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Hockey Discussions => Peewee Hockey => Topic started by: NJ to SoCal on April 07, 2017, 09:35:18 AM
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We are moving to Southern Cal (Laguna Niguel area) from NJ in July. I have an 05 PeeWee that was set to play AA for the NJ Devils Youth org...before we found out that we are moving. I need your collective advice / direction please.
I'm starting the research on youth travel hockey, but my first question is how far is too far to drive for practices? Can I avoid the hour drive each way to the rink? Is there a travel program close to this area or am I in for a hike no matter what?
And what programs do your kids play for? I've already assumed we would have to fly out to try out 1st weekend in June.
Any advice is appreciated. Finding a lacrosse program seems easier!
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Here is the list of clubs for you:
http://www.scaha.com/scaha/viewallclubs.xhtml;jsessionid=44D40904A6A9DFF65DA5BBF42D7928CB (http://www.scaha.com/scaha/viewallclubs.xhtml;jsessionid=44D40904A6A9DFF65DA5BBF42D7928CB)
It looks like the Jr Ducks or Jr Kings (Depending on which rink they have your team practice) would be the closest.
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You may wish to look into the Ice Palace program in Aliso Viejo. From what I hear, they are trying to start a club this year. Currently they have had tournament teams that travel but from what I hear it's not weekly competition. Thus, if you are worried about traffic and traveling. However, you should probably know just about every rink will require traveling from South OC. Particularly for games. For practices, driving from South OC to Lakewood during the weekday will take about 1-1 1/2 hrs in traffic. Anaheim may be about the same depending on which route you take. There are also the San Diego teams. There is a Saints Peewee AA team playing out of Carlsbad which is about 45 min South.
Unfortunately, there are way too many people in Southern California and traffic and distance are somethings you probably won't be able to escape.
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Orange County Hockey is also an option. They play out of Yorba Linda and will have a Pee Wee AA tean. They draw a lot of kids from the area you will be moving to and if you use the toll road it would probably be your quickest commute.
If you want to play at the AA level, the Aliso Viejo Ice Palace is not an option. They don't have AA caliber kids and even if they formed a club it would likely be several years before they could have an AA team. Aliso is a good option for skating lessons and sticktimes.
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San Diego Saints have PWAA team playing out of Carlsbad which is fairly close to Laguna Niguel. I believe they are a core 05 team.
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Thanks all for the quick responses. I get the feeling that it's either travel 1 hour + to play AA or hope Aliso forms an A team. No worries traveling well over an hour for a game - it's the 3 times a week for practice I'm worried about.
The Jr Ducks said they can have practices at Aliso or Lake Forest (great!) but the other rinks seem like a haul. I guess I need to follow up with them to see who practices where.
And I thought Northern NJ had too many people! Forgive my ignorance, but which is the toll road that could save some time?
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Orange County Hockey Club is likely your best answer for 2005 AA next season. Toll roads 133 and 241 will take you at 70+ MPH basically the whole way from Laguna Niguel. Ideally, the 2018-19 season will bring the brand new 4-sheet rink in Irvine to your area (assuming construction goes as scheduled).
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Welcome to Hockey Utopia! "Hotel California" is a must listen on your way out West. :D :D
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Below is some info for the San Diego Saints PWAA out of Carlsbad, CA.
The Saints have has many families drive to Carlsbad to play for our organization. The drive is much better that going north and hitting terrible traffic! This team will be made up of mainly experienced 2005 players..
Information for San Diego Saints 2017/18:
Returning Head coach Josh Robinson will be joined by assistant coach Matt Beaty for the 2017/18 season.
This team will practice and play out of CARLSBAD,CA.
Josh has a wealth of hockey experience and his communication skills with kids this age are second to none.
CLINICS-CARLSBAD
SAN DIEGO SAINTS PW AA SPRING CLINICS RUN BY:
Josh Robinson/Head Coach(see resume below)
Matt Beaty/Asst Coach
CLINIC DATES/TIMES
Wednesday, April 12, 620pm-720pm
Wednesday, April 19, 620pm-720pm
Wednesay, April 26, 620pm-720pm
$25/clinic
PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE BY EMAIL
Please email SaintsPWAA2017@gmail.com to reserve your spot....spots are limited
Resume: Josh Robinson/Head Coach
Occupation
Education Specialist-Cajon Valley Middle School, 2015-present
Education
MA Special Education-Univeristy of San Diego 2015
BS Sports Management-Salem State University, 2007
Coaching
2010-11 NCAA Div 1-University of Connecticut-Atlantic Hockey Conference-Men's Assistant Coach
2008-11 USA Hockey New England District Player Development
2008-10 NCAA Div III-NESCAC_ Colby College-Men's Assistant Coach
2007-08 NCAA Div 1-Bentley University-Atlantic Hockey Conference-Men's Assistant Coach
Recruiting Assignments
-USHL-United State Hockey League
-NAHL-North American Hockey League
-BCHL-British Columbia Hockey League
-EJHL-Eastern Junior Hockey League
-OJHL-Ontario Junior Hockey League
-New England Prep School
Playing
2002-06 Salem State University-NCAA Div III-ECAC East
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The Saints, OCHC, and Jr Ducks are all viable options.
However, what was glossed over is that AA tryouts are June 2-4. If you're getting here in July, those teams are going to be filled already.
I'm sure you understand that with most clubs, it's not the easiest thing to break into a new team at the Tier level, unless your kid is just demonstrably better in the tryout than 90% of the kids who are already committed to the club. There are clinics, coaches times, and spring programs that give people the opportunity to get on the ice with a coach and make that introduction, but I don't see how you are going to accomplish that a month after teams have already been signed. Best of luck with it and welcome to SoCal.
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You are not correcting the person you think you are correcting.
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You do not want to go to Yorba Linda from Laguna. You will die, and it will takes weeks to recover the bodies.
Your options IMHO (and I am not expert) are the new rink in Carlsbad, Lakewood (Long Beach) which is owned by the Ducks but Kings teams get sent there after the check clears.
My point is even if Kings sign you, you may get sent to Lakewood, no matter what a certain high-ranking Kings executive says to your face with 12 lawyers in the room. Do not trust Kings, ever.
You are in for a general culture shock anyway. I drive 1.5 to 2.0 hours ONE WAY to practice from Beverly Hills to Artesia. 45 minutes home. 3x a week. Get ready to do homework at 10:00 p.m. Games are generally easier because they are on weekends, unless you need to go to Valencia for a 7:00 a.m. game.
Wave in Artesia is also an option, that's just off the 91 before the 5. If I were you I would play in Carlsbad. Do not underestimate the Hell of LA traffic. I have averaged 25,000 miles a year the last 3 years, probably 20k of that on travel hockey, because we don't have time to drive anywhere else. That does not count tournaments in Quebec, Colorado, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Jose and my personal favorite sh*thole. Vacantville aka Vacaville.
On the bright side, Ducks are building 4 new rinks somewhere down there. You can look it up.
You will also need to download a program call WAZE which tries to help you circumvent the crashed 18 wheeler full of nuclear waste -- except that everyone else is using WAZE also, so it doesn't really help much.
This doesn't even get us to the actual games, the psychotic parents, the horrible reffing and the fights in the stands and kids whose parents teach them to NEVER pass. As in NEVER.
Does your kid have any other talent? :-) Welcome and good luck.
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You are not correcting the person you think you are correcting.
Oh snap. Thanks :o
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Way to send in the welcome party! Not everyobody's experience is as negative as some express.
Pick and choose your battles and weigh your options. Do your research and you will be fine! If you read back on some of the threads in here, you can find the drama parents, coaches, and clubs. In general there are a few bad seeds, but I assure you, you wil find those everywhere not just at one club or team. Just know, it's a small community and sooner or later everyone will know your business so like I said, do your research and weigh your options. Best of Luck to you and please don't let one person's comments effect your decisions.
If you are able before tryouts, try driving a few of the routes from your new area and see what you can live with and what you can't. Unfortunately, traffic is something you can't hide from in So Cal!
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Was in the same position as you last year (except my boy was A, not AA). We are in central/south OC and did OCHC using the toll road. We had several players from Laguna and Mission Viejo and did a carpool arrangement that worked out great. Some OC and JD teams use Lake Forest or Aliso Viejo as a practice rink but if they tell you they know this in advance, they are just trying to get you to sign on the dotted line. PeeWee practice times tend to be around rush hour so your commute time will be very important. If you really want your son to play AA, you will need to contact the coaches of your preferred program and send video (if you can't make it out in person BEFORE tryouts begin). Most coaches hold clinics in the spring where they are able to mentally form their teams. The tryout process can wind up being a formality if all of the anticipated players show up. Game travel is not as important as they are on weekends and distance is more of a factor than traffic. All programs have their supporters and detractors (some more than others). You really do need to make some personal contact with coaches and program administrators and don't be afraid to ask questions about their philosophies/methods etc. The responses you get may not be 100% accurate but some information is better than none. Good luck to you!
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Negative?
How about writing a reality check that won't bounce?
"Traffic is bad"
"Do your homework"
Hope I never need to borrow a brain.
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Narcissistic much? Why would you assume that he was referring to you? Traffic is bad. Completing homework in a timely fashion is good. There. Someone agrees with you.
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I am bagging on the vague platitudes and cliches that are being posted as "advice". If you can help, help. If not, don't post twaddle.
Took me two hours to get to KHS last night from BH. For a scrimmage. Not complaining, this is the reality in So Cal and our new friend should know the truth before he signs with the Yorba Linda Yo Yo's.
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You do not want to go to Yorba Linda from Laguna. You will die, and it will takes weeks to recover the bodies.
Your options IMHO (and I am not expert) are the new rink in Carlsbad, Lakewood (Long Beach) which is owned by the Ducks but Kings teams get sent there after the check clears.
My point is even if Kings sign you, you may get sent to Lakewood, no matter what a certain high-ranking Kings executive says to your face with 12 lawyers in the room. Do not trust Kings, ever.
You are in for a general culture shock anyway. I drive 1.5 to 2.0 hours ONE WAY to practice from Beverly Hills to Artesia. 45 minutes home. 3x a week. Get ready to do homework at 10:00 p.m. Games are generally easier because they are on weekends, unless you need to go to Valencia for a 7:00 a.m. game.
Wave in Artesia is also an option, that's just off the 91 before the 5. If I were you I would play in Carlsbad. Do not underestimate the Hell of LA traffic. I have averaged 25,000 miles a year the last 3 years, probably 20k of that on travel hockey, because we don't have time to drive anywhere else. That does not count tournaments in Quebec, Colorado, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Jose and my personal favorite sh*thole. Vacantville aka Vacaville.
On the bright side, Ducks are building 4 new rinks somewhere down there. You can look it up.
You will also need to download a program call WAZE which tries to help you circumvent the crashed 18 wheeler full of nuclear waste -- except that everyone else is using WAZE also, so it doesn't really help much.
This doesn't even get us to the actual games, the psychotic parents, the horrible reffing and the fights in the stands and kids whose parents teach them to NEVER pass. As in NEVER.
Does your kid have any other talent? :-) Welcome and good luck.
"Hi, my name is Crash, and I live in a glass house; would you like to throw some rocks with me?"
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Not complaining, this is the my reality in So Cal and our new friend should know the truth before he signs with the Yorba Linda Yo Yo's.
I missed the part where you lived in South OC and had to commute to Yorba Linda. Twaddle...have you read your own posts? Nevermind, I know the answer to that...
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you should try to get on a spring tournament roster for one of the clubs you want to target. You and the coaches could get a feel for how your son matches up AA out here without much to lose for either party (except expenses for you).
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Crash, from where you live the JKs, Bears and Valencia are all probably easier to get to than Ontario. Why you would discourage someone close to Yorba Linda from going there is a bit perplexing, considering the commuting you were doing all season.
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Crash wasn't going to Ontario, Wave3 were out of Artesia, which is still a monster drive from BH. Either way, many a family have commuted from South OC to Yorba.
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Crash wasn't going to Ontario, Wave3 were out of Artesia, which is still a monster drive from BH. Either way, many a family have commuted from South OC to Yorba.
Agreed. I actually live fairly close to Crash so I know the various commutes pretty well. I'm closer to Artesia than Crash, and I couldn't imagine trying to do that on weeknights. Must have been a huge grind.
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My point was simply to do as much homework as possible.
As for Kings, I wouldn't put my son back there if it was next door, unless there is a major house-cleaning (which there will be, but not in time for this season).
We love and respect Bears and have friends there, but while it may look close on a map, it is no better than Artesia from my son's school. The 134 East in rush hour? When we lived in Hancock Park (and played on Bears) it was manageable because you could go up Highland (bad) 101 (variable) then go local on Riverside local, avoiding the 134.
Anyway, I posted to support #4BobbyOrr's suggestion to joint a Spring Tournament team. It doesn't guarantee you a spot, bit it's a great dry run.
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Totally agree, however, not sure the family can swing it logistically. On a team that is highly interested in your kid, you might be able to get an invite to play purely for memorial day, but of course that still isn't always indicative of what the team will be come spring, but at least you can get some familiarity with the coach, and see how your kid looks compared to the others on the ice.
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I just did Westminster from Beverly Hills at 4:00 pm, and it wasn't worse than Artesia, and coming back was actually fast. I was shocked.
Waze took me 10>405>Imperial Highway>105>110 BACK to the 405>21/22 - one hour 15 minutes.
LA is insane. Not that you don't know that.
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NJ to SoCal, I don't know if you've found a team yet but, contrary to another's assessment, several players make the commute from San Clemente and Laguna Beach area to OCHC in Yorba Linda and haven't died yet. You might be able to do a carpool like Transplant mentioned. The 241 toll road is a must and makes it not a bad drive. OCHC is forming 2 PW AA teams so choices. Saints is also close for you. I don't know the coaching there, but they have some good players. If you're good with PW A, Gold Rush Hockey Club just formed and will be out of Lake Forest. No AA or playoffs, as they just formed. They have some talented kids from their tournament teams, so should be a good core and good coaching. JD are a good club, but they usually practice in Anaheim or Westminster. Don't buy into any promises of their practicing in South County until they build the 4-sheet facility. Laddy Kohn is the only option for PW AA from them, and he makes the drive from San Clemente to Anaheim/Westminster to coach. JDs other team PW AA team is an 07 team. Wave is a good club, but it will be a drive for you and no AA this year. The 405 and 5 fwys are tough, to put it mildly, and required to get to Artesia Wave or Lakewood Ice.
I wouldn't recommend venturing further than that until you get a feel for the daily commute hell. But it just depends on how much time you want to spend on the fwy. I think all would agree all of the clubs mentioned would be fine for your player's development. You might want to tweak your changes the following season, as you become familiar with the area and programs. Welcome to SoCal. Good luck.
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Bring him to San Diego Saints skate next Wednesday at Carlsbad Icetown. May not be closest mileage wise but many of our OC parents who make the drive down says it is the closest in terms of time. The drive is against traffic and is very easy. We have had a ton of interest in our team and coaching is second to none! Cost is $25/skate and goalies skate free!
620pm-720pm.
Good Luck
San Diego Saints PW AA Coaching Staff
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The Jr. Gulls have a great program they are in Escondido.
I would never go to the Carlsbad rink... Avoid the Wildcats... oops now the Jr Reign at all costs.
The Jr Ducks are good but $$$$.
the Ice Dogs have a great coach they play out of KHS in Anaheim, you only practice at that rink so that's a plus.
You may want to look at the rink location before you buy a home. I wish we would have done this but our son was 3 when we moved here. LOL
Best of luck, the board is a bit crazy but for the most part the families in So Cal are great.... for the most part.
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San Diego Saints run their Tier Program out of Carlsbad. We have several players from OC in our PW AA and Bantam AA program. Josh Robinson is the PW AA Head Coach and he has an strong coaching resume including NCAA D1 coaching experience.
The San Diego Saints has no connection to Wildcats/Reign program.
In 2016/17 Season, the Saints PW AA team was the only PW AA team in San Diego County to make the CAHA playoffs! Please check last years stats at CAHA.com for all teams total season stats. You can click drop down to check win/loss record of all sanctioned games the particular team played during the season. Make sure to check how many games a team played last season and ask how many they expect to play next season. How many practices with they have? Dryland? Video Review? Coaches qualifications? It is the only way you can really measure what you will get for the money you will spend!! There were PW AA teams last season who played under 30 games and some played over 50!
Hope to see you at one of our Wednesday pre tryout skates! Averaging 25-30 kids weekly for past 4-5 weeks at the PW AA Level! Goalies skate for free!
Welcome to California! Good Luck!
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Weekly dryland, Video review and coaches that played and coached at T1 levels are not uncommon to many of the clubs here in SoCal.
Unfortunately Burbank seems a bit far, but I have personal dealings with clubs such as OCHC and the Gulls and have found them to be great parents that have been happy with their experience. I recommend calling and speaking to the coaches and even speaking to some parents to help with your decisions. Also checking a clubs A/B program will give a bit of insight into how they develop their programs from within (this can be found on scaha.com).
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We've not even been to the Carlsbad rink yet, but we've vacationed there often in a little beach place. And there's a good Pizza Port (I think) on the main drag.
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We've not even been to the Carlsbad rink yet, but we've vacationed there often in a little beach place. And there's a good Pizza Port (I think) on the main drag.
SOLD! I'm making the drive!
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Our strategy is to play at the rink in the most expensive area possible to live...an area we couldnt come close to affording. SO when we drive through the rich neighborhoods I look at my son and say "when you make the NHL (because he will) you will buy me one of these houses". Its a great motivator!
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Our strategy is to play at the rink in the most expensive area possible to live...an area we couldnt come close to affording. SO when we drive through the rich neighborhoods I look at my son and say "when you make the NHL (because he will) you will buy me one of these houses". Its a great motivator!
Or, you could just not play travel Hockey and afford a real nice house.
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Lots of Kings and their management types live in Manhattan Beach because it's close to the practice rink in El Segundo (just south of LAX). Ducks live further south, Laguna etc.
Your wallet will bleed every time you move and the soccer moms are terrifying, but, it's a beach so you live with it.
If you are here already the Carmen Starr tournament is on this weekend at Toyota Center, El Segundo and a couple of other local rinks. There's a Czech team and a Canadian team at our level (Bantam AA) so the hockey might be pretty good.
Also get ready for lousy local draft beers with weird names. But I guess it's still beer.
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Did you ever find a team? If not, please contact me.