Sure did know some of them.
I know a whole gaggle of them and they find comfort in the many D1 scholarship offers that are coming.
Parent 1: Dude, this season is getting really expensive
Parent 2: Yeah, but at least they can get a college scholarship out if it.
Parent 1: True, if they don't make it to the WHL or the NHL.
Meanwhile the hotdogs need turners in Lakewood and the pro shop at Anaheim has a future sharpener apprentice program.
Whenever I see someone go off on this topic this video always comes to mind - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjy_7haflaM
Whenever parents are told the reality and the statistical odds of their California kid getting a full ride D1 scholarship via ice hockey they prefer to ignore reality, get mad or post videos about how the messenger is 'Hating'.
The upcoming season will be our 6th in SCAHA and we have been around the "best" players and families for most of them...Talking BRICK players, AA or even AAA and in those 6 years I have never heard one parent, even parents that annoy the f out of me, say anything close to what you seem to say is a common discussion. Some parents hope for it? Sure, why not...but who doesnt hope their kids excel at a sport.
During these years I have heard plenty of people rip into BRICK, AA or even AAA players and close to 99% of the time is by parents of kids who didnt make those teams....so, again, let me leave you with a video because it is certain you are of the latter group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-sYTAHtzXM
You have been around Tier hockey for that long and never heard one parent talk about their kid getting or planning to get a scholarship? Then you have never actually been around tier hockey or you are straight up lying.
Let's talk numbers:
2016-2017 year1645 men rostered on NCAA Div 1 teams
1118 US men rostered on NCAA Div 1 teams
38 US men from CA rostered on NCAA Div 1 teams
7 US men from CA rostered o NCAA Div 1 teams that played in CA through 18AAA.
The other 31 men from California currently rostered on D1 teams left California to play
at a prep school or a high level JR. program by the time they were 15.
That would put the % of California players rostered on a D1 team in total at about 3.4% and the % of California players
who stayed to play in California thru 18 at about .75%.
This spans a 4 year recruiting block and includes players from freshmen to seniors.
If you factor in percentages taking height into consideration the numbers change dramatically and the % nosedives for sub 6' players.
There is no hate involved bro, its a matter of indisputable fact and I understand reading facts about the future possibilities in the sport
make people upset and squeamish, as there is a lot of time and money on the line.
That does not take away from the hard work, fun, discipline and fortitude that playing hockey can offer kids in return.