Girls Prep Hockey

[vas]

Contrary to what has been insinuated, I have no motivations for my postings. I hope the information I was able to provide answered some of the questions that had arisen in this thread.

Good day.

Just for clarification, I was referring to the parents, not you. I was talking about how only 3 coaches have been vouched for plus posssibly you. Although I don't know what the parents motivation is because you have been identified on this site and parents may feel an obligation to defend you. Which is a kind thing to do, and I am happy they did.

[Gamer]

'Vas'... not exactly sure of your rationale (and hopefully not to push 'Taft Hockey' (TH) off the thread). As Ref11, BKdad and others have said and I concur, TH has very objectively and succinctly presented options (roadmap for parents of hockey teens), which result from his years of actual Ivy and prep school experiences and knowledge. Such is a breath of fresh air on Fan Forum. As said earlier, as a parent of a 1st year NESCACer (formerly from a west coast 'club team'), TH accurately and supportively advised us 2 years ago with the relevant facts... similar to his posts herein. Thx TH.

[vas]

BK DAD wrote:
Shooting practice? More endurance? While that might be a pain for coaches, who are all volunteers except for prep coaches, BK DAD


Can you tell me which AAA or ELite CLUB hockey coach does not get paid? I know that is common in HOUSE hockey, but I never heard of volunteer Club coaches at the ELITE level. I know some don't make alot, but I think they make something.

[Radar3535]

Not trying to answer for the poster, but quite often the term "Little/Small Ivy" is used to refer to NESCAC schools, especially Amherst, Williams, Middlebury, etc. NESCAC is sort of like the Ivy League, but the schools are much smaller and are typically Liberal Arts schools as opposed to Universities. Since they're D3, they can't give athletic scholies, but they probably wouldn't even if they could. From an admissions standpoint, they're very much the same; in fact often they accept a smaller percentage of applicants than the real Ivys, and on some measures like average SAT or GPA, they're higher.I knew what Vas was refering to, I was making the point that you are an Ivy league school or your not.The are some excellent academic schools out there that are not Ivy.I thought his questions were specific to the Ivy league.It is like comparing apple and oranges when you are talking about their hockey.

[vas]

'Vas'... not exactly sure of your rationale (and hopefully not to push 'Taft Hockey' (TH) off the thread). As Ref11, BKdad and others have said and I concur, TH has very objectively and succinctly presented options (roadmap for parents of hockey teens), which result from his years of actual Ivy and prep school experiences and knowledge. Such is a breath of fresh air on Fan Forum. As said earlier, as a parent of a 1st year NESCACer (formerly from a west coast 'club team'), TH accurately and supportively advised us 2 years ago with the relevant facts... similar to his posts herein. Thx TH.

I don't disagree, I was just asking him to clarify what he was saying, thats all. I never said anything about the informative facts he shared with us, I appreciate that.

But if someone is going to say that what is being said are "rumors". He just needs to explain or don't comment on that, thats all. He made a personal statement about some of us and I felt he should back it up.

I don't feel that coaches are infallible, I know they are only human just like me and you, we are all capable of saying things we should not say, (I have been guilty many times)so perhaps he regrets his reference to the rumors, never thinking that someone would challenge him.

He decided to back off, I completely understand his position since we know who he is.

[BKDad]

Can you tell me which AAA or ELite CLUB hockey coach does not get paid? I know that is common in HOUSE hockey, but I never heard of volunteer Club coaches at the ELITE level. I know some don't make alot, but I think they make something.
In some states, Connecticut for example, the rules of the local USAHockey governing body prohibit pay for the coaches. Coaches are repaid for expenses (gas, hotels, etc.), but that's it.

That may not be true for boys' junior teams, however.

[vas]

In some states, Connecticut for example, the rules of the local USAHockey governing body prohibit pay for the coaches. Coaches are repaid for expenses (gas, hotels, etc.), but that's it.

That may not be true for boys' junior teams, however.

Wow, so are Boys AAA coaches also volunteers?

[BKDad]

Wow, so are Boys AAA coaches also volunteers?
I don't know.

[puckster]

The same can be said for the USA Hockey Nationals, which because of the district structure eliminates teams that are far better than some of the teams that are there, and rewards the host organization with a team, no matter how weak it is. It seems to me this only skews the process as teams can advance by playing the weaker teams...We thought about Shattuck for our daughter, but the program is all hockey...all year, over 100 games...if they lose at Nationals it is only because they are burned out, as they have an advantage over all other teams as they practice, live, play and eat and study together...by the way how did they manage to be the only Prep team at Nationals? Has anyone ever noticed that very few of their girls are from Minnesota, and there are virtually no Minnesota girls (the state with the most high school teams and arguably some of the best players) playing at Nationals...How can they call it Nationals if in reality Minnesota is not there...I give Minnesota alot of credit for running their High school hockey throught the state athletic org. like all their other team sports...

I think the reason we are having such a hard time figuring all this our for our kid is that the system seems so flawed, with very little balance...what do you think?


Shattuck beat a team of Minnesota selects to get to Nationals as posted on the Minnesota High School thread:

Shattuck St. Mary 19-U will represent Minnekota at USA Nats by virtue of a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Rapids. Congrats and good luck to SSM. For reference, here's the Minnesota Rapids roster...loaded in it's own right.

35 Alannah McCready
19 Ashley Nixon
10 Christina Lee
13 Allie Thunstrom
9 Jonnie Bloemers
15 Caitlin Hogan
7 Jenna Kilkpatrick
14 Megan Sandall
17 Holly Roberts
11 Anna McDonald
25 Kala Buganski
12 Whitney Naslund
16 Katie Horner
8 Kathryn Farni
26 Michelle Maunu
4 Amy Udvig
23 Kathleen Rosso
2 Jackie Robertson
20 Alexandra Zebro
21 Berit Johnson

[vas]

Shattuck beat a team of Minnesota selects to get to Nationals as posted on the Minnesota High School thread:

Shattuck St. Mary 19-U will represent Minnekota at USA Nats by virtue of a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Rapids. Congrats and good luck to SSM. For reference, here's the Minnesota Rapids roster...loaded in it's own right.

35 Alannah McCready
19 Ashley Nixon
10 Christina Lee
13 Allie Thunstrom
9 Jonnie Bloemers
15 Caitlin Hogan
7 Jenna Kilkpatrick
14 Megan Sandall
17 Holly Roberts
11 Anna McDonald
25 Kala Buganski
12 Whitney Naslund
16 Katie Horner
8 Kathryn Farni
26 Michelle Maunu
4 Amy Udvig
23 Kathleen Rosso
2 Jackie Robertson
20 Alexandra Zebro
21 Berit Johnson

I agree with you that the roster of girls who played on this Rapids team is very strong...however Shattuck plays together from Sept thru April...and these girls were just put together to qualify for Nationals (before and after their high school seasons)...you can't really say that a team that plays...practices...eats...studies and basically lives together does not have a distinct advantage over the short term teams (before and after) and all the club teams at Nationals...remember Hockey is a team game, no matter how strong the players we know that if they don't play as a team, the team will go nowhere...There is no team at Nationals that has the distinct advantage that Shattuck has...every one knows this...to pretend it does not exist is folly...you can see that in the 18 goals in three games at Nationals...The tournament is not meant for teams like Shattuck...No one likes to win with that distinct advantage.

The real issue here is that the basic structure of USA Hockey as it relates to selection of players and teams is flawed...even keeping stats of players accomplishments at Nationals is silly, since not all teams get to play the really weak teams, and those that do build up high numbers only because of the weakness of the teams they are playing...we should be honest about the credit we give and why...

[Hux]

I think the reason we are having such a hard time figuring all this our for our kid is that the system seems so flawed, with very little balance...what do you think?

The flaw seems to be in your thinking. You are looking for a way to get your kid into an IVY on a hockey scholarship (aid in grant) and want to know which coach, at which school, is most likely to trumpet her/your cause. You have come to this forum looking for that info, and yet when the posters here have offered what knowledge they have about the process you are not satisfied and want greater detail. When you do in fact get an indepth account of the process you dispute the information and insinuate that there must be alterior motives since the poster is not anonnymous.

You are now commenting that USA Hockey and the way Nationals are run is flawwed etc. though that has nothing to do with your daughter's EDUCATION, which first and foremost is what should be your interest in whatever prep school she attends.

In short, you are bordering on what is offten referred to here as being a tool. Keep your priorities straight and focus on her education and life experience and stop trying to micromanage her life and project success through hockey.

[Gamer]

Hey Hux... right on... lets move on... new thread maybe...

[vas]

The flaw seems to be in your thinking. You are looking for a way to get your kid into an IVY on a hockey scholarship (aid in grant) and want to know which coach, at which school, is most likely to trumpet her/your cause. You have come to this forum looking for that info, and yet when the posters here have offered what knowledge they have about the process you are not satisfied and want greater detail. When you do in fact get an indepth account of the process you dispute the information and insinuate that there must be alterior motives since the poster is not anonnymous.

You are now commenting that USA Hockey and the way Nationals are run is flawwed etc. though that has nothing to do with your daughter's EDUCATION, which first and foremost is what should be your interest in whatever prep school she attends.

In short, you are bordering on what is offten referred to here as being a tool. Keep your priorities straight and focus on her education and life experience and stop trying to micromanage her life and project success through hockey.


I expected that at some point someone like you would enter this forum. A skeptic, always looking for a negative side.

Priorities have not been a problem for me. My children are still too young for me to be thinking about which college they should go to, but they are still my priority.

You should know that IVYS don't give athletic scholarships.

I am not rich by any means, but I will sacrifice, like most parents to provide my children with the best education I can. After being tested, my daughter has the potential to excell academically. So, I am being realistic in my expectations.

I know some parents are not, and that is too bad, but we are not all "flawed" in our thinking as you suggest.

This thread was started on page 21. Its obvious you have not read the information before making the attacks you have made.

Its what i have been saying all along. When you don't get informed, you may make decisions which you may later regret.I prefer to go the customer for advice as I have said. Coaches are not the best source, although they are an important element in deciding which school is best.

Picking a school just by visiting and talking to the teachers and staff is the second step.

I don't know why you are so negative and offensive, but I guess you need to be that way to get your message across, and everyone has a right to express themselves any way they wish.

Also, you are wrong about my diputing information, find one post where I have disputed someone, all I did was ask for more information. The motivation comment was about the parents post, NOT Taft Hockey, go back and read all the posts I think you will have a better understanding of what has been said. Sometimes taking things out of context really turns things around.

Also, I've thanked many people on the thread for being very helpful and honest, so far Resor at Nobles, Mutch at Lawrence and Kennedy at Cushing have been very highly recommended.

I was just surprised that more people didn't offer up more positive comments on any other coaches.

Can you help me with this?

[vas]

Hey Hux;

You dream in Maroon and white? Aren't those Harvard colors??

[vas]

Does anyone one have any opnion on which sport to play in the Fall and Spring, when a kid plays hockey in the Winter?

[Black Bear]

Does anyone one have any opnion on which sport to play in the Fall and Spring, when a kid plays hockey in the Winter?

My daughter is trying Crew this Spring and, so far, all she can say is OUCH! Physically more demanding than anything she has ever done but she is loving it. Hasn't been on a boat yet but the preparation sounds like it will get you in better overall condition than you have ever been in.

[BKDad]

Does anyone one have any opnion on which sport to play in the Fall and Spring, when a kid plays hockey in the Winter?
Ha! Fun question.

Crew: Like Wonder Bread, builds strong bodies in 12 ways.

Short track speed skating: Balance, pushing muscles for hockey skating, some technique

Lacrosse: Agility, hand-eye coordination

Track: long sprints (like 200 and 400 - good match for hockey shifts), jumping (develop lower body), weights (like shot - develop upper body as well as pushing muscles in lower body)

Figure skating: Use of edges, body position

Mountain biking: balance, endurance, some agility

Field hockey and soccer always seem to be popuar choices, too.

For goalies: baseball or softball

[vas]

My daughter is trying Crew this Spring and, so far, all she can say is OUCH! Physically more demanding than anything she has ever done but she is loving it. Hasn't been on a boat yet but the preparation sounds like it will get you in better overall condition than you have ever been in.

Yeah, it would seem that crew would be great for the upper body especially!

Also someone told me that in soccer or any long distance straight forward running sport, you use different muscles than in hockey skating, and may not be the best for hockey players. Any thoughts on that?

[vas]

For goalies: baseball or softball

Now that's interesting....why is that so???

[BKDad]

Yeah, it would seem that crew would be great for the upper body especially!

Also someone told me that in soccer or any long distance straight forward running sport, you use different muscles than in hockey skating, and may not be the best for hockey players. Any thoughts on that?
Despite what seems obvious, crew is mainly a lower body sport. By lower, I mean below the rib cage. Actually it's mostly an endurance sport, but I presume you mean muscle development.

For the other aspect, think about hockey for a second. How long is the average shift in hockey where the player is actually skating? It probably averages about 45 seconds. That's because that it is typically about the longest period of time that a person can go pretty much full speed. Consider the various speed skating distances and track distances - that's pretty much the limit for full speed.

Like most everything, there's several schools of thought about training for events that are about a minute or somewhat less in duration. You could spend a week following leads on Google discussing this.