Minor Hockey 2010-2011

Jamie · #1 08-04-2010

Can you believe it is just about to start????
Willy has a training camp/ hockey school starting on Monday. With tryouts starting at the end of August.
Bought him some new equipment as he out grew the new stuff he had in October.. I really have to start that kid smoking and drinking coffee. I am sure it would be cheaper than buying new gear every 6 months. I am a firm believer in buying protective gear that fits today not next month or next year. However this attitude comes at a cost.

Some difficult decisions will need to made this year. He has the opportunity and a good-great chance to play ATom 1 or 2 this year. Unfortunately as being a GT that means he spends every 2nd game on the bench and never gets to play out. I think this is a highly unfair way of dealing with small kids. They will never learn a thing sitting on the bench.
His other option is to try out as a "Out" player and then be a kick azz GT on a level 4 or 5 team. I am sure he will have the chance to play in a good chunk of the games and still be given a opportunity to play out when the coach sees fit. The other advantage to this is that he will most probably be playing with some good friends as they are all around the same skill level. But who knows for sure about that. Some of those guys could have grown 12" over the summer.

So in speaking with some trusted old time hockey guys, we have come to the decision of letting Willy try out for the top GT spots and IF he makes it then start asking questions.
Will the GT'ers receive any specialized training? Will the team bring in a GT coach to help these kids? Is there extra ice for the top end teams?
If we don't get satisfactory answers, then we will have Willy try out as a player and hopefully get the chance to play with his friends.

Why they make these kids sit on the bench is beyond me....

But hockey is here again and like we say around this house...
There are 3 seasons in a year.
Hockey Season
Baseball Season
and waiting for hockey to start season.

New stick is taped up, skates are on their way to being sharpened and the gear is organized and repaired.
Lets play some hockey!!

Jamie

gramps73 · #2 08-04-2010

I feel your pain Jamie
My boy started last night and goes every night this week.
Next the 5 year old will have to go and get some hockey equipment and get ready for Tim Bits..

Shaggy · #3 08-04-2010

Our oldest decided not to play this year. he is considering Cadets instead.
But hockey shall live on in our home. My 5 year old daughter is signed up and geared up ready for Timbits.

pottymouth · #4 08-04-2010

Jamie, I can understand your dilemma. The bottom line is you have to tell your son the options and then let him decide. Sitting on the bench for a game isn't the end of the world, especially if they will pull goalies. The con of playing on the top teams, in the position that he wants, might be the ice time and the frustration of th e2 goalie system. The pro, playing on the top team gives the player more exposure and keeps up in the talent pool. If he wants to try to go as far as hockey will take him, he needs to be on that top team. A coach, no matter the division will always have a #1 and 2 goalie ( human nature of competition). If he can land that #1 job, I'm sure he will see more ice time. Hockey now has become a job, as far down as batam and sometimes pee wee, the biggest decisions a player has to make is; are they playing for fun and the love, or are they playing to get as far as hockey can take them.

A good friend of mine once told me the best advice i've ever had for hockey, especially in the darker years.( applies more in his older years )

" Use hockey to get as far as you can, but when hockey starts using you, it's time to move on! " Murray Copot.

Papershredder · #5 08-05-2010

We just finished spring AAA in the middle of June, and hockey schools start again in 2 weeks. Second year Atom or up to Pee Wee is yet to be determined, but whatever division he ends up in doesn't matter; I love it. It takes up alot of time coaching but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Twisted Canuck · #6 08-05-2010

Jamie, as a parent you need to be intuitive about your son's skills and desires. My son really thought he wanted to play goal right through his first year of Atom, but I could see he had a real skating edge and played heads-up hockey when he was playing forward....he battled for the puck, wanted it with everything in him, and consistently dominated for puck control. I gently steered him in that direction, and he played wing as a second year AA Atom, PeeWee A, centered the first line on his AAA Selects spring hockey team the past few months (thankfully we have a 7 week break before tryouts!), and we anticipate he will be a dominant center on his PeeWee AA team this year based on his skill, and the fact that he eats 3x as much as I do currently.....he has shot up a couple inches and put on about 10 pounds in the last couple of months, pure young muscle as opposed to my 'girth'

.

Like you, I opt for good equipment. I try and buy discontinued items form HockeyGiant/Monkey out of the US, get top of the line gear for 60-80% discounts. I have scored some serious deals on those sites, makes it slightly less painful.

Seems like you have a pretty good head on your shoulders Jamie, I'm sure you'll foster a love of the game and a good competitive sportsmanship in your son. Best of Luck. TC

Gongshow · #7 09-03-2010

My son is in the same boat as your son Willy, except my son is in novice. I don't believe a player should have to make the choice at such a young age on what position they want to play. They are still learning the game! This is his second year of novice and last year he was able to be a player and a goalie because there was another kid on his team who also wanted that. But this year, there are a couple of kids who want to be full time goalies (which is fine)but that kinda throws a monkey wrench into my sons game. If he tries out as a player and makes the same team as one of these goalies then he can't be a goalie and if he tries out as a gaolie and makes a team without a player that wants to play goal, then he is stuck at goal all year. I've spoken to the novice director about my concerns (he happens to be my neighbour) and he told me his hands are tied if the player registered as a goalie and wants to be a goalie then.......

Our novice evaluations start next week with three skates for players and an additional skate for the goalies. A player can come to all four skates as a goalie or three as a player and one as a goalie, which is what my son will do. Last year he played on team one and this year I am hoping for the same as he made some good friends on that team and they are all returning.

So in order to have a little bit of control over the goalie situation, i've volunteered to be a coach this year. I am also volunteering as an evaluator too and our tryouts start next weekend. the fun begins.

If i am chosen to be a coach, my philosophy is that it is nice to win but that is not why we are here. we are here to teach the kids the game and instill in them a love for the game so that they continuie to play the game long after their minor hockey league careers are over.

Jamie · #8 09-03-2010

Gong.
I am not sure what Organisation you are in.

How ever in Calgary Minor Hockey (Novice) there are no "Set" GT's
It should be rotated through the team. No one is forced to play, but it is highly encouraged.

Personally, unless you are on the number one team, I see no need for set GT's at any level below midget. Perhaps in Bantam you could go to the #1 and #2 teams having set GT's. But that's it. Not that you don't let the kid who has the most interest play the position as often as possible, but to have a back up GT is crazy stupid in my mind.
This thought process is just not allowing kids exposure to all that is available in hockey.

We did receive a call tonight that Willy didn't make the top 4. He didn't even frown. I think he is glad to have the chance to play with his friends. On a positive note, he was given the opportunity to play full time with another organisation, however he turned it down. We talked and he wants to work on his game and take another run at it next year. I told him I was very proud of his attitude.

Gong, I hope you get the chance to coach. It's the best thing I have ever done.

Jamie

Gongshow · #9 09-04-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Gong.
I am not sure what Organisation you are in.

How ever in Calgary Minor Hockey (Novice) there are no "Set" GT's
It should be rotated through the team. No one is forced to play, but it is highly encouraged.

Personally, unless you are on the number one team, I see no need for set GT's at any level below midget. Perhaps in Bantam you could go to the #1 and #2 teams having set GT's. But that's it. Not that you don't let the kid who has the most interest play the position as often as possible, but to have a back up GT is crazy stupid in my mind.
This thought process is just not allowing kids exposure to all that is available in hockey.

We did receive a call tonight that Willy didn't make the top 4. He didn't even frown. I think he is glad to have the chance to play with his friends. On a positive note, he was given the opportunity to play full time with another organisation, however he turned it down. We talked and he wants to work on his game and take another run at it next year. I told him I was very proud of his attitude.

Gong, I hope you get the chance to coach. It's the best thing I have ever done.

Jamie

Jamie,

we're in Edmonton, NEZ Eagles. Last year he played on team one and even then i saw no need for set gt's. Like I said, it's not my philosophy that winning is everything but if a player expresses an interest in playing goal, no matter what team number they're on then they should have the opportunity to give it a try. Last year, we had one goaltender decide halfway through the season that he didn't want to play goal anymore and another player who never played goal before decide she wanted to give it a try, and now i heard she is going to play full time goal in atom. So at novice, you can't pigeon hole them into positions.

I coached in initiation and had put my name in to coach last year but was not chosen (too many others with more experience) so i'm hoping this year to get chosen.

Tankman · #10 09-04-2010

Minor hockey is totally out of control,it's supposed to be about FUN,too much 'try-out' pressure IMO.Let the kids just play...........
BTW spring -summer hockey is all about making somebody richer !!Let the kids play out and get some sun on there backs - Again IMO.
TM.

Jamie · #11 09-04-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankman

Minor hockey is totally out of control,it's supposed to be about FUN,too much 'try-out' pressure IMO.Let the kids just play...........
BTW spring -summer hockey is all about making somebody richer !!Let the kids play out and get some sun on there backs - Again IMO.
TM.

Tank, though I cant speak for other places, here in Calgary we also have Rec league hockey for the kids.

I like Willy being in a competitive environment. And no not at "ANY" cost. but he needs to learn what it feels like to fail, and what it feels like to succeed. In the 4 years he has been doing this, there has been many highs and lows. Fortunate, he remembers the highs way more than the lows.

I think competition is great for the kids. (With in reason)
From our point of view (Heidi and I) we really like the way Minor hockey is run. I believe my kid is well taken care of in a great environment.

I am sure some will disagree as perhaps they believe their kid was treated unfairly or something like that. But over all, I am proud to support this group.

Jamie

goober · #12 09-06-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankman

Minor hockey is totally out of control,it's supposed to be about FUN,too much 'try-out' pressure IMO.Let the kids just play...........

Try outs are there to make it fun for the kids. If there were no try outs kids would not be playing with kids of equal or similar skill level and this would not be fun for anyone. As Jamie said try outs are also a great way to teach kids some of the important skills in life. To much of society today sets our kids up to succeed at everything, this is not true in the real world! Some of the best organizations both north and south in our province share very similar try out plans. Try outs should consist of both practice time and game time. Lots of kids wind up playing at a level they should not be at simply because they are a good practice player. You must have intersquad games to give all kids a fair chance. This is at all levels. Evaluations should be done by people with no ties to the players, bring in outsiders! This way all kids have a clean slate and you minimize some of the politics.

Espo · #13 09-07-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Some difficult decisions will need to made this year. He has the opportunity and a good-great chance to play ATom 1 or 2 this year. Unfortunately as being a GT that means he spends every 2nd game on the bench and never gets to play out. I think this is a highly unfair way of dealing with small kids. They will never learn a thing sitting on the bench.

Jamie

i always wondered why parents of goaltenders thought this was unfair. A goalie who plays every second game gets way more icetime then an "out" player. a goalie gets 60 minutes per game and an out player gets about 20 minutes of ice time. you will be surprized how much is learned by watching the game. sometimes making the choice to be a goaltender is not the best decision. inevitably by the time bantam age comes around most of the time they are the worst skaters on the team.

Jamie · #14 09-07-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espo

i always wondered why parents of goaltenders thought this was unfair. A goalie who plays every second game gets way more icetime then an "out" player. a goalie gets 60 minutes per game and an out player gets about 20 minutes of ice time. you will be surprized how much is learned by watching the game. sometimes making the choice to be a goaltender is not the best decision. inevitably by the time bantam age comes around most of the time they are the worst skaters on the team.

Espo, I don't think comparing "Ice" time for GT as compared to a forward is fair.
And yes I agree that spending time on the bench at the older levels is a great way to learn the game. But at this age, they would learn nothing.
As for the bad skater part, I agree as well and that's a pity, they should be the best skater on the team as far as balance and burst of speed go.
If you want to be a GT, you have to be a great skater. So, why not have them on the ice?

Anyhow, I doubt this is a problem that I will be able to solve on my own.

Forward and Defence tryouts start tonight for the Atoms. Willy has dug up his "Out" gear and cant wait to see the guys from last year. He is one pumped little fellow.

Good luck all on your tryouts.

Jamie

Shaggy · #15 09-07-2010

Best of luck to him Jamie. I'm sure if he plays with all his heart, he will be top pick for sure.

Espo · #16 09-07-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Espo, I don't think comparing "Ice" time for GT as compared to a forward is fair.
And yes I agree that spending time on the bench at the older levels is a great way to learn the game. But at this age, they would learn nothing.
As for the bad skater part, I agree as well and that's a pity, they should be the best skater on the team as far as balance and burst of speed go.
If you want to be a GT, you have to be a great skater. So, why not have them on the ice?

Anyhow, I doubt this is a problem that I will be able to solve on my own.

Forward and Defence tryouts start tonight for the Atoms. Willy has dug up his "Out" gear and cant wait to see the guys from last year. He is one pumped little fellow.

Good luck all on your tryouts.

Jamie

you are right jamie, the icetime for a gt is different then for a forward. saying that, if a player decides to play gt, and plays a full 60 min. it isn't fair for him to play out the next game and take icetime away from a forward. there has to be a level where the player decides to be a goalie or a skater. i'm not sure atom is the proper age.

Jamie · #17 09-11-2010

Well we are 3/5 of the way through Skater evals.
Willy started out slow but seems to have really found his groove. 4 Goals and a assist today.
I know I hurt his chances by not insisting he spend some time on regular skates before this started.

But on a positive note, he is playing with the majority of his friends. Unfortunately, his best friend seems to have jumped a level, but perhaps we will see him again once the teams are set.

As for me (And Grampa Jim) STUPID busy with volunteering. Dad has Evaluated each and every ice time for the Pee Wees along with helping run the benches for the Atom guys. Myself, I only have a couple of more hours on him due to the fact I need to be their a bit earlier and a bit later. Both of us are getting wore out. Today was 9-6:30 Friday night we were there until 10:45, Thursday had us there until 9 and Wed had us there until 10:30.
It's very rewarding however. The kids are all being great and cooperating. The parents are grateful and very thankful. I love it when a kid gets there early and pitches in to help with the jerseys.
Lots of jokes and lots of laughs.
Tomorrow is going to be tough with us getting started to pack up for the hunt at 7:30 followed by hockey till much later.
WHEW!!!!
How is everyone else's Evals going?

Jamie

Gongshow · #18 09-12-2010

We started our novice evaluations yesterday. It sure was fun to watch all the first year novices, so full of smiles and fun. The second years were a little more serious, but still had smiles on their faces, you could just tell that they went through this before. As for my son, he did o.k. (i just wish he would keep two hands on his stick!!!) He is going as a skater for the first three evaluations and then on the fourth he will go as a goalie. there are a couple of goalies who came out in their goalie gear but i heard there are some more players who are like my son, they want to play both and are waiting for the fourth evaluation to go as a goalie. i am off to the rink now for another four hour stint of evaluating. I love this time of year!

from Hockey Canada's website on player position....
I thought this was interesting as this is exactly my view on positions.
Player Evaluation and Selection
- 63 -
© Hockey Canada
APPENDICES
One question that will often be raised during the evaluation process is - "When should a player declare
the position that they want to play?" There is a tremendous amount of research that supports the belief
that a child should not specialize early - in fact the longer an athlete avoids specialization (especially in an
open ended dynamic game like hockey) potentially the greater skill they will gain to play all positions.

Alberta Hockey Dad · #19 11-18-2010

Hello all,

Jamie, I had to take the opportunity to applaud you. Without people doing the things you do for the kids, the experience for the kids degrades to the level of things that Tank is dealing with. I have seen many different sides of the sport, from the association executive level, team manager level, and parent level for both association and spring hockey streams. It can be rewarding, but only with the parents supporting the kids the way that you support yours.

It is very refreshing to see your commitment to not only your child's experience, but also the other kids on the team.

Thank you!

Jamie · #20 11-18-2010

Alberta..
Thank you so much for the nice comments.
It is a bunch of comitment, but worth every second.

I encourage everyone to go get involved, I promise you will get way more out of it then you put in.

Thanks again Alberta.

Jamie