2025-26 Movement

[Guest]

If all of these Tier I players are leaving, then where are they going?  Tier II?  Or are they just leaving in a circle to the other Tier I clubs?

[Guest]

Here are some common things in

youth hockey.
All levels...You have 2-3 players that are the best. If the team isn't good, they look to move to a better team or higher level. You have 2-3 players that think they are the best and move to find a team where they are the top line / players. You have 2-3 players that are the bottom and may get bumped down. You have 2-3 sets of parents that chase letters and will go to insane measures to secure those letters.

Every year you will have the parents openly saying they are leaving. You'll also have a few surprise departures.

Finally, if you are dumping money into your kids Tier 1 dreams in this area you should understand that Tier 1 in the Mid Atlantic doesn't compare with Mass, Michigan, and Minnesota. If you are truly a dynamic talent, you are leaving here early for tougher competition.

[Guest]

Here are some common things in

youth hockey.
All levels...You have 2-3 players that are the best. If the team isn't good, they look to move to a better team or higher level. You have 2-3 players that think they are the best and move to find a team where they are the top line / players. You have 2-3 players that are the bottom and may get bumped down. You have 2-3 sets of parents that chase letters and will go to insane measures to secure those letters.

Every year you will have the parents openly saying they are leaving. You'll also have a few surprise departures.

Finally, if you are dumping money into your kids Tier 1 dreams in this area you should understand that Tier 1 in the Mid Atlantic doesn't compare with Mass, Michigan, and Minnesota. If you are truly a dynamic talent, you are leaving here early for tougher competition.

Agree, only thing I'd add is that I believe the talent is there in the area, the problem is the district has allowed way to many T1 teams which has diluted the quality of teams and play at all levels.

[Guest]

Here are some common things in

youth hockey.
All levels...You have 2-3 players that are the best. If the team isn't good, they look to move to a better team or higher level. You have 2-3 players that think they are the best and move to find a team where they are the top line / players. You have 2-3 players that are the bottom and may get bumped down. You have 2-3 sets of parents that chase letters and will go to insane measures to secure those letters.

Every year you will have the parents openly saying they are leaving. You'll also have a few surprise departures.

Finally, if you are dumping money into your kids Tier 1 dreams in this area you should understand that Tier 1 in the Mid Atlantic doesn't compare with Mass, Michigan, and Minnesota. If you are truly a dynamic talent, you are leaving here early for tougher competition.

Agree, only thing I'd add is that I believe the talent is there in the area, the problem is the district has allowed way to many T1 teams which has diluted the quality of teams and play at all levels.

Agree 100%. Even low level Tier 1 teams in the area have 2-3 true Tier 1 players on the team. Some of these kids stay on those teams for coaching and proximity to home. I agree too many Tier 1 teams and pure AA from AHF did not help things. It diluted AA now. I will disagree on 1 thing: "If you are truly a dynamic talent, you are leaving here early for tougher competition."  I think some kids are not ready to leave early for another area or parents can't afford it. I know a few kids that are dynamic talent that stay at their low Tier 1 rink for those reasons. I think you will not know if someone is truly dynamic until they are 15-16. A kid may show promise earlier, but a lot of those promising kids do not make it for a multitude of reasons. Also I have think Tier 1 does a disservice to girls in the area. There are not enough high level girls to have a legit Tier 1 girls league. The best organization girls is JrF but their Tier 1 teams travel double compared toTier 1 boys team. A few high level girls won't even try out because of the travel. Then most Tier 1 teams won't even consider the girl for the boys teams even is they are better than half the boys. So they end up playing AA. My sons AAA team has a girl player and she is top 3 on the team. It is a shame more Tier 1 teams won't take girls. I saw a girl playing Tier 1 bantam this year. Wonder if she is playing again at 14U?

[Guest]

Girls don't belong in checking with the boys. Whoever this girl is needs to go play girls!

[Guest]

Couldn't disagree more. I've seen plenty of girls play boys club and high school hockey.

[Guest]

This is boring. where are all the whispers. My popcorn is stale.

[Guest]

This is boring. where are all the whispers. My popcorn is stale.

[Guest]

It will all start to leak out tonight and continue thru next week. All these tier 1 prospects will be choosing their teams.  Sounds like an ayhl team or two will be full of low AA kids to mid since they loose talent to other teams.  This is truly a great time of year.  Watching parents shit their pants in nervousness because they care more than the kid about tryouts.  Most kids want to play with friends and be part of a winning team not some made up crap shoot that does not succeed.

[Guest]

who hurt you?