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It's never going to be right for everyone.

MrBoDangles wrote:

BadgerBob82 wrote:Very simple Bo. When a district has 8 of each level (AA-A) I see no reason why they should be FORCED to play each other. But I think there are many larger associations where their A level team can match well with other associations AA teams. This format allows them to play each other. That is not "swaying" on the issue.

Over the years, there have been around 100 PW A teams and 90 Bantam A teams. The point I have made over and over is the bottom 30-40 ranked A teams were of similar ability level as the top 20-30 B1 teams.

The issues with this? Top 20-30 B1 teams were running over ther remaining B1 teams. Top B1 teams couldn't play similar competition at the A level. Yes, special permission could be granted, but what A team would really schedule a game with a B1 team that likely will beat them? Then lower level A teams were getting trounced all season and most didn't make District play-offs or if they did have a "play-in" game, were beat ending their season in early February.

The AA-A proposal improves on all of these situations. Is it perfect? NO! Some associations didn't declare teams/levels properly. Some Districts did stupid things like D10 FORCING AA vs A games. MN Hockey did nothing to guide/force associations/districts to do the right thing. Some tournaments didn't do a good job of inviting AA and/or A teams. But, even with these problems, the AA-A proposal is an improvement on the past. Just like the addition of B2 improved the B level.

Keep posting lopsided D10 AA vs A scores.

But how about you post the real reason you hate this proposal. It clearly has to do with Little Bo. What's going on? You hated that your association is awful and he had to play B1's. Now you have a waiver and are still mad. You are very tranparent and this proposal must not be benefitting little Bo. So how about you tell the forum what your problem really is. Maybe we can talk you off the ledge. Summer AAA hockey is only 3-4 months away. Then all will be good with you?

It's all very simple to understand, Bob. You've been in the tough position of coaching the A-2 team in Rochester and have felt your son's team has been run through the ringer at the top level, but have also felt that playing B-1 would be a slap in the face. Well, Bob, how many levels do you think we need? Do you want to go AAA, AA, A, B-1, B-2, C-1 AND C-2?

Do you understand that families/kids(A talent) on B-1 teams in AA/B-1 associations are going to be much more likely to seek out an association that provides the new A level? What young Hockey family is going to move into an association that doesn't now provide AA then A? What family would with the possibility of being stuck one to two levels behind as a first or second year? This hurts the mid size associations in a big way and the balance tips even more to your mega association type programs.

All these teams being classified as "A" teams in your head is just a pipe dream. You can put an A on your teams but it still won't make them top tier.....

Youth Hockey in Minnesota is crumbling because of self centered mega association folks like yourself.

BadgerBob82 wrote:See Bo, you want to make this personal. And it is not about me or my boys or the various levels I have coached. I am looking at the entire state of MN, not my little corner of it. It is personal for you. You can't see the big picture and with anything that is said, you view its impact to your own perception of Little Bo. That's why anything I say, you think I am swaying. If I say something that you think favors Little Bo, you accuse me of flip-flopping and supporting Little Bo's position. If I say something that you think hurts Little Bo, then you say I am only concerned with myself.

The sky is not falling. MN Hockey is not crumbling. Little Bo loves hockey and will get better each year.