Its that time of year. Players and their parents are being inundated with lots of promises. “Elite” this, “Super” that, and other claims like “Premier”, “Select”, and other adjectives that are being used to define a hockey program or league. The simple truth is, “words” do not define a program, but quality coaching, ample practice time and proper training is what will make the difference for your coming hockey season.
Far too much of tuition-based elite-level hockey (read as “AAA” or Tier III Junior) is about club or league status, which is derived from a focus on winning, rather than competing. Some clubs put far more emphasis into recruiting, than they do into sound player development practices. Here are a two other buzzwords: Showcasing, and Exposure.
Nearly every weekend of the year, there’s some “Showcase” or “Exposure” event to attend, and on many weekends, multi-events. I think there’s too much emphasis on “Showcasing” and not enough on “Development”. Did it ever occur to anyone, that maybe little Johnny shouldn’t be in front of scouts, 7 out of 10 weekends in a row?
So the point of this article is help, even just a little, in your “Spring Tryout Frenzy”.
It All Starts with the Coach:
Players that have longer term success often played for coaches that understand the importance of instilling work-ethic, commitment to team first, and a sound player development model approach, which produces both individual and team success. So how do you navigate through the minutia and figure out what is the best place for your hockey player to spend his/her next season?
Coaches should be defined into two basic categories; Transactional or Transformational. A Transactional coach is primarily focused on his glory, his accolades, how his team’s success (or an individual player’s) can benefit him either financially or in personal prestige. A Transformational Coach is purely about the players; how to make them better athletes, putting the team’s goals over all others, and that the player’s success is the most important thing to the coach. For the record, this isn’t my idea, its from a book by Joe Erhmann; InSideOut Coaching. Look for a “Transformational Coach” and you can’t go wrong.
Do your research on the coaching staff. Did the coach play at the level you are aspiring to, or some level close to it? Yes, of course there are good coaches that never played the game at a high level, but not in abundance. Listen closely to what the coach says. Is the coach talking about the culture of the team? Is the coach offering realistic expectations for you? Is the coach known for being verbally abusive to his players? There is a distinction here; some coaches use vulgar language; that’s one thing.
There is NEVER an acceptable time for coach to be verbally abusive or demoralizing towards any players of any age. I found the most effective coaches never say an unkind word to their players. When the relationship between a coach and player is based in respect; the worst thing a player can hear from his coach is, “ I am disappointed, because I know you’re better than that”. DO NOT tolerate an abusive coach.
Is the Club and Coach Committed to your advancement?
Unfortunately, hockey tryouts are backwards in most parts of the United States. Next week, the USA Hockey Nationals begin. The following week, Tier I Youth and Tier III Junior tryouts will start in many parts of the country. I mention this because the top league in the country, the USHL, doesn’t hold its tryout camps until June, two months AFTER Tier I and Tier III. So your asking, how does this impact my son?
From a player movement standpoint, there’s generally no problem, except the tuition-based team may want to collect on that player contract you signed in April. This isn’t always the case, but it can happen.
If your hockey player has an expectation that he will tryout for a top Junior program like the USHL, or other tuition-free Junior Teams, after signing with your local Tier III Junior or Tier I AAA team, make certain that the local team and the coach will support your decision. There have been situations where a Coach will try to discourage a signed player from attending a USHL tryout by threatening dismissal from his team, simply for attending that USHL camp. So get it in writing that USHL tryouts or similar, are not only acceptable, but encouraged. If the coach says, NO, it’s probably a program you want to avoid.
Look at the Team’s Transactions:
Junior teams trade players. That’s just a reality. But has a team had a revolving door? Does the Club have more than 1 Junior team? There are many Junior organizations with two or more Junior teams. Look at the history. Does the top Junior team pull from within its own organization, or does the top team recruit both locally and abroad to staff its top team? This is important. If a Junior Organization is placing your son on their “Second” team, with the promise being “pulled up” to the top team, make sure they have the track record of actually doing that.
I generally direct players towards Tier III Junior programs that have little roster movement or trades in-season (unless injuries prevail) or the movement is mostly internal to their club. It’s a loyalty thing for me. But if a Tier III Junior team is constantly improving itself by trading for players from outside its organization, and NOT developing from within, it begs the question, what’s wrong here? Again, do your homework.
Tuitions & What to Expect – Tier III Junior
Tuition prices are all over the map. From a Tier III Junior standpoint; Junior teams are supposed to include in their tuition; team organized transportation (ie, bus), hotels and at least two meals per day while on the road. Some teams set a tuition rate, and then charge extra for each time the team travels. The USA Hockey rules states that “the player fee would include any and all expenses of every kind or nature incurred in connection with any competition during exhibition, regular season and playoffs” It sounds like its supposed to one-price, all included. I’ve seen some Junior teams promote themselves that are the “lowest tuition in the area”, which is likely true. But through the course of year, end up billing you another $2500 to $3000 for the hotels, meals and buses, it ends up being the same as most others.
Junior Tuition Scholarships:
According to USA Hockey “No team scholarships/financial discounts shall be allowed to any individual player based upon his skill and ability or game performances, without that individual player performing meaningful, productive work, in exchange therefore off the ice and away from team competition.” (Page 161 – USAH Annual Guide). The rule goes onto reference NCAA regulations as the basis for this policy. While it’s yet to be tested to any significant degree, it’s only a matter of time. USAH is also considering stricter legislation in this area.
Do Tier III Junior Teams offer “scholarships”? Absolutely. Are many based upon the player’s ability? Sure. The problem becomes, when scholarships are provided, it often means those players that actually pay the tuition, are subsidizing the team for those that didn’t pay, thereby making the cost of playing more expensive than it should be. Ask the question… “Do you scholarship players”. For the ones that do, and lie to you, you’ll probably recognize the lie right away.
There are some teams that are truly looking out for a player that maybe can’t afford the entire tuition, and the Club or rink will provide meaningful work to offset it, and that is worthy and within the rules.
Summary:
I hope this helps. There are many terrific hockey programs to choose from, just make the effort to look behind the “fluff”. You are spending a lot of money, and your son is sacrificing a lot…. Do everything possible to make that investment worth it.
Good Luck!
