"One of the only examples I can think of that has done something similar would be Scott Stevens who transitioned his game from being an offensive defender driving the play to a defense first responsible player."

Steve Yzerman

I don't think he nor Sergachev play enough to warrant it over somebody like McAvoy.
- AdamFrench

9 points in 8 games on what was supposed ot be a poor team? seems like he should be in the conversation...

the biggest thing holding US born players from taking over the league is the cost. ice time for an hour on LI is anywhere from 400- 550 and i'm sure its that much in most states (not mass mich minn rinks every other block) how much is it in AZ?
- nyislsbossy

not sure on cost on teams. i haven't gotten to the team play yet. one of those things i don't want to know about until i have too.

but the skating programs are pretty reasonable.

and right now, i can pay ~$10 for my 2 kids to skate for 2 hours at public skate; for some extra hours.

but i hear ya, cost is a huge barrier into hockey.

Something Canada needs to do more of.
- Atomic Wedgie

yeah, who cares if you're kid knows how to do things like how to lineup for a draw at 5 years-old.

ice time is so short. throw a puck out there for 3 on 3 and let them go continuous play on a partial rink. make the most of the time.

not sure on cost on teams. i haven't gotten to the team play yet. one of those things i don't want to know about until i have too.

but the skating programs are pretty reasonable.

and right now, i can pay ~$10 for my 2 kids to skate for 2 hours at public skate; for some extra hours.

but i hear ya, cost is a huge barrier into hockey.
- Tumbleweed

the cost is so much here. travel teams cost about 6k for kids between 10-16 that includes 2 or 3 practices per week and 2 games on the weekend they play about 40 games and it comes out to about 55 practices. cost of eqiupment skate sharpenings food gas tolls.....for my kid over a 7 yr period i spent close to 85k. thats alot of money. thank god i could afford it.

Great blog as always Adam!

Nico!

the cost is so much here. travel teams cost about 6k for kids between 10-16 that includes 2 or 3 practices per week and 2 games on the weekend they play about 40 games and it comes out to about 55 practices. cost of eqiupment skate sharpenings food gas tolls.....for my kid over a 7 yr period i spent close to 85k. thats alot of money. thank god i could afford it.
- nyislsbossy

i bet.

(frank)ing expensive. takes a ton of parent support for kid to be successful in hockey.

all young Finns grow up wanting to be Olli Jokinen.
- Tumbleweed

Steve Yzerman
- yzermaneely

Good call.

the cost is so much here. travel teams cost about 6k for kids between 10-16 that includes 2 or 3 practices per week and 2 games on the weekend they play about 40 games and it comes out to about 55 practices. cost of eqiupment skate sharpenings food gas tolls.....for my kid over a 7 yr period i spent close to 85k. thats alot of money. thank god i could afford it.
- nyislsbossy

Crazy the costs...only the kids with parents who don't need to attend work and have lots of cash can play AAA/AA...in my area the local AA/AAA teams get smoked by the city teams...it's embarrassing...and it all trickles down from there....lose a few kids to AAA/AA then the B teams start to suck....the house league teams suck etc etc.

( Not talking Big City AAA, but the smaller communities all combining trying to make AAA teams )

9 points in 8 games on what was supposed ot be a poor team? seems like he should be in the conversation...
- ChrisMS

True, but he's only playing 15 minutes a night and only 11 of those at even strength. A bit too low imo.

Crazy the costs...only the kids with parents who don't need to attend work and have lots of cash can play AAA/AA...in my area the local AA/AAA teams get smoked by the city teams...it's embarrassing...and it all trickles down from there....lose a few kids to AAA/AA then the B teams start to suck....the house league teams suck etc etc.

( Not talking Big City AAA, but the smaller communities all combining trying to make AAA teams )
- Garnie

and is the cost similar to mine?

and is the cost similar to mine?
- nyislsbossy

AA is $2k/yr plus....then you travel and have games 3 hours away - practices are 30 - 45 mins drive depending where you live...and you lose like 15-1

AAA is $10k/yr and the practice from my place is 1.5 hours 1 way.

AA is $2k/yr plus....then you travel and have games 3 hours away - practices are 30 - 45 mins drive depending where you live...and you lose like 15-1

AAA is $10k/yr and the practice from my place is 1.5 hours 1 way.
- Garnie

there has to be a better way......

and is the cost similar to mine?
- nyislsbossy

My brother-in-law has two boys playing AAA hockey (and travel baseball!). He told me that their sports basically eat up his wife's entire annual salary.
I know another guy who told me about 5-6 years ago that AAA hockey for his son cost him about 15K a year.
Ice time here in Niagara is about $240/hour. A little less for the minor hockey associations.

there has to be a better way......
- nyislsbossy

Don't need players from small communities going to play AA IMO

Build a good hockey program in the small towns and stop sending only the select few rich kids to AA and having both programs getting blown out due to lack of skill.

JMO

My brother-in-law has two boys playing AAA hockey (and travel baseball!). He told me that their sports basically eat up his wife's entire annual salary.
I know another guy who told me about 5-6 years ago that AAA hockey for his son cost him about 15K a year.
Ice time here in Niagara is about $240/hour. A little less for the minor hockey associations.
- Tonybere

Ottawa AAA is $10k I believe...that's just initial cost...then travel / $300 sticks etc.

Ottawa AAA is $10k I believe...that's just initial cost...then travel / $300 sticks etc.
- Garnie

No kid needs a $300 stick. Any coach that tells you different needs a punch in the mouth.

No kid needs a $300 stick. Any coach that tells you different needs a punch in the mouth.
- Tonybere

I agree....it's not the coaches, it's just the spoiled kids. A buddy spent $200 on a stick, his son used it once and said...NO GOOD DAD.

I agree....it's not the coaches, it's just the spoiled kids. A buddy spent $200 on a stick, his son used it once and said...NO GOOD DAD.
- Garnie

Oh, there'd be a conversation after that one.

One time, I was getting my skates sharpened and was looking at the sticks. I asked the guy, "who's buying these $300 sticks?"
His answer: "mostly grandparents!"

Those sticks are made of tim hortons stir sticks. Lucky to get one season out of them and its not like these kids are Al McInnes