Forum > General Youth Hockey Info
Quality in youth hockey
Guest:
There is a lot of program bashing on this platform. But I am curious, are there any programs where development and love of the game come before profit and politics? I’m not looking for the generic “BlackBear” bashing because those rinks are all ran by different hockey directors. I am more locking for any resource to make a kid better at hockey is provided with in reason and not based on the bottom line.
Guest:
Hate to break it to you but, its a business. Black bear or county/town rink. its a business. They are not doing this to lose money. Yeah there are some "extras" that are used to push you over the top, but no one is doing this for charity. There is a formula most rinks and orgs follow it. Development comes naturally from this.
Guest:
Look for programs that run as a non profit. Especially those that are in rinks they dont own
Guest:
This is actually horrible advice. Non profit clubs that rent ice are at a distinct disadvantage. They don’t control the ice and pay premium for all rentals. You’re going to get less for your money because there’s an expensive associated with every ice touch. Rink owned clubs can offer more ice, better slots for less money per touch. Again, this isn’t saying the tuition is more or less but your price per ice touch will be more at a non profit club. You end up sharing more ice than less.
Btw - these friendly not for profit clubs still pay board members, president, director etc. Nothing is free.
Guest:
Do not follow a program based on wins or the flashy team that has success at older levels. Find a coach that is at your child’s level who cares about making kids better. Wins and losses mean nothing if it’s at the sacrifice of your child’s opportunity to get better. Real progress in youth hockey happens in practice not games. Find a coach that people rave about their practices.
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