Guest wrote: ↑Mon Apr 21, 2025 4:25 pmRebels moving from not making the playoffs -with most of their regular season success coming from a hot goaltender- to 4th place is ludicrous.Guest wrote: ↑Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:51 pm No drama, no bias — just a real take from someone coaching in the loop. I don’t have a kid in the mix, and I’m not here to push anyone’s narrative. This is how I see the teams stacking up heading into the season:
1. TM – The Brick pulls in U11. No surprise here — high-end skill across the board.
2. JRC – Long-term vision. Some kids left unhappy with structure, but the group that stayed will be stronger for it.
3. DMF – Picked up legit talent. Big question mark is whether RE can manage the egos, especially around the first line.
4. REB – Sleeper pick. Strong additions and very disciplined coaching staff.
5. NATS – Built for when contact hits, but we’re not there yet. HC is more focused on off-ice chatter with “prospects” than on development.
6. NYR – AK has deep OMHA ties through Bulldogs and his camps and a solid reputation. Attracted the most OMHA replacements only next to TRW. TBD.
7. TT – Total wildcard. Could finish much higher… or lower. Belissimo is unproven at this age group, and the imports from JRC, NYR, etc., aren’t game-changers. TBD.
8. VK – Strong overall program, but parent interference and immature coaching are holding them back.
9. REPS – One of the best team cultures around. MC brings a pro vibe, but with only 3 roster changes, they are likely to fall by overlooking the OMHA and other kids that are developing faster than their roster.
10. SENS – Quality coaches, but recruiting continues to be their Achilles' heel.
11. TRW – Ambitious attempt to become an OMHA force, but execution has been poor.
12. MM – Tough road ahead. Parent group lacks cohesion, and AE burned a lot of bridges with how he handled spring skates.
MM finishing last after a strong playoff, retaining all their best players and recruiting well for next year just doesn't make any sense.
NYR retaining 6th place after losing most, if not all, of their top players is nuts.
Nats were the recruiting winners thanks to the "off-ice chatter" and will give TM a run for third.
No surprise that JRC and DMF will be battling it out for first. Lots of talent on both teams, the difference will probably be the coaching.
Rebels - 4th to 6th is realistic. The team has improved under good coaching and some good pickups.
MM - weak playoffs. They got in because the other teams were terrible. With open boarders, the meat of the league is significantly better. MM picked up nobody of worth and continues to play Estmayter (coach's nephew) and Fralick (parent controls the team) every second shift. Nobody will stand for that for more than a year.
NYR - landing spot for OMHA kids. Unknown how they will do. Got rid of Kitchen and ZL and will be better for it. Nobody needs crazy mom/dad in the dressing room.
NATS - hard to say how they will do. The team is chippy which worked when other kids couldn't handle it, but now that everyone is growing expect a tough stud somewhere to dummy Farrone's kid with a one punch.
