Being a Hockey Parent

[Ahbroody]

Summer hockey is love/hate here. I love how good he is getting at transitions, edges and backwards skating. My wallet is crying and I hate it. His hands are getting a little better.

Well there are 3 mite travel teams in the area (40 mile radius) and he has now been offered a spot on two. Its funny the coach of the Stars had him out for a practice and was positive. Then he went to the Hawks skate and watched him in a scrim. The next day we got an email asking if we were going to have him tryout as he could make the Stars. I advised we really only wanted him to redshirt as while physically read we dont believe him to be mentally ready. Yesterday after the Stars practice the assistant coach who invited us out talked with me saying extremely nice things about micahs abilities and that he was able to play up. I explained that I just dont think hes ready mentally for that. As long as he gets to practice with a club or two I think he will benefit greatly this season.

I think most would agree. There are only 5 tournaments they play in, but why rush him this early.

[Eleven]

Originally Posted by Ahbroody

Yesterday after the Stars practice the assistant coach who invited us out talked with me saying extremely nice things about micahs abilities and that he was able to play up. I explained that I just dont think hes ready mentally for that. As long as he gets to practice with a club or two I think he will benefit greatly this season.

I think most would agree. There are only 5 tournaments they play in, but why rush him this early.

We were told this as well, about the same age. Our son played up from that point on, until his first peewee year, so he actually played 3 years at squirt. The last of those was Squirt Travel.

We believe that he benefited mentally by being around slightly older players for 4 years, so for that reason I would recommend Micah playing up.

We ran into his coach from his first year of squirt, he asked how Cam was doing, how big he was getting etc etc. I told him and he then said 'Ah good to hear, I think the only thing holding him back was his size'...later that night I was trying to figure out why he said that. Although my kid isn't huge, he is very average for his age. Then I remembered at that time, this coach had 2nd year Squirts (96's), and my son was technically a 2nd year Mite (98) playing with them. Most were 2 full calendar years older.

At age 6 or 7, playing with 8 and 9 year olds does make a difference. Good or bad, you do mature a little faster, even if you don't physically grow faster.

Not to mention how they are physically pushed harder, they have to skate faster and be smart playing with older kids. We truly believe that playing up was the best thing we could for Cameron, and it's paying off.

His team is registering Tier 1 this next year, they have always played high level teams, but played Tier 2 the last 2 years. Now that they are moving to Bantam, the coach felt it was time and that all the players were ready to take the step to Tier 1.

Just my

[E.J.]

I always enjoy reading what is going on with Micah.... I think you could not be handling it better, Mike.

Great feedback, Scott. I also love the updates on Cameron's team...

Originally Posted by Eleven

His team is registering Tier 1 this next year, they have always played high level teams, but played Tier 2 the last 2 years. Now that they are moving to Bantam, the coach felt it was time and that all the players were ready to take the step to Tier 1.

I'm excited to hear how that goes!


What are we doing today, yep hockey....