Kevin

Are you back with the Avalanche this season? I know it's early but I really think we made a good move to the Rockets and also a good move keeping him on the tier 2 Squirt AA team. We had an early tourney at Amerihealth this past weekend and the team looks pretty solid.

I didn't comment originally because I thought you were joking! I can't believe that they will try that level at that age...I'm curious how many of those kids are still playing by the time they hit 15.

My son made the highest Tier 2 squirt team at the new place. They told us that are team will be practicing with the Tier 1 kids the whole season so that they can keep a constant evaluation of all the players between the two teams. Our team is made up of all 05's (just like the Tier 1) so roster changes could be made up until December 31 (or so they say). There are some real talented kids on both teams. My son is excited about what this season can bring.

Thank you! It's amazing how many parents lose sight of the fun part. They're just kids playing a game. Let them enjoy it a bit!

It will actually be his 3rd year squirt since he played it as an 8 y.o. I'd like to wait until his bantam years, truthfully, but I fear that the ice time/coaching might give the current Tier 1 kids a real leg up going forward. We'll see. Hopefully it all works out but regardless, he'll still be having fun playing wherever he ends up. I'm actually kind of happy that our tryouts are close to the end of the regular season. Once they are done then he gets a complete break from hockey for a little bit while he plays baseball.

How have tryouts gone for everyone so far? After consideration, and looking at the schedule, we decided against having our '05 try out for AAA this season. One more season and one more year under his belt and I think he'll be more ready for it next season. We are still gearing up for the Tier II tryouts which should be at the beginning of next week.

Thanks, I saw it on their website but I haven't got an invite. I'll call the girl I talked to the other day tomorrow to see what's up.

I was wondering what the holdup was. Not good.

That's real good news. Hopefully that creates some stability there which would be good moving forward with my son. Let me know if you have any info on the coaches once the list is posted.

Yep. Laurel, MD. Capital Showdown. One of the games is in Annapolis at the Naval Academy so that is pretty cool.

I appreciate that. We'll be heading down to Maryland to cap off this season that has been memorable for too many of the wrong reasons. Hopefully the kids can put it all together to make our last games of the season memorable for the right reasons! I should be in a real good frame of mind tomorrow considering I'm stuck at work until 700 tomorrow morning then have to drive to Maryland around 12:30 or so....

That launch platform just seems to be an unnecessary injury risk for training. Some of the backwards, cross-over, stuff looks good though.

When I spoke to the woman today she said the news of the deal was "hot off the presses" when I questioned her about it. I hope it happens since it's a 20 minute ride for me and generally I've heard that they have some good coaches in the program.

These are the drills my son does routinely at practice. Except for the inside edge with his hand on the ice...I don't think he's ready for that one lol.

I was finally able to get in touch with the NJ Rockets. Apparently the deal went through with Bridgewater Sports Arena after all. The Vanderbeeks, I believe, have taken over operation of BSA and are planning on building two new rinks there. They invited my son to the clinics there in a couple of weeks. The Bridgewater Bears were also playing out of BSA but the woman I spoke to said that they are now getting swallowed by the Rockets. She seemed to think that there were going to be a lot of different levels, including Tier II AA for squirt so that is what I think we are going to do. You are right about the Pee wee B thing. I know that it's not a real high level but I thought that he might be able to gain more, playing against older kids, than dominating on the squirt A level. The squirt AA level is perfect for him, imo.

It's not something I'm seeking out. The NJ Rockets are offering clinics to their returning players and put that on their site as "biomechanical training techniques". I found it strange and different than any other style I've see taught.

Saw this being offered at a local program. What is everyone's thoughts on this type of training? Seems a little much to me but maybe it's effective?

I actually did a little happy dance when my middle guy decided against playing ice hockey...

The clinics might be a possibility. It would also give me an idea of where he really stacks up. I'll keep you posted if we sign up for them. Thanks!

Yes, he's an 05 and we're about 45 minutes from Mennan. I heard that ProTech is suing Vanderbeek too due to failed promises about ice time from two years ago. Bridgewater would have been ideal since I live in Hillsborough and work in Somerville. Here's the article about ProTech suing Vanderbeek: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2015/02/11/jeff-vanderbeek-new-jersey-rockets-rebels-protechockey-lawsuit/23250227/

What are you thoughts about the Rockets? I think that is the team that covers my area. I am hesitant to go Tier 1 as a squirt just due to the cost and there are so many things that can change over the course of the next few years with his development. I know my son loves hockey but I am not quite sure if the demands and pressure of a Tier 1 would be too much for him at this point. Maybe its something that he might be more ready for next year as a Pee-Wee minor.

The program that my son currently belongs to has only an 'A' and a 'B' team at the squirt level. This is in Tier 2. I believe that Tier 1 in NJ is somewhat regionalized. Mikey probably knows a hell of a lot more about this than I do but I think that there is a 50 mile area that covers each Tier 1 area and other rinks in that area wouldn't be able to produce a team. The Tier 1 in my area is the Rockets I believe. At the Pee Wee level my rink has a "AA", "A", and "B" teams.

I should have been a little more clear. He is currently playing Squirt A and the rink that we are at does not offer a AA team. For us, if we stay there, he would be playing a second year of Squirt A. I'm not going to say he dominated because we ran into a few kids on other teams that did just that, but he certainly was one of the better kids out there. As far as Tier 1 is concerned, we have thought about it but I'm not ready at this time to make that commitment. I wanted to see how much he grows as a player before that becomes an option. I was thinking first year Bantam to do that, if he is capable at that time. I said PW B because I know he can handle it and he would really only be playing up one year (because most of PW B that I've seen are 11 y.o's.). I know that physically he would not be ready to play against 12 y.o's (PW A) and I don't think it would be good for his psyche. My initial idea was PW B next season, PW A, then PW AA by his 12 y.o. year.

So I guess everyone's seasons are winding down right about now. I know my son's team is gearing up for their final tourney in Maryland on March 6th and then it's basically getting ready for next season's tryouts. I'm not sure if we've already discussed this here but what are your guys thoughts on playing up? My son played up as an 8 y.o. on squirt last year and is now a second year squirt this season. He's had a real good year albeit on a not so succesful team. I'm considering having him tryout for pee-wee this season with the hopes that he plays pee-wee b this year as a 10 y.o. Thoughts?

Coach just called a parent meeting after practice on Tuesday. Should be interesting!