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Guest wrote: ↑Mon Mar 03, 2025 4:55 pm
The strength of a team and its coach is determined by the weakest players. Top players will continue to develop in almost any environment and will contribute to any team. It’s the third and fourth lines that ultimately decide the fate of the season.
Playtime is one of the most critical factors in a player’s development, and limiting it abruptly halts progress. Coaches are not fortune tellers—they can’t predict a player’s future. If a coach takes on a player but then stops playing them, it’s already a red flag. It suggests that the coach either lacks the ability to select the right players, doesn’t know how to develop them, or has recruited some simply to fill the budget while allowing his top players to rest a few times per game. In any case, I would avoid such a coach, regardless of my child’s role on the team. Make all roster cuts at the end of the season. Some kids lose interest in hockey and need the opportunity to explore other activities, while others would benefit from playing at a different level or in a different environment. Additionally, there may be stronger candidates available who, if not recruited, could end up strengthening the competition
There are a million other reasons why kids sit or are sitting on some teams ; MNS, FT, ST and TW all run short benches and have almost all season.
Some kids miss practices or don't show commitment. Some kids don't listen to the coach. Some kids create problems on bench by calling out teammates and being little asswipes. Some kids don't try hard and don't have competitive spirit, they won't backcheck ever, they won't battle on the boards. Some kids are puck hogs and don't play as part of a team. Some kids were early starters but have fizzled out. Some take stupid penalties or always retaliate with rage on the ice.
Coach recruited these kids over a year ago, some skates were happening in November and December 2023. It's been a year and a half, some kids didnt pan out. What kind of a fool is going to cost a team and all the other hard working kids success by insisting they all play equal time? That's the coach you run away from.
Nobody's hands are cuffed if you're #12-15 on your team now and you come back in September there is a problem . With you.
There are many rational reasons to bench a kid sure. For a short period of time to teach a lesson. Not every game in order to win some extra games. You’re forgetting they are 9. You can’t make changes midway through a season. So yes youre stuck.
There’s a reason hockey Canada has rules regarding equal and fair play. I don’t totally agree with them but, unless you signed on and were told at the beginning that your kid wouldn’t get his share of time on the ice then it shouldn’t happen at this point because the coach can’t pick good players.
We aren’t midway thru a season mate.
We’re in the thick of the playoffs.
You can go with a communist approach and explain to 12 kids why the other 4 are costing them a chance so that everyone can go home with a participation ribbon.
Or you can play who you need to at the end of the end of games.
There is no person with a brain who would do this.
Strive for excellence.
I said the last 5 minutes or so should be up to the coach. No team has 12 strong kids and 4 weak ones. The short bench refers to a handfull of kids playing 2 or 3 times more then the rest.
If you're advocating for kids to sit from midway through the second to win, then your kids team isnt winning, a few kids are. Why have those kids there to begin with if thats the attitude? pay more for a smaller roster...
And last I checked there is no participation trophy in AA.
Guest wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 7:06 pm
The entitlement is what gets me
Insisting that all teams adopt equal icetime and removing choice for others that favour a meritocracy
No one is forcing these parents to bring kids to playoff games
There are 8 AA teams done for the year now, watching from home
Either have your kid join them or tell him to suck it up and learn a life lesson.
Then, next year, stop trying to climb the ladder and find a new place to play at a lower level. That might actually give your kid a chance to excel.
Coming from a place of compassion I sympathize with kids who are behind and parents who don't have the hockey knowledge to identify that their kids don't belong. That said it's playoff time and if your kid isn't getting a regular shift you should relocate them to A or select. It's not rocket science. Embrace the warm slice of humble pie and get out of the way. Life isn't fair. Get used to it.
Guest wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 7:06 pm
The entitlement is what gets me
Insisting that all teams adopt equal icetime and removing choice for others that favour a meritocracy
No one is forcing these parents to bring kids to playoff games
There are 8 AA teams done for the year now, watching from home
Either have your kid join them or tell him to suck it up and learn a life lesson.
Then, next year, stop trying to climb the ladder and find a new place to play at a lower level. That might actually give your kid a chance to excel.
Coming from a place of compassion I sympathize with kids who are behind and parents who don't have the hockey knowledge to identify that their kids don't belong. That said it's playoff time and if your kid isn't getting a regular shift you should relocate them to A or select. It's not rocket science. Embrace the warm slice of humble pie and get out of the way. Life isn't fair. Get used to it.