That's just a poopty place man. But I mean, money (somehow) aside, are there different leagues he could potentially play for? I never played ice hockey but was a damn good roller hockey player. I can say, for a fact, that even the high profile tournaments would sometimes have teams featuring players that we knew weren't on their team a month ago. In fact, there were times when we'd have a guy on our team for a tournament, and then 2 weeks later, we'd be playing against him.

I guess a league is different (based on location like the Mighty Ducks?) but I'd hope there is at least another league out there, or a school program, or an independent program, or something.
- jmatchett383

There's Tournament Travel teams which is the elite level players. Invitation only. 20,000

There's Junior Hockey in the Empire League. Brutal but skilled players.
A good place to get killed if you're a step slow. Invitation only. 20,000

There's Tier I which has a couple different leagues. Attainable by some Tier II players, there isn't much difference except for travel and exposure. Around here your Division II and III College kids come from this level. 10,000

Tier II which has two levels A and AA. 1/3 of AA kids are capable of playing Tier I and get offers at some point. It becomes a matter of aspirations at that point along with money this areas league runs from Harrisburgh to Wilkes Barre to Delaware. 2,000

Limited travel. Lowest level outside of house leagues. The travel is the same as Tier II for the most part. This used to be considered B. Less than 1,000 mostly.

High School. kids from all divisions. 1,200.

Those are your options in the area. He's had plenty of chances to play Tier I and hasn't shown the interest. Limited travel is of no interest for him. Actually, I'd be afraid he'd hurt someone at this point. To change leagues at the Tier II AA level we'd have to play in Maryland and travel from Nashville to Florida to participate in the Southern Region or North Jersey to play in the New York New England: North Region.

We can move teams. We had plenty of offers when we moved two years ago but as unbelievable as it sounds my son has built up a good hatred for a lot of the teams in the area and won't play for them.

- wilsonecho91

oooooo that a luggage rack

don't have high hopes. I really want to see Gus avail himself of this opportunity though. He should be getting some minutes. I don't like the idea of him sitting for so long and then having to jump in. This is bad enough and it's only the regular season.
- wilsonecho91

i agree. either play the kid or move him. i hate hims sitting for so long.

i should probably stay off the internet.
- 2Real

ftfy.

oooooo that a luggage rack
- Just5

There's Tournament Travel teams which is the elite level players. Invitation only. 20,000

There's Junior Hockey in the Empire League. Brutal but skilled players.
A good place to get killed if you're a step slow. Invitation only. 20,000

There's Tier I which has a couple different leagues. Attainable by some Tier II players, there isn't much difference except for travel and exposure. Around here your Division II and III College kids come from this level. 10,000

Tier II which has two levels A and AA. 1/3 of AA kids are capable of playing Tier I and get offers at some point. It becomes a matter of aspirations at that point along with money this areas league runs from Harrisburgh to Wilkes Barre to Delaware. 2,000

Limited travel. Lowest level outside of house leagues. The travel is the same as Tier II for the most part. This used to be considered B. Less than 1,000 mostly.

High School. kids from all divisions. 1,200.

Those are your options in the area. He's had plenty of chances to play Tier I and hasn't shown the interest. Limited travel is of no interest for him. Actually, I'd be afraid he'd hurt someone at this point. To change leagues at the Tier II AA level we'd have to play in Maryland and travel from Nashville to Florida to participate in the Southern Region or North Jersey to play in the New York New England: North Region.

We can move teams. We had plenty of offers when we moved two years ago but as unbelievable as it sounds my son has built up a good hatred for a lot of the teams in the area and won't play for them.
- mayorofangrytown

Wow. Even talent level aside, that's brutal money and travel. I played at a fairly high level (#1 ranked 15/16-y/o roller hockey team in the nation) , and we never went farther than North Jersey/NE PA. That's a crazy sacrifice of both time and money by parents. At this point, realistically, what % of Tier I and Empire League kids will ever go farther than college hockey?

There's Tournament Travel teams which is the elite level players. Invitation only. 20,000

There's Junior Hockey in the Empire League. Brutal but skilled players.
A good place to get killed if you're a step slow. Invitation only. 20,000

There's Tier I which has a couple different leagues. Attainable by some Tier II players, there isn't much difference except for travel and exposure. Around here your Division II and III College kids come from this level. 10,000

Tier II which has two levels A and AA. 1/3 of AA kids are capable of playing Tier I and get offers at some point. It becomes a matter of aspirations at that point along with money this areas league runs from Harrisburgh to Wilkes Barre to Delaware. 2,000

Limited travel. Lowest level outside of house leagues. The travel is the same as Tier II for the most part. This used to be considered B. Less than 1,000 mostly.

High School. kids from all divisions. 1,200.

Those are your options in the area. He's had plenty of chances to play Tier I and hasn't shown the interest. Limited travel is of no interest for him. Actually, I'd be afraid he'd hurt someone at this point. To change leagues at the Tier II AA level we'd have to play in Maryland and travel from Nashville to Florida to participate in the Southern Region or North Jersey to play in the New York New England: North Region.

We can move teams. We had plenty of offers when we moved two years ago but as unbelievable as it sounds my son has built up a good hatred for a lot of the teams in the area and won't play for them.
- mayorofangrytown

is the philadelphia revolution jr. team in that empire league? or is that an older age group?

is the philadelphia revolution jr. team in that empire league? or is that an older age group?
- hammarby31

Looks like they're part of it.

"The Revolution organization also field teams at the U19 Elite Level, the U16 Elite Level in the Elite Prospects League and the Jr.B level in the Empire Junior Hockey League and Metropolitan Junior Hockey League."

What's the talent disparity between these leagues and, say, a local high school team? Are we talking CHL-level players on these teams?

congrats to marty for his latest 6 save win last night.....i know it's still a couple games away but what are the odds we win the "showdown" w/ the panthers?

My first reaction was ice cream and girls...
- FlyersGrace

2 of my favorite things

Wow. Even talent level aside, that's brutal money and travel. I played at a fairly high level (#1 ranked 15/16-y/o roller hockey team in the nation) , and we never went farther than North Jersey/NE PA. That's a crazy sacrifice of both time and money by parents. At this point, realistically, what % of Tier I and Empire League kids will ever go farther than college hockey?
- jmatchett383

I'd say Tier I kids mostly stop after college. Some play minor league hockey at levels lower than the ECHL. A handful get drafted out of Tier I. I can think of of a few that left Tier I for USDP or the CHL. That usually happens when they're in Bantam. My son was invited to Minnesota one summer to play in a league there but like most of his Tier I invitations they wanted him to play D and he wasn't interested.

The Empire League turns out players. It's trying desperately to be the American version of the CHL but right now it's Junior B. I don't know percentages for them. Most of the players from the area who continued that I know play in the Federal League. NHL players have played in this League. I think Stolarz played for one of the teams. I know Ryan Callahan did. I'm sure there's a lot more but I only really know the Little Flyers and the Revolution as programs.

Looks like they're part of it.

"The Revolution organization also field teams at the U19 Elite Level, the U16 Elite Level in the Elite Prospects League and the Jr.B level in the Empire Junior Hockey League and Metropolitan Junior Hockey League."

What's the talent disparity between these leagues and, say, a local high school team? Are we talking CHL-level players on these teams?
- jmatchett383

High school teams can ice players that barely can skate. The worst team will recruit football players sometimes. My son's team had mostly Tier II players a couple of Tier I and 2 guys who are playing in at an Elite level with the Little Flyers and the Hartford team in the Empire League. The one kid, a sophomore has already committed to play for the Maine Black Bears.

I'd say Tier I kids mostly stop after college. Some play minor league hockey at levels lower than the ECHL. A handful get drafted out of Tier I. I can think of of a few that left Tier I for USDP or the CHL. That usually happens when they're in Bantam. My son was invited to Minnesota one summer to play in a league there but like most of his Tier I invitations they wanted him to play D and he wasn't interested.

The Empire League turns out players. It's trying desperately to be the American version of the CHL but right now it's Junior B. I don't know percentages for them. Most of the players from the area who continued that I know play in the Federal League. NHL players have played in this League. I think Stolarz played for one of the teams. I know Ryan Callahan did. I'm sure there's a lot more but I only really know the Little Flyers and the Revolution as programs.
- mayorofangrytown

Well, first of all, I'm amazed to know there are professional leagues below the ECHL, and that one of them is called the Federal League.

Secondly, how is this even possible? I know that, in the CHL, there is a sort of foster program where families will provide room and board for the players while they're in the league. But, say your son was interested in Minnesota. Do they expect you and your family to just up and move out there? If so, that's crazy.

Overall, while it's very interesting, it seems completely illogical to me. I have a daughter and, if she had her options, there would have to be a limit both financially and logistically as far as leagues. I mean, what if you have a kid who's scoring at a Gretzky-like pace, but you can't afford the $20K. Does that mean he's basically stuck playing in rec. leagues? Because, barring something miraculous, I can't see ever paying money like that for any one of my future kids.

Well, first of all, I'm amazed to know there are professional leagues below the ECHL, and that one of them is called the Federal League.
- jmatchett383

It's a joke. 4 teams, and it's a wonder it survived this long.

sugar, mr. poon?



1 of my 2 favorite movies of all-time.
- hammarby31

Gosh, darn sir. I admire you

Looks like they're part of it.

"The Revolution organization also field teams at the U19 Elite Level, the U16 Elite Level in the Elite Prospects League and the Jr.B level in the Empire Junior Hockey League and Metropolitan Junior Hockey League."

What's the talent disparity between these leagues and, say, a local high school team? Are we talking CHL-level players on these teams?
- jmatchett383

i don't know, but i know the owner of the team and the rink, phil pulley, and i could find out if you want.

2 of my favorite things
- nastyflyergirl

mine, too. how bizarre?

God, I admire you.
- KINGKENZO

ftfy.

mine, too. how bizarre?
- hammarby31

Get a room

It's a joke. 4 teams, and it's a wonder it survived this long.
- MunsterMike

Yeah, I just saw that. Seems like it has survived on its name more than anything else.

Why the (frank) are the wild such a hotspot? is he from that area?
- PhillaBully

It's that Minni is a hotspot, it's that Philly repels right handed dmen by nature.

Get a room
- jmatchett383

what makes you think we haven't?

congrats to marty for his latest 6 save win last night.....i know it's still a couple games away but what are the odds we win the "showdown" w/ the panthers?
- hogweed

Pretty good.

what makes you think we haven't?
- hammarby31

Wow, it's getting hot in here..

ftfy.
- hammarby31

Haha
get these over to freida
whos freida?
My secretary.
Who are you?
Freida's boss.