New to Southern California PeeWee Hockey

[NJ to SoCal]

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!

[MO-ICETIME]

Here is the list of clubs for you:


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.

[Icelife]

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.

[6607]

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.

[SkatingDad]

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.

[NJ to SoCal]

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?

[09 Dad]

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).   

[Nowhearthis]

Welcome to Hockey Utopia!  "Hotel California" is a must listen on your way out West.

[SaintsPWAA2017]

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

[lcadad]

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. 

[Landshark]

You are not correcting the person you think you are correcting.

[Crash]

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.

[Pistonkev]

You are not correcting the person you think you are correcting.

Oh snap. Thanks 

[Icelife]

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!

[Transplant]

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!