Tier 1 at the younger ages is about developing culture and progressing skills and work ethic. A lot of these podcasters say this but don’t follow their advice. Brian yandle from the “rink shrinks” podcast says that aaa at 10-12 isn’t necessary all the time, but guess what his kid plays it and has since he was 9. They’re one of the top teams in the country and he totes that often.?.. There is a difference between not being necessary and being bad. If you can afford to have your kid play at the high level and if the kid has the skill why wouldn’t you? It would be like saying don’t teach your kid to swim until he’s 13/14 because that is when their chances are higher to make the Olympics. Honing skill and playing at your ability level should be the focus regardless of letters.
In the same breath there is a lot of talk of flyers youth kids leaving jh team to go to igloo at the 2013 age level. They are playing a hybrid aaa/aa schedule this year, going to the ahf is a huge step down these kids would be better suited on a thf aaa team. Wins over development is the problem in hockey way more then tier1 vs tier 2. Take an honest look and see where your kid will get better and be challenged!
