Jray42
Registered User
The post you quoted was from 6 and a half years ago.Jeez, you registered in 2011, you have been here since you were nine years old, that is pretty damn impressive.
Good luck with the hockey stuff.
The post you quoted was from 6 and a half years ago.Jeez, you registered in 2011, you have been here since you were nine years old, that is pretty damn impressive.
Good luck with the hockey stuff.
The post you quoted was from 6 and a half years ago.
A side point is that Jovanovski didn't even START playing hockey till he was 15!!!
5 years old is too young to develop skills, most players can't even stand up on their own skates at that age, so i agree with half ice hockey and playing for fun, all it should be.
Being interested in the game for fun should be first. Here they call it development league and if the kids have fun in that they move on to novice level the following years, that's when they start practicing between games. The ages of 7 through 10, 5 is too early.Well I disagree with you. Skating is a skill. Stopping and turning are skills. Some really basic moving the puck with your stick is a skill. Five year olds are plenty old enough to develop those skills. It's just you can easily develop those skills through fun games as much as through drills.
That's unfortunate, that Canadian hockey is becoming USA hockey.*I am on this page because I am looking for and want to find a place where my 5 year old grandson can play hockey on a team.*
As a father of 3 kids who grew up playing both hockey and soccer in the 80s' I am truly disgusted with the recent programs for my 3 grandsons in both hockey and soccer. The 10 and 8 year old started playing hockey games as Tykes. Both are competitive in nature and play in Rep leagues. They both worked hard on their skating and other skills to make it where they are, thanks to the help of their parents who sacrificed a lot of time and money to support their goals. Now my 5 year old is in his 3rd year of what the local league calls "player development". He skates with 1st year kids in circles for the most part (still). He is an excellent skater and competitive, growing up with 2 older brothers, and will probably be the best of all 3 in the future, if he does not quit due to boredom. My son tells me that it will be another 3 years before he plays his first game. This is ridiculous. Given his ability, he and other children of his ability need to play organized games. Its the only way they will learn the game and develop social skills. Not being monkeys on the ice with adult "organ grinders" repeating the same drills over and over again.
The local soccer league has jumped on the same band wagon. The oldest plays travel and is talented. And next year the 8 year old who is also talented, gets to try out for the travel. But its a waste of time and travel and money for both given the rules. There are no offside calls. There are no throw ins from the sideline. Are they supposed to absorb thes rules and skills overnight? The league and ref do not keep scores or games won, lost or tied even though there is a standings page. Even in tournaments everyone gets the same medal, regardless of results or effort. Please bear in mind that their parents are worn out by now and don't mind the break.
If this continues our children will useless as players, if they don't quit first, and become "no name" hybrids that some old farts sitting around the table decide is best.
Still looking.
Being interested in the game for fun should be first. Here they call it development league and if the kids have fun in that they move on to novice level the following years, that's when they start practicing between games. The ages of 7 through 10, 5 is too early.
@BogsDiamond , just curious how things worked out for your son after these years. Did he give up hockey for good? Or did he find his way back (and hopefully into a better run program)?
Former WHL player in my area didn't put his kids in Initiation or Novice hockey. He let them pond skate and have fun with hockey on their own time. Now this guys kids are in Atom Development and standout players.
Another player in my area could barely skate in his first year Atom house. Now this kid is getting some looks for the WHL bantam draft. This player also didn't play Initiation or Novice hockey.
Development and love for the game is not linear. People should stop trying to squeeze blood out of a stone. If your kid is good then it'll come out. The cream always rises to the top. Hockey is too systematic at the younger ages and doesn't allow for players to grow the organic love of the game. Stop beating the fun out of the game for players.
Parents need to stop the bs about having to get their kids to hit early milestones too. Example: parent will be like - "mY kId StArTeD sKaTiNg At 2 yEaRs OlD".
Not saying op is like this but overall people should relax their expectations with kids hockey.