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After reading about the place for a couple years here, it seems to me that there is great confusion on the part of some.

A poster will mention they have their son over there and are happy, a response will ask if Bernie has made the kid hop on one foot for missing a pass and if the little one can handle the verbal beatdowns.

Isn't there a big difference between the Mite Choice program, which is nothing more than an in-season league offering an alternative to association hockey, and the competitive "AAA" off-season all-star teams?

There may even be a third layer, the training offered at Minnesota Made for players of all ages.

Most kids in the Choice program are never going to be Machine players. Maybe Snipers or Grinders, but not Machine.

Honestly, I see the Choice league as pretty harmless to a little kid. I had a real bad coach when I was 11, so it isn't like playing in your association is guaranteed to be perfect.

Thoughts?

Bernies AAA players are little employees (SLAVES) that have to pay to work for him. If they look bad business goes down (THE BACKBONE OF THE COMPANY). That's why he cracks the whip on these little kids. Same pressure is on the other (Machine coaches) that get the go ahead. Ugly....

On a positive note: Nothing wrong with the camps and league.

I vote for rumors, allegations, and controversy. It's far more entertaining.

I can hear HD41 running down the hallway to his computer as we speak...Hurry, Bernie needs your help! I can see the MM light shining above city hall, hurry HD41, jump into your batmobile and come to the rescue.

As for me, I'm staying out of this one!

O-townClown wrote:After reading about the place for a couple years here, it seems to me that there is great confusion on the part of some.

A poster will mention they have their son over there and are happy, a response will ask if Bernie has made the kid hop on one foot for missing a pass and if the little one can handle the verbal beatdowns.

Isn't there a big difference between the Mite Choice program, which is nothing more than an in-season league offering an alternative to association hockey, and the competitive "AAA" off-season all-star teams?

There may even be a third layer, the training offered at Minnesota Made for players of all ages.

Most kids in the Choice program are never going to be Machine players. Maybe Snipers or Grinders, but not Machine.

Honestly, I see the Choice league as pretty harmless to a little kid. I had a real bad coach when I was 11, so it isn't like playing in your association is guaranteed to be perfect.

Thoughts?

I think that you sum it up pretty good. The league and the Camps keep the doors open. The top end team is the promise that not many people will reach. It would be interesting to see how many of his Choice leaguers end up on the machine now that the league has been running for two years. Are there any players that "developed" from that league to become a top ender that cracked the linup of the 98's 99's or 00's? someone must have that info and I did see the initial flyer for the choice league was promising skill development so when you returned to your association you would be an "A" caliber player. I would like to see some success stories. It is very early on in the Choice league but I have not seen any kids come back to our association and crack an A team.

I may be wrong but don't believe that families who choose to skate with Mr. McBain are doing anything wrong. These families have made the choice to go outside their associations, which in a lot of cases, aint so bad!!!! No matter how the kids are coached, amount of playing time they receive, discipline (or whatever you wish to call it), etc, they truly won't be scarred for life!! A lot of folks are taking Minnesota Made WAY to seriously.............!! The bottom line is for each of us to assure our kids have the most positive hockey experience possible, whatever that looks like. Some players will be on teams that roll the lines from mites through Bantams. Some will be on teams who stress winning and believe you earn your playing time in games through how you practice.........and there are MANY other philosophies out there too. Elite teams and programs will always be around and will receive a lot of notoriety.........both good and bad. Doesn't matter if its sports or the business world........

Nothing like beating a Dead Horse.