Is the time coming where kids don't play winter hockey?

[jancze5]

I keep reading all of these complaints about winter hockey and how the kids love summer hockey blah, blah, blah...if you ask your kid if they want to play, they are going to say yes, they LOVE the game (my take)

Is the day coming where a kid plays football in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring and plays for a team like the Machine (example) that starts up in February and runs until September? (I'm not saying thats the Machine season, I'm using it as an example)

How far fetched is it that an athlete gets into that pattern. While playing football/hoops/baseball/lacrosse/etc..he also does a couple clinics and on ice sessions, like the morning skates at Minnesota made. Seems like a not to crazy theory that it happens at some point.

Just a thought....

[dogeatdog1]

I keep reading all of these complaints about winter hockey and how the kids love summer hockey blah, blah, blah...if you ask your kid if they want to play, they are going to say yes, they LOVE the game (my take)

Is the day coming where a kid plays football in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring and plays for a team like the Machine (example) that starts up in February and runs until September? (I'm not saying thats the Machine season, I'm using it as an example)

How far fetched is it that an athlete gets into that pattern. While playing football/hoops/baseball/lacrosse/etc..he also does a couple clinics and on ice sessions, like the morning skates at Minnesota made. Seems like a not to crazy theory that it happens at some point.

Just a thought....

It is going the other way.. AAA hockey season is going to BE fall spring and winter hockey. AAA pulling the top kids and association left with the middle...there is a rec league that is starting that will take the kids that want to play for fun;;.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[Doglover]

They already have - The WI Fire.

[Hoops]

I keep reading all of these complaints about winter hockey and how the kids love summer hockey blah, blah, blah...if you ask your kid if they want to play, they are going to say yes, they LOVE the game (my take)

Is the day coming where a kid plays football in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring and plays for a team like the Machine (example) that starts up in February and runs until September? (I'm not saying thats the Machine season, I'm using it as an example)

How far fetched is it that an athlete gets into that pattern. While playing football/hoops/baseball/lacrosse/etc..he also does a couple clinics and on ice sessions, like the morning skates at Minnesota made. Seems like a not to crazy theory that it happens at some point.

Just a thought....

I've never seen a hockey player that can dribble a basketball

[gdahl]

I am also curious to see when our youth will start playing baseball in the winter. I t could be called the winter AAA baseball league. I bring this up as my kids have now started their summer fastpitch softball and little league baseball seasons. To be honest the quality of play is lousy ...and that is nothing against the kids. My kids baseball/softball season runs 8 to 10 weeks. Compare that to the ten months we play hockey and it is no wonder why Minnesota is the state of hockey. I suppose it is possible there is baseball for 10 and 11 year olds year round in our state...but I plead ignorance as I have not heard of it, especially in the northern half of the state.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[JSR]

I keep reading all of these complaints about winter hockey and how the kids love summer hockey blah, blah, blah...if you ask your kid if they want to play, they are going to say yes, they LOVE the game (my take)

Is the day coming where a kid plays football in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring and plays for a team like the Machine (example) that starts up in February and runs until September? (I'm not saying thats the Machine season, I'm using it as an example)

How far fetched is it that an athlete gets into that pattern. While playing football/hoops/baseball/lacrosse/etc..he also does a couple clinics and on ice sessions, like the morning skates at Minnesota made. Seems like a not to crazy theory that it happens at some point.

Just a thought....

I know kids who play soccer year round but back to hockey...... Association hockey plays a key roll in the development of young hockey players, unfortunately some overzealous parents do not see the value of the things the associations teach. Personally I believe AAA hockey should be exclusively a B&A program until atleast 2nd year Pee Wee level. It would keep overzealous parents from being just that and as wrong as this may sound to some people the sport would be better for it

[trippedovertheblueline]

I am also curious to see when our youth will start playing baseball in the winter. I t could be called the winter AAA baseball league. I bring this up as my kids have now started their summer fastpitch softball and little league baseball seasons. To be honest the quality of play is lousy ...and that is nothing against the kids. My kids baseball/softball season runs 8 to 10 weeks. Compare that to the ten months we play hockey and it is no wonder why Minnesota is the state of hockey. I suppose it is possible there is baseball for 10 and 11 year olds year round in our state...but I plead ignorance as I have not heard of it, especially in the northern half of the state.

minnesota blizzard plays in the winter.. just like aaa hockey.. they travel, except they are the team from florida or dallas.. based out of chaska i believe.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[JSR]

I keep reading all of these complaints about winter hockey and how the kids love summer hockey blah, blah, blah...if you ask your kid if they want to play, they are going to say yes, they LOVE the game (my take)

Is the day coming where a kid plays football in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring and plays for a team like the Machine (example) that starts up in February and runs until September? (I'm not saying thats the Machine season, I'm using it as an example)

How far fetched is it that an athlete gets into that pattern. While playing football/hoops/baseball/lacrosse/etc..he also does a couple clinics and on ice sessions, like the morning skates at Minnesota made. Seems like a not to crazy theory that it happens at some point.

Just a thought....

I know kids who play soccer year round but back to hockey...... Association hockey plays a key roll in the development of young hockey players, unfortunately some overzealous parents do not see the value of the things the associations teach. Personally I believe AAA hockey should be exclusively a B&A program until atleast 2nd year Pee Wee level. It would keep overzealous parents from being just that and as wrong as this may sound to some people the sport would be better for it

You say "Association Hockey" like they are all equal. Maybe if they all were equal and in fact did play a key role rather than some which seem to retard development of some players due to power struggles and outdated policies, I might agree with you.

I guess you can label me overzealous then, because even though this is the first year we have done summer hockey, I have seen how very different the two approaches are. I do think that association hockey is important, even though ours needs work, but you would have a hard time convincing me that AAA hockey is bad for kids who are older mites and squirts.

Where did I say it was bad. I think you need to reread my commentary. I said YEAR ROUND AAA hockey is not a good thing for kids younger than second year pee wee's. Spring and FALL AAA as a compliment to association hockey is fine. Yes there is a difference, but not everything is about making your kid the next "Crosby", again association hockey as ONE example is the place where kids usually find the friends they'll play with in high school, or as another example it's usually more laid back than AAA and thus for MOST (not all) kids it tends to be more about the enjoyment of the game which is a good thing for kdis that young. It sometimes can be a safe haven for those kids with overzealous parents

[HockeyDad41]

del

[Puck Whisperer]

You say "Association Hockey" like they are all equal. Maybe if they all were equal and in fact did play a key role rather than some which seem to retard development of some players due to power struggles and outdated policies, I might agree with you.

I guess you can label me overzealous then, because even though this is the first year we have done summer hockey, I have seen how very different the two approaches are. I do think that association hockey is important, even though ours needs work, but you would have a hard time convincing me that AAA hockey is bad for kids who are older mites and squirts.

Where did I say it was bad. I think you need to reread my commentary. I said YEAR ROUND AAA hockey is not a good thing for kids younger than second year pee wee's. Spring and FALL AAA as a compliment to association hockey is fine. Yes there is a difference, but not everything is about making your kid the next "Crosby", again association hockey as ONE example is the place where kids usually find the friends they'll play with in high school, or as another example it's usually more laid back than AAA and thus for MOST (not all) kids it tends to be more about the enjoyment of the game which is a good thing for kdis that young. It sometimes can be a safe haven for those kids with overzealous parents

Sorry, I inferred that you meant bad. I still disagree with you though. If the brand of AAA hockey that my kid is in this summer were available for the fall and winter, I would forego association hockey altogether. Also, just because some parents want a better brand of hockey for their kids, you shouldn't assume that they are all overzealous and want to create the next superstar. I have heard all the stats about making varsity, D1, pro's etc.. and I know that my kid will more than likely hang up the skates after he finishes high school, but so what? Right now if he has the desire, I want to give him the opportunity to play on the best team he can.

Then forego your association - not one person will scold you for making your decision because it is yours to make. I have to ask though - from an earlier post on another thread I thought you mentioned your son was still in mites? Your association must be a mess - eh?

If your son understands at his age there are terrible skaters around him and he is not being coached to his ability then by all means, you should definately do AAA year round if he can.

I for one want my son to be playing with his school buddies at least through Squirts - and he does play spring/fall AAA....or....AA to be honest.

[jBlaze3000]

Most on this board look at their own level of involvement in the game and consider it normal and healthy. What bugs me is when they then look at someone who is more involved and then start making comments like "What does he think, his kid is the next Gretzky?". As long as the kid loves to play hockey and maintains good grades in school then no one has the right to criticize their level of involvement. It is a valuable lesson to teach your kids (not to mention a fun one) that if they work hard they can excel and acheive their goals.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[JSR]

You say "Association Hockey" like they are all equal. Maybe if they all were equal and in fact did play a key role rather than some which seem to retard development of some players due to power struggles and outdated policies, I might agree with you.

I guess you can label me overzealous then, because even though this is the first year we have done summer hockey, I have seen how very different the two approaches are. I do think that association hockey is important, even though ours needs work, but you would have a hard time convincing me that AAA hockey is bad for kids who are older mites and squirts.

Where did I say it was bad. I think you need to reread my commentary. I said YEAR ROUND AAA hockey is not a good thing for kids younger than second year pee wee's. Spring and FALL AAA as a compliment to association hockey is fine. Yes there is a difference, but not everything is about making your kid the next "Crosby", again association hockey as ONE example is the place where kids usually find the friends they'll play with in high school, or as another example it's usually more laid back than AAA and thus for MOST (not all) kids it tends to be more about the enjoyment of the game which is a good thing for kdis that young. It sometimes can be a safe haven for those kids with overzealous parents

Sorry, I inferred that you meant bad. I still disagree with you though. If the brand of AAA hockey that my kid is in this summer were available for the fall and winter, I would forego association hockey altogether. Also, just because some parents want a better brand of hockey for their kids, you shouldn't assume that they are all overzealous and want to create the next superstar. I have heard all the stats about making varsity, D1, pro's etc.. and I know that my kid will more than likely hang up the skates after he finishes high school, but so what? Right now if he has the desire, I want to give him the opportunity to play on the best team he can.

I do not know you, nor do I know your association so take what I say with a grain of salt. However, I have been witness to many situations where the PARENTS are the ones with the problem with the association hockey whereas if you ask the kids, they like it, they are having fun and they have no gripes. At the mite level you are going to get large variances of ability at any association. It's why it is mite hockey. The number 1 thing at the mite level (Regardless of how good or not good your son may be) is that they have fun and develop a love for the game. There is not a single NHL player anywhere that was held back by their association mite program. Heck there are several NHLer's that did not even start playing until they were 8 years old. I just think parents see this glimmer of talent at that young age and think if the kid has "better opportunities now" it will mean they will have a better chance at being better later on, when that is just not the case. Kids develop so diffferently and at different rates at the young ages that it's impossibel to predict regardles of the "opportunities" you are trying to afford them. The ages between 12 & 18 are going to be the deciding years regardless of what their mite or even squirt coaching was like. The only thing mites and squirts are going to decide is whether they have built enough love for the game to do the work at Pee Wee's and beyond to become good. Having been a child, high school and college athlete myself it's just my opinion but you are completely entitled to your own.

[auld_skool]

I do not know you, nor do I know your association so take what I say with a grain of salt. However, I have been witness to many situations where the PARENTS are the ones with the problem with the association hockey whereas if you ask the kids, they like it, they are having fun and they have no gripes. At the mite level you are going to get large variances of ability at any association. It's why it is mite hockey. The number 1 thing at the mite level (Regardless of how good or not good your son may be) is that they have fun and develop a love for the game. There is not a single NHL player anywhere that was held back by their association mite program. Heck there are several NHLer's that did not even start playing until they were 8 years old. I just think parents see this glimmer of talent at that young age and think if the kid has "better opportunities now" it will mean they will have a better chance at being better later on, when that is just not the case. Kids develop so diffferently and at different rates at the young ages that it's impossibel to predict regardles of the "opportunities" you are trying to afford them. The ages between 12 & 18 are going to be the deciding years regardless of what their mite or even squirt coaching was like. The only thing mites and squirts are going to decide is whether they have built enough love for the game to do the work at Pee Wee's and beyond to become good. Having been a child, high school and college athlete myself it's just my opinion but you are completely entitled to your own.

JSR, I agree with most of what you said. The only area we might disagree is with athletes that are younger than 12. My opinion is that the ages between 6 & 12 are key for developing skills: stickhandling, skating and passing. That's not to say those skills can't be developed later, just that those keys to hockey are much much easier to learn at a younger age. It's up to the coach ultimately to insure that the young players have fun and get a passion for the game. How he does that is probably for another thread.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[JSR]

I do not know you, nor do I know your association so take what I say with a grain of salt. However, I have been witness to many situations where the PARENTS are the ones with the problem with the association hockey whereas if you ask the kids, they like it, they are having fun and they have no gripes. At the mite level you are going to get large variances of ability at any association. It's why it is mite hockey. The number 1 thing at the mite level (Regardless of how good or not good your son may be) is that they have fun and develop a love for the game. There is not a single NHL player anywhere that was held back by their association mite program. Heck there are several NHLer's that did not even start playing until they were 8 years old. I just think parents see this glimmer of talent at that young age and think if the kid has "better opportunities now" it will mean they will have a better chance at being better later on, when that is just not the case. Kids develop so diffferently and at different rates at the young ages that it's impossibel to predict regardles of the "opportunities" you are trying to afford them. The ages between 12 & 18 are going to be the deciding years regardless of what their mite or even squirt coaching was like. The only thing mites and squirts are going to decide is whether they have built enough love for the game to do the work at Pee Wee's and beyond to become good. Having been a child, high school and college athlete myself it's just my opinion but you are completely entitled to your own.

Why does wanting your kid to play on a good, well coached, and goal oriented team have to contradict having fun and developing a love of the game? From what I am reading it seems that a lot of folks think the two are mutually exclusive. I disagree. Where is it written that parents that want these things automatically have seen a glimmer of talent and want to develop that at all costs? I think that there is a line that can be crossed by parents that want to live vicariously through their child athletes and that can be unhealthy, but also having been a child, highschool and college athlete, I wish my folks had been more involved in my athletics.

Goal oriented teams at 8 years old?? What goal would that be??

I will agree with you on one thing, I too wish my folks had been more involved with my athletics, I believe to this day had they taken the time to see what was available for me and atleast presented me with the opportunities I may have made it even further than I did. It is hard to say, as I did make it to D1 college which is pretty good but I basicaly did that on my own and only now as an adult do I realize there were camps, travel teams and training I could have done that I had no idea existed. However those were thiings I wish they had helped me with as a teenager not as an 8 year old, their way was the right way for me at that age as that is where I began my love for the game I played.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[JSR]

Why does wanting your kid to play on a good, well coached, and goal oriented team have to contradict having fun and developing a love of the game? From what I am reading it seems that a lot of folks think the two are mutually exclusive. I disagree. Where is it written that parents that want these things automatically have seen a glimmer of talent and want to develop that at all costs? I think that there is a line that can be crossed by parents that want to live vicariously through their child athletes and that can be unhealthy, but also having been a child, highschool and college athlete, I wish my folks had been more involved in my athletics.

Goal oriented teams at 8 years old?? What goal would that be??

I will agree with you on one thing, I too wish my folks had been more involved with my athletics, I believe to this day had they taken the time to see what was available for me and atleast presented me with the opportunities I may have made it even further than I did. It is hard to say, as I did make it to D1 college which is pretty good but I basicaly did that on my own and only now as an adult do I realize there were camps, travel teams and training I could have done that I had no idea existed. However those were thiings I wish they had helped me with as a teenager not as an 8 year old, their way was the right way for me at that age as that is where I began my love for the game I played.

Well, to name just a few: develop better hockey skills, having fun, love of game, work ethic, team play, sportsmanship, fair play, winning and losing with class, and the list goes on and on....

And you are saying association hockey does none of those things? Cause that is what I am getting from your responses. I think you meant something else when you said goal oriented, just a hucnh, I could be wrong.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[goldy313]

I have heard all the stats about making varsity, D1, pro's etc.. and I know that my kid will more than likely hang up the skates after he finishes high school, but so what? Right now if he has the desire, I want to give him the opportunity to play on the best team he can.

Odds are your kid will more than likely hang it up long before he finishes high school, that's nothing against you or your kid just the facts. Most kids quit and talent or lack there of isn't the leading cause.

[HockeyDad41]

del

[Doglover]

Hockeydad I know you may find this hard to believe but I think the majority of us do think you are "overzealous". Kids love playing hockey with their buddies especially when they are ONLY 5 years old and in Mites. They don't want to drive all over town to play with kids they don't know so their parents can feel like they are on the best team (read "bragging rights"). There has been a lot of wisdom shared in this thread, but as I'm learning with the new breed of young hockey dads, it falls on deaf ears. You really should consider listening to the wealth of experience on this board. We've been down the path - you haven't.

Association hockey is great - if yours is "messed up" (hard to believe at the Mite level), then get involved and make it better or quit complaining. At the rate you're going, my bet is your kid may not make it to HS without hanging up the skates. Let them have fun, learn to love the game playing with their buddies. It gets crazy soon enough. You're going to burn yourself and your sons out before your little 5 yr old hits second year Squirts.