Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:30 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 6:46 am If my kid makes AAA would scouts be looking at him even though he didn’t make on his draft year? Hes not very physical but has a good shot but needs to be passed to.

It depends. Is he on a top AA team this year? Or bottom of the barrel AA. What age are we talking about here

Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 12:11 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:30 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 6:46 am If my kid makes AAA would scouts be looking at him even though he didn’t make on his draft year? Hes not very physical but has a good shot but needs to be passed to.

It depends. Is he on a top AA team this year? Or bottom of the barrel AA. What age are we talking about here

Top team. Top goal scorer with a wicked shot. He’s dedicated to the game, always in the gym, always pushing himself to get better. His only focus is moving up in hockey and we are backing him 100% to chase that dream.

Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 12:11 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:30 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 6:46 am If my kid makes AAA would scouts be looking at him even though he didn’t make on his draft year? Hes not very physical but has a good shot but needs to be passed to.

It depends. Is he on a top AA team this year? Or bottom of the barrel AA. What age are we talking about here

Top team. Top goal scorer with a wicked shot. He’s dedicated to the game, always in the gym, always pushing himself to get better. His only focus is moving up in hockey and we are backing him 100% to chase that dream.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 2:51 am

Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 12:11 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:30 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 6:46 am If my kid makes AAA would scouts be looking at him even though he didn’t make on his draft year? Hes not very physical but has a good shot but needs to be passed to.

It depends. Is he on a top AA team this year? Or bottom of the barrel AA. What age are we talking about here

Top team. Top goal scorer with a wicked shot. He’s dedicated to the game, always in the gym, always pushing himself to get better. His only focus is moving up in hockey and we are backing him 100% to chase that dream.

Worth mentioning from U18 AAA you’d have to go to junior A, then OHL. The player will be close if not past OHL age eligibility by then. Chances of cracking that roster are slim unless you’re a phenom. Then, if they are too old, they would have to go from junior, to FPHL, to SPHL, to ECHL, to AHL, to NHL.

The same rule applies where you have to light up each league with multiple points per game to get noticed. So when I mean it’s 10x harder, that’s no joke. There’s a reason why everyone laughs when players and parents think their kid has a shot when they miss U16 draft year. The chances are very, very slim.

Guest wrote: ↑Mon Mar 24, 2025 2:41 am

Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 12:11 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:30 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 6:46 am If my kid makes AAA would scouts be looking at him even though he didn’t make on his draft year? Hes not very physical but has a good shot but needs to be passed to.

It depends. Is he on a top AA team this year? Or bottom of the barrel AA. What age are we talking about here

Top team. Top goal scorer with a wicked shot. He’s dedicated to the game, always in the gym, always pushing himself to get better. His only focus is moving up in hockey and we are backing him 100% to chase that dream.

Somethings we look at. In AAA we love physical players, you get benched if you are timid at all or scared of the corners. Elite skating is a must. It’s a fast game and slow players stand out. Size is a very small part of the equation, it’s all about mindset. Think Sam Bennett vs Justin Holl, tenacity is everything. Holl has 5 inches and 50 lbs on him, but Bennett would have Holl’s tail between his legs. There’s a reason why Holl is a 7th dman and Bennett is a top player on a top team, and it’s not size. You have to improve the parts of your game that actually matter. A shot is a good asset, but things like in-game puck possession, toughness, or skating make someone stand out. Focus strategically on the things that actually make them a better player and cut your time on items that aren’t beneficial to a hockey player. I’d even say mobility is more important than something like weight lifting. Generic gym isn’t beneficial hockey players. Does he study film? Do mobility workouts? Practice realistic in game scenarios? Needing to be passed to is a big issue, and no team will accommodate that. Learn to get the puck yourself and earn it. The route past the draft year is doable, but you have to be even better than someone who did it through their regular draft year if that makes sense. It’s 10x harder.
You now have to play in a goons league and likely get 4-5 pts per game to get noticed. You will also be competing against really wealthy parents who will pay 50k or more for their kid to extend the dream past the draft year.

Guest wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 2:35 pm While hockey can be a fantastic sport for teenagers, providing numerous physical and mental benefits, excessive participation can lead to negative consequences. Here are some guidelines to help determine how much hockey is too much for a teenager:

Factors to consider:

Age: Teenagers (13-19 years old) are still developing physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Their bodies are more susceptible to injury, and excessive hockey participation can lead to overuse injuries, burnout, and decreased performance.
Frequency and duration: Playing hockey more than 3-4 times per week, with each session lasting over 2 hours, can be excessive.
Intensity: High-intensity hockey, such as elite-level or travel hockey, can be more demanding than recreational or local league hockey.
Off-ice training: Additional off-ice training, such as strength and conditioning exercises, can add to the overall physical and mental demands of hockey.
Academic and social commitments: Teenagers have academic and social responsibilities that should not be compromised by excessive hockey participation.
Signs of too much hockey:

Chronic fatigue: Persistent tiredness, decreased energy levels, or difficulty recovering between games and practices.
Injuries: Frequent or recurring injuries, particularly overuse injuries like tendonitis, shin splints, or stress fractures.
Burnout: Decreased motivation, interest, or enjoyment in hockey, or feelings of exhaustion, frustration, or anxiety.
Impact on academics: Hockey participation interfering with academic performance, homework, or study habits.
Social isolation: Hockey dominating social life, leading to decreased time with friends and family or feelings of loneliness.
Guidelines for healthy hockey participation:

USA Hockey recommends: 2-3 hockey sessions per week, with at least one day of rest in between.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests: 1-2 hours of hockey per day, with at least one day of rest per week.
Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine recommends: 2-3 hockey sessions per week, with at least one day of rest in between, and a maximum of 10-12 hours of hockey per week.
Tips for parents and coaches:

Monitor workload: Keep track of hockey participation, including games, practices, and off-ice training.
Encourage rest and recovery: Ensure teenagers have time to rest and recover between hockey sessions.
Prioritize academics: Support teenagers in maintaining a balance between hockey and academic responsibilities.
Watch for signs of burnout: Be aware of changes in behavior, mood, or motivation that may indicate burnout.
Foster a positive hockey environment: Encourage a love for the game, while promoting healthy participation and well-being.
By being mindful of these guidelines and signs of excessive hockey participation, parents, coaches, and teenagers can work together to ensure a healthy and enjoyable hockey experience.

Guest wrote: ↑Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:09 am I’m super sick of parents telling their kids they'll make the NHL and forcing them into a life of hockey for their own personal fulfillment.