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A special place for hockey moms (& even hockey dads) to share advice and experiences!
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9 comments:
If I have one complaint, it's the constantly changing practice schedule! It's just so hard to make plans, because our team's practice and skills nights change so often. I expect the games to be different, but not having a set practice schedule is really annoying.
About 7 years ago, when my son was finishing Learn to Skate/Learn to Play, I asked his coach - the program director, to recommend a program. He answered that it depended upon us, what we wanted and what resources we could/were willing to commit (time, $$, energy), as much as what my son wanted. I thought this was not a very helpful answer at the time. There are so many organizations in Massachusetts, and my head was spinning. I wanted him to tell me "this is the best bang for your buck" or "this is where he belongs". As a new hockey parent, I was afraid to put him in the "wrong program". I didn't know what that meant, only that hockey is expensive, and we wanted him to have fun, but to also be challenged and learn. We heard horror stories about intense coaches, leagues with crazy schedules, and worse of all - program politics.
Over the years, our son and daughter have played in a number of programs, town, house, school-based, developmental, travel, roller hockey, etc. We have experienced all of the craziness, as well as great times. We gradually stopped making changes based on what organizations were "selling" or promoting, and more on what our needs are. We didn't always make the right choices, I clearly recall standing in a dark parking lot during a February snowstorm at 5 am with an infant, waiting for a 5:40 am game, and thinking, this is insane, but we learned from all of them.
Over time, we have had to evaluate, and re-evaluate our needs and resources, just as the coach had said, and ironically, 7 years later, my son is back with that coach. It is the right program for him at this time.
So, my advice for new hockey moms is - look at what the program is really offering (not what they are "selling"). Ask other parents. Don't be dazzled by the claims of being the most highly competitive, or best. Do beware of too much parental involvement in decision making (parent coaches, parent level directors, parent try-out raters, etc.) Make choices that work for your whole family, and take time to really enjoy the programs. Be prepared to change if a particular program doesn't meet your needs at that time.
Something LVinay said may have been missed by some. But making choices that work for the whole family is as important as any other part of the equation.
I appreciate the comments above, but since there are sooo many programs out there, I was hoping for recommendations/advice on specific programs. My son plays at the squirt level and we are looking for a program with quality, development, and fairness to all players. Preferably with little travel. Any help is appreciated--thanks
The only programs I know of in the Massachusetts area with paid coaches, with coaches who aren't fathers, and with sane travel schedules are NECDL (based in Raynham, MA) and Coach Chic's teams (email address on this page).
NECDL follows a model that has now been copied by NEH (based in Walpole, MA at Iorio Rink) and Global (based at the Bavis Rink in Rockland, MA). These are all house leagues (although they each have all-star travel teams). They do have paid, non-parent coaches, but also have influential parent team managers. They usually have very sane schedules, A/B levels of competition, decent facilities, and skills run by professionals. This all comes at a premium (in the $2000/per year range, more if you want All-stars or extra skills). There are a few regional programs that also have house leagues, like the Monarchs in So. New Hampshire, and another in Rhode Island. The other route to consider is the independent team, like Coach Chic's NEHI, Boston Mission (96s only), and a few others. All of the programs have advantages and challenges, so it is important to figure out what the priorities are for your family. My kids have played in selects, NECDL, town, jr. high, tournament teams, and now one for Coach Chic's NEHI, they learned something from each program, and stayed with selects and town (3 years, 2 kids), and NECDL (5 years, 1 kid, 2 years for the other). We only changed programs as our priorities evolved. Good luck.
I am happy to have found this blog. My son will be a 1st yr Pee Wee this year. He is trying out for CDL this week, he has played Youth hockey in our town for the past 5 yrs. He is at the point where we need to put more emphasis on developing a better player and I am not convinced the parent run youth hockey program can take him to the next level of his game. I am looking for feedback on the CDL or Global programs. I have spoken to some parents who sent their children to CDL and who loved it. I don't have much information on Global. I am curious what the hockey mom's out there have to say. CDL tells us Global copied their program, given CDL is closer to us and is more established I am leaning towards CDL but any feedback anyone has is appreciated.
Hello March 25th,
We are currently making the tryout rounds, as once again, our needs have changed somewhat. My son was at the bantam CDL tryout and I was disappointed in the turnout. There were only about 30 skaters.
CDL is a program in transition. Ted Anastos is the Director of Hockey, and he does respond to telephone calls or e-mails, so if you have questions, ask. They have kept their core of coaches, most of whom are fair but tough (think high school gym teacher). The program will have an in-house league (or if there are not enough kids at your son's level, a team in a local junior high league), plus one or two travel teams at each level. My son played there for 5 years and my daughter 2. They both had excellent coaching and fair play. They enjoyed the friends they met there, and the same place/same schedule was awesome for us, as we also had a newborn/toddler.
Global is growing by leaps and bounds. The current house league is based at the Bavis rink in Rockland. Matt Smith is the Director of Hockey there (he used to be at CDL). The Bavis grop just bought the Canton Sports Center, as well as the Jr. Terriers program, and are expanding their Jr. Rangers program. That is a lot of pans on the fire! While it means many options for families in their programs, I wonder if some of the established programs will suffer as attention is turned to promoting the new programs. Ask for of the Global parents what they are hearing.
Finally, consider some of the independent programs like Coach Chic's. There is a lot to be said for having a small number of players and a single person focused on their development. My son has benefited immensely from this program, as has our neighbor's son.
Good luck!
LOL... Just noticed lVinay saying others have since followed the NECDL model... Hmmmmmm... I wonder who sat-in on the founding of CDL, and who might just have recommended that model? Hmmmmm... :)
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