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How does your association handle moving a mite eligible player to squirts? Our local association makes it difficult.

If the parent wants the kid to play up on a B squirt team instead of an advanced mite team, should they make that decision?

We have had several kids in years past that were talented enough to play SQA as a 4th year mite, but they stayed in mites. They are now Bantams and older, and still are some of the best in their age group. Playing up does not yield a long term advantage. They are not allowed to play up regardless of their ability from what I can tell.

However, if the kid really wants to, and is good enough and can handle the emotional and mental aspect of it, I think they should get to tryout for the A team. B team should be off limits since half your 4th year mites may be good enough to play up, which would screw up your numbers in squirts and Mites.

There needs to be some order and allowing kids to play out of their age group could get out of hand and make it tough for the association to handle if a lot of parents don't want their kids"left behind". There are plenty of opportunities in the offseason to play up.

I know associations that allow it but the skater must evaluate in the top 5 and goalie top 2 of the of the highest team.

sorno82 wrote:We have had several kids in years past that were talented enough to play SQA as a 4th year mite, but they stayed in mites. They are now Bantams and older, and still are some of the best in their age group. Playing up does not yield a long term advantage. They are not allowed to play up regardless of their ability from what I can tell.

However, if the kid really wants to, and is good enough and can handle the emotional and mental aspect of it, I think they should get to tryout for the A team. B team should be off limits since half your 4th year mites may be good enough to play up, which would screw up your numbers in squirts and Mites.

There needs to be some order and allowing kids to play out of their age group could get out of hand and make it tough for the association to handle if a lot of parents don't want their kids"left behind". There are plenty of opportunities in the offseason to play up.

Isn't this just holding them back though? If half of your 4th year mites are good enough to play on a squirt B team, why not have an extra squirt B team instead of forcing them to play mites?

sn't this just holding them back though? If half of your 4th year mites are good enough to play on a squirt B team, why not have an extra squirt B team instead of forcing them to play mites?

Most of the kids want to play with their friends. It would be the parents that would want them to move up in order to keep from "falling behind". There is more to it than just skill level. A lot of it is maturity and where they would have the most fun. Putting 3rd graders on teams with 5th graders is not always the best option. BTW, we already have 7 SQB teams.

There is really no rush.

sorno82 wrote:

sn't this just holding them back though? If half of your 4th year mites are good enough to play on a squirt B team, why not have an extra squirt B team instead of forcing them to play mites?

Most of the kids want to play with their friends. It would be the parents that would want them to move up in order to keep from "falling behind". There is more to it than just skill level. A lot of it is maturity and where they would have the most fun. Putting 3rd graders on teams with 5th graders is not always the best option. BTW, we already have 7 SQB teams.

There is really no rush.

I agree that kids would rather play with friends. I mean who wouldn't right?

What about the kid who scores 3 or more goals a game, and can't really pass to anyone because no one can keep up when he takes off with the puck? I bet he's having more fun than anyone. Still, is it the best place for him?

What about the kid who scores 3 or more goals a game, and can't really pass to anyone because no one can keep up when he takes off with the puck? I bet he's having more fun than anyone. Still, is it the best place for him?

Depends on the kid. Long term it will make no difference in their development. If you are that concerned, go choice and maybe they will move him to squirts if it is that important to you.

Also must consider the locker room. Squirts and mites are quite a bit different.

In our association, the only players allowed to move up are the truely exceptional mite. The skater needs to score in top 10 squirts and play squirt A. No players are allowed to move up to play squirt B. I agree, is much more then just hockey skills. Yes if truely exceptional and can play at the A level, then might make sense as would dominate mites. I have a last year mite that could easily play B squirts, would not even consider moving him up if allowed. Nothing to do with from a hockey perspective, do not want him in the locker room with 5th graders....

sorno82 wrote:

What about the kid who scores 3 or more goals a game, and can't really pass to anyone because no one can keep up when he takes off with the puck? I bet he's having more fun than anyone. Still, is it the best place for him?

Depends on the kid. Long term it will make no difference in their development. If you are that concerned, go choice and maybe they will move him to squirts if it is that important to you.

Also must consider the locker room. Squirts and mites are quite a bit different.

That's the advice I gave. Shocker right?

helightsthelamp wrote:In our association, the only players allowed to move up are the truely exceptional mite. The skater needs to score in top 10 squirts and play squirt A. No players are allowed to move up to play squirt B. I agree, is much more then just hockey skills. Yes if truely exceptional and can play at the A level, then might make sense as would dominate mites. I have a last year mite that could easily play B squirts, would not even consider moving him up if allowed. Nothing to do with from a hockey perspective, do not want him in the locker room with 5th graders....

Sometimes it's other things. Maybe you don't think the guy they have picked for the A Mite job knows what he is doing and you happen to think the squirt B1 coach is the next Herb Brooks.

Correct me if I"m wrong, but doesn't MN hockey have a "move up once" rule. Basically saying you can move your kid up, but he has to stay at that level now forever. This way we wouldn't have any 3 year squirts or pee wees.

flpucknut wrote:Correct me if I"m wrong, but doesn't MN hockey have a "move up once" rule. Basically saying you can move your kid up, but he has to stay at that level now forever. This way we wouldn't have any 3 year squirts or pee wees.

I always thought it was left up to the individual associations.

In our association, a final year mite is welcome to tryout for squirts. The play-up needs a recommendation from the previous year's coach and then the travelling director will approve the try-out. The skater can make A squirts or B squirts but not C squirts. If the skater is cut from B squirts, he is sent back to mites.

Last year we had one play-up make A squirts and a handful make B squirts and I think a few were sent back to mites.

I would agree that in the long term it really doesn't have that big of an impact on the player's hockey future. However I would also argue it doesn't hurt it either. We take the approach that if the kid can play at that level then let him play there.

This play up policy has been in place now for about 6 or 7 years in our association and we really haven't had any issue with it.

flpucknut wrote:Correct me if I"m wrong, but doesn't MN hockey have a "move up once" rule. Basically saying you can move your kid up, but he has to stay at that level now forever. This way we wouldn't have any 3 year squirts or pee wees.

They didn't have this rule a few years ago.

I would guide you to the Choice League.
If mite player is strong enough at the Evals
They will move them up.

I think that Jolt's association has it right. How can I infect my local association with common sense like that?

I think that Jolt's association has it right. How can I infect my local association with common sense like that?

Don't come across as a nut job. I think with some practice you might be able to pull it off.

minnesota hockey policy is all associations must have a move up policy

it is the associations policy, could be

not allowed
if we feel like it
if a then b

but they must have one

Toomuchtoosoon wrote:

I think that Jolt's association has it right. How can I infect my local association with common sense like that?

Don't come across as a nut job. I think with some practice you might be able to pull it off.

Having a nice little discussion, keeping it friendly and then this d-bag comes along........

We [ fl] don't allow mite move ups.. I think WBL had a kid play squirt A, And a couple B. Maybe something we should look @. It's a #'s thing for us. Keep all thye kids you can at the cheaper $ level. My opinion is put the best teams on the ice you can. If you have a 2 yr old that is squirt A quality let it ride!!!!!!!!!!! [If it is good for the team]

HockeyDad41 wrote:

Toomuchtoosoon wrote:

I think that Jolt's association has it right. How can I infect my local association with common sense like that?

Don't come across as a nut job. I think with some practice you might be able to pull it off.

Having a nice little discussion, keeping it friendly and then this d-bag comes along........

Too bad that ya have a death grip on the village d-bag title. Wear your crown with pride.

MrBoDangles wrote:

HockeyDad41 wrote:

Toomuchtoosoon wrote: Don't come across as a nut job. I think with some practice you might be able to pull it off.

Having a nice little discussion, keeping it friendly and then this d-bag comes along........

Too bad that ya have a death grip on the village d-bag title. Wear your crown with pride.

Looks like another one showed up. Thanks for adding nothing (as usual) to the discussion.

HockeyDad41 wrote:

MrBoDangles wrote:

HockeyDad41 wrote: Having a nice little discussion, keeping it friendly and then this d-bag comes along........

Too bad that ya have a death grip on the village d-bag title. Wear your crown with pride.

Looks like another one showed up. Thanks for adding nothing (as usual) to the discussion.

Just joking with ya....

JoltDelivered wrote:In our association, a final year mite is welcome to tryout for squirts. The play-up needs a recommendation from the previous year's coach and then the travelling director will approve the try-out. The skater can make A squirts or B squirts but not C squirts. If the skater is cut from B squirts, he is sent back to mites..

My association does allow move ups, but does the exact opposite. The move ups are not allowed to play anything other then Squirt C. They must be evaluated in the top 15% of C players to remain at squirts. Not sure how they make that evealuation.

I have never understood this, it seems to be against any logic. My feeling is they are worried about a move up taking a spot from a kid who is squirt age, if that's the case then don't move the kid up. What ends up happening is the 4-6 move ups end up being the best players on the C team every year and they skate circles around their teammates.

If the point of moving the kids up is so they play at the appropriate skill level, then why put them at a level where they are clearly the best. You are gaining nothing with the exception of making some parents happy.

ogelthorpe wrote:

JoltDelivered wrote:In our association, a final year mite is welcome to tryout for squirts. The play-up needs a recommendation from the previous year's coach and then the travelling director will approve the try-out. The skater can make A squirts or B squirts but not C squirts. If the skater is cut from B squirts, he is sent back to mites..

My association does allow move ups, but does the exact opposite. The move ups are not allowed to play anything other then Squirt C. They must be evaluated in the top 15% of C players to remain at squirts. Not sure how they make that evealuation.

I have never understood this, it seems to be against any logic. My feeling is they are worried about a move up taking a spot from a kid who is squirt age, if that's the case then don't move the kid up. What ends up happening is the 4-6 move ups end up being the best players on the C team every year and they skate circles around their teammates.

If the point of moving the kids up is so they play at the appropriate skill level, then why put them at a level where they are clearly the best. You are gaining nothing with the exception of making some parents happy.

That does seem like an odd policy.