AAA Hockey Explained

[Chandler23]

I'm a newbie hockey parent looking for AAA clarification. I have a son on a team right now. The kids tried out for the team last fall. Approximately 16 kids made the tournaments team, and the other kids made the practice team.

But where I need help, is when our team gets to tournaments, we have different players come in and take part. I have no idea who they are but they're more skilled and help the team score goals. In fact, my son played a game last night and he told me that the team he played was full of new players.

So I guess my question is this... Does a AAA team have authority to bring on additional players and take away time from the kids that actually tried out and made the team? Or is this practice just from over-competitive coaches trying to add trophies at any cost.

I really don't understand the culture. But it seems to me that, regardless of talent, the kids that made the team and paid the money should be the only kids skating for that team come tournament time.

Thoughts? Thanks.

[O-townClown]

So I guess my question is this... Does a AAA team have authority to bring on additional players and take away time from the kids that actually tried out and made the team?

Y

[Chandler23]

Y

K

[MnMade-4-Life]

Not all AAA teams will do this though. Some respect the rosters they create in the beginning, some only roster a core and fill in every tourney with "others."

The thoughts/practices of the programs vary from group to group. Just take some time and talk to parents, do some research, and talk to more parents.

There are tons of teams out there playing in the summer with plenty of options (most likely) within driving distance. Find one that fits your philosphy / skill level and enjoy the season.

[Chandler23]

Not all AAA teams will do this though. Some respect the rosters they create in the beginning, some only roster a core and fill in every tourney with "others."

The thoughts/practices of the programs vary from group to group. Just take some time and talk to parents, do some research, and talk to more parents.

There are tons of teams out there playing in the summer with plenty of options (most likely) within driving distance. Find one that fits your philosphy / skill level and enjoy the season.

I don't blame the coaches. Tryouts are so early that a lot can change in a player's ability by the time the tournaments actually roll out. I just thought it was interesting. No real opinion one way or the other.

[MnMade-4-Life]

Not all AAA teams will do this though. Some respect the rosters they create in the beginning, some only roster a core and fill in every tourney with "others."

The thoughts/practices of the programs vary from group to group. Just take some time and talk to parents, do some research, and talk to more parents.

There are tons of teams out there playing in the summer with plenty of options (most likely) within driving distance. Find one that fits your philosphy / skill level and enjoy the season.

I don't blame the coaches. Tryouts are so early that a lot can change in a player's ability by the time the tournaments actually roll out. I just thought it was interesting. No real opinion one way or the other.

Never meant to insinuate blame on anyone, just saying if your family is enjoying the experience stay. If you're not, there are plenty of choices around.

[Marty]

Other than age restrictions there are no rules in AAA hockey.

The integrity of the program or the team is determined by the ethics and actions of those running it.

[Cdale]

Is there a ranking list for AAA? Ala the LPH rankings? Be fun to see a top 10 of the different age groups. We pretty much know the top team or 2....

[Chandler23]

Is there a ranking list for AAA? Ala the LPH rankings? Be fun to see a top 10 of the different age groups. We pretty much know the top team or 2....

I don't even know the best teams? Who are the top team or two?

[HockeyDad41]

Uh oh....

[mackjogger]

Is there a ranking list for AAA? Ala the LPH rankings? Be fun to see a top 10 of the different age groups. We pretty much know the top team or 2....

2001
1 Little Caesars (North) 01 AAA 49-6-4 15.91 4.00 11.91
2 Minuteman Flames (Elite) 01 AAA 56-3-3 15.07 4.25 10.82
3 Anaheim Wildcats 01 A 34-6-3 14.76 3.48 11.28
4 Honeybaked 01 AAA 36-13-2 13.71 2.12 11.59
5 New Jersey Colonials 01 AAA 46-5-5 12.94 3.14 9.80
6 Mid-Fairfield Blues 01 AAA 47-11-7 12.64 2.47 10.17
7 Providence Capitals (Elite) 01 AAA 37-14-6 12.62 1.98 10.64
8 Belle Tire 01 AAA 21-16-3 12.48 0.82 11.66
9 Middlesex Islanders (Elite) 01 AAA 42-17-5 11.90 1.27 10.63
10 South Shore Kings (Elite) 01 AAA 32-18-7 11.81 0.90 10.91

2000

1 Little Caesars 00 AAA 52-4-3 19.61 3.16 16.45
2 Tampa Bay Jr Lightning 00 AAA 27-4-0 19.24 3.09 16.15
3 Chicago Mission 00 AAA 47-11-5 18.76 2.55 16.21
4 Honeybaked 00 AAA 46-13-9 18.42 2.10 16.32
5 Fire Hockey Club 00 AAA 20-7-4 18.00 2.16 15.84
6 LA Jr Kings (#1) A 41-5-3 17.36 3.54 13.82
7 Middlesex Islanders (Elite) 00 AAA 36-14-8 17.21 1.24 15.97
8 Minuteman Flames (Elite) 00 AAA 34-19-5 17.01 1.05 15.96
9 Boston Jr Terriers (Elite) 00 AAA 28-11-10 16.95 1.02 15.93
10 Cleveland Barons 00 AAA 32-19-9 16.72 0.73 15.99
11 Philadelphia Jr Flyers 00 AAA 36-9-5 16.65 2.10 14.55

1999

1 Little Caesars 99 AAA 52-9-2 16.67 4.03 12.64
2 Chicago Mission 99 AAA 58-4-0 16.38 3.95 12.43
3 Fire Hockey Club 99 AAA 39-3-1 15.53 3.69 11.84
4 New Jersey Colonials 99 AAA 56-7-4 15.10 3.31 11.79
5 St Louis Blues 99 AAA 36-15-6 13.87 1.46 12.41
6 Syracuse Nationals 99 AAA 35-16-7 13.74 1.29 12.45
7 Compuware 99 AAA 41-24-4 13.58 1.31 12.27
8 Team Illinois 99 AAA 30-15-7 13.37 0.96 12.41
9 Honeybaked 99 AAA 35-24-3 13.28 0.87 12.41
10 South Shore Kings (Elite) 99 AAA 44-19-3 13.26 2.31 10.95

1998

1 St Louis Blues 98 AAA 47-6-1 21.88 3.87 18.01
2 Little Caesars 98 AAA 53-5-5 21.40 3.54 17.86
3 Florida Everblades 98 AAA 46-8-1 20.89 3.58 17.31
4 Honeybaked 98 AAA 44-8-6 20.52 3.05 17.47
5 Chicago Mission 98 AAA 42-11-6 19.79 2.23 17.56
6 Compuware 98 AAA 29-14-7 19.78 2.24 17.54
7 New Jersey Colonials 98 AAA 62-12-5 19.44 3.01 16.43
8 Dallas Stars Elite 98 AAA 41-16-5 19.24 1.87 17.37
9 Colorado Thunderbirds 98 AAA 21-13-6 18.36 0.97 17.39
10 Amherst Knights 98 AAA 38-14-3 18.16 1.96 16.20

1997

1 Compuware 97 AAA 56-8-9 16.77 2.94 13.83
2 St Louis Blues 97 AAA 56-9-4 16.44 3.73 12.71
3 Chicago Mission 97 AAA 43-15-9 15.70 2.08 13.62
4 Little Caesars 97 AAA 43-16-7 15.32 1.63 13.69
5 Honeybaked 97 AAA 31-14-5 15.31 1.80 13.51
6 Belle Tire 97 AAA 27-18-11 14.95 1.26 13.69
7 Chicago Young Americans 97 AAA 42-20-8 14.91 1.68 13.23
8 Minuteman Flames (Elite) 97 AAA 38-4-6 14.56 3.31 11.25
9 Valley Jr Warriors Elite 97 AAA 48-12-1 14.06 2.40 11.66

1996

1 Belle Tire 96 AAA 63-5-4 20.46 3.66 16.80
2 Chicago Mission 96 AAA 53-15-3 20.09 2.28 17.81
3 Shattuck St Mary 96 AAA 41-7-3 19.57 3.56 16.01
4 St Louis Blues 96 AAA 56-9-2 19.55 2.59 16.96
5 Long Island Gulls 96 AAA 69-8-6 19.03 3.40 15.63
6 Cleveland Barons 96 AAA 37-17-7 18.56 1.22 17.34
7 Little Caesars 96 AAA 37-21-4 17.77 0.84 16.93
8 Team Wisconsin 96 AAA 19-10-7 17.74 0.58 17.16
9 Team Comcast 96 AAA 53-11-6 17.53 2.55 14.98
10 Chicago Young Americans 96 AAA 28-26-11 17.22 0.60 16.62

16 U

1 Shattuck St Mary 16U AAA 49-4-1 18.24 4.01 14.23
2 Team Illinois 16U AAA 56-14-4 17.35 2.84 14.51
3 Honeybaked 16U AAA 60-2-2 17.13 3.00 14.13
4 LA Selects 16U AAA 58-7-0 16.72 3.03 13.69
5 Little Caesars 16U AAA 37-10-3 16.15 2.00 14.15
6 Culver Academy Eagles 16U AAA 30-7-1 16.09 3.00 13.09
7 North Jersey Avalanche (National) 16U AAA 46-9-2 16.01 2.96 13.05
8 Team Wisconsin 16U AAA 27-9-0 15.91 2.33 13.58
9 Chicago Mission 16U AAA 46-20-4 15.73 1.27 14.46
10 Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA 44-14-10 15.51 2.02 13.49

18 U

1 Shattuck St Mary Prep 43-5-2 19.76 3.02 16.74
2 St Louis Blues 18U AAA 49-7-8 18.14 1.96 16.18
3 Colorado Thunderbirds 18U AAA 57-7-8 18.07 2.41 15.66
4 Team Wisconsin 18U AAA 19-11-1 17.63 0.41 17.22
5 Greater Boston Jr Bruins 18U AAA 19-4-3 17.62 2.88 14.74
6 Honeybaked 18U AAA 43-16-13 17.58 1.40 16.18
7 Mid-Fairfield Blues (#1) 18U AAA 17-8-1 17.44 1.95 15.49
8 Compuware 18U AAA 39-14-18 17.43 1.34 16.09
9 Belle Tire 18U AAA 31-25-7 17.14 1.00 16.14
10 Victory Honda 18U AAA 36-17-15 17.11 1.04 16.07

[Cdale]

Is there a ranking list for AAA? Ala the LPH rankings? Be fun to see a top 10 of the different age groups. We pretty much know the top team or 2....

2001
1 Little Caesars (North) 01 AAA 49-6-4 15.91 4.00 11.91
2 Minuteman Flames (Elite) 01 AAA 56-3-3 15.07 4.25 10.82
3 Anaheim Wildcats 01 A 34-6-3 14.76 3.48 11.28
4 Honeybaked 01 AAA 36-13-2 13.71 2.12 11.59
5 New Jersey Colonials 01 AAA 46-5-5 12.94 3.14 9.80
6 Mid-Fairfield Blues 01 AAA 47-11-7 12.64 2.47 10.17
7 Providence Capitals (Elite) 01 AAA 37-14-6 12.62 1.98 10.64
8 Belle Tire 01 AAA 21-16-3 12.48 0.82 11.66
9 Middlesex Islanders (Elite) 01 AAA 42-17-5 11.90 1.27 10.63
10 South Shore Kings (Elite) 01 AAA 32-18-7 11.81 0.90 10.91

2000

1 Little Caesars 00 AAA 52-4-3 19.61 3.16 16.45
2 Tampa Bay Jr Lightning 00 AAA 27-4-0 19.24 3.09 16.15
3 Chicago Mission 00 AAA 47-11-5 18.76 2.55 16.21
4 Honeybaked 00 AAA 46-13-9 18.42 2.10 16.32
5 Fire Hockey Club 00 AAA 20-7-4 18.00 2.16 15.84
6 LA Jr Kings (#1) A 41-5-3 17.36 3.54 13.82
7 Middlesex Islanders (Elite) 00 AAA 36-14-8 17.21 1.24 15.97
8 Minuteman Flames (Elite) 00 AAA 34-19-5 17.01 1.05 15.96
9 Boston Jr Terriers (Elite) 00 AAA 28-11-10 16.95 1.02 15.93
10 Cleveland Barons 00 AAA 32-19-9 16.72 0.73 15.99
11 Philadelphia Jr Flyers 00 AAA 36-9-5 16.65 2.10 14.55

1999

1 Little Caesars 99 AAA 52-9-2 16.67 4.03 12.64
2 Chicago Mission 99 AAA 58-4-0 16.38 3.95 12.43
3 Fire Hockey Club 99 AAA 39-3-1 15.53 3.69 11.84
4 New Jersey Colonials 99 AAA 56-7-4 15.10 3.31 11.79
5 St Louis Blues 99 AAA 36-15-6 13.87 1.46 12.41
6 Syracuse Nationals 99 AAA 35-16-7 13.74 1.29 12.45
7 Compuware 99 AAA 41-24-4 13.58 1.31 12.27
8 Team Illinois 99 AAA 30-15-7 13.37 0.96 12.41
9 Honeybaked 99 AAA 35-24-3 13.28 0.87 12.41
10 South Shore Kings (Elite) 99 AAA 44-19-3 13.26 2.31 10.95

1998

1 St Louis Blues 98 AAA 47-6-1 21.88 3.87 18.01
2 Little Caesars 98 AAA 53-5-5 21.40 3.54 17.86
3 Florida Everblades 98 AAA 46-8-1 20.89 3.58 17.31
4 Honeybaked 98 AAA 44-8-6 20.52 3.05 17.47
5 Chicago Mission 98 AAA 42-11-6 19.79 2.23 17.56
6 Compuware 98 AAA 29-14-7 19.78 2.24 17.54
7 New Jersey Colonials 98 AAA 62-12-5 19.44 3.01 16.43
8 Dallas Stars Elite 98 AAA 41-16-5 19.24 1.87 17.37
9 Colorado Thunderbirds 98 AAA 21-13-6 18.36 0.97 17.39
10 Amherst Knights 98 AAA 38-14-3 18.16 1.96 16.20

1997

1 Compuware 97 AAA 56-8-9 16.77 2.94 13.83
2 St Louis Blues 97 AAA 56-9-4 16.44 3.73 12.71
3 Chicago Mission 97 AAA 43-15-9 15.70 2.08 13.62
4 Little Caesars 97 AAA 43-16-7 15.32 1.63 13.69
5 Honeybaked 97 AAA 31-14-5 15.31 1.80 13.51
6 Belle Tire 97 AAA 27-18-11 14.95 1.26 13.69
7 Chicago Young Americans 97 AAA 42-20-8 14.91 1.68 13.23
8 Minuteman Flames (Elite) 97 AAA 38-4-6 14.56 3.31 11.25
9 Valley Jr Warriors Elite 97 AAA 48-12-1 14.06 2.40 11.66

1996

1 Belle Tire 96 AAA 63-5-4 20.46 3.66 16.80
2 Chicago Mission 96 AAA 53-15-3 20.09 2.28 17.81
3 Shattuck St Mary 96 AAA 41-7-3 19.57 3.56 16.01
4 St Louis Blues 96 AAA 56-9-2 19.55 2.59 16.96
5 Long Island Gulls 96 AAA 69-8-6 19.03 3.40 15.63
6 Cleveland Barons 96 AAA 37-17-7 18.56 1.22 17.34
7 Little Caesars 96 AAA 37-21-4 17.77 0.84 16.93
8 Team Wisconsin 96 AAA 19-10-7 17.74 0.58 17.16
9 Team Comcast 96 AAA 53-11-6 17.53 2.55 14.98
10 Chicago Young Americans 96 AAA 28-26-11 17.22 0.60 16.62

16 U

1 Shattuck St Mary 16U AAA 49-4-1 18.24 4.01 14.23
2 Team Illinois 16U AAA 56-14-4 17.35 2.84 14.51
3 Honeybaked 16U AAA 60-2-2 17.13 3.00 14.13
4 LA Selects 16U AAA 58-7-0 16.72 3.03 13.69
5 Little Caesars 16U AAA 37-10-3 16.15 2.00 14.15
6 Culver Academy Eagles 16U AAA 30-7-1 16.09 3.00 13.09
7 North Jersey Avalanche (National) 16U AAA 46-9-2 16.01 2.96 13.05
8 Team Wisconsin 16U AAA 27-9-0 15.91 2.33 13.58
9 Chicago Mission 16U AAA 46-20-4 15.73 1.27 14.46
10 Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA 44-14-10 15.51 2.02 13.49

18 U

1 Shattuck St Mary Prep 43-5-2 19.76 3.02 16.74
2 St Louis Blues 18U AAA 49-7-8 18.14 1.96 16.18
3 Colorado Thunderbirds 18U AAA 57-7-8 18.07 2.41 15.66
4 Team Wisconsin 18U AAA 19-11-1 17.63 0.41 17.22
5 Greater Boston Jr Bruins 18U AAA 19-4-3 17.62 2.88 14.74
6 Honeybaked 18U AAA 43-16-13 17.58 1.40 16.18
7 Mid-Fairfield Blues (#1) 18U AAA 17-8-1 17.44 1.95 15.49
8 Compuware 18U AAA 39-14-18 17.43 1.34 16.09
9 Belle Tire 18U AAA 31-25-7 17.14 1.00 16.14
10 Victory Honda 18U AAA 36-17-15 17.11 1.04 16.07

I guess I meant MN 'summer' AAA teams.

[old goalie85]

Here we go!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chandler23]

Is this becoming controversial?

[O-townClown]

Forget what you know, Team Walser is unquestionably going to be the best.

[MrBoDangles]

The 2000 Machine team would probably be at the very top of those tier 1 rankings. Again, why would they bring in a sponsor for a lesser Summer ("Torspo" and less) team? And it's designed for those looking for more in the Summer.......?

[HockeyDad41]

The 2000 Machine team would probably be at the very top of those tier 1 rankings. Again, why would they bring in a sponsor for a lesser Summer ("Torspo" and less) team? And it's designed for those looking for more in the Summer.......?

Why are we rushing to the conclusion that because a successful business decided to sponsor a AAA hockey team, it has to mean that Tier One AAA hockey is now here? Why can't it be what it looks like and what they say it is: a replacement for the less committed Sniper, Force, Attack, etc. dad coached teams?

Besides, Minnesota Made doesn't come off as the type of business that would keep that kind of news quiet. Seems like the day after the checking rule happened they were offering Pee Wee level Choice with checking. They were never shy about the Fire either. Why would this be different?

[MrBoDangles]

The 2000 Machine team would probably be at the very top of those tier 1 rankings. Again, why would they bring in a sponsor for a lesser Summer ("Torspo" and less) team? And it's designed for those looking for more in the Summer.......?

Why are we rushing to the conclusion that because a successful business decided to sponsor a AAA hockey team, it has to mean that Tier One AAA hockey is now here? Why can't it be what it looks like and what they say it is: a replacement for the less committed Sniper, Force, Attack, etc. dad coached teams?

Besides, Minnesota Made doesn't come off as the type of business that would keep that kind of news quiet. Seems like the day after the checking rule happened they were offering Pee Wee level Choice with checking. They were never shy about the Fire either. Why would this be different?

Thanks for volunteering! I will ask you a series of questions.

Question 1 - How will the Machine parents feel about the lessers being sponsored? Being sponsored means less cost, right?

[the_juiceman]

The 2000 Machine team would probably be at the very top of those tier 1 rankings. Again, why would they bring in a sponsor for a lesser Summer ("Torspo" and less) team? And it's designed for those looking for more in the Summer.......?

Why are we rushing to the conclusion that because a successful business decided to sponsor a AAA hockey team, it has to mean that Tier One AAA hockey is now here? Why can't it be what it looks like and what they say it is: a replacement for the less committed Sniper, Force, Attack, etc. dad coached teams?

Besides, Minnesota Made doesn't come off as the type of business that would keep that kind of news quiet. Seems like the day after the checking rule happened they were offering Pee Wee level Choice with checking. They were never shy about the Fire either. Why would this be different?

Thanks for volunteering! I will ask you a series of questions.

Question 1 - How will the Machine parents feel about the lessers being sponsored? Being sponsored means less cost, right?

and your point is??

[mackjogger]

Why are we rushing to the conclusion that because a successful business decided to sponsor a AAA hockey team, it has to mean that Tier One AAA hockey is now here? Why can't it be what it looks like and what they say it is: a replacement for the less committed Sniper, Force, Attack, etc. dad coached teams?

Besides, Minnesota Made doesn't come off as the type of business that would keep that kind of news quiet. Seems like the day after the checking rule happened they were offering Pee Wee level Choice with checking. They were never shy about the Fire either. Why would this be different?

Thanks for volunteering! I will ask you a series of questions.

Question 1 - How will the Machine parents feel about the lessers being sponsored? Being sponsored means less cost, right?

and your point is??

I believe the point is....why would an organization punish its best players (parents $) by using the sponsor to off set cost for "lesser" players? Actually a good question

[HockeyDad41]

The 2000 Machine team would probably be at the very top of those tier 1 rankings. Again, why would they bring in a sponsor for a lesser Summer ("Torspo" and less) team? And it's designed for those looking for more in the Summer.......?

Why are we rushing to the conclusion that because a successful business decided to sponsor a AAA hockey team, it has to mean that Tier One AAA hockey is now here? Why can't it be what it looks like and what they say it is: a replacement for the less committed Sniper, Force, Attack, etc. dad coached teams?

Besides, Minnesota Made doesn't come off as the type of business that would keep that kind of news quiet. Seems like the day after the checking rule happened they were offering Pee Wee level Choice with checking. They were never shy about the Fire either. Why would this be different?

Thanks for volunteering! I will ask you a series of questions.

Question 1 - How will the Machine parents feel about the lessers being sponsored? Being sponsored means less cost, right?

Sorry. Don't want to hijack this thread. Start another one and I'd be happy to play volunteer.

[HockeyDad41]

Is this becoming controversial?

There are the Blades fanatics and the Machine lunatics. Then there are those of us who prefer to avoid controversy and are sensibly neutral.

[the_juiceman]

Thanks for volunteering! I will ask you a series of questions.

Question 1 - How will the Machine parents feel about the lessers being sponsored? Being sponsored means less cost, right?

and your point is??

I believe the point is....why would an organization punish its best players (parents $) by using the sponsor to off set cost for "lesser" players? Actually a good question

maybe the sponsor has a kid on the "lesser' team, maybe the sponsor feels sorry for the "lesser" team, maybe by sponsering the "lesser" team, more "lesser" kids(parents with no $) will try-out> Where does it say that only the teams with "really good player"(parents with $)can have a sponsor?

[MrBoDangles]

and your point is??

I believe the point is....why would an organization punish its best players (parents $) by using the sponsor to off set cost for "lesser" players? Actually a good question

maybe the sponsor has a kid on the "lesser' team, maybe the sponsor feels sorry for the "lesser" team, maybe by sponsering the "lesser" team, more "lesser" kids(parents with no $) will try-out> Where does it say that only the teams with "really good player"(parents with $)can have a sponsor?

Their mission statement is to "compete outside of Minnesota".

I guess they'll be searching the four corners of North America for the hard to find Open tournament.

Walser Attack!!! I like it!

[Deep Breath]

Walser sponsoring a team is no big deal. Torspo did the same thing. Do poeple think the word Torspo is just a clever name that was pulled out of thin air, or do they realize that it is an equipment manufacturer based in Blaine that outfitted the players with gloves, bags and jerseys in order to get it's name out there a little bit with an organization that is a lightning rod around youth hockey circles in Minnesota, especially the metro area. The Walser team is going to be the third team under the MM umbrella next summer. The attack and snipers are going away. Players on those teams will be on the ice for the Walser tryout if they wish. There is no grand conspiracy.