Change in philosophy with the Machine??

[EnjoyTheShow]

It looks like the Machine or MN Made organization is changing their Summer philosophy. I am certainly no expert, but it is my understanding that in the past, players who played other summer sports were expected to be at all hockey functions in the case of a conflict.
There is a player on the 00' machine for the upcoming year who has been told they can miss any practices they want, as he is a traveling soccer player. I am curious if this is the case for all of the machine teams or if it is the exception. Anyone know of other players that don't have to sign the "contract?"

[spin-o-rama]

Here is text from a recent machine letter.

January 19th, 2010
“Wishes never come true until they are turned into goals”
Congratulations!
We would like to welcome you to the Machine. We are very excited about what can
be accomplished over the coming years. All we can say is get ready for GREATNESS!
Before all of this greatness can take place we have to get off on the right foot.
MINNESOTA MADE HOCKEY
Minnesota Made Hockey started offering hockey clinics back in 1993. Clinics and hockey
training are still the largest part of Minnesota Made Hockey. We have steadily grown over
time and now offer Tournaments, Trips, Events and AAA Teams as part of our line-up.
Three years ago we even opened our own two sheet ice arena in Edina called Minnesota
Made Ice Center.
TEAM COMMITMENT FOR THIS SUMMER
In order for us to accomplish anything, we all have to understand the level of commitment.
Very simply, it must be 100%, if not, please do not join the team. This means that you do not
miss practice for any reason except illness. This means that all other teams and activities
must take a back seat to this team. We are trying to do something very special and we need to
be able to count on you.
AAA TEAMS
Our first AAA team was called The Minnesota 88’s. The team was made up of players born
in 1988. Over the seven years that the team was together the focus was on high repetition
skill training, very little systems and we only competed in tournaments. By the time the 88s
reached draft age, 8 of them were drafted by NHL teams. After the 88s had run their course
we started our AAA teams called the Minnesota Machine. With the same development
strategy and focus as the 88’s, “The Machine” quickly became one of the top AAA clubs in
North America. It wasn’t long and we were approached by families about getting that same
kind of training for their daughters. Since then, we have added girl’s teams to our lineup.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TRAINING
As we all know, there are a lot of AAA options out there. Most AAA teams involve very few
practices and mostly games. This is fine if that is what you are looking for. What we offer is
just the opposite - a lot of training and fewer games. The key to success in hockey is to
develop fine motor skills and to create muscle memory. The only way to do that is through a
high amount of quality repetition.
THE GOAL
Our goals are high. Over the last 17 years of coaching young athletes we have seen over and
over again if you start with a young enough player who has good (not even great) athletic
ability and a strong drive to achieve combine this with enough ice time and high repetition
skill training and they can accomplish great things. The question is: are you willing to make
the commitment? With the right commitment we can help these young athletes reach their
goals and do things that others can only dream about.

a more flexible commitment is not being advertised - at least for this team.

[EnjoyTheShow]

Wow, What age was this, if you don't mind answering. What will the feeling of the other parents on this team be, given at least one kid has a different commitment level? He is a top player! Maybe the coach figures the boss won't notice as long as they are winning.

My opinion, which has probably been brought up a million times on here is, if its not fun and that much of a commitment for a 8 to 12 year old, they will lose passion for the game.

I hope they are just changing their perspective.

[ThePuckStopsHere]

Here is text from a recent machine letter.

January 19th, 2010
“Wishes never come true until they are turned into goals”
Congratulations!
We would like to welcome you to the Machine. We are very excited about what can
be accomplished over the coming years. All we can say is get ready for GREATNESS!
Before all of this greatness can take place we have to get off on the right foot.
MINNESOTA MADE HOCKEY
Minnesota Made Hockey started offering hockey clinics back in 1993. Clinics and hockey
training are still the largest part of Minnesota Made Hockey. We have steadily grown over
time and now offer Tournaments, Trips, Events and AAA Teams as part of our line-up.
Three years ago we even opened our own two sheet ice arena in Edina called Minnesota
Made Ice Center.
TEAM COMMITMENT FOR THIS SUMMER
In order for us to accomplish anything, we all have to understand the level of commitment.
Very simply, it must be 100%, if not, please do not join the team. This means that you do not
miss practice for any reason except illness. This means that all other teams and activities
must take a back seat to this team. We are trying to do something very special and we need to
be able to count on you.
AAA TEAMS
Our first AAA team was called The Minnesota 88’s. The team was made up of players born
in 1988. Over the seven years that the team was together the focus was on high repetition
skill training, very little systems and we only competed in tournaments. By the time the 88s
reached draft age, 8 of them were drafted by NHL teams. After the 88s had run their course
we started our AAA teams called the Minnesota Machine. With the same development
strategy and focus as the 88’s, “The Machine” quickly became one of the top AAA clubs in
North America. It wasn’t long and we were approached by families about getting that same
kind of training for their daughters. Since then, we have added girl’s teams to our lineup.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TRAINING
As we all know, there are a lot of AAA options out there. Most AAA teams involve very few
practices and mostly games. This is fine if that is what you are looking for. What we offer is
just the opposite - a lot of training and fewer games. The key to success in hockey is to
develop fine motor skills and to create muscle memory. The only way to do that is through a
high amount of quality repetition.
THE GOAL
Our goals are high. Over the last 17 years of coaching young athletes we have seen over and
over again if you start with a young enough player who has good (not even great) athletic
ability and a strong drive to achieve combine this with enough ice time and high repetition
skill training and they can accomplish great things. The question is: are you willing to make
the commitment? With the right commitment we can help these young athletes reach their
goals and do things that others can only dream about.

a more flexible commitment is not being advertised - at least for this team.

Exhibit A - Why I think the Made is such a JOKE and poke so much fun at this crap To Quote the letter "All we can say is welcome to GREATNESS!"

Excuse me while I throwup on my blackberry

[O-townClown]

There is a lot of group-think on the part of AAA hockey parents. I'm not even thinking of just the Minnesota Made crowd. I was explaining to one father, whose son is a very good defenseman being wooed by New England Prep schools, that one would not fall behind if they dominated the AA level playing in-state, rather than a national schedule.

His reply?

Everyone I talk to says just the opposite.

I explained that maybe he should talk to some new people!

[HockeyDad41]

It's not for everybody. But it is for some. Try not to judge them.

[muckandgrind]

It's not for everybody. But it is for some. Try not to judge them.

Exactly. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to stuff like this. Every kid and every family situation is unique. Some kids don't play other sports out of choice and would prefer to concentrate on hockey only....absolutely nothing wrong with that. Some kids DO enjoy playing other sports or activities and don't want to make this commitment, and nothing wrong with that either.

What bothers me are the people who think they know it all (Jack Blatherwick, et al) and claim they have all the answers, when in fact, they don't. If you don't want your kid to play AAA, don't write the check....nodoby would criticize that decision....and at the same time, don't criticize others who DO write that check.

[High Off The Glass]

It looks like the Machine or MN Made organization is changing their Summer philosophy. I am certainly no expert, but it is my understanding that in the past, players who played other summer sports were expected to be at all hockey functions in the case of a conflict.
There is a player on the 00' machine for the upcoming year who has been told they can miss any practices they want, as he is a traveling soccer player. I am curious if this is the case for all of the machine teams or if it is the exception. Anyone know of other players that don't have to sign the "contract?"

It is my understanding that the player in question was "pimped" from another highly competitive rival AAA team (remain nameless at this time), and in return the Machine agreed he could still play soccer. Remember it's about development--not winning?

[HockeyDad41]

Can one of you MM haters explain something to me?

Clearly, you don't have a kid on the team, so why do you care so much about what goes on with this organization?

Even if they don't win every single game they play, I understand they do pretty well.

As far as the commitment letter goes, I'm new to this so help me out. Do other AAA teams not require any kind of commitment? Do the Blades or Miracle have a "show up for practice if you feel like it" mentality or do they also hold their players accountable? Do they not make any kind of exceptions if they have an exceptional kid on the team that they want to accomodate?

ThePuckStopsHere: When you are done throwing up on your blackberry, you should go back and correct your quote. You got it wrong.

[MrBoDangles]

How many of these 00' 01' kids will still on the Machine team in 7-8 years? Answer........ NILL! Why is that?

[High Off The Glass]

Can one of you MM haters explain something to me?

Clearly, you don't have a kid on the team, so why do you care so much about what goes on with this organization?

Even if they don't win every single game they play, I understand they do pretty well.

As far as the commitment letter goes, I'm new to this so help me out. Do other AAA teams not require any kind of commitment? Do the Blades or Miracle have a "show up for practice if you feel like it" mentality or do they also hold their players accountable? Do they not make any kind of exceptions if they have an exceptional kid on the team that they want to accomodate?

ThePuckStopsHere: When you are done throwing up on your blackberry, you should go back and correct your quote. You got it wrong.

Most AAA teams in the metro area do NOT have a commitment letter. If you start missing to much practices, you don't play in tournaments, and your spot on next year's team is in jeopardy. If your new to the Machine, a word of warning, what get's people on this blog going is the fact that Bernie will say one thing to your face and later down the line will contradict himself. That's one of many other reasons why Machine teams don't last past the PeeWee level, kids and parents get fed up with the antics and simply move on. Buyer beware!

[InigoMontoya]

Because 8 and 9 year olds will be 16 and 17 in 8 years.

How many 92 and 93 teams will be playing in the metro this summer?

[HockeyDad41]

How many of these 00' 01' kids will still on the Machine team in 7-8 years? Answer........ NILL! Why is that?

Like I said I am new to this. If I were somehow able to look at several AAA rosters from 8 years ago would I find that the majority of kids that started with that team would still be playing for that team? Excluding the teams that retain the same kids due to the fact that they are remotely located and are the only option?

[HockeyDad41]

Can one of you MM haters explain something to me?

Clearly, you don't have a kid on the team, so why do you care so much about what goes on with this organization?

Even if they don't win every single game they play, I understand they do pretty well.

As far as the commitment letter goes, I'm new to this so help me out. Do other AAA teams not require any kind of commitment? Do the Blades or Miracle have a "show up for practice if you feel like it" mentality or do they also hold their players accountable? Do they not make any kind of exceptions if they have an exceptional kid on the team that they want to accomodate?

ThePuckStopsHere: When you are done throwing up on your blackberry, you should go back and correct your quote. You got it wrong.

Most AAA teams in the metro area do NOT have a commitment letter. If you start missing to much practices, you don't play in tournaments, and your spot on next year's team is in jeopardy. If your new to the Machine, a word of warning, what get's people on this blog going is the fact that Bernie will say one thing to your face and later down the line will contradict himself. That's one of many other reasons why Machine teams don't last past the PeeWee level, kids and parents get fed up with the antics and simply move on. Buyer beware!

Like what? Please be specific otherwise it means nothing and won't help me to understand.

[muckandgrind]

How many of these 00' 01' kids will still on the Machine team in 7-8 years? Answer........ NILL! Why is that?

Like I said I am new to this. If I were somehow able to look at several AAA rosters from 8 years ago would I find that the majority of kids that started with that team would still be playing for that team? Excluding the teams that retain the same kids due to the fact that they are remotely located and are the only option?

Most teams...probably not. Blades and Icemen? You'll see a lot of the same players still there.

[High Off The Glass]

Can one of you MM haters explain something to me?

Clearly, you don't have a kid on the team, so why do you care so much about what goes on with this organization?

Even if they don't win every single game they play, I understand they do pretty well.

As far as the commitment letter goes, I'm new to this so help me out. Do other AAA teams not require any kind of commitment? Do the Blades or Miracle have a "show up for practice if you feel like it" mentality or do they also hold their players accountable? Do they not make any kind of exceptions if they have an exceptional kid on the team that they want to accomodate?

ThePuckStopsHere: When you are done throwing up on your blackberry, you should go back and correct your quote. You got it wrong.

Most AAA teams in the metro area do NOT have a commitment letter. If you start missing to much practices, you don't play in tournaments, and your spot on next year's team is in jeopardy. If your new to the Machine, a word of warning, what get's people on this blog going is the fact that Bernie will say one thing to your face and later down the line will contradict himself. That's one of many other reasons why Machine teams don't last past the PeeWee level, kids and parents get fed up with the antics and simply move on. Buyer beware!

Like what? Please be specific otherwise it means nothing and won't help me to understand.

Just read his commitment letter for one example: Tells parents that they must drop every summer sport and focus on hockey, and then lets certain players go and play travel soccer. It's only a matter of time when you will understand, hopefully for your kid, it's not to late.

Remember one thing...Hockey to Bernie is business first, kids and parents take a back seat and come second.

[HockeyDad41]

Most AAA teams in the metro area do NOT have a commitment letter. If you start missing to much practices, you don't play in tournaments, and your spot on next year's team is in jeopardy. If your new to the Machine, a word of warning, what get's people on this blog going is the fact that Bernie will say one thing to your face and later down the line will contradict himself. That's one of many other reasons why Machine teams don't last past the PeeWee level, kids and parents get fed up with the antics and simply move on. Buyer beware!

Like what? Please be specific otherwise it means nothing and won't help me to understand.

Just read his commitment letter for one example: Tells parents that they must drop every summer sport and focus on hockey, and then lets certain players go and play travel soccer. It's only a matter of time when you will understand, hopefully for your kid, it's not to late.

Remember one thing...Hockey to Bernie is business first, kids and parents take a back seat and come second.

Do you have a specific example? Like something that has happened in a past year, not something that may or may not happen in an upcoming year?

As far as MM being run as a business, I don't have a problem with that. I suspect the folks writing checks to him understand his product when they sign up. Bernie seems to lay out the expectations pretty well and gives you the opportunity to not be part of the team if you don't like the commitment. I don't have a kid on the Machine although if I had a kid with the talent and drive to make the team I would probably write the check.

[MrBoDangles]

Because 8 and 9 year olds will be 16 and 17 in 8 years.

How many 92 and 93 teams will be playing in the metro this summer?

4,5,6,7 years..... Fact is the turnover is almost 100%.

[MrBoDangles]

How many of these 00' 01' kids will still on the Machine team in 7-8 years? Answer........ NILL! Why is that?

Like I said I am new to this. If I were somehow able to look at several AAA rosters from 8 years ago would I find that the majority of kids that started with that team would still be playing for that team? Excluding the teams that retain the same kids due to the fact that they are remotely located and are the only option?

Most teams...probably not. Blades and Icemen? You'll see a lot of the same players still there.

The Blades 2000 team did a 75% turnover in one year....... The new roster they have up has a ton of new characters since the start last spring.

[High Off The Glass]

Like I said I am new to this. If I were somehow able to look at several AAA rosters from 8 years ago would I find that the majority of kids that started with that team would still be playing for that team? Excluding the teams that retain the same kids due to the fact that they are remotely located and are the only option?

Most teams...probably not. Blades and Icemen? You'll see a lot of the same players still there.

The Blades 2000 team did a 75% turnover in one year.......

They had to rebuild...very weak team in 2009.

[MrBoDangles]

Most teams...probably not. Blades and Icemen? You'll see a lot of the same players still there.

The Blades 2000 team did a 75% turnover in one year.......

They had to rebuild...very weak team in 2009.

And they will keep rebuilding.

[High Off The Glass]

Like what? Please be specific otherwise it means nothing and won't help me to understand.

Just read his commitment letter for one example: Tells parents that they must drop every summer sport and focus on hockey, and then lets certain players go and play travel soccer. It's only a matter of time when you will understand, hopefully for your kid, it's not to late.

Remember one thing...Hockey to Bernie is business first, kids and parents take a back seat and come second.

Do you have a specific example? Like something that has happened in a past year, not something that may or may not happen in an upcoming year?

As far as MM being run as a business, I don't have a problem with that. I suspect the folks writing checks to him understand his product when they sign up. Bernie seems to lay out the expectations pretty well and gives you the opportunity to not be part of the team if you don't like the commitment. I don't have a kid on the Machine although if I had a kid with the talent and drive to make the team I would probably write the check.

Nice try! Not going to take the bait. I'm not going to turn this thread into my personal attack on Bernie, because I don't have a personal vendetta with the guy. Could I list examples...Yes. Is this the place for that...NO

[takeitwide]

Most teams...probably not. Blades and Icemen? You'll see a lot of the same players still there.

The Blades 2000 team did a 75% turnover in one year.......

They had to rebuild...very weak team in 2009.

I would say for the most part the Blades have mantain most of there players on there 95,96,97,98,99 teams where most other AAA teams have experience more turn over much of the stability of the teams is due to there organization. My understanding is that the 2000 made a coaching change to improve the team.

[dogeatdog1]

The Blades 2000 team did a 75% turnover in one year.......

They had to rebuild...very weak team in 2009.

I would say for the most part the Blades have mantain most of there players on there 95,96,97,98,99 teams where most other AAA teams have experience more turn over much of the stability of the teams is due to there organization. My understanding is that the 2000 made a coaching change to improve the team.

Part of that turnover is that when you start so young people don't even know about these type of teams so a lot of the top enders get missed or think it is too young to start.

[High Off The Glass]

The Blades 2000 team did a 75% turnover in one year.......

They had to rebuild...very weak team in 2009.

I would say for the most part the Blades have mantain most of there players on there 95,96,97,98,99 teams where most other AAA teams have experience more turn over much of the stability of the teams is due to there organization. My understanding is that the 2000 made a coaching change to improve the team.

MNMade has no 95 and 96 team-disbanded. The 97 team from what I hear from 97 families may not field a team for 2010 and most of the talent off that team went over to the Blades and Velocity. Another example that MNMade can't keep older talented players. Wonder why?