Hockey advice REALLY REALLY NEEDED SO HELP ME

[Zjack38 46]

I made a really good u16 team that plays in the naphl but my parents don't want to spend the money, and they want me to play high school hockey at my school instead, and my school sucks at hockey. What should I do? Convince them to let me play or be the stud hockey freshman at my school ;) lol I can't believe I just said that.

[Kyle Friedman 9]

If you can, convince them to let you play at the highest level you can compete in. Being "the stud hockey freshman" wont help your game, and you wont have fun when youre the only one out there who can skate.

[Chadd 916]

Offer to get a job and contribute some/all of the cost. Then actually do it. If it's something you really want, then you should be willing to work in order to make it happen.

[Crossen463 8]

If you're serious about playing, do whatever it takes to play at the highest level. Within the realm of good taste, of course. Chad's idea is practical and helpful. If you really are passionate about the sport, then don't miss any opportunities.You don't want to be saying "what if" further down the road.

[McDugan 89]

Agreeing with Chadd, but to expand on it...

This is the kind of decision we all face at some point in life. Maybe not with regard to athletics, but it's the kind of hard choice you learn how to make. Unfortunately in most situations, you don't have to start making choices with this level of repercussions until you're a good deal older. That said, giving this a lot of thought and careful consideration will equip you very well for the kinds of things you'll have to decide for the rest of your life - where to live, what you want to do for a living, study in college (whether to go to college), etc.

You need to consider a lot:

What does this involve? Is this a live-away thing? If not, how much extra time does it require of you and your parents? Extra money? Do you truly feel equipped to handle your life as it is with this commitment added? Do you have siblings whose extracurricular opportunities might be affected?

How much do you want this? (Is it something you're willing to dedicate yourself to at the expense of free time and many other aspects of your life?)

Where does it have the potential to lead? (Do you think you can develop and keep playing competitive hockey at higher levels?)

If it does open doors for you, will you be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to pursue those opportunities (living away from home, etc.)

What is the role of your parents/family in your life? (Is it important to you to be with them?)

Are your parents truly able to make this happen for you, but unwilling, or do they not have the means to do so? (The answer to this shouldn't necessarily change your willingness to make your own contribution, BUT is this something that is just impossible for your family?)

[Jason Harris 31]

I will give you an answer from the parents' perspective, since I have two daughters about your age who play hockey.

There are no juniors or midget major/minor for girls; the highest level is Tier I or AAA. There is one organization in Colorado with U14, U16 and U19 AAA teams; based on my younger daughter playing U19AA as a 12-year-old, as well as a comparison to other girls she's played with/against, I'd say she would have had a good chance to make the U14 team. But we didn't even consider having her tryout. The organization states the cost is as much as $15K annually. What's the payoff for that? Only a handful of girls have earned scholarships over the years from Colorado, so what's the best that could happen for a family that has their daughter play five or six years of AAA, which could be as much as $90K spent over the years?

At best, they'd have essentially prepaid for two years of college, although they'd be given four years free. But one of the best girls on the "high school team" -- it's broken up geographically versus per school -- spent about five years of AAA and is going to a Division III school that was one of her lesser choices. I'm pretty confident she will be able to play hockey, but the only financial help she will receive is based on her family income, not because she plays hockey. So let's say her family paid $60K to $75K for her to play at the highest level offered in the state, then will have to pay $120K to $200K for her to go to college, depending on financial assistance.

So my question to you is, "Do you really have a chance to go far enough to make it worth your family investing thousands toward your college or juniors?"

That's the most important question you and your family has to decide.

[Zjack38 46]

The organization states the cost is as much as $15K annually.

Thats a lot of money, the team im deciding on is $4K, and they do fundraisers to cover travel prices and stuff, and they have jersey sponsors to buy the jerseys. But i guess my families kind of poor so ya.

[Chadd 916]

Thats a lot of money, the team im deciding on is $4K, and they do fundraisers to cover travel prices and stuff, and they have jersey sponsors to buy the jerseys. But i guess my families kind of poor so ya.

A lot of families don't have $4k in extra money, there's no shame in that. Like I said before; if you want to do it, find a way to make the money yourself. Playing high school hockey isn't a death sentence for your career either. You just have to work your ass off and not play "down" to the level you think the rest of the team/league is playing. If you are the best player on the ice every night, game in and game out, you will get a chance to play at a higher level.