Author Topic: Tier 1 vs Tier ll Hockey A to Z - More Bang For the Buck?  (Read 35252 times)

Description:


This research data is based on the Tri-State NY/NJ/PA Region and does not assume the pricing index is the same or equal in all other regional areas.


First and foremost, not all players have an option to pick or choose. Higher level talent normally does have options as coaches and clubs around the region will know who these players are. We'll provide the details for either/or scenario.

Tier 1, Otherwise known as the highest level in youth hockey is often referred to with various abbreviations or names such as AAA, (Triple A), elite, or high energy, high performance etc. The commitment to this level hockey typically requires on ice and/or off ice practice 4-5 days per week not including a minimum of 3 games on the weekend and can be as many as 6 if playing in a tournament or showcase. This also includes extensive travel, (local and long distance) and requires a monetary commitment far above the recreation level.

Monetary Commitment
- Tuition, (Depending on club)- base tuition is normally $4,000 to $7,000 or more in some cases, USD
- Equipment package - Roughly $500 to $700 depending on the package. Most packages include home and away jerseys and socks, shell, equipment bag, helmet, skate sharpening, tape and off ice shorts and t-shirt. The higher priced package sometimes include a track suit, team jacket, gloves, third jersey/socks and shell.
- Team fees - Normally reserved for tournaments and/or showcases not included, (some clubs include the fees in the tuition but not all). - Team fees range from $300 to $700 per player.
- Seasonal equipment fees - Typically stick replacement or other equipment not covered by the equipment package

*Other expenses not included or normally accounted for
- Expect to pay around $125 to $159 per night for hotel accomodations, (This does NOT include jacked up tax rates which are normally 14% to 17% - We'll use $135 per night with 15% tax for 3 night stay. Approximate cost $465
- Fuel expenses to travel to and from each tournament. We'll use Pittsburgh as a median trip @ 4+ hours and filling up 3 times at around $45 per fill. Approximate cost $135
- Food expenses during travel for two parents and one player. Some hotels include complimentary breakfast but not all, in this example we'll assume no breakfast. $25-$35 for breakfast, $40-$50 for lunch, $40-$50 for dinner over 3 days. Approximate cost $285, (this does not include, wine, liquor or beer)
- Throw in snacks, drinks, (soda, water, juice). Approximate cost $50-$75
- Throw in the tournament or showcase swag, ie t-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, pins etc. Approximate cost $50-$75
* Tier 1 often plays in EJEPL, USPHL or other competitive external leagues to supplement their schedule. Additional monetary commitment is discretionary by club, which equates to an additional financial obligation on top of existing tuition. By default EJ inclusion requires 4 showcases which may or may not be local.

Total approximate cost for each trip - on the low end you're looking at just below or somewhere over $1,000 <- There are at LEAST 4 tournaments and 2 showcases

Assumed financial obligation - Anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 for one player to play a single season tier 1. As this is assumed, keep in mind some tier 1 teams will travel across country by airplane to play weekend games.

Overall monetary value is contingent exclusively on spending habits and/or if the player requires a uniform or equipment update or change each additional season they play.

Ice Time Commitment
Requires evaluation in order to determine player talent/ability level assignment to form even teams, (sometimes more than one team at the same age level)
At least 70 games, Tournaments and showcase participation is contingent on team interest, normally at least 4 tournaments and 4 showcases
80-100 practices to be held 3 to 4 times weekly


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Tier ll, Otherwise known as mid level youth hockey is often referred to as the second highest level with variations such as A B and AA, (AA being the highest). The commitment to this level hockey typically requires on ice and/or off ice practice 2 days per week not including a minimum of 1 game on the weekend but typically 2 and can be as many as 6 if playing in a tournament or showcase. This also includes moderate travel, (local and long distance) and requires a monetary commitment slightly above the recreation level.

Monetary Commitment
- Tuition, (Depending on club)- base tuition is normally $1,600 to $3,400 or more in some cases, USD
- Equipment package - Roughly $300 to $500 depending on the package. Most packages include home / away jerseys and socks and shell. Some teams typically run fund raisers to add bags, helmets, jackets and track suits.
- Team fees - Normally reserved for tournaments. Team fees range from $200 to $300 or more per player.
- Seasonal equipment fees - Typically stick replacement or other equipment not covered by the equipment package.

*Other expenses not included or normally accounted for
- Expect to pay around $125 to $159 per night for hotel accomodations, (This does NOT include jacked up tax rates which are normally 14% to 17% - We'll use $135 per night with 15% tax for 3 night stay. Approximate cost $465
- Fuel expenses to travel to and from each tournament. We'll use Pittsburgh as a median trip @ 4+ hours and filling up 3 times at around $45 per fill. Approximate cost $135
- Food expenses during travel for two parents and one player. Some hotels include complimentary breakfast but not all, in this example we'll assume no breakfast. $25-$35 for breakfast, $40-$50 for lunch, $40-$50 for dinner over 3 days. Approximate cost $285, (this does not include, wine, liquor or beer)
- Throw in snacks, drinks, (soda, water, juice). Approximate cost $50-$75
- Throw in the tournament or showcase swag, ie t-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, pins etc. Approximate cost $50-$75
* Tier II over the past few years has begun to add in EJEPL or other competitive external leagues to supplement their schedule. Additional monetary commitment is discretionary by club, which equates to an additional financial obligation on top of existing tuition. By default EJ inclusion requires 4 showcases which may or may not be local.

Total approximate cost for each trip - on the low end you're looking at just below or somewhere over $1,000 <- There are at LEAST 4 tournaments

Assumed financial obligation - Anywhere from $6,000 to $7,000 for one player to play a single season tier ll.

Overall monetary value is contingent exclusively on spending habits and/or if the player requires a uniform or equipment update or change each additional season they play.

Ice Time Commitment
Requires evaluation in order to determine player talent/ability level assignment to form even teams, (sometimes more than one team at the same age level)
At least 25 league games, 4 non-league games and 4 tournaments with at least 3 guaranteed games in each, expect 50-60, not including EJEPL. 40-50 practices to be held twice weekly and in some cases 1 practice will be full ice, the other half ice shared with another club team

**Editors Note - In many cases tier ll AA level/quality talent is comparable or better than many tier 1 teams. They often play against one another in non-league games.


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Tier ll Light Travel "C", is the lowest level and doesn't normally require travel outside of 20 miles locally. There are normally no tournaments but in some cases they are arranged if desired by the team(s).

Monetary Commitment
- Tuition, (Depending on club)- base tuition is normally $800 to $1,300, USD
- Equipment package - Roughly $200 - $300 depending on the package. Most packages include home / away jerseys and socks. Some clubs offer shells at additional cost, normally $50

Assumed financial obligation - Anywhere from $1,000 to $1,600 for one player to play a single season tier ll light travel.
* Light travel for many clubs have been adding in as many as 2 tournaments, typically within driving range per season. Hotel stay in some cases might be a requirement. Expect an additional $500 to $1300 if your club chooses to add tournaments.

Overall monetary value is contingent exclusively on spending habits and/or if the player requires a uniform or equipment update or change each additional season they play.

Ice Time Commitment
Requires evaluation in order to determine player talent/ability level assignment to form even teams, (sometimes more than one team at the same age level)
At least 20 games
30 or more Practices


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House League, No particular level, all games are played in the same rink devised by age level

Monetary Commitment
- Tuition, (Depending on club)- base tuition is normally $600 to $800, USD
- Equipment package included in tuition - Package includes 1 jersey and 1 pair of socks.

Assumed financial obligation - Around $1,000 total 

Overall monetary value is contingent exclusively on spending habits and/or if the player requires a uniform or equipment update or change each additional season they play.

Ice Time Commitment
Requires evaluation in order to determine player talent/ability level assignment to form even teams
12-15 Games
20-30 Practices




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Reply #1:
 March 26, 2019, 09:34:04 AM
In all honesty a very good tier ll double A player can be just as good or better than any tier 1 player and the price index is almost 3/4 difference lower.
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Reply #2:
 March 26, 2019, 09:39:16 AM
I guess this is just for cheap PA T2 teams? T2 in NY and NJ are over 3g tuition. Some bantam T2 teams in PA are over 2300.
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Reply #3:
 March 26, 2019, 09:45:30 AM
I guess this is just for cheap PA T2 teams? T2 in NY and NJ are over 3g tuition. Some bantam T2 teams in PA are over 2300.

PA Tier ll $$$ is lower than NJ and NY, it's not what would be considered as "cheap". That's the average prices from mite to midget for last season, some clubs were slightly higher. Almost all of the tier ll clubs have raised prices at least $200 since this article was posted.
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Reply #4:
 March 26, 2019, 11:19:07 AM
Great summary! Tier I is for those families who can afford it (or those who think their 8 year old will play in the NHL 😂) - not necessarily determined by the talent of the player!

Tier I is usually FOR PROFIT and
Tier II is NON PROFIT

Find a great coach who will challenge your player and work for the betterment of the team as a whole - no matter what level they're at! There are alot of great clubs and coaches - just do what's best for your player (and what you can afford - don't mortgage your house to play hockey 😉) Yes - I've seen people lose their house over this sport!
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Reply #5:
 March 26, 2019, 12:42:02 PM

Tier I is usually FOR PROFIT and
Tier II is NON PROFIT


The reason hockey clubs exist is for profit. No club president can honestly look a parent in the face and tell them they do it for the kids. It's all about the money, you'd have to be seriously lacking brain activity to think otherwise.
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Reply #6:
 March 26, 2019, 01:37:11 PM
Even with all that said most tier1 (AAA) teams also have an American division which pay the same as the regular tier1 teams but no shot at playoffs.
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Reply #7:
 March 26, 2019, 01:41:53 PM
Not sure what you mean.  AAA American playoffs are no different than A National, A American, or B. 
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Reply #8:
 March 26, 2019, 01:50:08 PM
Not sure what you mean.  AAA American playoffs are no different than A National, A American, or B. 

But you get the cool bumper sticker that says AAA on it and nobody knows the lesser. AAA American is like playing Jr B. You're paying a ton of money for the right to say your kid plays tier 1 or Jr.
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Reply #9:
 March 26, 2019, 09:19:46 PM
Not sure what you mean.  AAA American playoffs are no different than A National, A American, or B. 

But you get the cool bumper sticker that says AAA on it and nobody knows the lesser. AAA American is like playing Jr B. You're paying a ton of money for the right to say your kid plays tier 1 or Jr.

Agree.  I have seen kids (and parents) that thought AAA American or Jr B was some sort of status symbol, something that proved they or their kid had arrived.  I normally wouldn't care. I mean if you have the money and don't mind paying the price, more power to you. But you'd be surprised how many kids especially at the midget level can't find a better option.  I have actually seen whole AAA American rosters full of kids that were only there because they couldn't find any competitive tier 2 options closer to home. Their local organization either couldn't or wouldn't field a AA team at their age group and most of the other tier 2 organizations had their AA roster set long before tryouts. So they held their nose, paid the price, and hoped for the best. As a result I don't prejudge them anymore. 
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