The Minor Hockey Thread

[bagofpucks]

I don’t see the problem…goalies are clearly the smartest and coolest kids on every team.

In my 25 plus years of playing goal and then 20 plus years of coaching it was not very common for kids that truly catch the goalie bug to then lose their passion right away, so the good news is he will probably stick with it for a while. I do really feel bad for goalie parents though; between the extra money and potential extra lessons/coaching and then the extra stress it is not an easy gig. I guess it could be worse…both my brother and I played goalie at high levels and are 16 years apart, so my parents had to go through it twice!

Our youngest is 3 and has started showing signs of being a goalie, so I feel your pain and may be right there with you in a few years.

[cheevers]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

I don’t see the problem…goalies are clearly the smartest and coolest kids on every team.

You forgot the best looking as well.

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by cheevers

You forgot the best looking as well.

Oh, I just figured that goes without saying.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Knut

My kid chose to play Goalie in U11. The problem is that he is passionate about it. Practices all the time. Talks about it all the time and watches goalie videos instead of videos of adults playing kids games. He is also naturally very good at it.

Why is this a problem? Money and time commitments are coming. We told our kids that they have to show a sustained passion for something before we invest all the time and money into it. So many a miserable kid is being funded by parents that doesnt want to actually be doing this stuff.

We got off easy with my oldest. He liked the sport but did not really like camps and really just enjoyed playing and being at the rink with friends.

To be honest though. It is great to see our son latch onto something so passionately.

Look for used goalie gear as much as possible. There's always a kid growing out of theirs and looking to unload.

[bagofpucks]

Well, after much thought on her part, our 5 year old daughter has decided to play hockey this year. Our community has a really awesome outdoor league, so it will be one practice and one game per week, which I think is a perfect introduction to the sport. Question for all you hockey parents…how is the quality for the “protective gear” kits from Canadian Tire? She doesn’t need anything fancy, but I am thinking she may be hard to find used gear for as she is quite petite.

[BowRiverBruinsRule]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Well, after much thought on her part, our 5 year old daughter has decided to play hockey this year. Our community has a really awesome outdoor league, so it will be one practice and one game per week, which I think is a perfect introduction to the sport. Question for all you hockey parents…how is the quality for the “protective gear” kits from Canadian Tire? She doesn’t need anything fancy, but I am thinking she may be hard to find used gear for as she is quite petite.

These starter kits are a great option. They protect as they should. I found the biggest protection needed is from falling down. These kits are usually for one year as kids grow - kids grow fast. Hope your daughter has a blast.

[dobbles]

A few months back I posted about all of the religious tie ins that come along with youth hockey in Tulsa. Now for this holiday season, they are doing a fundraiser by raffling off an AR-15... Somehow youth hockey has become the most redneck thing I have been involved with since living in the south.

[chedder]

Originally Posted by dobbles

A few months back I posted about all of the religious tie ins that come along with youth hockey in Tulsa. Now for this holiday season, they are doing a fundraiser by raffling off an AR-15... Somehow youth hockey has become the most redneck thing I have been involved with since living in the south.

This is absolutely hilarious and scary at the same time. Mixing crazy hockey parents with crazy religion with crazy gun culture. What could possibly go wrong?!

[calgarygeologist]

Has anyone had their kid play in the AMP 3v3 winter program run out of Winsport as an alternative to community or house league? How is the program run and is it a good experience for kids and families? It seems pretty good to me at first glance. It is nice that it is regularly scheduled like house league and I'm guessing it is a bit more competitive/higher skill than house league.