HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

First, I'm from out of state and never played myself so I am comparatively thin on hockey knowledge, but I am wondering about the if and when of changing organizations for one that competes at a higher level.

Sorry if this sounds braggy. I am not a compliment fisher. I really want perspective, but my pride in my son slips in a bit.

Details:

1. No rush (I don't think). He's only a mite moving to squirt next year.

2. Have been happy with our local "hockey family" in his 5 years of playing. Would be sad to leave.

3. He's not THE allstar in all the games he's played. He is better than 90% of those he plays against.

4. Local organization doesn't play above 'B' level at Squirt and sometimes Peewee.

5. He sometimes complains about lack of effort/caring from his teammates (which I don't allow/listen to/condone).

6. He is a "sponge" when it comes to hockey. Eats up "chalktalk" with coaches who enjoy working with him.

7. Announced a month ago that he is not playing football next year because he prefers hockey. (trying lacrosse this spring)--has played tennis, golf, baseball and soccer also.

My question is a simple question of when does staying in our local organization with lower skill and competition, and good-hearted but less skilled coaching become a detriment to his development. Am I doing him a disservice by not allowing him to seek his level and skate on the top team he can make?

If I am not now at what age does it become that way?
I also understand the politics of "breaking in" to an organization with higher levels and loyalty to local skaters. Not griping but I'm certain if he is comparable to a local, the local gets the slot based on friends and familiarity.

I would appreciate hearing from some of you hockeycentric Minnesotans on this as I am conflicted between the guilt of not allowing my kid's talent to flourish and the guilt of pushing him from our comfy local nest too soon with unrealistic expectations.

Should I just let the tryouts decide the matter?

Stay in the local association for the winter season so he can be with friends and classmates. The rest of the year do some top-level AAA stuff.

Listen, it's a tough road to the top, and few make it. I can tell you that of all the guys that we thought would "make it" when they were squirts and peewees..... few do. I know two, no make that three guys locally who did just what I suggested and two are currently playing D1, and the third will be next season. Association hockey is more for fun, take that to the bank.

Good luck!! Feel free to PM me if you have more questions that I might be able to help you with.

Blue&Gold wrote:Stay in the local association for the winter season so he can be with friends and classmates. The rest of the year do some top-level AAA stuff.

Listen, it's a tough road to the top, and few make it. I can tell you that of all the guys that we thought would "make it" when they were squirts and peewees..... few do. I know two, no make that three guys locally who did just what I suggested and two are currently playing D1, and the third will be next season. Association hockey is more for fun, take that to the bank.

Good luck!! Feel free to PM me if you have more questions that I might be able to help you with.

Wow !

Mites may be a little young or maybe not. All is true about the fact that "mighty mites" often times level out. I personally believe that the smart move would be to at least see how one if not two years of squirts go. In that level I think a player can still hone his skills playing with inferior peers...especially if the drive is there as you state. ( I actually think that drive is the most important part of the equation. )
I can see another side to this however. If you get into a different association young, then your chances of making good with the locals is that much better. I will contradict myself here by saying that competition is never a bad thing. I think an important question to ask here is: Are you happy with your current association??? and would you be happy in another one????
There really is no easy answer. The common sense thing is to say that if he is still dominant after a year of squirts, go ahead and shop for another team at a higher level. The AAA suggestion was also good, have you looked into it. I would want a good number of games in AAA if I was deciding between staying with the current team and doing AAA or moving altogether.
I don't have a good answer. What I do have to say is that that DRIVE is probably the most important part of this. I know he is young, mites is more about having fun.....but if that drive continues into squirts, there's a good chance the flame won't die. Probably the biggest thing handicapping athletes in developement in any sport is their desire...and if he already is interested enough to look at a chalkboard...and understand.... he is leaps and bounds ahead of most out there....good luck...

#7 scares me. If he's giving up football (or any other sport) because he doesn't like it that's one thing, giving it up because he likes hockey better shouldn't be a good enough reason for you to let him give it up at his age. If he's moving to squirts then he's going to be in 4th grade I assume, way to early to specialize in anything. The skills gained in other activities can help him in hockey, plus the break from hockey can be a good thing mentally.

Wow! Quitting football at Mite age, loves chalk talk and complains about teammates effort all out of a mite?

No Question- enroll in Shattuck and wear an orange jersey in the summer

They are not in MN; I think his question is: the kid's a pretty good AA or Tier II player, should he have him tryout/play for a AAA or Tier I organization?

In addition, they may be playing hockey in the fall. If so, the kid will have to choose between football and hockey earlier than we do in MN. Some kids try hockey and basketball at the same time when they're little; usually a parent asks them to pick one or the other when they get to squirts - for the parents' own sanity.

InigoMontoya wrote:They are not in MN; I think his question is: the kid's a pretty good AA or Tier II player, should he have him tryout/play for a AAA or Tier I organization?

In addition, they may be playing hockey in the fall. If so, the kid will have to choose between football and hockey earlier than we do in MN. Some kids try hockey and basketball at the same time when they're little; usually a parent asks them to pick one or the other when they get to squirts - for the parents' own sanity.

IM is right about all of this. Also rememebr that unless this guy is from Michigan then assocition hockey is very different in other states than it is in Minnesota. In Minne you can get AAA level teams, players and coaching even in small towns (ie Roseau) but that isn;t true really anywhere else. Here is Wisconsin there are few association teams capable of giving a AAA level player the competition level and peers they are seeking. As someone who expereiences the same types of questions i will say that staying with his friends in his home assocition if he is happy is a good thing to do atleast through the squirt ages. I can totally understand the want/need to experience other levels of competition starting at teh pee wee level if his drive is still there. He can actually develop his skill level in your home association just fine through squirts if he has that internal drive, the player ability around him won't hinder his personal development that much through those ages. If he has a good attitude and is a ahrd worker and a team player I wuld stay home and try for spring AAA teams and summer opportunities to encourage his skill level and then start entertaining a move at the pee wee level if things have not changed in your home association. Depending on what state you live in you may need to entertain joining a year round AAA program to get what your son needs. Folks up in Minne don't need to do that but folks in other states do need to seriously consider it because we just don;t have the numbers they have in MN, or MI or Canada etc.....

goldy313 wrote:#7 scares me. If he's giving up football (or any other sport) because he doesn't like it that's one thing, giving it up because he likes hockey better shouldn't be a good enough reason for you to let him give it up at his age. If he's moving to squirts then he's going to be in 4th grade I assume, way to early to specialize in anything. The skills gained in other activities can help him in hockey, plus the break from hockey can be a good thing mentally.

Me too, a bit. Simultaneous hockey and football for 2 months was too much and he had to ditch 1 practice a week in each sport. He also saw some ugly injuries. I think those played into his decision.

Don't even worry about where he skates this year. It is a long road. I have five kids that play. All are different. My oldest plyed Bantam A last year and I looked at the picture from when that group played squirt A and only 5 kids were the same. Those kids are now sophs and most played At least two sports. The younger kids seem to be more advanced than my oldest, I feel from playing vs older brothers and their buddys. Make sure whatever you do makes [cents$$$] alot of options out there. Just my take on the deal. Good luck to you and yoiur son!!!!

If you don't have an A team, play for the Wisc. Fire out of Somerset if you want your kid to develope and play for the best AAA team you can get on in the summer.