Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 3:36 pm Organization doesn’t matter.

Location either except for your own convenience.

What matters is coaching and especially a coach who will commit to developing the kids. This is AA not AAA and every member of the roster should have equal opportunity to grow and show what they can do. Ice time is one but also the willingness to be creative and try different combinations of players on PP and PK. And identifying what position your player is best suited to.

The “best” teams are unfortunately almost always going to be the ones that are structured to win.

I don’t think winning at U10 or U11 means anything. Of course nobody wants to lose every game but if you can have a fun season and be allowed to develop at your pace, you have struck gold.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 3:36 pm Organization doesn’t matter.

Location either except for your own convenience.

What matters is coaching and especially a coach who will commit to developing the kids. This is AA not AAA and every member of the roster should have equal opportunity to grow and show what they can do. Ice time is one but also the willingness to be creative and try different combinations of players on PP and PK. And identifying what position your player is best suited to.

The “best” teams are unfortunately almost always going to be the ones that are structured to win.

I don’t think winning at U10 or U11 means anything. Of course nobody wants to lose every game but if you can have a fun season and be allowed to develop at your pace, you have struck gold.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 4:06 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 3:36 pm Organization doesn’t matter.

Location either except for your own convenience.

What matters is coaching and especially a coach who will commit to developing the kids. This is AA not AAA and every member of the roster should have equal opportunity to grow and show what they can do. Ice time is one but also the willingness to be creative and try different combinations of players on PP and PK. And identifying what position your player is best suited to.

The “best” teams are unfortunately almost always going to be the ones that are structured to win.

I don’t think winning at U10 or U11 means anything. Of course nobody wants to lose every game but if you can have a fun season and be allowed to develop at your pace, you have struck gold.

Ya ya we've heard your nonsense several times already.

You would like to see players who arw not as steong decide gamea than the players that contribute on a game to game basis. What a ridiculous way of thinking.

You know nothing about development.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:24 am Curious why there always seems to be so much negativity directed at MB and, to a lesser extent, VR on this forum. From an outside perspective(we are in omha one more year), just trying to understand where it’s coming from and if there’s any true reasons for that as we’re considering one of the teams next season. One of my son’s buddies is with the MB and played against us last weekend, while a neighbor’s kid plays VR AA. Have seen kids from both programs last weekend playing against us in Everest, and they seemed skilled and respectful—just wondering what the issue is with these teams from those more in the know.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 5:59 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:24 am Curious why there always seems to be so much negativity directed at MB and, to a lesser extent, VR on this forum. From an outside perspective(we are in omha one more year), just trying to understand where it’s coming from and if there’s any true reasons for that as we’re considering one of the teams next season. One of my son’s buddies is with the MB and played against us last weekend, while a neighbor’s kid plays VR AA. Have seen kids from both programs last weekend playing against us in Everest, and they seemed skilled and respectful—just wondering what the issue is with these teams from those more in the know.

I would cautiously guess that many MNS parents are quite unfamiliar with minor sports. Winning the title seems to have come as a surprise—even to them—and now there’s a noticeable sense of superiority developing. From what I’ve gathered on this forum, they tied with MB and FT, and beat teams that had previously defeated either Beast or Toros. Naturally, that kind of result reinforces their belief in their team’s dominance.
Personally, I see real development as when a coach makes informed decisions about every player he brings on board—knowing exactly why he’s choosing them and how he plans to use them. Just as importantly, he’s fully transparent with the parents about his intentions.

In that sense, VP is a great example. To maximize individual attention and ice time, the coach deliberately kept the roster small. He didn’t take on players he wasn’t confident about. While they didn’t win the title, they ended up with the most players in the league moving on to AAA. It’s like a player accelerator

On the other hand, MNS seemed focused on chasing a title, largely because the coach is trying to establish himself in minor hockey. Aside from 2–3 players, the team was still made up of poor, slow skaters. Yes, they won the title, but barely anyone reached the AAA level—only one kid, and that was more due to his parents’ off-ice efforts than his actual ability. In a year their coach will go to Nats for example leaving poor kids behind

Beast follows a similar model to VP, but with a larger roster, which brings down the average level a bit. One player moved up to AAA, and another 1–2 received offers but declined.

Meanwhile, FT and VR are focused on building strong AA programs. They’re doing a great job and deserve credit for that as well.
Choose what corresponds with your expectations and you won’t regret. Avoid teams that are built around 1-2 players.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 5:59 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:24 am Curious why there always seems to be so much negativity directed at MB and, to a lesser extent, VR on this forum. From an outside perspective(we are in omha one more year), just trying to understand where it’s coming from and if there’s any true reasons for that as we’re considering one of the teams next season. One of my son’s buddies is with the MB and played against us last weekend, while a neighbor’s kid plays VR AA. Have seen kids from both programs last weekend playing against us in Everest, and they seemed skilled and respectful—just wondering what the issue is with these teams from those more in the know.

I would cautiously guess that many MNS parents are quite unfamiliar with minor sports. Winning the title seems to have come as a surprise—even to them—and now there’s a noticeable sense of superiority developing. From what I’ve gathered on this forum, they tied with MB and FT, and beat teams that had previously defeated either Beast or Toros. Naturally, that kind of result reinforces their belief in their team’s dominance.
Personally, I see real development as when a coach makes informed decisions about every player he brings on board—knowing exactly why he’s choosing them and how he plans to use them. Just as importantly, he’s fully transparent with the parents about his intentions.

In that sense, VP is a great example. To maximize individual attention and ice time, the coach deliberately kept the roster small. He didn’t take on players he wasn’t confident about. While they didn’t win the title, they ended up with the most players in the league moving on to AAA. It’s like a player accelerator

On the other hand, MNS seemed focused on chasing a title, largely because the coach is trying to establish himself in minor hockey. Aside from 2–3 players, the team was still made up of poor, slow skaters. Yes, they won the title, but barely anyone reached the AAA level—only one kid, and that was more due to his parents’ off-ice efforts than his actual ability. In a year their coach will go to Nats for example leaving poor kids behind

Beast follows a similar model to VP, but with a larger roster, which brings down the average level a bit. One player moved up to AAA, and another 1–2 received offers but declined.

Meanwhile, FT and VR are focused on building strong AA programs. They’re doing a great job and deserve credit for that as well.
Choose what corresponds with your expectations and you won’t regret. Avoid teams that are built around 1-2 players.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 5:59 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:24 am Curious why there always seems to be so much negativity directed at MB and, to a lesser extent, VR on this forum. From an outside perspective(we are in omha one more year), just trying to understand where it’s coming from and if there’s any true reasons for that as we’re considering one of the teams next season. One of my son’s buddies is with the MB and played against us last weekend, while a neighbor’s kid plays VR AA. Have seen kids from both programs last weekend playing against us in Everest, and they seemed skilled and respectful—just wondering what the issue is with these teams from those more in the know.

I would cautiously guess that many MNS parents are quite unfamiliar with minor sports. Winning the title seems to have come as a surprise—even to them—and now there’s a noticeable sense of superiority developing. From what I’ve gathered on this forum, they tied with MB and FT, and beat teams that had previously defeated either Beast or Toros. Naturally, that kind of result reinforces their belief in their team’s dominance.
Personally, I see real development as when a coach makes informed decisions about every player he brings on board—knowing exactly why he’s choosing them and how he plans to use them. Just as importantly, he’s fully transparent with the parents about his intentions.

In that sense, VP is a great example. To maximize individual attention and ice time, the coach deliberately kept the roster small. He didn’t take on players he wasn’t confident about. While they didn’t win the title, they ended up with the most players in the league moving on to AAA. It’s like a player accelerator

On the other hand, MNS seemed focused on chasing a title, largely because the coach is trying to establish himself in minor hockey. Aside from 2–3 players, the team was still made up of poor, slow skaters. Yes, they won the title, but barely anyone reached the AAA level—only one kid, and that was more due to his parents’ off-ice efforts than his actual ability. In a year their coach will go to Nats for example leaving poor kids behind

Beast follows a similar model to VP, but with a larger roster, which brings down the average level a bit. One player moved up to AAA, and another 1–2 received offers but declined.

Meanwhile, FT and VR are focused on building strong AA programs. They’re doing a great job and deserve credit for that as well.
Choose what corresponds with your expectations and you won’t regret. Avoid teams that are built around 1-2 players.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 5:52 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 4:06 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 3:36 pm Organization doesn’t matter.

Location either except for your own convenience.

What matters is coaching and especially a coach who will commit to developing the kids. This is AA not AAA and every member of the roster should have equal opportunity to grow and show what they can do. Ice time is one but also the willingness to be creative and try different combinations of players on PP and PK. And identifying what position your player is best suited to.

The “best” teams are unfortunately almost always going to be the ones that are structured to win.

I don’t think winning at U10 or U11 means anything. Of course nobody wants to lose every game but if you can have a fun season and be allowed to develop at your pace, you have struck gold.

Ya ya we've heard your nonsense several times already.

You would like to see players who arw not as steong decide gamea than the players that contribute on a game to game basis. What a ridiculous way of thinking.

You know nothing about development.

Nothing in my post should be seen as controversial by anybody here. It’s plain common sense. It seems some of you want a higher level of competition; this is why AAA exists as an option for you. It seems like you might fit in there.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 10:48 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 5:59 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:24 am Curious why there always seems to be so much negativity directed at MB and, to a lesser extent, VR on this forum. From an outside perspective(we are in omha one more year), just trying to understand where it’s coming from and if there’s any true reasons for that as we’re considering one of the teams next season. One of my son’s buddies is with the MB and played against us last weekend, while a neighbor’s kid plays VR AA. Have seen kids from both programs last weekend playing against us in Everest, and they seemed skilled and respectful—just wondering what the issue is with these teams from those more in the know.

I would cautiously guess that many MNS parents are quite unfamiliar with minor sports. Winning the title seems to have come as a surprise—even to them—and now there’s a noticeable sense of superiority developing. From what I’ve gathered on this forum, they tied with MB and FT, and beat teams that had previously defeated either Beast or Toros. Naturally, that kind of result reinforces their belief in their team’s dominance.
Personally, I see real development as when a coach makes informed decisions about every player he brings on board—knowing exactly why he’s choosing them and how he plans to use them. Just as importantly, he’s fully transparent with the parents about his intentions.

In that sense, VP is a great example. To maximize individual attention and ice time, the coach deliberately kept the roster small. He didn’t take on players he wasn’t confident about. While they didn’t win the title, they ended up with the most players in the league moving on to AAA. It’s like a player accelerator

On the other hand, MNS seemed focused on chasing a title, largely because the coach is trying to establish himself in minor hockey. Aside from 2–3 players, the team was still made up of poor, slow skaters. Yes, they won the title, but barely anyone reached the AAA level—only one kid, and that was more due to his parents’ off-ice efforts than his actual ability. In a year their coach will go to Nats for example leaving poor kids behind

Beast follows a similar model to VP, but with a larger roster, which brings down the average level a bit. One player moved up to AAA, and another 1–2 received offers but declined.

Meanwhile, FT and VR are focused on building strong AA programs. They’re doing a great job and deserve credit for that as well.
Choose what corresponds with your expectations and you won’t regret. Avoid teams that are built around 1-2 players.

The team that had the most players move up was the team my son was on. NYK had 5 move up to AAA, and two others had offers but chose to remain as they weren’t good fits. We were also very happy for our coach who also earned the opportunity to move up.