Have we been ripped off?

[lefty76]

My son tryout for the Ice Edge. We were very pleased to be offered a spot on the Ice Edge Elite. After paying our deposit I have since found out that there are four "Elite" teams at the same age level. How Elite can the teams be?

Since tryouts I have run into a couple of families that also informed me that they also have been selected for the Ice Edge Elite. Please dont get me wrong these are nice boys with great families, but some of these players are lower end B players.

Have we been taken for a ride? Everyone that tryout out made a team. I think we were just a check book

[Cdale]

My son tryout for the Ice Edge. We were very pleased to be offered a spot on the Ice Edge Elite. After paying our deposit I have since found out that there are four "Elite" teams at the same age level. How Elite can the teams be?

Since tryouts I have run into a couple of families that also informed me that they also have been selected for the Ice Edge Elite. Please dont get me wrong these are nice boys with great families, but some of these players are lower end B players.

Have we been taken for a ride? Everyone that tryout out made a team. I think we were just a check book

. Welcome to AAA hockey. Some programs are top notch/legit, others not so much. It's called checkbook hockey. Good luck. Maybe try the Wolfpack!

[Irish]

My son tryout for the Ice Edge. We were very pleased to be offered a spot on the Ice Edge Elite. After paying our deposit I have since found out that there are four "Elite" teams at the same age level. How Elite can the teams be?

Since tryouts I have run into a couple of families that also informed me that they also have been selected for the Ice Edge Elite. Please dont get me wrong these are nice boys with great families, but some of these players are lower end B players.

Have we been taken for a ride? Everyone that tryout out made a team. I think we were just a check book

Lefty- As CDale stated welcome to AAA hockey. My son tried out for this program last year. He was considering the same program this year, but opted to play for another program both years.

I can honestly say that the Ice Edge program was very up front in the fact that they were offering four Elite teams. There is a top team - second team - Third team - fourth team. The top two teams will play in Elite tournaments while the other two teams will play in Open tournaments. I also know the guys running this program and they both have good intentions. They're very up front and run a clean program. As any program it will take time to attract good players. Thus far they've done a good job.
Keep in mind all summer teams are called Elite teams because the parents want their kids playing on "Elite" teams.
Minnesota made created Machine "Black" team for this very reason. Parents want to tell people their kids play for the Machine even though they don't play for the top Machine team. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Minnesota made does a great job at player development.

I would suggest to any parent looking at AAA programs to ask the following questions to get a feel for the program:

Cost of the program?
How many tournaments are included?
How many hours of ice time?
Who's coaching? (resume)
How many teams are they offering in each age group?
Open or Invite tournaments?
Any camps provided?
Apparel provided?
How many kids on the team?
Will the coach shorten the bench?
Is everything mandatory or can the kids miss for other events?

Parents, With respect. You need to know more about the program you're willing to spend $1000+ dollars to be a part of............

If a program doesn't answer your questions walk away. There are way too many good programs in the state of Minnesota.

[ETM]

I wouldn't trust them. A lot of broken promises from Bernie trained owners. We walked.

[TheSiouxSuck]

It depends what your expectations are.

If you remove the home team blinders and ask yourself if your child is truly an exceptionally talented player for his age group. If the question is yes, then you're probably on one of the better teams.If the answer is no, consider that you're still going to be getting ice time and multiple games for your childs development.

Also consider that no matter where your child was placed, he's probably on a team with kids who have a similar skill base which is the best opportunity for him to improve. Playing with kids who he simply cant keep up with wont benefit anyone involved nor will your child being placed with teammates he's far better than.

[roundhead]

Find out if the Organization is "FOR PROFIT", or "NON-PROFIT". The next question, (JMO) would be who is Coaching/Training your skater, Parents or Hired/Qualified/Certified Coaches. And lastly, how much/what can I expect for the Investment.

It depends what your expectations are.

If you remove the home team blinders and ask yourself if your child is truly an exceptionally talented player for his age group. If the question is yes, then you're probably on one of the better teams.If the answer is no, consider that you're still going to be getting ice time and multiple games for your childs development.

Also consider that no matter where your child was placed, he's probably on a team with kids who have a similar skill base which is the best opportunity for him to improve. Playing with kids who he simply cant keep up with wont benefit anyone involved nor will your child being placed with teammates he's far better than.

[Chandler23]

The Wolfpack C team (2005s) beat the Ice Edge A team (2004s) last year 14-0. I don't know if that's indicative of the entire program but on that day the Ice Edge team struggled to keep up.

[InigoMontoya]

Find out if the Organization is "FOR PROFIT", or "NON-PROFIT". The next question, (JMO) would be who is Coaching/Training your skater, Parents or Hired/Qualified/Certified Coaches. And lastly, how much/what can I expect for the Investment.

It depends what your expectations are.

If you remove the home team blinders and ask yourself if your child is truly an exceptionally talented player for his age group. If the question is yes, then you're probably on one of the better teams.If the answer is no, consider that you're still going to be getting ice time and multiple games for your childs development.

Also consider that no matter where your child was placed, he's probably on a team with kids who have a similar skill base which is the best opportunity for him to improve. Playing with kids who he simply cant keep up with wont benefit anyone involved nor will your child being placed with teammates he's far better than.

Simply having a non-profit designation does not mean that nobody is allowed to make money. It also does not mean they are necessarily getting the most/best ice times, or the best coaching, or the best tournaments, etc.

[observer]

Man oh man, pick your poison.

Some organizations have just one AAA team but 30 players. Maybe this group has 4 teams with 15 skaters per which may be a better opportunity for the players. The ones carrying fat rosters are just wrong. Anymore than 15 skaters is a money grab. Don't have your son be a practice player with a big organization get your player on a team with an appropriate skill level so he can play in games and tournaments. Kids like games. Practice player? Demeaning and will make your son feel bad. Players can be a little cruel towards one another.

Also, because there's a lot of fussing about rosters on another topic, a 2003 team may change out, or add, 5-6-7 players but should stick with no more than 15 skaters plus a goalie. But, a 1998 team may only be looking for a single player or two. That's just the way that works and should work. If an older team needs a complete overhaul something has gone wrong.

The organization means very little. It's all about the coach coaching your players team. Period. Some organizations will have a great coach at some levels and crap at others.

Price should be around a grand and should include everything. A 2003 team may have 20-30 practices but a 1998 team might only have a couple before each of their 3-4 tourneys.

[Irish]

Lefty- What age group is your son? That might help answer your question.

Observer is correct. Find out who the coach is that will help with your decision. Options are good. Just pick the team that best fits your family. I've never seen a perfect program and over the years you will learn who you can trust and who you cannot trust.

I can honestly say there's nothing wrong with Ice Edge program. We're friends with some of the players from both teams in the age group from last year. Great coaches, great kids, and great parents in our age group.

[BenDangle]

As a parent of players across the Spectrum (age and ability). I can say this about ICE EDGE. Those guys (Brian and Chris) really care about their product and what they deliver.

Last year one of my son's played in 4 tournaments, had a ton of practice/on ice time, 10 treadmill sessions and was given up to 60 hours of plyo time for $1,500. He made the team he was shooting for in his association.

To me that was money well spent.

I have another son who plays for the Blades and we pay considerably more and get considerably less. We would have switched to Ice Edge had it not been for the relationships he has built.

My daughter will play for Ice Edge when the time comes - they have a program that is designed perfect for her and her future schedule. Playing for the Blades or Machine is not something she wants as bad as her oldest brother did...she is in the top third of her friends. Her rationale (oddly) is "if I get better, I will lose my friends..."

I really like Ice Edge. They are very good at developing and training kids and are very fair.

I agree with you that they should stay away from calling their #2-5 teams elite...because they aren't.