I've been a high-level Bantam coach for the last 6 years (taking a break this season). My 2 cents:
- Spring hockey can go either way. If the kid wants to do it, I say go for it. I wouldn't push them that way if want to do other things. Doing another sport combined with some summer training/skating can do wonders. I suggest Lacrosse for something with intensity and contact, also great for conditioning and positonal play (although it's closer to basketball in that regard). Soccer is great for hockey skills/IQ as well (the game flows very similarly, although slower). I don't like football because A)injuries are high and B) the season's coincide. But if they want to, go for it. Keep in mind, if the kid is good enough and wants to actually try for high-levels and college, the decision to switch to hockey full-time comes between 13 and 15 years old. Tough choice for a kid. Doesn't mean they can't do other things in the summer, but focus should be their chosen sport.
- +1 for figure skating. Almost any kid that stands out as an agile and deceptive skater tells me they took figure skating as a kid. This includes my younger brother, who is one of the better skaters I've seen. If your kid doesn't like it but wants to improve skaing, a list of NHL players that figure skated is pretty easy to come by and longer than one would think.
- Watch hockey and learn. Watch all levels and compare them to the NHL. Point out minor mistakes and positonal problems with your kid if you can spot them. Watching and critiquing is how you develop IQ for the game.
And to an earlier point. I have never heard of 10 year olds billeting and being gone for an entire season for hockey. Maybe they were trying to sneak a kid into a community organization? Was it for summer hockey? Just seems weird.
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