Can anyone tell me if it is really worth it to play AAA and/or Juniors? I know of a player who played 2 years at Juniors and was one of the leading scores......goes to college this year (has Jr coach call the head coach) and guess who does not make the team! Yep someone who has shelled out almost $20,000 for 2 years of junior hockey and kids that played in the DVHL and NJYHL made the team. What does that tell you about the song and dance those coaches and owners state to you about college?!

It tells you the cream always rises to the top.

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Originally posted by hockeyheads:
Can anyone tell me if it is really worth it to play AAA and/or Juniors? I know of a player who played 2 years at Juniors and was one of the leading scores......goes to college this year (has Jr coach call the head coach) and guess who does not make the team! Yep someone who has shelled out almost $20,000 for 2 years of junior hockey and kids that played in the DVHL and NJYHL made the team. What does that tell you about the song and dance those coaches and owners state to you about college?!

It seems to me that you're not asking a question, you're making a statement. The best advice for you kid is to do what is right for him and don't concern yourself with what others may or not be doing.

great advice. do what is right for your situation. to say that dvhl and njyhl kids made the team ahead of the jr player is a blanket statement. playing junior does not automatically push a player ahead in a college tryout. it's talent and need.and yes there are alot of very talented dvhl and njyhl players at the midget level that play with their friends and school because aaa or junior is a time committment as well as financial. and they are looking to move onto college.

For me, it is a matter of what AAA Midget or junior team you are talking about. If you are good enough to play AAA for Bud’s team (Junior Flyers), then that is saying something. The boys that play for Bud generally move on to a higher level of completion. They also play a great schedule and are seen by a slew of coaches. I know there are AAA midget teams that may be good on a given year, but if you are asking worth, I would say Bud’s team, absolutely yes.

If you are good enough to play in the Eastern Junior League, then yes it is worth it. If you are good enough to play in the Atlantic League, then yes it is worth it. However, if I had $10.00 for every player that told me the Minuteman Coach was going to get him into an NCAA school (and didn’t) I would have enough money to stay at the Marriott Casa Magna Hotel, Cancun Mexico for 2 weeks. A lot of the players from that team end up playing ACHA College Hockey. There is nothing wrong with playing ACHA, but you sure don’t need to hand over all the money it costs to play there to end up playing in the ACHA. Most players coming from good DVHL or AYHL teams will play ACHA right out of high school and save your families a lot of money.

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Originally posted by theposter:

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Originally posted by hockeyheads:
Can anyone tell me if it is really worth it to play AAA and/or Juniors? I know of a player who played 2 years at Juniors and was one of the leading scores......goes to college this year (has Jr coach call the head coach) and guess who does not make the team! Yep someone who has shelled out almost $20,000 for 2 years of junior hockey and kids that played in the DVHL and NJYHL made the team. What does that tell you about the song and dance those coaches and owners state to you about college?!

It seems to me that you're not asking a question, you're making a statement. The best advice for you kid is to do what is right for him and don't concern yourself with what others may or not be doing.

i think i did ask a question. Is it worth it to play AAA/Juniors? All the crap that they feed you saying.....oh i will get you playing college hockey...blah blah blah. Not worried about my kid and what is best for my kid. My kid doesn't play here.

if your child's only goal is to play college hockey then in the end you probably have missed the boat on a wonderful experience. talent, hard work, dedication and a bit of luck are what get you into a college program whether that sport is hockey or any other sport. the experience your child has in playing the sport he loves at a high level where he can enjoy the fun of playing with like minded kids is the value of higher level hockey or for that matter high level music programs, art programs etc. much like life itself, the ride is where the fun, the challenge, the joy and the lessons are to be found. not in the destination.

It may not have been his hockey skills that got him cut. It could have been grades, work ethic or attitude.

Just saying JR's is a blanket statement also. The leagues are different levels and commitment and goals, just like a U18 like Buds versus last years U18 Comcast.

I think the Empire is good feeder in prepping kids for EJHL. They also place kids but most end up in EJHL first because schools would like to see them perform at that higher level.

Sometimes its just about who you know. Do whatever your kid enjoys and wants to do.

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if your child's only goal is to play college hockey then in the end you probably have missed the boat on a wonderful experience. talent, hard work, dedication and a bit of luck are what get you into a college program whether that sport is hockey or any other sport. the experience your child has in playing the sport he loves at a high level where he can enjoy the fun of playing with like minded kids is the value of higher level hockey or for that matter high level music programs, art programs etc. much like life itself, the ride is where the fun, the challenge, the joy and the lessons are to be found. not in the destination.
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Crusader, I couldn't agree more. Some play to get ahead and some play for the pure enjoyment and experiences it offers (travel, high level games, learning, friendships,etc). My son plays for the latter, with hopes of the former. As a father I wouldn't have traded any of the past 11 years. If your player is good enough, and you have the resources then go for it (Jr's). If you're drinking the kool aid 'some' of the coaches are handing out (D-1 placement) then you may be in it for the wrong reasons or not doing your homework. I know of a player, a very good player, who has wanted to quit a few times put is pressured to play by his parents since it's the only way he'll get in a college other than a two year community school. I feel bad for him and his parents if things don't work out.
The bottom line answer as to 'is it worth it' totally depends on what your goal is and why you're in it in the first place.

in my opinion it is worth it to play aaa if you are looking to play ncaa d1 or high level juniors...
becuase if you are not playing teir 1 then your oppertunaties to be noticed are not nearly as good as playing for a good aaa team.
It is also true that if you are good people will find you.
Another thing is it all depends on your goals if you want to play d1 college then yes juniors is absolutly nessisary and in most cases playing junior a is not a lock to acomplish that.
it basicly comes down to realizing wether hockey is something you will be doing for the rest of your life or at least untill college is over or its just something you want to have fun with ex. dvhl...i find most dvhl players that are good just dont really care or want to play college.

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you have the resources then go for it (Jr's).

AAA U18 especially Jr flyers will cost you more than say a Jr team like Tristate. And you get alot more for your money with Tristate just for the fee.

PS- I hope you see alot of these kids who make it to Jrs, College and even if they don't make that return to the area and give back to others kids and make hockey coaching better in the area.. and not just when they have a kid involved..

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Top Cat:
For me, it is a matter of what AAA Midget or junior team you are talking about. If you are good enough to play AAA for Bud’s team (Junior Flyers), then that is saying something. The boys that play for Bud generally move on to a higher level of completion. They also play a great schedule and are seen by a slew of coaches. I know there are AAA midget teams that may be good on a given year, but if you are asking worth, I would say Bud’s team, absolutely yes.[QUOTE]

Not being sarcastic as I honestly don't know, but did anyone from Bud or Dorman's teams last year move on to a higher level (not counting the new JRA team)?

TMD101 - The Jr Flyers website has news on moves and placements.(NCAA, USHL, etc.)

http://www.iceline.info/Flyers/default.htm

Not much at this time on the junior movements, not to say that there hasn't been any.

Result from a game played this past weekend:

Delaware Ducks 18UAA 4
Little Flyers Junior B 2

Didn't see the game....debate it all you want but kudos to the Ducks on a good win.