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It is about this time of year in which you hear the horror stories about hockey parents. Last year it was a team party in which a parent physically attacked another parent (and board member) over poor parent conduct during games. The victim was not supporting the complainant which resulted is a sucker punch and facial scratching to the victim. I will leave out the association and the level in an effort to avoid contaminating the subject.

So, the question is: At what level do parents conduct themselves the poorest?

I will lead off with my vote as Squirts, mainly 1st year squirts.

I think you may have it right - first year squirts is when the college scouts really sit up and take notice.......at least that is what I think many parents think.

tomASS wrote:I think you may have it right - first year squirts is when the college scouts really sit up and take notice.......at least that is what I think many parents think.

He meant pro scouts not college.

Bash Brother wrote:

tomASS wrote:I think you may have it right - first year squirts is when the college scouts really sit up and take notice.......at least that is what I think many parents think.

He meant pro scouts not college.

what? the college scouts are looking over the mite level now?

College soccer has scouts, not hockey? I have about 5 college coaches I keep in contact with about possible players in this state.

tomASS wrote:

Bash Brother wrote:

tomASS wrote:I think you may have it right - first year squirts is when the college scouts really sit up and take notice.......at least that is what I think many parents think.

He meant pro scouts not college.

what? the college scouts are looking over the mite level now?

College soccer has scouts, not hockey? I have about 5 college coaches I keep in contact with about possible players in this state.

The college scouts look at mites that is correct.
The scouts at squirt events are pro level.

Bash Brother wrote:

tomASS wrote:

Bash Brother wrote: He meant pro scouts not college.

what? the college scouts are looking over the mite level now?

College soccer has scouts, not hockey? I have about 5 college coaches I keep in contact with about possible players in this state.

The college scouts look at mites that is correct.
The scouts at squirt events are pro level.

See I wish I would have know that back when my kids were Mites - I would have had them doing repetitions of skills over and over and over
and over and over and over, maybe a small break, and then over and over and over again.

tomASS wrote:

Bash Brother wrote:

tomASS wrote: what? the college scouts are looking over the mite level now?

College soccer has scouts, not hockey? I have about 5 college coaches I keep in contact with about possible players in this state.

The college scouts look at mites that is correct.
The scouts at squirt events are pro level.

See I wish I would have know that back when my kids were Mites - I would have had them doing repetitions of skills over and over and over
and over and over and over, maybe a small break, and then over and over and over again.

Thats why you need to turn your 8 year old over to Bernie... he knows those things and will do those repititions.


haha.

As an official it's squirts hands down, which is sad because that's the level new officials have to work with first. We wonder why attrition and retension rates are so low, even parents agree it's the worst level.

The only things I have that are 8 years old are wrinkles and additional pounds

Care to cast a vote?

Squirts, no doubt. Every one of them are D1 and NHL prospects. And if Mom and Dad don't ride everyone's butt to make sure their kid gets the best coaching / ice time / position / etc. then the world will end...

I would gladly go back and coach Mites or PeeWees, but I don't think you could afford for me to coach Squirts again. And it's not the kids, but the parents are nuts...

What level are the kids the best (to coach)? Squirts....

Go figure.

Blue&Gold wrote:Squirts, no doubt. Every one of them are D1 and NHL prospects. And if Mom and Dad don't ride everyone's butt to make sure their kid gets the best coaching / ice time / position / etc. then the world will end...

I would gladly go back and coach Mites or PeeWees, but I don't think you could afford for me to coach Squirts again. And it's not the kids, but the parents are nuts...

What level are the kids the best (to coach)? Squirts....

Go figure.

Depends on the association. If everything is well planned out and organized then the parents shouldn't have anything to complain about. In general first year squirt parents are the worst for obvious reasons. Everyone is worried about little Timmy making the squirt "A" team.

or if you complain about an association you don't belong to because they are fielding one too many C teams and not enough B teams

OMG Quackers - do you really think that tryouts can be managed in a way that makes all the parents happy? What world do you live in? Even over in Bernieland not all the kids make the Machine as I believe you are well aware of. I don't know one association that can please all the parents, all the time no matter how well run and organized they are - even Bernie can't pull that off.

Parents (especially of Squirts) often have unrealistic expectations for their kids. Squirt parents - and specifically Squirt parents of the oldest child in the family - are always the worst. They have no perspective or experience to guide them. I think you should probably understand that the best If they don't seek out the wisdom and advise of those that have gone before, they will be forever buried in hockey forum blogoshere imparting their very own wisdom on poor unsuspecting new hockey parents.

Doglover wrote:OMG Quackers - do you really think that tryouts can be managed in a way that makes all the parents happy? What world do you live in? Even over in Bernieland not all the kids make the Machine as I believe you are well aware of. I don't know one association that can please all the parents, all the time no matter how well run and organized they are - even Bernie can't pull that off.

Parents (especially of Squirts) often have unrealistic expectations for their kids. Squirt parents - and specifically Squirt parents of the oldest child in the family - are always the worst. They have no perspective or experience to guide them. I think you should probably understand that the best If they don't seek out the wisdom and advise of those that have gone before, they will be forever buried in hockey forum blogoshere imparting their very own wisdom on poor unsuspecting new hockey parents.

I know if I could go back and relive my oldest's first month as a squirt, I would. We didn't even do anything horrible, but more that we didn't stop the people who tried to pump us up to stir trouble. People, do not listen to your 'friends' who are trying to wind you up. Don't spend the winter trying to figure out where your child landed, because you only want to know so you know for sure whether to blame the evaluators or the coach cuz you won't believe the truth. The reality is that it is one of the funnest years with your kids because it is a great age. They still want to be with you as much as with their friends, by peewee they only want to be with their friends or, if you are lucky, to have a pack of their friends at your house with them. It's also the last time you can enjoy their friends right after hockey practice, after that the car ride home is just too stinky and the total silence except for their silently texting fingers will drive you crazy .

Doglover wrote:OMG Quackers - do you really think that tryouts can be managed in a way that makes all the parents happy? What world do you live in? Even over in Bernieland not all the kids make the Machine as I believe you are well aware of. I don't know one association that can please all the parents, all the time no matter how well run and organized they are - even Bernie can't pull that off.

Parents (especially of Squirts) often have unrealistic expectations for their kids. Squirt parents - and specifically Squirt parents of the oldest child in the family - are always the worst. They have no perspective or experience to guide them. I think you should probably understand that the best If they don't seek out the wisdom and advise of those that have gone before, they will be forever buried in hockey forum blogoshere imparting their very own wisdom on poor unsuspecting new hockey parents.

Nice post Dog! .......A waste of time of course but nice none the less

Great Poll!

I will go with the Squirt/U10, especially the first-timers. I ALWAYS look forward to conversations with the "expert parents" that have never put skates on. I typically ask them what sports they played growing up, and when they only mention football/soccer/baseball, I end the conversation as quickly as possible

Usually, but not always, by the time their kids hit the older ages, the "know-it-alls" have tried to coach, and decide it is wiser to stay quiet and have people THINK they are idiots than to open their mouths and remove all doubt!

Doglover wrote:OMG Quackers - do you really think that tryouts can be managed in a way that makes all the parents happy? What world do you live in? Even over in Bernieland not all the kids make the Machine as I believe you are well aware of. I don't know one association that can please all the parents, all the time no matter how well run and organized they are - even Bernie can't pull that off.

Parents (especially of Squirts) often have unrealistic expectations for their kids. Squirt parents - and specifically Squirt parents of the oldest child in the family - are always the worst. They have no perspective or experience to guide them. I think you should probably understand that the best If they don't seek out the wisdom and advise of those that have gone before, they will be forever buried in hockey forum blogoshere imparting their very own wisdom on poor unsuspecting new hockey parents.

Dog,
No doubt parents will complain just to complain. That's a given. Are you telling me that a well organized association versus a poorly ran association makes no difference? I say it does.

Dog Lover - deep breaths (of course it has never helped me) - sometimes you have to paint a big pretty picture and type very slowly using little words to help some even to begin to comprehend the simplest of ideas.

I feel your bewilderment.

Squirt are by far the worst. At that timeframe, the cliques that were formed from 1st year mites on are still there. They work hard behind the scenes to manipuate things, get their kids together so the "elite" can practice together offseason, and most of the coaches are still parents. As the kids get older, there are fewer parent coaches at the "A" level so there is less influence. Also, once the little waterbug whose dad tells him toe drag it to glory gets to PeeWee, the impact of checking changes things.

Also, the older they get, I think parents start to burn out a bit and just let things be. Maybe this is why there are so many changes from squirt stars to high school stars, there is less parental influence so the best players eventually stand out.

The parents seem to be more proud of wearing the AAA colors than the kids are, which is one of the most hilarious things I have seen over the years.

I think the point about less parent coaching is well taken. I know associations have rules about no parent coaches at the A level, and then continue to allow it to the deteriment of all the players (with the exception of the coaches' kids and their buddies). I really think by the time kids achieve the A level they deserve to have a non-parent coach (no matter how good or qualified the parent is).

The comment about the parents' pride in wearing AAA jerseys was very funny and unfortunately a bit too true!

Tomass - I think I will just skip all of the water "fowl" comments. You are so very right.

Are you telling me that having an organized association doesn't make a difference when it comes to parents and their expectations? We all know that parents will complaint to complain. It's called human nature and we all know each and every association have parents like this.

What I cannot figure out. Do people really care if parents have their kids skate for other programs? As far as I'm concerned it's not anyone's business. Not sure why you're so concerned?