Junior B or High School?

[DoRight101]

I would NOT leave high school to play Jr B hockey. However, a pretty good plan (if you start planning early enough) would be to get in with a local Jr. A or B team during your junior year of high school after the hockey season is over. Find a team that holds their practices either early in the morning, or in the evenings so you don't miss any class. THEN, during your senior year in high school, try to do a split season with a Jr. A team. After you graduate from high school, you will be on a fast track to D-1. But you should take your time and play a full year of Jr. A before moving on--even if the coach says he'll take you. Get more experience, gain some strength and size and build your stats. <p></p><i></i>

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Very well said Kodiak<br><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>They aren’t all going to make Jr. A/college teams.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br>But neither are the 17 or 18 kids on the Ice Hawks or whatever. Its all a matter of preference and like was said before, problems with coaches, school and other stuff like that definitely comes into play and factors into the decisions. I am in favor of HS hockey and believe in it for many of the same reasons as Kodiak stated. But again, that's just my opinion and everyone else will have their own <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls</p><i></i>

[Newguy99]

hockeydad- ER was refering to junior B's in Mn not Canada. There is obviously a big difference in how things are ran here as compared to there, so you can't even compare the two. <p></p><i></i>

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Yes, I know nothing about what goes on in Canada, only familiar with around MN. Thanks Newguy <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls</p><i></i>

[packerboy]

These discusions are interesting but I think that things are a lot more simple than some would want us to believe.<br><br>If the player has athleticism and some size and the dedication to work on his game, he will go as far as that will take him, no matter what choices he makes. <br><br>Junior B; High School; part time Jr A, then back to high school;NTDP, etc, etc, etc.<br><br>There have been so many kids who have taken so many different paths. To suggest one is better than the other really limps in my opinion.<br><br>There are many great opportunities for some one who wants to pour themselves into hockey(fortunately or unfortunatley depending on your view). I have to cringe a little every time I see some one claiming their way is the best. <br><br>Often times, the person or people advocating a certain way have a vested interest in doing so. <br><br> Since no one can prove that their way is better, stay in High School. Play baseball. Play football. Go to prom. Date cheerleaders. TP your friend's houses. Stay home with your mom and dad. Enjoy it while you can. <br><br><br> <br><br> <br><br><br> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ckerboy</A> at: 7/1/05 8:43 am<br></i>

[hsskycam]

I agree with packerboy's perspective here. I also think that there are so many parents that don't understand this, but believe there must be a better way. So they try to figure out this best path to "success", with little assistance from anyone capable of providing some guidance. <br><br>Many of these parents, like myself, end up wondering if the choice(s) they have made in the past have been the right ones and then continue to question whether the choices they need to make about future opportunities for their player are going to be the "right" ones.<br><br>IMO you need to be honest with yourself and your player. You need to do your homework, ask questions, determine and provide realistic options/choices, and make the most out of the decision(s) you ultimitely make.<br><br>Our plan was to stay in high school at home and play football, hockey and baseball. Go to Lucia Model Camp this summer and participate in the Upper Midwest Elite League this fall. In passing up a number of invitations to USHL tryouts have we made the right choice? We can only hope so! <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[DoRight101]

If you really are passing on USHL tryouts, then I think you HAVE made the wrong decision.<br><br>Stay in high school, do model camp, play in the elite league, but (IMO) if you haven't gone through a few USHL tryouts, you can't make an informed decision.<br><br>It's good experience, good exposure, and gets your son talking to coaches at the next level. <p></p><i></i>

[hsskycam]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>It's good experience, good exposure, and gets your son talking to coaches at the next level. <hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>You're RIGHT, Dr. DoRight101! <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p074.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... sskycam</A> at: 7/1/05 11:38 pm<br></i>

[Newguy99]

Well guys here's the scoop on USHL tryouts. A few years back I signed a tender with a USHL team and from my experiences the only players that made the team were; tendered players, drafted players, and returning players. To me it was just a fundraiser for the teams. Both years I could have written down our teams roster by June 1 and been exactly right. When I returned for my second season I went through the motions at tryouts cause it was mid-summer and I was not in shape (just like all the other returning players), so to say it is a great experience is a bit off. Just my thoughts and experiences. <p></p><i></i>

[DoRight101]

No, I didn't say it was "a great experience"; I said it is "good experience" meaning It's a good thing to go through and see what it is like. The whole game is different than high school, so it's important to "experience" it and see if you would even enjoy playing at that level before committing yourself. <p></p><i></i>

[Mac]

USHL tryouts are a waste of time. <br><br>Most Jr. A tryouts are!<br><br>Good experience, great experience, isn't a experience none the less. I often put players who have no chance into an upper level camp. <br><br>It does a few things-<br><br>1) Resets the players mind. Much like many of the chatters on this board could use a MJHL reset. Too many times players THINK they are better than a level.<br><br>2) Let's them see the things that the vets do with ease. Those things that are so easy for the vets are things that the others in camp aren't doing or can't do.<br><br>3) The "Ya never know" factor. The "Ya never know" factor is the one time every few years a player has a few great weeks and is rewarded with a chance to start the season up. A few weeks of playing at a higher level then your at is a great way to slingshot your skills...as long as you keep your head on stright. Too many kids will lose confidence or become cocky, thinking that they belong at the upper level.<br><br>You'll never know if you'll enjoy playing at the Jr. level just by attending a tryout.<br><br>Ask kids that played Jr.'s, how they liked it. Most will say it was their top hockey experience.<br><br>Happy late 4th!!! <p></p><i></i>