I tease Matt every year: all-star teams are his chance to have 5 friends and 15 enemies...

I'd also suggest that the differences between "A" and "AA" levels of competition aren't all that great, based on this and past seasons' game results. It's not club hockey where players can shop for a level of competition and skill based on the letters. Even at AAA, once you get past the "elite" 4-5 teams, the remainder are competitive with the better "A" and "AA" teams (sorry Top Cat, we disagree). Some of the very best local players play on "A" teams--because that's the school they attend--and while they are standout players, it isn't like they are skating around cones out there doing whatever they want, whenever they want, and they'd be equally productive playing AA or AAA competition.

Goalie,
How are they picked? I pick them based on what I see on the ice combined with stats and contribution to the team. Unfortunately, I'm not privy to who all the "head cases" are so that doesnt become a factor when making selections.

I do not pay attention to weather a kid plays Jr B or in house hockey...all I care about is how he/she preforms for thier High School team.

I've seen kids play midget AAA and dominate, and then play HS hockey and just go through the motions....I dont reward that player for his Club hockey accomplishments.

I also console with league officials, media and some coaches for their oppinions, but ultimately, I make the final desisions for the Breakaway All-Stars.

when will the teams be picked or posted?

they'll be in the April edition of Breakaway.....probably out in the last week of April.

Stats don't always tell the story but for HS hockey for the mosot part the kids higer in the point totals are the better players for their teams (in the case of forwards)

Matt sees enough hockey where if a player stands out he will notice it. For all the all breakaway teams i have seen i have never seen a kid not deserve to be on it

quote:

Even at AAA, once you get past the "elite" 4-5 teams, the remainder are competitive with the better "A" and "AA" teams (sorry Top Cat, we disagree).

Carl, I take great comfort in my position knowing you disagree with me. In fact, I would have to reconsider my position any time you agree with me

T.C.
one of the great satisfactions in life is leading someone to enlightenment. My statement was the the "better A and AA teams are competitive with all but the top AAA schools". Here's why (let me know if I missed any):

AA Neshaminy (20th seed)
tied and defeated AAA champion HG Prep
tied AAA Judge twice
defeated AAA Ryan
AAA Pennsbury (3rd AA seed)
defeated AAA Ryan twice
tied AAA Roman
defeated AAA Judge

AA North Penn defeated AAA Judge
AA McDevitt defeated Ryan
AA Abington tied Ryan
AA Pennridge (5th seed) defeated Ryan

AA champion Haverford defeated AAA Bonner, AAA St Joe Prep, and AAA O'Hara (AAA runner-up)
A Springfield defeated AAA Shanahan
A Perk Valley tied AAA Malvern

the same AA schools lost their fair share of games to AAA teams but I think the "competitive" point can be demonstrated.

get better soon... hockey needs you.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CarlWood,

So if I follow this ludicrous rational then the Flyer's should get the third seed in the playoffs because they beat Atlanta 3 times and Atlanta is currently the 3 seed in the East. Your argument doesn't make much sense. I think that Top Cats points were right on. Although I feel HH and Henderson are good teams there is a distinct diference in the levels overall.

No we're not talking about seeding or anything close to it. The point of discussion was the overall level of competition between the AAA league teams and the better AA teams. I don't doubt that Haverford High would have been +.500 in the AAA league. Do you think otherwise? How about Pennsbury? Would any of these teams do better than AB Wood, Bonner, Shanahan, Judge, Salesianum against AAA competition. Besides, T.C. and I enjoy our little debates...

It's a "down" year in many ways for the skill level of all levels of HS hockey. We still have individual standouts, but the overall level of play is down from past years. Too many players lost to JrB-C-A, whatever. Not enough emphasis on skating and fundamentals in the club world these days?

You are slipping alittle Jigga with predictions. lol..
Daily Local all area team selections were as follows
First team all area:
F Kevin Huntington Senior Malvern Prep
F Alex Cottle Junior W.C. Henderson
F Vince Masciantonio Sophmore Conestoga
F Matt Milana Freshman Unionville
D Tim McGarry Senior Kennett
D Dan Lassik Senior Malvern Prep
D Brian Wanner Junior Conestoga
G Rob Mattern Sophmore W.C. Henderson

Second team all area:
F Jamie Berlin Junior Kennett
F Rich Masciantonio Sophmore Conestoga
F Billy Connelly Senior Shanahan
F Brian Rispoli Freshman Great Valley
D Stephen Frey Senior Malvern Prep
D Pat McHugh Junior W.C. East
D B.J.Blaker Junior W.C. East
G Devin Lieberman Junior W.C. Rustin

And co-player of the year go to:
Greg Tinkoff Kennett
Bily Latta Henderson

Hockeymom,

Looks like the All-Chester County team not All-Area.

SM14,
Do all individual areas ie. Chester Montg. etc. make their own selections for their particular area?
Sorry..the paper called it"first team all area" Opps....
Anyway...Tinkoff and Latta well deserved players of the year In Daily Local, two great articles spotlighting their season.

Yeah Daily Local is not ALL the ICSHL teams. (Which I included in my list) just teams in the papers coverage area. I know the Delco Times picks a team and I didn't know the Daily Local did. Not sure about Bucks or MontCO

Also whoever picked those teams seems to have just looked at the stat page. I think anyone who watched 'Stoga this year knows that the player on the 2nd team should be flip flopped with the player on 1st team (These players have the same last name)

Also I think Chris Brennan of Unionville (not on the list) should have been mentioned before Milana who was 1st team. and Billy Connelly belongs on first team over either Unionville player.

Jigga,
Do you know Delco Times picks?