Jags black bear fees for AHF for 2023 season

[Guest]

In order to do analysis like that, it's important to note what other options parents have as far as rinks.

Based on posted 22-33 prices:
Squirt 1 & 2 ($3,175) - Flyers Youth in Voorhees (non Black Bear). So very close to Igloo prices

For kids living in NJ, is Aston, West Chester or even Grundy an option? I think all rinks are cheaper, but let's look at Aston vs Igloo based on the prices you have there.  $690 cheaper. That will almost be a wash when you factor in bridge toll

Maybe Black Bear charges $100 more for tryouts. If you are bothered by that as a hockey parent, then honestly hockey probably isnt for you (based on how much everything costs in the grand scheme of things).

If Black Bear is a rip off and bad for hockey, then wouldnt those rinks staying loyal to NJYHL have record numbers?

I am a parent who's kid plays at an NJYHL rink by the way

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[Guest]

In order to do analysis like that, it's important to note what other options parents have as far as rinks.

Based on posted 22-33 prices:
Squirt 1 & 2 ($3,175) - Flyers Youth in Voorhees (non Black Bear). So very close to Igloo prices

For kids living in NJ, is Aston, West Chester or even Grundy an option? I think all rinks are cheaper, but let's look at Aston vs Igloo based on the prices you have there.  $690 cheaper. That will almost be a wash when you factor in bridge toll

Maybe Black Bear charges $100 more for tryouts. If you are bothered by that as a hockey parent, then honestly hockey probably isnt for you (based on how much everything costs in the grand scheme of things).

If Black Bear is a rip off and bad for hockey, then wouldnt those rinks staying loyal to NJYHL have record numbers?

I am a parent who's kid plays at an NJYHL rink by the way

I guess you are Mr. Money Bags! $100 and $690 is a lot of money. Dismissing money the way you do tells me your rich and out of touch that some families may not be able to afford the BB costs.

I was at Voorhees and not happy with the hockey director or the quality of coaching my kids got, so we left. Igloo has a ton of players at 12u and 10u leaving for other rinks because the families felt cheated. Some going Tier 1, some going to Hollydell. Igloo will not have the talent to field AA teams at 12u or 10u because of the exodus. My family is going to Hollydell.

BB has the highest fees of all the rinks in SJ and if they keep this up more people will leave. Igloo was kind of dumpy this year too. The locker and bathrooms were rarely cleaned and smelled. The snack bar is good, but everything else was not well maintained and the front desk people were rude. Same for Pennsauken where I took my son for power skating. Mark my words, BB will ruin hockey and make it for only the rich. They will dilute the talent pool by pricing out middle and lower middle class families.

On top of all the above, Igloo lied to me. We should have gotten 12 skills sessions, got 5 instead and 2 extra skills competitions which were worth less. Got 1 tournament when promised 2. Got 2 shared half ice practices when promised 1 full ice for our team alone. It was a complete rip off and BB should have refunded money. I asked and they did not, so I am moving to Hollydell.

Peace!

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[Guest]

all New Jersey clubs are more expensive than Pennslyvania due to property taxes being much higher in NJ.

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[Guest]

So apparently anyone who has a different opinion is either:
a) An employee of Black Bear
b) Mr Money Bags
c) A letter chaser

Hilarious

I like the comment above, NJ rinks are just more expensive because of something like taxes. Why dont you go to Aston or West Chester then, if they are so much cheaper?

Hopefully they arent still putting older teams on the Futures Rink at Hollydell for practice.

You do make some really good points on how there is drama at all of the rinks and it causes parents to continually jump around. Parents need to fight back to try to control these costs. If we arent playing AAA or AA, then there is no need for so many practices, skills sessions (if they have it, as you mention) and even tournaments. Whatever happened to playing hockey at a level above in house, but not needed from July through March.

I am not sure what level your kid plays at, but your post really outlined a lot of good details that I hope a lot of other parents see (and factor into their decisions). Too many parents drink the kool aid, and I commend you for your honesty...

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[Guest]

Kid played 12UAA this year, moving to 12UAAA next year. Parents have the power over the rinks for how much they pay. Without the players the rinks can't field teams. BB overpaid for rinks, had to replace mechanicals and now are trying to recoup their money. If BB keeps pushing prices higher, they will lose players to other rinks or worse other sports. It is getting unaffordable to play hockey. I am already starting to see this as my kid gets older. On top of the higher pricing BB overbooks their rinks which forces shared ice practice. Seems every year we are getting less for our money. Parents need to wake up!

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[Guest]

hopefully you are playing for one of the better ranked AAA teams. a lot of AAA teams in PA and NJ are pretty much AA teams

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[Guest]

Not worried about how good a team. Want 3 days on ice, 1 off ice with trainer and actually get skill sessions. Practice is first at this age, not games. Skating, skating and more skating!

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[Guest]

If the attitude is to skate, skate, skate then stay at AA and go to Elite Edge or somewhere like that for private lessons. your kid will surely skate, skate, skate while saving money at the same time. Join a gym for $30 a month and most have a trainer included with membership. I personally don't want a kid on my kids AAA team that isn't worried about the quality of team they are on.

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[Guest]

That's good to get practice 3x a week. How was your AA experience?

Not sure where you played, but my son plays A level in PA.

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[Guest]

Played AA in Central NJ. Moving to AAA next year- more expensive, but 3x's week on ice, one off with trainer, weekly skills, training camp, spring skates, video sessions. AAA Better bang for buck, especially at non-BB rink. AA at a BB rink was a total rip-off for $3900 with jerseys & socks. AHF AA was very good competition but the practices were all 2 shared ice practices/week, no off ice, skills sessions were worthless, only 1 of 2 tournaments, no training camp as promised, and dad coaching just ok. Looking forward to AAA with non-dad coaches and a more professional atmosphere.

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