What is the difference between aaa american and national

[Guest]

Our aa team is playing a non league game against aaa american. I thought the national and american assignments are designated to tier ll a level. What is the difference between american and and national tier 1 teams? We're an 05

[Guest]

AAA American is basically AA

[Guest]

In our experience with playing these teams in the past (as AA), they are teams where the players could not make the National (or Elite) teams but still wanted that prestige of being considered AAA (will keep my opinions to myself on that one).  We beat all of them quite handily. 

[Guest]

I'm confused because I don't recall my son's team playing aaa teams with a level designation unless I missed it. Is this new or have i not noticed it before? It doesn't seem to make sense..

[Guest]

AYHL has them.  I was a bit off.  At U18, they have Premiere (highest level) and then Elite.  At the lower age groups, they go by National/American.

Atlantic Youth Hockey League | Standings

Hope that helps. 

[Guest]

If my math is right tier ll aa with all in tuition and uniform is around 3500. vs tier 1 aaa american all in tuition and uniform for around 6500 to 7000 to say your kid is playing aaa? That's really what it sounds like.

[Guest]

Math is pretty good!

Here is a read for ya...more geared towards hockey in Canada but not much different.

Selling the Dream: How Hockey Parents And Their Kids Are Paying The Price For

[Youth Hockey Info]

We posted this article a few months ago. It's a brief summary with an external link to another site where they did a deep dive into tier 1 hockey parents. AAA, Elite, High Energy The Cost Of The Top Level Abbreviation

[Guest]

Tier 1 American is for parents who want the privlage to say their kid plays AAA hockey. That's pretty sad its the same as playing Junior B and paying 12000$...... My kid plays Jr.

[Guest]

A lot of these AAA teams are AA at best. AY cashing checks rather than cutting teams based on skill level.