Quadrant Hockey Questions

[Vox]

I've been around CP for a long time, hosting the site for years before stepping away from my old role a few years ago. I haven't been too active since, but the thread about who you've met in real life got me thinking about some of the people I have met, which got me thinking I'd reach out and ask a few questions. I know a lot of you have coached extensively over the years, and have been active in the hockey community.

My soon to be 11 year old son really wants to play quadrant hockey next year. His catchment area is the Buffaloes. I don't know anyone there, unfortunately, but keep hearing that he needs to get involved in ID camps early, or to get to know the coaches so they can get to know him. I'm at a bit of a loss. I'll try and register him in their conditioning camp in August, but beyond that I have no idea. Some of his friends that would be trying for the Northstars are already in ID camps, so I feel I'm behind. Does anyone have experience and advice to share on helping their kids get involved in Quadrant? Any directions you can point me in? My goal is just to help him try, and help him take an honest shot at it.

[photon]

I thought quadrant hockey was some kind of cool chaos where 4 teams play on a square arena all at once or something. The reality is sadly more mundane.

[Rhettzky]

Buffs camps are cheap and run by the coaches, so a great chance for them to get to know your player. I'd highly recommend them.

That said, it's not a must, if the player stands out in evals then the coaches will select them. Theres less politics in the eval process compared to community hockey, and I'll caveat that by saying its still there just less so IMO.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Buffs camps are cheap and run by the coaches, so a great chance for them to get to know your player. I'd highly recommend them.

That said, it's not a must, if the player stands out in evals then the coaches will select them. There's less politics in the eval process compared to community hockey, and I'll caveat that by saying its still there just less so IMO.

Maybe for Buffs there are less politics, but they seem to be ran pretty well.

Definitely get in front of the coaches prior. Like Rhettzky said though, if he's a no-brainer then you don't have to worry so much. I know some spring "development" companies are affiliated with certain quadrants. i.e. with the royals you definitely want to do Pinnacle skates/camps.

[undercoverbrother]

Make sure you have enough money set aside to juice the Buff coaches.....

[TurdFerguson]

My son played U13AA for the buffs last year as a 1st year. We went to the conditioning camp in august just to see what it was all about. Maybe some exposure there but the skill range is also fairly large compared to tryouts, so not sure how much the coaches really take from that one way or another. Also, I think each coach only runs 1 practice in those camps so I can’t imagine it is that helpful. Coming from HSL in years past I found the Buffs experience to be refreshingly impartial and void of politics. I did hear some stories from other organizations though, so perhaps I just didn't see the payoffs...haha. I felt everyone got a fair look. Always some conversation on the bubble kids but that comes down to coach preference in style or something they saw or did not see prior to the draft.

Outside of that camp, there is really nothing through the Buffs to get your 1st year an early look unless you see some overlap for some coaches in other spring programs...

I wouldn't worry to much about it. If your kid is good enough to make the team, he should. If not, try again next year. I would also temper your expectations as a 1st year. Historically, they just don't take that many (couple per team).

PM me if you have any specific questions.

[Vox]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Maybe for Buffs there are less politics, but they seem to be ran pretty well.

Definitely get in front of the coaches prior. Like Rhettzky said though, if he's a no-brainer then you don't have to worry so much. I know some spring "development" companies are affiliated with certain quadrants. i.e. with the royals you definitely want to do Pinnacle skates/camps.

Thanks. He's not a no-brainer, but he has scored a little more or a little less than 50% of his teams goals each of the last few years. Just never quite makes the top level during evals though. But he's had some terrific coaches that have helped him a ton each year. Any idea what companies may be affiliated with the Buffs? I've found camps, programs for the Northstars and others, but not for the Buffs. Thanks for the tips guys.

[Vox]

Originally Posted by TurdFerguson

My son played U13AA for the buffs last year as a 1st year. We went to the conditioning camp in august just to see what it was all about. Maybe some exposure there but the skill range is also fairly large compared to tryouts, so not sure how much the coaches really take from that one way or another. Also, I think each coach only runs 1 practice in those camps so I can’t imagine it is that helpful. Coming from HSL in years past I found the Buffs experience to be refreshingly impartial and void of politics. I did hear some stories from other organizations though, so perhaps I just didn't see the payoffs...haha. I felt everyone got a fair look. Always some conversation on the bubble kids but that comes down to coach preference in style or something they saw or did not see prior to the draft.

Outside of that camp, there is really nothing through the Buffs to get your 1st year an early look unless you see some overlap for some coaches in other spring programs...

I wouldn't worry to much about it. If your kid is good enough to make the team, he should. If not, try again next year. I would also temper your expectations as a 1st year. Historically, they just don't take that many (couple per team).

PM me if you have any specific questions.

Thanks. That would be the situation my son is in, a first year trying out for U13, so I see him as a long shot. But I think it's good life experience to try. (So long as the RESP is always maxed first).

I may PM you and ask a couple of HSL questions if that is alright. I'll try and get them formulated in my head first so I don't waste your time. I appreciate the insight.

[looooob]

as the dad of a kid that made quadrant later in the game (what was then minor midget/u16) and well before there was quadrant at the former PeeWee level, I'd say don't sweat it. always some politics but I agree with others tryouts are usually fair. if your child is a 'bubble' player, may be better in the long run to play community , get a lot of puck touches and gain more confidence as opposed to a stressed bottom of the roster kid from day 1, some of those get lost eventually

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by looooob

as the dad of a kid that made quadrant later in the game (what was then minor midget/u16) and well before there was quadrant at the former PeeWee level, I'd say don't sweat it. always some politics but I agree with others tryouts are usually fair. if your child is a 'bubble' player, may be better in the long run to play community , get a lot of puck touches and gain more confidence as opposed to a stressed bottom of the roster kid from day 1, some of those get lost eventually

All roads lead to beer league! I wish I could heed my own advice as someone looking at potential CSSHL in a different city.

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by fotze2

All roads lead to beer league! I wish I could heed my own advice as someone looking at potential CSSHL in a different city.

I resemble this remark.

We are looking at similar CSSHL, Prep schools, or stay home for U18 AAA. Craziness.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by fotze2

All roads lead to beer league! I wish I could heed my own advice as someone looking at potential CSSHL in a different city.

True! also just qualifying my comment about 'better off playing community' I didn't mean forever, just that not everyone needs to make the move to that stream at the same time- again for some kids a few more years of growth (literal and figurative) can help their game in the long run

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Vox

I've been around CP for a long time, hosting the site for years before stepping away from my old role a few years ago. I haven't been too active since, but the thread about who you've met in real life got me thinking about some of the people I have met, which got me thinking I'd reach out and ask a few questions. I know a lot of you have coached extensively over the years, and have been active in the hockey community.

My soon to be 11 year old son really wants to play quadrant hockey next year. His catchment area is the Buffaloes. I don't know anyone there, unfortunately, but keep hearing that he needs to get involved in ID camps early, or to get to know the coaches so they can get to know him. I'm at a bit of a loss. I'll try and register him in their conditioning camp in August, but beyond that I have no idea. Some of his friends that would be trying for the Northstars are already in ID camps, so I feel I'm behind. Does anyone have experience and advice to share on helping their kids get involved in Quadrant? Any directions you can point me in? My goal is just to help him try, and help him take an honest shot at it.

Former quadrant Bantam coach here.

Usually there will be a spring time "conditioning camp" run by the association. It's not tryouts, but it's generally run by the coaches/admins and is a good way for them to get familiar with you.

Ideally it shouldn't matter. I don't feel like we as coaches ever put a ton of stock into it (a lot can change for a teenager in a few months). But it's nice to get an early look.

[FireGilbert]

Oh man I remember in high school wanting nothing more than to play for the Buffs mostly to get attention from girls. Felt like having one of those leather jackets would make me a chick magnet haha.

I didn’t attempt to make the team until Midget and felt I wasn’t given a fair shot. Tryout ice time was extremely limited and it seemed like the coaches had already picked their players. If your son is getting in early at the Bantam level though probably a better opportunity for a real chance.

[Vox]

Thanks everyone for the insight. This is helpful. I appreciate it.

[bagofpucks]

I was outside of the city, but I played the quadrant equivalent level for 6 years and coached for close to 15 years. I always liked those conditioning camps as they were usually fairly affordable for the amount of ice time you get.

As a player - it was nice to get familiar with the coaching staff and potential systems, drills, etc. Obviously, evaluations are a total gong show of nervousness, so any familiarity is always nice.

As a coach - I always liked to get to know the kids and put a name to a face of some of the kids I may have scouted or worked with before. I didn’t put too much stock in skills at these types of camps, but I 100% kept an eye out for attitude and coach-ability. I had a few times where I’d follow up with a fellow coach if I saw some concerning behaviors on or off the ice. Alternatively, it was always great to see some potential leaders emerging.

Good luck to you and your son! I have gone from coaching AA/AAA hockey to currently coaching U5 soccer, so it’s a little bit different intensity and stress level for coaches, parents, and athletes…haha.