My rant against youth hockey's structure, particularly as it pertains to girls

[Jason Harris 31]

I started a thread on Facebook, which I thought might resonate with some people here, so I'll post what I wrote and see if others have had similar experience.

FIRST POST:

They just don't get it.

We had the parents' meeting for the girls' hockey team tonight, so I asked if we'd be playing the college teams again.

"Yes, but we won't be part of the WAC. We'll be helping the new AA league."

"What AA league?"

"They're trying to start a new league with Anaheim, Salt Lake City, Wyoming, Montana, some Canadian teams. If they're trying to get it going, we have to give them a sincere effort to help."

Sure, because who'd want to play at a rink one thousand meters away, when their high schooler can play a "league" game one thousand miles away??

And in the same breath, they wonder why the sport isn't growing....

BUDDY's REPLY:

It's so that at the next high society party, the parents can feign annoyance that they have to travel to Montana because Muffy is playing in a pro-level hockey tournament. Kids today....

MY RESPONSE:

It's crazy.

Lauren has the smarts but not likely the strength to ever make AAA, while Liss is borderline, but we never considered them playing because the commitment is just stupid -- $10K-$15K and 19 school days lost last season!

We joined the AA team that's closer to us, since the old team went to the same format, and it's like they're mini-me's of AAA. Effectively, players can't play another sport if it conflicts, which should never happen since hockey is a winter sport and softball and soccer are spring and fall, but our first practices were in August! I bet the girls will miss five days of school. Just because. Just because they had to play hockey games in Helena, Montana. And that's this year, before we become part of the "league."

I'm considering having them play A next year, which is a significant drop off in talent and has its own crazy travel driving 4-6 hours away, since there are maybe four A teams in the metro area, even though there are fifteen-plus rinks with House, B, A and AA boys teams. And why is that? Because all these adults are so intent on building "nationally recognized programs" that their attitude spits out the newbies trying to take up hockey.

Compare it to girls lacrosse, which has zoomed past girls hockey in what seems to be not much more than a decade. Sure, field time costs less than ice time, but with over fifty high school teams, there's no other way to look at it than their model is welcoming to newcomers, while girls hockey -- intentionally or not -- is elitist.

Anyone else think USA Hockey, in their search for more easily identifying prospects for the national team, has effectively created a structure that stunts the sport?

[Chadd 916]

Anyone else think USA Hockey, in their search for more easily identifying prospects for the national team, has effectively created a structure that stunts the sport?

If you are not an elite player in the US, your job is to fund programs for the elite players for USA Hockey.

[DarkStar50 679]

Unfortunately, the USA Hockey girls talent pool is much thinner than boys with NDTP and such. This is reflected in your considering in moving down from AAA, now AA, to possibly A next season. Considering the geographic location, Colorado, the opportunity for quality competition narrows quickly. Certainly the elite girls hockey players in this district realize they must leave the area if they are to move up the pyramid. As with the boys, there will always be those left in the wake behind. I honestly believe the focus should be on hockey as a sport for life, for the long term player's benefit, not as a long shot possible short term benefit to a college scholarship. The probability of a scholarship is against the overwhelming majority of hockey players, boys or girls.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

Hockey is too expensive. It's tough to reach kids at their youth when you can play football, basketball, baseball, etc. at a much cheaper price. Until hockey gets cheaper, which we all know it never will, hockey isn't going to expand/grow at the same rate as the other major/popular sports here in the USA (I'm sure it's the same in Canada to lesser extent of course).

[bandits_5 18]

little league baseball used to be a monopoly . Now there is cal ripken, vfw, babe ruth , etc.... Well USA Hockey IS a monopoly. Until people say " Ive had enough" and they start their own sanctioning bodies , there's nothing you can do. I despise USAH , but there's nothing I can do........

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

I just paid them $45 so that I can play in a beer league. Cash going straight to kids with a sense of entitlement and the parents who live vicariously through them. :)

[Chadd 916]

I just paid them $45 so that I can play in a beer league. Cash going straight to kids with a sense of entitlement and the parents who live vicariously through them. :)

Our league went with USAH for adult registration after they were threatened with being shut out of any sanctioned tournaments unless all leagues at the rink were USAH registered. The massive increase in adult dues/registrations has helped hide the decline in youth hockey over the last several years.

[Zjack38 46]

I started a thread on Facebook, which I thought might resonate with some people here, so I'll post what I wrote and see if others have had similar experience.

FIRST POST:

They just don't get it.

We had the parents' meeting for the girls' hockey team tonight, so I asked if we'd be playing the college teams again.

"Yes, but we won't be part of the WAC. We'll be helping the new AA league."

"What AA league?"

"They're trying to start a new league with Anaheim, Salt Lake City, Wyoming, Montana, some Canadian teams. If they're trying to get it going, we have to give them a sincere effort to help."

Sure, because who'd want to play at a rink one thousand meters away, when their high schooler can play a "league" game one thousand miles away??

And in the same breath, they wonder why the sport isn't growing....

We joined the AA team that's closer to us, since the old team went to the same format, and it's like they're mini-me's of AAA. Effectively, players can't play another sport if it conflicts, which should never happen since hockey is a winter sport and softball and soccer are spring and fall, but our first practices were in August! I bet the girls will miss five days of school. Just because. Just because they had to play hockey games in Helena, Montana. And that's this year, before we become part of the "league."

5 days is nothing I'm missing 12 days this year for hockey!!! And can't you take your school work with you when you miss school? Just a suggestion. Also about what if they want to play another sport, when your growing up, your going to have to make tough descions when growing up, and if they truly love hockey, then they would easily give up another sport or two to play it, so let them decide. Last thing, as you get older, and better your going to play all year, so you can develop your skills more. All around the country most kids AA and up are playing all year around, and many love even though they would like to play baseball, they choose hockey over baseball.

I'm considering having them play A next year, which is a significant drop off in talent and has its own crazy travel driving 4-6 hours away, since there are maybe four A teams in the metro area, even though there are fifteen-plus rinks with House, B, A and AA boys teams. And why is that? Because all these adults are so intent on building "nationally recognized programs" that their attitude spits out the newbies trying to take up hockey.

Honestly, if I was you If they are good enough try to get them into a boys league A,AA whatever so there would be less driving, and so you don't have to go to games see if they can ride with someone else. As I said before though let them decide, and if there grades drop off from there average, don't let them play until there grades are back up.

[Chadd 916]

Honestly, if I was you If they are good enough try to get them into a boys league A,AA whatever so there would be less driving, and so you don't have to go to games see if they can ride with someone else. As I said before though let them decide, and if there grades drop off from there average, don't let them play until there grades are back up.

I wouldn't consider doing that with midget aged girls unless they were exceptionally talented. And even then, I would probably suggest that a parent deal with the extra traveling for the girls team.

[chk hrd 164]

Here is an article about playing girls in high level boys leagues:

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/Gregor+Where+female+hockey+players+most/8885644/story.html

[hunterphfr 12]

I wouldn't consider doing that with midget aged girls unless they were exceptionally talented. And even then, I would probably suggest that a parent deal with the extra traveling for the girls team.

We've just been inundated here in the state of Florida by both USA Hockey and SAHOF (the state governing body) regarding the new USA Hockey rules. They have pretty much mandated that the new rules will be stringently enforced. USA Hockey has basically said their desire is for the new rules to have an effect on the more physical and aggressive side of hockey, similar to what the

anti-obstruction rules had on clutch and grab hockey. The lines between men's and women's hockey could become very blurred. Especially in smaller market areas like Florida where they are fairly murky at best to begin with.

[Chadd 916]

We've just been inundated here in the state of Florida by both USA Hockey and SAHOF (the state governing body) regarding the new USA Hockey rules. They have pretty much mandated that the new rules will be stringently enforced. USA Hockey has basically said their desire is for the new rules to have an effect on the more physical and aggressive side of hockey, similar to what the

anti-obstruction rules had on clutch and grab hockey. The lines between men's and women's hockey could become very blurred. Especially in smaller market areas like Florida where they are fairly murky at best to begin with.

I really like the direction USA Hockey is trying to go. However, I have no faith that it will actually be called that way.

[ktang 34]

Here is an article about playing girls in high level boys leagues:

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/Gregor+Where+female+hockey+players+most/8885644/story.html

Davidson's observations match what I've seen on the ice. The girls that stay in boys' hockey don't seem to develop puck skills because they don't have enough time and space, so they compete by being muckers.