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.

Look for programs that run as a non profit. Especially those that are in rinks they dont own

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.

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.

I don't think that you can paint all non-profits with the same brush. In my area, there are some very high functioning non profits, and there are some that are run like a hot dog stand. What it really comes down to is who the board members are, how much time they have to donate, and how passionate they are to learn and implement "best practices" into the organization.

What gets lost in a lot of this is what the organization prioritizes; is it winning or development? It's very tricky to deliver both alot of the time. Winning is a byproduct of development; not so true the other was around.

FWIW, I was on the board at our local non-profit and as the treasurer, I can confirm there weren't any non-coaching salary expenses. So that is not true for every non-profit either.

Where you can draw a line of distinction between profit and non-profit, is that the non-profit is simply looking to break even so that plays as an important factor in the final tuition. As another poster pointed out, prioritize good coaching for your child's age bracket and quality of organization second.   

Great advice! We’ve just begun our journey and have found an incredible home with the half ice pilots- coach is incredible, kids and families great, cost is good, ice time ample, and rink feels like a family. Kids are developing really nicely, having fun, and gaining confidence. Couldn’t ask for a better start!