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Recently there have been several posts about upcoming tryouts. Does anyone have a program they would recommend (not necessarily limited to the ones that have posted tryouts)? If so, what did you like and why was it a good fit for your daughter? Was it a AAA "development" team?

buttercup wrote:Recently there have been several posts about upcoming tryouts. Does anyone have a program they would recommend (not necessarily limited to the ones that have posted tryouts)? If so, what did you like and why was it a good fit for your daughter? Was it a AAA "development" team?

www.minnesotablades.com

There are lots of options, if your daughter is one of the top players on a highly competitive A level team a team like the Blades or Ice Cats or similar team might be a fit. If she is in the middle of her team then maybe showcase or a like team, if she is struggling with fundamentals then a development team might be a better fit.

You need to look at where she is at developmentally, how much time and money your willing to put up, and what the logistics are. When you get those three in line it can be a great experience.

Buttercup,
I see the Blades and the Icecats mentioned. They are good programs, but they will ask you. You don't ask them or tryout it is invite only and very exclusive to family and friends of the coaching staff.
I would recommend OS vs AAA, We have done both and if your daughter wants to work hard and excel Os is a quality program,plus they have put together teams for some tourneys. I think it is more bang for the buck

Yes I am resurecting (spelling??) this...My daughter decided to skate again this year. 1st year U10...she would like to do something in the summer, but not nec. games. Skill kind of stuff (she plays soccer too) She doesn't have the skill right now to skate on a competitve AAA team, but would like to find something where she can work on skill development...Any suggestions????

surehockey wrote:Yes I am resurecting (spelling??) this...My daughter decided to skate again this year. 1st year U10...she would like to do something in the summer, but not nec. games. Skill kind of stuff (she plays soccer too) She doesn't have the skill right now to skate on a competitve AAA team, but would like to find something where she can work on skill development...Any suggestions????

There are lots of good programs out there. For a U10 player, I would recommend OS, see www.oshockey.org. There are other skills programs depending on where you are located. If you are in the Southwest Metro another good organization for younger players is www.minnesotamadehockey.com.

As I noted on another thread, do not over look training at your local rink. There are quite a few independent camps at the local level that provide cost effective training at the closest rink. Minimize disturbance of your other summer activties.

OS hockey is top, but you only get what you put into it (or what your daughter puts into it). One big plus of a program like this is to skate with girls that your daughter has not played with all season. "break the routine".

Some AAA programs have begun to lean towards more development, less games - but will likely be your most expensive options. It does offer girls (and parents) the chance to break away from the association hockey for awhile.

I also suspect that just like in boys AAA, I would bet you that there are plenty of "showcase" spring league teams formed from the better players in big associations that would beat nearly all AAA teams except your Tier I interstate teams which are few and far between in Minnesota.

Minnesota Made has three clinics for U10 girls this summer:

Speed Academy
Stickhandling
Speed & Skills Training

You can find out more info or register at www.minnesotamadehockey.com

If you are in the northern suburbs check out Skate to Excellence:
www.skatetoexcellence.com

Terry Hughes runs a good program and has much to offer in the way of training for the girls.

Can someone put a list together of the good AAA Programs
vs
The ones that are just money makers?

Programs are one thing but frankly it often boils down to the coach and manager of each individual team. At the youngest level it usually starts with a dad, a coach and 5-6 girls on a team they then fill out through tryouts, searching, etc. Most are money makers to some degree.

observer wrote:Programs are one thing but frankly it often boils down to the coach and manager of each individual team. At the youngest level it usually starts with a dad, a coach and 5-6 girls on a team they then fill out through tryouts, searching, etc. Most are money makers to some degree.

I don't think the independent AAA teams are money makers. They are typically teams put together to compete in tournaments. The money makers are the AAA leagues such as the Showcase AAA league. Remember AAA has no definition under USA hockey. Its just a designation that people use loosely. I personally think independent AAA teams are fun but don't do as much for development like OS, CADP, FHIT, Minnesota Made, Bjugstad, Karn Skating Dynamics, Acceleration MN, Velocity Hockey and other clinics.