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Hockey Discussions => Midget Hockey => Topic started by: islandhockey on May 23, 2017, 08:39:27 AM

Title: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: islandhockey on May 23, 2017, 08:39:27 AM
So.  What is the scuttlebutt here?  I thought the Wave would be very strong, but they lost a great player to Tier I.  The JD may get a lot stronger with a number of their Tier I players perhaps going to them or maybe OC or maybe the Wave?  I heard a lot of these kids might try 18U.  Will the JK even have a team this year?  What's up with that?  One of the two biggest youth hockey clubs in So. Cal without a 16UAA team?  I can just imagine all the phone calls and emails going around looking for the best spots.  So...I'm interested in hearing who y'all think will be the strongest teams so I can send my kid to their pre-tryout skates.  Good luck to all!   
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on May 23, 2017, 09:53:00 AM
Ducks and OC Skates look good w 40 plus skaters and 6 goalies (mostly same kids though)...wave has been interesting...can't read whats going on there...different group of kids but low turnout. Jr Kings have put out zero info....maybe they are going to "attempt" to have a AA team and then when they can't field one...they can put all the effort into the AAA teams. Lots of kids not playing high school league anymore.     
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: hipcheck34 on May 23, 2017, 11:50:27 AM
So.  What is the scuttlebutt here?  I thought the Wave would be very strong, but they lost a great player to Tier I.  The JD may get a lot stronger with a number of their Tier I players perhaps going to them or maybe OC or maybe the Wave?  I heard a lot of these kids might try 18U.  Will the JK even have a team this year?  What's up with that?  One of the two biggest youth hockey clubs in So. Cal without a 16UAA team?  I can just imagine all the phone calls and emails going around looking for the best spots.  So...I'm interested in hearing who y'all think will be the strongest teams so I can send my kid to their pre-tryout skates.  Good luck to all!


So the Wave wont be strong since they lost 1-strong Player to AAA?????   ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Nowhearthis on May 23, 2017, 12:41:21 PM

Tryout Advice:  Go for Ice Time....



Late Bloomers in Hockey Very Common
01/28/2014, 7:30am CST
By USA Hockey


So you didn’t make the Bantam A team or you missed the cut for the high school varsity squad. Maybe you have to play another year of Midget Major hockey because no junior team will give you a shot yet.
So what? Late bloomers are common in hockey.
Mike Snee is the executive director of College Hockey, Inc. When prospective college hockey players attend their seminars, most parents have the same question for the NCAA coaches in attendance.
Where should my kid play before going to college?
There are a lot of options out there, but there is always one answer.
“Play where you’re going to be on the ice,” Snee said. “What those coaches are stressing is more ice time in key situations is better for development rather than seeing minimal ice time or sitting in the press box.”
This doesn’t only apply for high-end recruits. It’s sound advice for every hockey player, at every age, at every skill level. It’s not about playing for the best possible team. It’s about ice time, puck touches and development.
On the Bubble?
For most teams during tryouts, there are “bubble” players, who might almost be good enough for the top-tier team but are perhaps better suited with the lower-tier team. This player often has a better year developmentally with the lower-tier team because they see more ice time and become a more impactful player at that level.
Is it better to be on the power play for the B team or the fourth line for the A team? If you have the puck on your stick more, you have a better chance to become a better player.
Growth Spurts
Most athletes are still developing physically well into their 20s. Players at 14U/16U have not yet reached their peak potential. They might have just scratched the surface. That can all be deceiving when it comes to the hockey world, as young players are often drafted into the NHL at the age of 18. Most basketball and football players aren’t drafted until their early 20s, giving them a few extra years of prime physical development.
Growth spurts happen when they happen. It should also be taken into account when these growth spurts are occurring. A young, rapidly growing athlete may experience dips in coordination during these periods. That’s completely normal. It will just take time to adjust.
Don’t Hit the Panic Button
Players, parents and coaches often rush to judgment. Development comes at a different pace for every growing athlete.
“This is the constant battle in youth athletics today – early measurement of where a player is at relative to their peers,” Snee said. “They’re drawing too many conclusions too quickly.”
Oftentimes coaches will see one 12-year-old make the C-team and another make the A-team, only to watch those roles reverse just a few years later.
Late Bloomers are Everywhere – Even in the Pros
Ryan McDonagh didn’t make the A team his first year as a Squirt. All of his friends did, but he didn’t. He was devastated. Now, the New York Rangers defenseman and Minnesota native is an Olympian.
Danny DeKeyser played Midget Major through 18U. He then had to play Tier 2 junior hockey before the United States Hockey League gave him a shot. He went undrafted but earned a spot at Western Michigan University, where he flourished. As he grew physically and developed as a player, NHL teams came pounding on his door looking to sign him as a free agent.
Ultimately he chose to sign with the Detroit Red Wings, where he currently sees big minutes as a top-four defenseman and is widely considered a rising talent in pro hockey.
“He’s now playing an important role with the Red Wings on the blue line and four or five years ago there wasn’t one team in the NHL that was willing to make him their seventh-round draft pick,” Snee said.
This is becoming common, thanks to college hockey. As of today, 30 percent of NHLers played college hockey. Of those 30 percent, 20 percent of them were not drafted.
“So when they were 18 years old, all 30 NHL teams passed over them seven times each,” Snee said. “And those teams chose many players who never played in the NHL.”
It’s Not a Sprint
Players, parents and coaches should not rush development. It won’t work. Learn and grow at your own pace. More success equals more confidence, which equals more fun.
Understandably, it can be difficult for kids – and parents – to accept the slower development path. But don’t prematurely jump up to the next level if you aren’t ready.
“Those are good goals to have and admirable qualities, but it’s a long road,” Snee said. “It’s not a sprint. Put yourself in a situation where you can ensure you’re giving yourself the best opportunity to reach your full potential.”
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: coachbombay on May 23, 2017, 02:02:18 PM
Amen to that! Also, the Wave will be fine

Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Trent Danger on May 23, 2017, 07:46:51 PM
Cog above mentions, "lots of Kids not playing high school anymore".
What happened there?
Seems like Ducks high school league is thriving.
JK having problems?
Thx!
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on May 24, 2017, 07:20:29 AM
Kings folded the Destroyers and made a new team "Stingrays" but took some of the area schools away and gave to El Segundo Strikers . Only 5-6 of returning Varsity tried out (only 1 kid aged out of last years varsity team) ....many are looking to play 16/18 AA and 1 signed AAA...look around at the skates and quite a few 99/00 seniors stuck on JV only teams in Ducks league looking for higher level of play as well...   
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: islandhockey on May 24, 2017, 12:30:57 PM

So the Wave wont be strong since they lost 1-strong Player to AAA? ??? ?   ??? ??? ???



I was only making the point that the Wave lost one of its best players while the JD might pick up 4-6 former AAA players.  The Wave always fields a strong team.  Depending on where those AAA players wind up will make some team a lot stronger.  Maybe they'll go to the Wave!  Good luck to all! 
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on May 24, 2017, 01:56:27 PM
Does anyone have any idea what the Kings are doing? They seem to be putting Zero effort into 16/18 AA...also any word on San Diego teams? Flyers?
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Puck Yeah on May 24, 2017, 06:51:34 PM
The Flyers will have 16U and I have heard that a 18U is expected as well.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Crash on May 25, 2017, 06:39:55 AM
Great article on development. I would only add that kids go through weird growth spurts, especially if they are larger. We called it the 'baby Hughie' phase, where they spill things and knock things over (more than usual) - it's why larger players even into the NHL can take longer to put it all together in terms of hand-eye coordination and general finesse.


As for the NHLs early drafting -- very few players go directly into the NHL, the wise thing is to let them go back to their teams. Maybe give a taste if your team is out of the playoffs. Even Montreal, who are managed by Don Cherry's dumber cousin, let Sergachev go back to the Spitfires and he is contributioning big time.



As for WAVE, I could write a book -- but I won't.  I overheard someone in Hockey Giant yesterday complaining about WAVE players taking over a decent team. Wave will be fine as long as Crash doesn't post anything.


That said, check out Carmen Starr tournament this weekend at Toyota and environs. Going to be a fun time. The deck is being re-shuffled in ways you won't believe.



Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: hipcheck34 on May 25, 2017, 08:02:42 AM
The Wave team is a very tight group most of the boys have been together 3 plus years now and will make a serious run at Nationals I believe, wonder if they will be even taking anyone onto the team at tryouts should be interesting? Heard they have a 20 man roster for the Memorial tournament in Riverside, I tried to see if my kid could jump on for Memorial day since we did spend 2 years with them, but they are full... Had to jump on another team just so kid could play... ;)
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: islandhockey on May 30, 2017, 12:56:03 PM
Congrats to the Wave team for easily winning the Wildcats/Reign tournament over the weekend.  The Wave was either incredibly strong, or the competition very weak...the scores all indicated blowout wins.   
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: hipcheck34 on May 30, 2017, 01:18:49 PM
Congrats to the Wave team for easily winning the Wildcats/Reign tournament over the weekend.  The Wave was either incredibly strong, or the competition very weak...the scores all indicated blowout wins.




For the Wave team it was a weak tournament for them to be playing in especially with some of the players they picked up. They probably could had more competition in the Elite division
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: 4 check on May 30, 2017, 01:37:18 PM
With Tryouts just around the corner, who is who?
Most coaches have been around for a while so they are known, but the OC coach is new.
Here are his hockey stats from hockeydb, he definitely has the resume as a player, and I saw he was running the Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL camp a few weeks back.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=110398

Any thoughts on a new young coach

Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on May 30, 2017, 03:07:34 PM
Tyler coaches my spring team.....we like him, he is passionate and full of energy and the kids like him too.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: CahaMama on May 31, 2017, 11:03:01 AM
Bakersfield Jr Condors is looking for a few players for its Midget 16U AA team. They looked good at the Valencia tournament last weekend. It sounds like a horrible commute, but they have players from Huntington Beach to the south and Fresno to the north. Great coach in ex pro Glen Mears. Tryouts are Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday 10AM in Bakersfield. Can't beat the all inclusive team fee either.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: locked out on June 01, 2017, 04:51:58 PM
Love the article by NOWHEARTHIS earlier on this feed.  Way to many kids trying to play "up" in to the 18U's.  The Ducks 18U team could be close to 50% 16 year olds....what is the point?  As for the wave, I think they will be losing a couple more players as there have been two or more skating at the Ducks 18AA clinics.  I know kids go where they can get a good skate, but when the clinic is the same time as the wave skate and they are at the Ducks, I think it says something.

All that being said, it is likely that a couple Ducks kids from last year will go to the wave.  A couple of them skated with the wave in the memorial day tourney.  The Wave will field a good time regardless.

All I know is Friday night should have some interesting posts once the dust settles.  I think the Kings will have a team as there are players looking for places to play which means there are parents willing to pay the fees. 

IMHO, the Ducks, Wave, OC, and Kings will all have viable 16AA teams once this is all said and done. 

Good luck to all at tryouts tomorrow night.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: hipcheck34 on June 02, 2017, 10:39:18 AM
Its going to very Interesting tonight, I think there is going to be some culture shock tonight.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: CahaMama on June 02, 2017, 11:05:40 AM
Agreed!
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: coachbombay on June 02, 2017, 11:45:28 AM
do you guys have some inside info? please do tell!
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: hipcheck34 on June 02, 2017, 12:37:22 PM
do you guys have some inside info? please do tell!


Well what fun would that be, but lets just say the boards should be going off tonight at some point...  8)
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on June 02, 2017, 02:10:25 PM

tryouts at 930 ish for most...will be a late night....interesting for sure
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on June 02, 2017, 11:40:11 PM

So what were tryouts like ? OC went well some good skaters....still a few spots left, next skate Sat 320@Yorba.


Heard JK had 7 skaters and 1 goalie...any word on Ducks and Wave?
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: locked out on June 03, 2017, 06:53:28 AM
Ducks took a full team and they look very solid.  Wave lost a couple very good players to ducks 18, but they also picked up a couple very good players from the ducks.


OC should be able to round out their team with a few good players who did not make the ducks.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: coachbombay on June 03, 2017, 10:45:05 AM
were the wave able to field two teams?
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: hipcheck34 on June 03, 2017, 01:37:12 PM
The Wave did field 2 teams. 
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: DFENS on June 03, 2017, 02:22:05 PM

Well what fun would that be, but lets just say the boards should be going off tonight at some point...  8)


 What's the scoop?

Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on June 03, 2017, 06:23:57 PM

The Wave did field 2 teams.


at 18 or 16AA?


Any word on 2nd day of JK tryouts?
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Puck Yeah on June 03, 2017, 10:06:20 PM
Looks like no 18s for Valencia this year.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Pistonkev on June 03, 2017, 10:38:28 PM
Looks like no 18s for Valencia this year.


What happened? are they just playing with juinior team?
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: coachbombay on June 04, 2017, 07:57:22 AM
DID THE  jr KINGS field a 16AA team?
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Puck Yeah on June 04, 2017, 09:18:16 AM
Looks like no 18s for Valencia this year.


What happened? are they just playing with juinior team?


Only 2 skaters showed up.  Both from out of town.  I don't know what happened to the local players. 
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on June 04, 2017, 09:38:09 AM
I find it a bit suspicious that the JK are able to field AAA teams and are required to field A'A teams in same age group by CAHA...but put "zero" effort into marketing those teams and then nobody shows up so no teams...yet they still have precious AAA teams..."oh sorry we tried, but nobody showed up"...and they still have AAA
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: DFENS on June 04, 2017, 12:11:46 PM
I find it a bit suspicious that the JK are able to field AAA teams and are required to field A'A teams in same age group by CAHA...but put "zero" effort into marketing those teams and then nobody shows up so no teams...yet they still have precious AAA teams..."oh sorry we tried, but nobody showed up"...and they still have AAA
All I can find in the guidebook is section 8.3, which says that clubs must have at least 2 tier II teams to have tier I. Jk will have two pw teams, including their underage birth year team, and maybe a bantam team.
Honestly, I think jk has an ice availability issue and can only take on a limited number of non-tier 1 teams. The smart thing for them is to emphasize A and B through Bantam to feed the High School League.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: hipcheck34 on June 04, 2017, 01:12:10 PM
I see that 18aa have a few 2001 plying on there teams. I know Wave lost 2 really good forwards to 18aa and one to 16AAA. I think that those 3 boys were there 3 out of 5 top forwards. I think the JDAA-1 team is the team to beat. 
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: 1hockeydad on June 04, 2017, 02:42:14 PM
I find it a bit suspicious that the JK are able to field AAA teams and are required to field A'A teams in same age group by CAHA...but put "zero" effort into marketing those teams and then nobody shows up so no teams...yet they still have precious AAA teams..."oh sorry we tried, but nobody showed up"...and they still have AAA
All I can find in the guidebook is section 8.3, which says that clubs must have at least 2 tier II teams to have tier I. Jk will have two pw teams, including their underage birth year team, and maybe a bantam team.
Honestly, I think jk has an ice availability issue and can only take on a limited number of non-tier 1 teams. The smart thing for them is to emphasize A and B through Bantam to feed the High School League.


I think the main issue is that JK is just a poorly run organization.  Key is the hype of being jr "kings."  Combine that with the crazy politics,  and there you have it.  TSC charges $490/hr ice time.  So a big expense to be JK, with not enough ice time for a decent AA level player.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on June 04, 2017, 02:59:22 PM

I find it a bit suspicious that the JK are able to field AAA teams and are required to field A'A teams in same age group by CAHA...but put "zero" effort into marketing those teams and then nobody shows up so no teams...yet they still have precious AAA teams..."oh sorry we tried, but nobody showed up"...and they still have AAA
All I can find in the guidebook is section 8.3, which says that clubs must have at least 2 tier II teams to have tier I. Jk will have two pw teams, including their underage birth year team, and maybe a bantam team.
Honestly, I think jk has an ice availability issue and can only take on a limited number of non-tier 1 teams. The smart thing for them is to emphasize A and B through Bantam to feed the High School League.


I think the main issue is that JK is just a poorly run organization.  Key is the hype of being jr "kings."  Combine that with the crazy politics,  and there you have it.  TSC charges $490/hr ice time.  So a big expense to be JK, with not enough ice time for a decent AA level player.


And that is a sad reality of what has become youth hockey...that one of the biggest teams in NHL can't field teams at all the levels....it's all about $$$
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: islandhockey on June 04, 2017, 04:24:52 PM
Whatever happened to Pucklawyer?  He always had great insight into youth hockey in So. Cal.  Would love to hear his take on this as well as the wholesale changes at Tier I with JK and JD. 
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Crash on June 04, 2017, 06:54:39 PM
Kings Bantam AA is Coach Kemp (new) and Coach Drager, who is assisting, stepping down from HC last year.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: 1hockeydad on June 04, 2017, 09:13:25 PM
Kings Bantam AA is Coach Kemp (new) and Coach Drager, who is assisting, stepping down from HC last year.


This should be in Bantam discussion,  but yes, John Kemp is being brought into the fold of JK.  He was an amazing player.  He was Bobby Ryan's center.  Sick skills and a great guy.  Dreger needed to just really concentrate on his 18u AAA team.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Crash on June 05, 2017, 06:18:35 AM
Sorry for crossed thread, I was just clarifying who was who.

As for Coach Dreger, yes, his midget team is great, but his kid plays on the Bantam AA team.  Not an unusual sitch in our world.





Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Face Wash on June 05, 2017, 08:38:54 AM
Haven't been on in a while, looks like everything is status quo!  Not much has changed except players changing clubs, Ducks going to Wave and Wave going to Ducks. Pretty even swap from what I can see, except the loss of the Wave player to AAA but that's where he belongs so props to the Wave coach for moving him along!


Will there be any additional talent in So. CA at 16U this year?
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on June 05, 2017, 08:46:45 AM
My question is do we have an idea of how may teams will be playing 18AA? I know several clubs are doing "midget" teams from 02-99 birth years and skipping 16AA..

18AA Looks like Ducks, Wave, OCHC for sure...Kings maybe? Jr Reign?....   
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Face Wash on June 05, 2017, 09:14:22 AM
I think 18's are pretty much going the way of 16A, high school is killing it and 16's too. But if you're not playing 18AAA then you might as well leave for prep school or juniors. That's why clubs are taking 2001 players at 18AA and perhaps a few other reasons I've heard people talk about.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: cog254 on June 05, 2017, 10:19:06 AM
I think 18's are pretty much going the way of 16A, high school is killing it and 16's too. But if you're not playing 18AAA then you might as well leave for prep school or juniors. That's why clubs are taking 2001 players at 18AA and perhaps a few other reasons I've heard people talk about.

Wonder if they made Bantam 3 birth years and midget 3 birth years if it would help anything... 
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Teemu8 on June 05, 2017, 03:18:00 PM
Adding a 3rd bantam year would be tough.  The physical difference between the 14s and the 13s are big enough... I can just imagine how bad the 15s woukd beat up on the little guys.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: islandhockey on June 05, 2017, 04:55:12 PM
Wasn't it a few years ago that a JD club played up, feeling there was no competition for them locally in their birthyear ('01) and they suffered some pretty bad injuries?  One year is big when the boys start hitting puberty...
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: j2h2012 on June 05, 2017, 05:42:38 PM
There is a reason that USA Hockey has defined the age classifications the way they have.


Thankfully, even if CAHA wanted to experiment like that - they couldn't get away with it (in Tier hockey at least).
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: HockeyPop2297 on June 05, 2017, 09:19:53 PM
Just a reminder that Tier 1 03 Kings did play up to 02 in CAHA last year! Lost to 02 Alaska Oilers in OT in Pacific District Championship. So there are exceptional teams that are capable of playing up at Tier Level.
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Puck Yeah on June 06, 2017, 05:55:01 AM
Just a reminder that Tier 1 03 Kings did play up to 02 in CAHA last year! Lost to 02 Alaska Oilers in OT in Pacific District Championship. So there are exceptional teams that are capable of playing up at Tier Level.


Key work "exceptional".
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: bandicoot on June 06, 2017, 12:18:35 PM
Midget 15AAA needs teams
Title: Re: Next up! Tier II tryouts
Post by: Crash on June 23, 2017, 07:23:28 AM
The 'playing up' favors the older teams because their depth 3 line, 2, 3rd pair, will often win out against the younger kids.


It's still worth it though for the kids to learn what it takes.