Hello: looking for advice I can pass along to my 14 y/o son.
he started hockey late (played lacrosse and football) but is a very good overall athlete, so he has learned the game quickly.
He tried out locally for travel hockey this spring and has two offers from his two tryouts.
one is for a non-tier Bantam A team, they are established and last year won the state championship for their league.
The other offer is for a Bantam AA tier 2 team. The rub is that this is their first season and clearly at tryouts the kids there were not as good as the ones we have seen trying out for other Bantam AA teams in our area.
the AA team has 4 practices and most are full ice, and a very good HC and power skating coach.
The A team has three half ice and one full ice practice, and seems to play a “slower game” but the coaches are solid.
so the way I see it is he can play AA hockey this year on a team that may struggle to win games but has good coaching and focuses on development.
OR he can play For a non tier A team that will compete and win games, but play at an overall less Competitive level and face slower skaters.
His is goal is to make it to AAA if possible, but certainly AA next year if not this season.
What would you advise if you were in my shoes? Really want to help this kid make the right call. He’s got such a good attitude and work ethic. Really appreciate any feedback I can pass along.
thanks a million!