not for them...or for you. Believe it or not...there are kids out there that love the competitiveness...the fact that dad is there barking encouragement....coaches coaching and correcting and horror or horrors...dad wearing the AAA team's jacket!!! What a horrible thing....
give me a break.

[muckandgrind]

I dont' know what AAA hockey you are watching...but if you think these kids don't pass and do break outs, you're watching AAA hockey that shouldn't be AAA hockey...which is a problem in itself which could be a whole different posting.

We just got back from Canada...and if you think we take our hockey serious here, go up there and play in a tournament. That debunks your whole it's one or two high level kids skating up and down the ice theory. They pass the puck with purpose...as do the high level AAA teams here in MN.

The "fun" is all part of the package. The cool jersys the kids love...the jackets...the hats..the t-shirts....but when the kids start having even more fun is when they start to see improvment..when they get that pat on the back for a nice pass..just as big a pat on the back for scoring the big goal....or they get the high five when they make a great play of defense. So yeah, as usual, we get the whole..."it's for the kids" "it's just for fun" "stop yelling at them" blah blah blah posts...I get it...touchy feelie is the way to go for some. Like I said...go the areas that develop hockey players....Canada...Europe...see how "touchy feelie" they are with their 9 year olds. If you don't want your kid challenged or saddled with too much pressure, have them play showcase or roller blade all summer. True AAA hockey is not for them...or for you. Believe it or not...there are kids out there that love the competitiveness...the fact that dad is there barking encouragement....coaches coaching and correcting and horror or horrors...dad wearing the AAA team's jacket!!! What a horrible thing....
give me a break.

We're talking about 8 and 9 year olds, right?

I have plenty of experience with "true" AAA (as in Tier I Winter AAA). From the tone of this post, it's obvious that you're pretty new to it. And one day you'll look back on this and realize how silly you sound. 8 year olds are not proficient in breakouts. The biggest reason is that they aren't truly being pressured. Anyone can be trained to pass the puck out of the zone if there is no fear of getting hammered by a forechecker. It takes YEARS for players and teams to become truly proficient in breakouts, forechecks, regroups, PP, PK, etc. In fact, I would suggest that 8 year olds shouldn't even be focusing on that stuff yet. They should be focusing on skill development. Regardless of what you may thing, they aren't even proficient skaters and stickhandlers yet. If you can't do that properly, where's the benefit of teaching them breakouts and forechecks???

You talk about "living in the moment", but it sounds like you are doing the opposite. It sounds as though you are looking into the future, which is dangerous and ultimately self-defeating for you and your kid.

Get a grip.

[checco33]

obviously, muck, you have no idea what you are talking about and have no experience at this level. which is fine....
I coach these kids and they are having a blast....and yes, genious, I would say 90% of what we teach are fundamentals. Imagine that. Deep knee bends, stretching out the stride, slowing it down, etc. Again, get out of your bubble here and and travel around and see what other high level organizations are doing. Your ignorance is amazing....do you really think I think these kids will pass, forecheck, break out, etc as well as they will when they are Bantams? Or PeeWees? Talk about getting a grip. By the way, I haven't had any of my own kids or my AAA team start looking at colleges yet because I just know they are going D1. That's the brain dead argument anytime someone pushes their kid a little bit....but I see where you're coming from....and that's fine. I just disagree and so would most the people that are having their kids play at a certain level of hockey. I'm sure the NHL is full of kids that mommy and daddy didn't push a little bit or allow them to be competitive at the tender age of 9. NOT. Again, educate yourself and get back to me.

[muckandgrind]

obviously, muck, you have no idea what you are talking about and have no experience at this level. which is fine....
I coach these kids and they are having a blast....and yes, genious, I would say 90% of what we teach are fundamentals. Imagine that. Deep knee bends, stretching out the stride, slowing it down, etc. Again, get out of your bubble here and and travel around and see what other high level organizations are doing. Your ignorance is amazing....do you really think I think these kids will pass, forecheck, break out, etc as well as they will when they are Bantams? Or PeeWees? Talk about getting a grip. By the way, I haven't had any of my own kids or my AAA team start looking at colleges yet because I just know they are going D1. That's the brain dead argument anytime someone pushes their kid a little bit....but I see where you're coming from....and that's fine. I just disagree and so would most the people that are having their kids play at a certain level of hockey.

I'm sure the NHL is full of kids that mommy and daddy didn't push a little bit or allow them to be competitive at the tender age of 9. NOT.

Again, educate yourself and get back to me.

Right. No experience. My middle son played for the Fire for a few seasons back when he was still a youth player, we've experienced the whole Tier I AAA thing. Played teams like Honeybaked, Little Caesers, Compuware, St. Louis Jr Blues, Belle Tire, Russian Red Army, etc. You're right. I'm a newbie and have never been around quality youth hockey.

All three of my sons played for various summer AAA teams, and at various level as well. They've played on invite and open teams. Some were for more fun, some were for more development, some were just to compete.

The one difference between you and I is that I realized that it was THEIR experience, not mine, what mattered most.

I'm sure the NHL is full of kids that mommy and daddy didn't push a little bit or allow them to be competitive at the tender age of 9. NOT.

That is a scary quote. You're thinking NHL already, huh? You can allow nine year old kids to be competitive all you like, but you have to be careful about how much you "push" them. Remember, they are NINE. They still watch cartoons and play with toys.

Like I said before, get a grip.

[checco33]

Doorknob..read the whole post...it's loaded with sarcastic remarks. You can post whatever you'd like about teams and leagues and whatever..I can do the same. That doesn't prove anything and to me, it sounds like you have little experience at this level and most of your stances prove it. I mentioned D1 too as a joke...so should I get a grip there too? Read the posts a little bit more clearly....like saying I think the kids at 9 should be proficient at breakouts and skating....not proficient....but learning it and doing it as best they can.
We do agree on one thing...I'm a HUGE fundamental guy and if they can't skate...they can't do a break out, they can't catch a pass, they can't shoot, etc. So see, some middle ground. I just know what my kid likes, what my players like, what my players parents like, and their feedback on how their kids are progressing. That's all I care about...and so far, so good. Most the circles I run in agree with me....scary huh? I'll let most of these former D1 hockey guys know that they need to "get a grip"

[muckandgrind]

...and let me repeat what I've said many times before. I am NOT "anti-AAA" hockey. If the kid wants to play in the summer, that's great. The more opportunities the better, IMO.

Just be careful is all I'm saying. I've seen kids grow to quit the game becaused they were pushed too hard by overbearing parents and coaches. And it's usually the oldest child that gets burned out because the parents want to push and push. By the time the parents realize what they did, it's too late. Then they take it easier on their younger kids.

Relax, it's a game. It's supposed to be fun. Keep it that way.

[royals dad]

Checco - I have read that in parts of Europe/Scandinavia they hardly touch pucks until they are 11 its all skating till then. As for Canada add "The Tournament" from the CBC to your netfix que very funny mockumentary of the whole Canadian youth hockey culture so many Minnesota parents are jealous of. The best athletes in Canada play hockey, there is no secret formula. The best athletes in Brazil play soccer so they produce great soccer players. In MN and the USA our best athletes are spread across many sports. You will find 10,000 40 something Canadians crying in their Molson about the NHL career they missed out on for every 1 that made it to an NHL bench. That is no better or worse than the percentage here.

If your doing what your doing for this hockey season with the mindset that your kid will never get a scholarship or an NHL paycheck, fine have fun. IMO To many parents are looking at 9 year olds and angling for what HS line mates they will have or how scouts might see them.

As for teamwear - I loved my youth hockey jacket when I was a kid, it was not much more than a windbreaker but wore it to the rink on even the coldest days. Back then we used to put patches on them every year and wore them like they were HS letter jackets. If my dad had bought a matching one with my name on it I would have thought he was a dork. As it was I didn't figure that out until I was a teenager.

[muckandgrind]

As for teamwear - I loved my youth hockey jacket when I was a kid, it was not much more than a windbreaker but wore it to the rink on even the coldest days. Back then we used to put patches on them every year and wore them like they were HS letter jackets. If my dad had bought a matching one with my name on it I would have thought he was a dork. As it was I didn't figure that out until I was a teenager.

Patch jackets!!! Yes, I remember them. We would put our tournament champs/runner up patches on them. District and team patches, etc. Football, baseball, and hockey. I bet my mom probably still has mine in a box somewhere.

You're right......"Dork" would be the same thing running through my mind if my dad wanted to sport a matching one as well. When I see him over the 4th, I'll make sure to thank him for not doing that.

[observer]

I'll let most of these former D1 hockey guys know that they need to "get a grip"

Frankly, they're the ones that probably do need to get a grip. Or, follow what they did to get to D1, nothing. You'll find that Squirt parents are very entertaining, and often wrong about a lot of things, when your player is bantam age.

[hockey_is_a_choice]

I had forgotten about my patch jacket. I had one for swimming. (Girls didn't play hockey when I was a kid.) I loved it. My favorite patches were from meets in Canada and out of state. A couple of months ago, I saw a mom in an arena wearing an association jacket with the name "XXXXX's Mom" stitched on the front of the jacket. I promised my son that I would never do that. He thanked me.

Folks, remember we're talking about little boys. They grow up quickly. And--for most of our kids--hockey will be start to take a backseat to other interests as they get older, as it should. My oldest son is transitioning from pampered suburban boy to cadet at one of the nation's Senior Military Colleges. I can assure you my oldest son is not thinking about hockey right now, especially because he failed room inspection--again. My youngest son is another story--hockey is king right now. Enjoy this time in your son's life--don't destroy it. Remember, it's about him--not you. I don't always remember that myself, but I am trying to do a better job.

Muck, sounds to me like you should say thanks to your dad for many reason this July 4th.

[muckandgrind]

Muck, sounds to me like you should say thanks to your dad for many reason this July 4th.

I'm not sure how to interpret that....but yes, my Dad is a great guy and I have much to be thankful for.

[silentbutdeadly3139]

I had forgotten about my patch jacket. I had one for swimming. (Girls didn't play hockey when I was a kid.) I loved it. My favorite patches were from meets in Canada and out of state. A couple of months ago, I saw a mom in an arena wearing an association jacket with the name "XXXXX's Mom" stitched on the front of the jacket. I promised my son that I would never do that. He thanked me.

Folks, remember we're talking about little boys. They grow up quickly. And--for most of our kids--hockey will be start to take a backseat to other interests as they get older, as it should. My oldest son is transitioning from pampered suburban boy to cadet at one of the nation's Senior Military Colleges. I can assure you my oldest son is not thinking about hockey right now, especially because he failed room inspection--again. My youngest son is another story--hockey is king right now. Enjoy this time in your son's life--don't destroy it. Remember, it's about him--not you. I don't always remember that myself, but I am trying to do a better job.

Muck, sounds to me like you should say thanks to your dad for many reason this July 4th.

Everyone should get off your high horse. Now your condemning moms from wearing a jacket with their kids name on it? Sure hope no one ripped you for traveling to other states and countries to swim like you rip people for wearing a jacket with their kids name on it. Your parents must have thought you would be a gold medal swimmer. Many found KIDS wearing letterman jackets were dorks

[muckandgrind]

I had forgotten about my patch jacket. I had one for swimming. (Girls didn't play hockey when I was a kid.) I loved it. My favorite patches were from meets in Canada and out of state. A couple of months ago, I saw a mom in an arena wearing an association jacket with the name "XXXXX's Mom" stitched on the front of the jacket. I promised my son that I would never do that. He thanked me.

Folks, remember we're talking about little boys. They grow up quickly. And--for most of our kids--hockey will be start to take a backseat to other interests as they get older, as it should. My oldest son is transitioning from pampered suburban boy to cadet at one of the nation's Senior Military Colleges. I can assure you my oldest son is not thinking about hockey right now, especially because he failed room inspection--again. My youngest son is another story--hockey is king right now. Enjoy this time in your son's life--don't destroy it. Remember, it's about him--not you. I don't always remember that myself, but I am trying to do a better job.

Muck, sounds to me like you should say thanks to your dad for many reason this July 4th.

Everyone should get off your high horse. Now your condemning moms from wearing a jacket with their kids name on it? Sure hope no one ripped you for traveling to other states and countries to swim like you rip people for wearing a jacket with their kids name on it. Your parents must have thought you would be a gold medal swimmer. Many found KIDS wearing letterman jackets were dorks

So....you think it's perfectly normal for a parent to wear a team jacket and have their son's (or daughter's) name stitched on it? Just checking.

I'm being totally serious when I ask the question: If you think that's normal, when did it become so? Because I can tell you that no parent (when we were kids) would've been caught dead doing that. So, it must've been a recent occurance.

Let me point out that there is a distinction between a parent wearing a sweatshirt with HS insignia on it, and a parent wearing a team jacket with the 8 year old son's name stitched on it. I've yet to see a HS parent wear their son's jersey or name stitched on their jackets or sweaters.

Once again, this seems to only happen with Squirt age parents. The only reason I mentioned it in the first place is that there seemed to be, in my opinion, that there is a correlation between the number of parents wearing these jackets and the number of nutty parents in the stands. It's not a one-to-one correlation, mind you....but there does seem to be a link there.

[JSR]

I had forgotten about my patch jacket. I had one for swimming. (Girls didn't play hockey when I was a kid.) I loved it. My favorite patches were from meets in Canada and out of state. A couple of months ago, I saw a mom in an arena wearing an association jacket with the name "XXXXX's Mom" stitched on the front of the jacket. I promised my son that I would never do that. He thanked me.

Folks, remember we're talking about little boys. They grow up quickly. And--for most of our kids--hockey will be start to take a backseat to other interests as they get older, as it should. My oldest son is transitioning from pampered suburban boy to cadet at one of the nation's Senior Military Colleges. I can assure you my oldest son is not thinking about hockey right now, especially because he failed room inspection--again. My youngest son is another story--hockey is king right now. Enjoy this time in your son's life--don't destroy it. Remember, it's about him--not you. I don't always remember that myself, but I am trying to do a better job.

Muck, sounds to me like you should say thanks to your dad for many reason this July 4th.

Everyone should get off your high horse. Now your condemning moms from wearing a jacket with their kids name on it? Sure hope no one ripped you for traveling to other states and countries to swim like you rip people for wearing a jacket with their kids name on it. Your parents must have thought you would be a gold medal swimmer. Many found KIDS wearing letterman jackets were dorks

So....you think it's perfectly normal for a parent to wear a team jacket and have their son's (or daughter's) name stitched on it? Just checking.

I'm being totally serious when I ask the question: If you think that's normal, when did it become so? Because I can tell you that no parent (when we were kids) would've been caught dead doing that. So, it must've been a recent occurance.

Let me point out that there is a distinction between a parent wearing a sweatshirt with HS insignia on it, and a parent wearing a team jacket with the 8 year old son's name stitched on it. I've yet to see a HS parent wear their son's jersey or name stitched on their jackets or sweaters.

Once again, this seems to only happen with Squirt age parents. The only reason I mentioned it in the first place is that there seemed to be, in my opinion, that there is a correlation between the number of parents wearing these jackets and the number of nutty parents in the stands. It's not a one-to-one correlation, mind you....but there does seem to be a link there.

I see mom's wearing jersey's and jackets with their names on it all over the high school stands in ALL sports in our area. I don't know when it became prevalent but it clearly is prevalent in all sports at all ages. Specifically in hockey I see mom's with jackets and/or shirts or jerseys doing this at all age levels including high school. Very common to see the mom's wearing their kids home (or away) jersey depending on which one they are not wearing, and then most all of them have a fleece or winter coat with the team logo and their kids' first name and number stitched on them. This may not have been the norm when you were a kid, probably was not when I was a kid either, but it is highly normal now a days. There is a reason that apparel companies have taken the time and marketing space to make these things available, it's because people are buying them to the tune of millions of dollars in the industry. Muck, I usually see your point on overzealous parenting etc... but this tiny niche area of apparel and parental apparel, you are way off base and seemingly a bit disconnected. Sorry.

On a personal note, my wife ones a coat that has her two son's names and numbers stiched on them, you know who bought it for her, her two sons did as a christmas present all on their own (I mean I helped pay for it but they came up with it and they are the ones who suggested and wanted to give it to her). Times have changed, parents have changed, and so have the kids IMO.

[silentbutdeadly3139]

I had forgotten about my patch jacket. I had one for swimming. (Girls didn't play hockey when I was a kid.) I loved it. My favorite patches were from meets in Canada and out of state. A couple of months ago, I saw a mom in an arena wearing an association jacket with the name "XXXXX's Mom" stitched on the front of the jacket. I promised my son that I would never do that. He thanked me.

Folks, remember we're talking about little boys. They grow up quickly. And--for most of our kids--hockey will be start to take a backseat to other interests as they get older, as it should. My oldest son is transitioning from pampered suburban boy to cadet at one of the nation's Senior Military Colleges. I can assure you my oldest son is not thinking about hockey right now, especially because he failed room inspection--again. My youngest son is another story--hockey is king right now. Enjoy this time in your son's life--don't destroy it. Remember, it's about him--not you. I don't always remember that myself, but I am trying to do a better job.

Muck, sounds to me like you should say thanks to your dad for many reason this July 4th.

Everyone should get off your high horse. Now your condemning moms from wearing a jacket with their kids name on it? Sure hope no one ripped you for traveling to other states and countries to swim like you rip people for wearing a jacket with their kids name on it. Your parents must have thought you would be a gold medal swimmer. Many found KIDS wearing letterman jackets were dorks

So....you think it's perfectly normal for a parent to wear a team jacket and have their son's (or daughter's) name stitched on it? Just checking.

I'm being totally serious when I ask the question: If you think that's normal, when did it become so? Because I can tell you that no parent (when we were kids) would've been caught dead doing that. So, it must've been a recent occurance.

Let me point out that there is a distinction between a parent wearing a sweatshirt with HS insignia on it, and a parent wearing a team jacket with the 8 year old son's name stitched on it. I've yet to see a HS parent wear their son's jersey or name stitched on their jackets or sweaters.

Once again, this seems to only happen with Squirt age parents. The only reason I mentioned it in the first place is that there seemed to be, in my opinion, that there is a correlation between the number of parents wearing these jackets and the number of nutty parents in the stands. It's not a one-to-one correlation, mind you....but there does seem to be a link there.

I don't want facts to get in the way of your diatribe but read it again : the post said "... wearing an association jacket ...". They now market mom jackets for ALL sports with association/town name on the jacket. My KID, the one that doesn't play hockey bought one for mom. As JSR stated I have seen MANY moms and some dad's wearing HS jerseys. perhaps they weren't as enlightened as you ... the one who had their kid play for a team in another state, traveling all over the us spending lots of $$$. And what was your motive ? people in glass houses ....

[muckandgrind]

Everyone should get off your high horse. Now your condemning moms from wearing a jacket with their kids name on it? Sure hope no one ripped you for traveling to other states and countries to swim like you rip people for wearing a jacket with their kids name on it. Your parents must have thought you would be a gold medal swimmer. Many found KIDS wearing letterman jackets were dorks

So....you think it's perfectly normal for a parent to wear a team jacket and have their son's (or daughter's) name stitched on it? Just checking.

I'm being totally serious when I ask the question: If you think that's normal, when did it become so? Because I can tell you that no parent (when we were kids) would've been caught dead doing that. So, it must've been a recent occurance.

Let me point out that there is a distinction between a parent wearing a sweatshirt with HS insignia on it, and a parent wearing a team jacket with the 8 year old son's name stitched on it. I've yet to see a HS parent wear their son's jersey or name stitched on their jackets or sweaters.

Once again, this seems to only happen with Squirt age parents. The only reason I mentioned it in the first place is that there seemed to be, in my opinion, that there is a correlation between the number of parents wearing these jackets and the number of nutty parents in the stands. It's not a one-to-one correlation, mind you....but there does seem to be a link there.

I see mom's wearing jersey's and jackets with their names on it all over the high school stands in ALL sports in our area. I don't know when it became prevalent but it clearly is prevalent in all sports at all ages. Specifically in hockey I see mom's with jackets and/or shirts or jerseys doing this at all age levels including high school. Very common to see the mom's wearing their kids home (or away) jersey depending on which one they are not wearing, and then most all of them have a fleece or winter coat with the team logo and their kids' first name and number stitched on them. This may not have been the norm when you were a kid, probably was not when I was a kid either, but it is highly normal now a days. There is a reason that apparel companies have taken the time and marketing space to make these things available, it's because people are buying them to the tune of millions of dollars in the industry. Muck, I usually see your point on overzealous parenting etc... but this tiny niche area of apparel and parental apparel, you are way off base and seemingly a bit disconnected. Sorry.

On a personal note, my wife ones a coat that has her two son's names and numbers stiched on them, you know who bought it for her, her two sons did as a christmas present all on their own (I mean I helped pay for it but they came up with it and they are the ones who suggested and wanted to give it to her). Times have changed, parents have changed, and so have the kids IMO.

You might be right, but I go to all sorts of HS games: football and hockey and I'm not seeing what you're seeing. I'll see parents wearing a sweatshirt with the school name and mascot on it.....and I'll see girls wearing the jersey of their boyfriends, but it's very rare that I'll see a mom (or dad) wearing their son's jersey or a jacket with their son's name on it. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough, I'm not sure. I'll keep my eyes peeled from now on.

Hey, it's a free country. You can wear what you want. I just wonder when it started and why?

perhaps they weren't as enlightened as you ... the one who had their kid play for a team in another state, traveling all over the us spending lots of $$$. And what was your motive ? people in glass houses ....

Did it for two years. The boy had fun, but it cost too much $$ and I ended up burning up all my vacation time chasing him around.

What was my motive? None. Son wanted to tryout, he made it and we decided to give it a try. . I won't rip on someone for choosing to do the same, it's up to them. I've never ripped people for having their kids play AAA. There are many reasons why someone would choose to do it.

My argument isn't with the organizations, it with nutty parents. Parents who are concerned with ranking 8 year old boys.

[silentbutdeadly3139]

So....you think it's perfectly normal for a parent to wear a team jacket and have their son's (or daughter's) name stitched on it? Just checking.

I'm being totally serious when I ask the question: If you think that's normal, when did it become so? Because I can tell you that no parent (when we were kids) would've been caught dead doing that. So, it must've been a recent occurance.

Let me point out that there is a distinction between a parent wearing a sweatshirt with HS insignia on it, and a parent wearing a team jacket with the 8 year old son's name stitched on it. I've yet to see a HS parent wear their son's jersey or name stitched on their jackets or sweaters.

Once again, this seems to only happen with Squirt age parents. The only reason I mentioned it in the first place is that there seemed to be, in my opinion, that there is a correlation between the number of parents wearing these jackets and the number of nutty parents in the stands. It's not a one-to-one correlation, mind you....but there does seem to be a link there.

I see mom's wearing jersey's and jackets with their names on it all over the high school stands in ALL sports in our area. I don't know when it became prevalent but it clearly is prevalent in all sports at all ages. Specifically in hockey I see mom's with jackets and/or shirts or jerseys doing this at all age levels including high school. Very common to see the mom's wearing their kids home (or away) jersey depending on which one they are not wearing, and then most all of them have a fleece or winter coat with the team logo and their kids' first name and number stitched on them. This may not have been the norm when you were a kid, probably was not when I was a kid either, but it is highly normal now a days. There is a reason that apparel companies have taken the time and marketing space to make these things available, it's because people are buying them to the tune of millions of dollars in the industry. Muck, I usually see your point on overzealous parenting etc... but this tiny niche area of apparel and parental apparel, you are way off base and seemingly a bit disconnected. Sorry.

On a personal note, my wife ones a coat that has her two son's names and numbers stiched on them, you know who bought it for her, her two sons did as a christmas present all on their own (I mean I helped pay for it but they came up with it and they are the ones who suggested and wanted to give it to her). Times have changed, parents have changed, and so have the kids IMO.

You might be right, but I go to all sorts of HS games: football and hockey and I'm not seeing what you're seeing. I'll see parents wearing a sweatshirt with the school name and mascot on it.....and I'll see girls wearing the jersey of their boyfriends, but it's very rare that I'll see a mom (or dad) wearing their son's jersey or a jacket with their son's name on it. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough, I'm not sure. I'll keep my eyes peeled from now on.

Hey, it's a free country. You can wear what you want. I just wonder when it started and why?

Niche marketing ... cold, proud mom = mom jacket with kids name on it. Free country but people getting on their high horse and ripping others for wearing them ... opens them up for rebuttal

[silentbutdeadly3139]

Did it for two years. The boy had fun, but it cost too much $$ and I ended up burning up all my vacation time chasing him around.

What was my motive? None. Son wanted to tryout, he made it and we decided to give it a try. . I won't rip on someone for choosing to do the same, it's up to them. I've never ripped people for having their kids play AAA. There are many reasons why someone would choose to do it.

My argument isn't with the organizations, it with nutty parents. Parents who are concerned with ranking 8 year old boys.

Had to ask for motive ... otherwise I may have guessed you would be one of those nutty parents who think there kids are too good for association hockey and training them for the "next level". Agree there are many nutty parents but your casting such a wide net ... perhaps there are people who are entertained by youth hockey and want to watch some of the better teams ? I personally don't care but it always drove me nuts when others come off sounding self righteous and condescending. If your not then I apologize.

[JSR]

I just wonder when it started and why?

I don't know exactly when it started but I suspedct it started when apparel companies started making it eaily available. When you and I were young I don't recall such things exisitng and I further doubt that if they did they were as accessible as they are today. My guess is that, if they had been, people would have bought and worn them. Just a guess on my part, but in retail marketing ease of access to the product and pricing are two huge contributors to successful marketing. My family can't be part of any youth sports team (be it soccer, hockey, basebal whatever) where parental apparel isn't being thrown at us from every direction. Not saying my family buys much of it (not saying we buy none either) but it's there and it's easily ordered right along side the kids jersey or warmup jacket or whatever and it's marketed in every sport all the time like beer ads during a football game.

[HockeyDad41]

Great.

I just bought one of those cute little pins that says "HockeyMom" and you can hang three little number charms from it.

Is that still good or should I not let my wife wear it?

[HockeyDad41]

Did it for two years. The boy had fun, but it cost too much $$ and I ended up burning up all my vacation time chasing him around.

What was my motive? None. Son wanted to tryout, he made it and we decided to give it a try. . I won't rip on someone for choosing to do the same, it's up to them. I've never ripped people for having their kids play AAA. There are many reasons why someone would choose to do it.

My argument isn't with the organizations, it with nutty parents. Parents who are concerned with ranking 8 year old boys.

May I ask how old the boy was when he did it?

[muckandgrind]

Did it for two years. The boy had fun, but it cost too much $$ and I ended up burning up all my vacation time chasing him around.

What was my motive? None. Son wanted to tryout, he made it and we decided to give it a try. . I won't rip on someone for choosing to do the same, it's up to them. I've never ripped people for having their kids play AAA. There are many reasons why someone would choose to do it.

My argument isn't with the organizations, it with nutty parents. Parents who are concerned with ranking 8 year old boys.

May I ask how old the boy was when he did it?

12 and 13.

[royals dad]

Great.

I just bought one of those cute little pins that says "HockeyMom" and you can hang three little number charms from it.

Is that still good or should I not let my wife wear it?

Are the numbers hub cap size? Will it clash with the Blades tattoo or the MMachine hair dye job? If you need to add to the gift I found that you can buy face paint in bulk on ebay. Sorry for the sarcasm but all I said was that when I was 9 (1976) I would have thought my parents were dorks had they been into wearing team stuff with my name on it. Wear what ever you want, just make sure to take lots of pictures so when your kids look back on this time they will have something to laugh at you about.

[hockey_is_a_choice]

H41,

Did you really type "Is that good or should I not let my wife wear it"? I hope your wife makes her own decisions about what she wears. I suspect she probably makes decisions about what you wear.

If your wife wants to wear a hockey-theme jacket, necklace, or bracelet (even one that includes a charm in the form of a Silent, dead high horse) that identifies her as a "hockey mom," "Timmy's mom" or "#12's mom" that is her prerogative. As long as she and your sons are comfortable with her choices that's all that matters. My dad still wears shorts, black socks and wingtips when he mows the lawn. I'm comfortable with it as long as he stays in Florida.

Guys, your wife will accept any present her children give her and cherish it, even if it's the hunting rifle you've been eyeing for yourself. That doesn't mean she would buy it for herself.

Silent, my Canada patches were from my days living in Canada. For the record, there is nothing wrong with kids traveling for sports or other activities. Kids benefit from the experience.