AAU hockey

[Froggy Richards]

Basically, yeah like summer hockey.

AAU provides the insurance coverage and would be the sanctioning body.

Why are they moving into hockey? Look no further than USAH's cross-ice mandate at Mites. People don't want it. Michigan went with a cross ice mandate so AAU stepped in and sponsored full ice Mite tournaments. Many Mite age kids went that route rather than registering with USAH. It's a big problem and threat to USAH, IMO. AAU is getting the kids in young, giving parents the freedom of a more "club" based structure as opposed to association based.

Personally, I think USAH does some great things to grow the sport in the U.S. At the same time they get things wrong and they need to learn to change direction when they are wrong. I think they are wrong with the cross-ice mandate. I think there's a better way to promote cross ice and small area games yet still allow for some full ice competition for those older Mites. I don't think anything good can come from youth hockey splitting into two organizations on a national level, USAH and AAU.

This is definitely an issue that USA Hockey should have left alone. 2nd and 3rd graders should not be "mandated" to play cross or half ice. It's especially a big problem when you have advanced 3rd graders who can't move up to Squirts because of numbers. I understand the benefits of it but they need both in my opinion. After playing full ice last year many of our kids skated about 3/4 in half ice because they didn't like it. I understand what they like isn't always what's best for them but sometimes I think we need to listen to the kids. If they're not having fun, nothing else we do matters. There was nothing wrong with the current system. This year our Mite 2 team did about 60/40 half ice, full ice and it seemed to be perfect. Minnesota has applied for an exception to this rule. The hearing is in May and USA Hockey will decide whether or not to accept it. Even if they do, the full ice games will be very limited, probably 6-9 games. I think it should be more like 12-15.

This should be left up to the Associations. If the exception is not granted, there is already talk between associations in our area to form Squirt C teams. This would solve the issue for the more advanced skaters but would water down the competition for the younger Mite 2's, which I don't think is good either. First year Mite 2's make a huge jump over the course of the season, partly because of being pushed by better team mates and competition.

District 16 will allow the decision to be made at the local level.
I believe the final MH decision will be something similar to what D16 plans on doing.

That's great to hear but I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying that even if USA Hockey mandates it, MN Hockey will not abide by it? Don't get me wrong, I like it. Just not sure how that works.

[elliott70]

This is definitely an issue that USA Hockey should have left alone. 2nd and 3rd graders should not be "mandated" to play cross or half ice. It's especially a big problem when you have advanced 3rd graders who can't move up to Squirts because of numbers. I understand the benefits of it but they need both in my opinion. After playing full ice last year many of our kids skated about 3/4 in half ice because they didn't like it. I understand what they like isn't always what's best for them but sometimes I think we need to listen to the kids. If they're not having fun, nothing else we do matters. There was nothing wrong with the current system. This year our Mite 2 team did about 60/40 half ice, full ice and it seemed to be perfect. Minnesota has applied for an exception to this rule. The hearing is in May and USA Hockey will decide whether or not to accept it. Even if they do, the full ice games will be very limited, probably 6-9 games. I think it should be more like 12-15.

This should be left up to the Associations. If the exception is not granted, there is already talk between associations in our area to form Squirt C teams. This would solve the issue for the more advanced skaters but would water down the competition for the younger Mite 2's, which I don't think is good either. First year Mite 2's make a huge jump over the course of the season, partly because of being pushed by better team mates and competition.

District 16 will allow the decision to be made at the local level.
I believe the final MH decision will be something similar to what D16 plans on doing.

That's great to hear but I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying that even if USA Hockey mandates it, MN Hockey will not abide by it? Don't get me wrong, I like it. Just not sure how that works.

Based on our history of knowing what we are doing (all of the coaches etc in Minnesota) when it comes to coaching and training; USAH gives ome latitude on some of their rules.
They gave MH some time to decide how to implement cross-ice and whole ice games. (I believe other USAH affiliates have similar opportunities).

Full ice will be available for some mite games.

[SCBlueLiner]

So MnHockey knows what it's doing because there are so many talented coaches and such. So USAH is going to say yeah, you know what's best and you don't have to play cross ice, but the rest of the country, yeah, you do.

Doesn't make sense.

If MnHockey, with all its experience, is correct in playing full ice then shouldn't that be the right course of action for the rest of the country?

[O-townClown]

So MnHockey knows what it's doing because there are so many talented coaches and such. So USAH is going to say yeah, you know what's best and you don't have to play cross ice, but the rest of the country, yeah, you do.

Doesn't make sense.

If MnHockey, with all its experience, is correct in playing full ice then shouldn't that be the right course of action for the rest of the country?

SC, all affiliates can apply for a delayed implementation of the "mandate" for 2013-14.

[elliott70]

So MnHockey knows what it's doing because there are so many talented coaches and such. So USAH is going to say yeah, you know what's best and you don't have to play cross ice, but the rest of the country, yeah, you do.

Doesn't make sense.

If MnHockey, with all its experience, is correct in playing full ice then shouldn't that be the right course of action for the rest of the country?

I am sorry you don't read so well.

MH will have the opportunity to play some full ice games.
Other affiliates will be given the similar opportunity to develop a plan.

Go back to community college you dumb ass.
Just kidding you.

That's what's happening, honest.