Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:56 am

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 9:58 am I am down to the wire trying to make a decision for my kid. Given the top 4 or 5 teams this year will be going toe-to-toe with each other and having tight games, I think it seems like a rare year where if you're a strong goalie it would actually make sense to play for a top team. Lots of shots in competitive G games plus top-end tournament games and finals. Better shots in practice. I'd assume it would be better for my goalie's reputation moving forward too. Thoughts on this?

The worst place for a goalie at U10 is on a top 3 team. That is where goalies go to fizzle away. Find 4-8 team and see lots of game shots and still get some wins. Go to the top team at u13 + . I have a goalie kid who went through it all. Any top goalie parent will tell you this. The notion that the practice shots are better is whacky--- you think the 1st place team has better shooters than the 5th place team that actually will make a difference in practice.... nope.
Any top goalie on a top 2 team will not be a top goalie for long.

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 12:16 pm Find a coach that treats your kid with respect, communicates and is reasonable with play time and decisions in game.

Goalie performance/improvement is:

75% Private goalie lessons / fitness / effort / interest / diet
20% Games Situation
5% Team Practice

Take my opinion for what it is, just an opinion. I would never want to be on a team where the kid in MOST games barely sees a shot. But, anything below that situation (which tends to go away after U10/U11 because most teams catch up and games are mostly competitive.) you should be good.

coaching, friend group, parent group matters SOOOO much more. Anyone telling you different isn't in hockey for the right reasons.

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 12:21 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 12:16 pm Find a coach that treats your kid with respect, communicates and is reasonable with play time and decisions in game.

Goalie performance/improvement is:

75% Private goalie lessons / fitness / effort / interest / diet
20% Games Situation
5% Team Practice

Take my opinion for what it is, just an opinion. I would never want to be on a team where the kid in MOST games barely sees a shot. But, anything below that situation (which tends to go away after U10/U11 because most teams catch up and games are mostly competitive.) you should be good.

coaching, friend group, parent group matters SOOOO much more. Anyone telling you different isn't in hockey for the right reasons.

100% couldn't agree with this more

finding a great coach who knows how to work with goalies mental game, inspires and motivates throughout the season and challenges them when the time is right is hard to find. Your kid will grow if placed on a team with the right people surrounding him, top team or not

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 9:15 pm The kids who are best in u7 /u8 are hardly the best at u15
The parents probably know nothing about hockey and the kid is probably a goal suck who is already past his best days

Guest wrote: ↑Mon Mar 17, 2025 4:00 pm Markham will have the coaches son who is nowhere near AAA ready. Stouffville MD kids, last minute AAA cuts… there will be no “official” core.

Guest wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:36 am

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 9:15 pm The kids who are best in u7 /u8 are hardly the best at u15
The parents probably know nothing about hockey and the kid is probably a goal suck who is already past his best days

Are u dumb? You sound like you know nothing about hockey what a dumb thing to post. Best u7/u8 will still be the best at u15. Look at the history of the sport. Majority of the players drafted ohl/nhl were best kids at u7/u8

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 9:58 am I am down to the wire trying to make a decision for my kid. Given the top 4 or 5 teams this year will be going toe-to-toe with each other and having tight games, I think it seems like a rare year where if you're a strong goalie it would actually make sense to play for a top team. Lots of shots in competitive G games plus top-end tournament games and finals. Better shots in practice. I'd assume it would be better for my goalie's reputation moving forward too. Thoughts on this?

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:56 am

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 9:58 am I am down to the wire trying to make a decision for my kid. Given the top 4 or 5 teams this year will be going toe-to-toe with each other and having tight games, I think it seems like a rare year where if you're a strong goalie it would actually make sense to play for a top team. Lots of shots in competitive G games plus top-end tournament games and finals. Better shots in practice. I'd assume it would be better for my goalie's reputation moving forward too. Thoughts on this?

The worst place for a goalie at U10 is on a top 3 team. That is where goalies go to fizzle away. Find 4-8 team and see lots of game shots and still get some wins. Go to the top team at u13 + . I have a goalie kid who went through it all. Any top goalie parent will tell you this. The notion that the practice shots are better is whacky--- you think the 1st place team has better shooters than the 5th place team that actually will make a difference in practice.... nope.
Any top goalie on a top 2 team will not be a top goalie for long.

Guest wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:25 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:36 am

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 9:15 pm The kids who are best in u7 /u8 are hardly the best at u15
The parents probably know nothing about hockey and the kid is probably a goal suck who is already past his best days

Are u dumb? You sound like you know nothing about hockey what a dumb thing to post. Best u7/u8 will still be the best at u15. Look at the history of the sport. Majority of the players drafted ohl/nhl were best kids at u7/u8

There are still no shortage of top kids on top teams who are just the mediocre kids of over ambitious coaches.