A. SHOULD MY CHILD PLAY AAA OR AA?
REAL QUESTIONS. REAL RESEARCH. REAL ANSWERS.™ A current parent discussion in Ontario asked almost exactly this question for a U10 Player choosing between AA and… Read More »A. SHOULD MY CHILD PLAY AAA OR AA?
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PRESIDENT MARK – Should Youth Hockey Coaches Prioritize Development or Winning?
Parents hear two competing messages throughout youth hockey. Winning matters. And: Development matters more than winning. Both statements can be true. Competitive hockey should teach… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Should Youth Hockey Coaches Prioritize Development or Winning?
PRESIDENT MARK – What Families Need to Know Before Tryouts?
What must hockey families know before tryouts? Before a player steps onto the ice, the family should understand who controls selection, how evaluations work, what… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – What Families Need to Know Before Tryouts?
PRESIDENT MARK – What Is the Best Hockey Path for a 15 to 18-Year-Old Who Still Wants to Play?
Best hockey path for ages 15-18 is not automatically AAA, Junior, prep, academy, AA or high school hockey. Those are environments. The best path depends… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – What Is the Best Hockey Path for a 15 to 18-Year-Old Who Still Wants to Play?
PRESIDENT MARK – Is It Okay to Stop Chasing Elite Hockey and Just Play for Fun?
Playing hockey for fun can sound almost rebellious in an environment where players are constantly told to reach the next team, tournament, league, ranking or… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Is It Okay to Stop Chasing Elite Hockey and Just Play for Fun?
PRESIDENT MARK – When Does Chasing Elite Hockey Stop Making Sense?
When chasing elite hockey stops making sense is one of the hardest questions a hockey family can ask. There is no tryout score that answers… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – When Does Chasing Elite Hockey Stop Making Sense?
PRESIDENT MARK – Is the Hockey Development Funnel Getting Younger?
Hockey development funnel getting younger is a concern increasingly voiced by parents watching recruitment, Junior movement and elite team decisions. The fear is understandable. If… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Is the Hockey Development Funnel Getting Younger?
PRESIDENT MARK – What Does the New NCAA Five-Year Eligibility Rule Mean for Hockey Players?
NCAA five-year eligibility rule is the phrase many hockey families are using for the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model. However, there is an important correction… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – What Does the New NCAA Five-Year Eligibility Rule Mean for Hockey Players?
PRESIDENT MARK – How Have the CHL and NCAA Changes Altered the Hockey Development Pathway?
CHL and NCAA hockey changes have altered one of the most important development decisions North American hockey families traditionally faced. For decades, CHL hockey and… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – How Have the CHL and NCAA Changes Altered the Hockey Development Pathway?
PRESIDENT MARK – Are More Teenagers Choosing Junior Hockey Instead of U16 or U18 AAA?
Teenagers choosing Junior hockey over AAA is one explanation hockey families frequently give for late U16 and U18 roster openings. It makes intuitive sense. Junior… Read More »PRESIDENT MARK – Are More Teenagers Choosing Junior Hockey Instead of U16 or U18 AAA?