TL transferred to UMASS Amherst and got suspended for violation of NCAA rules and academically red shirted. Too bad because he was good!!

He's a very skilled kid but he's just a novelty act. Way under 5'--4'7" maybe. 85 lbs is reaching. It is a shame. Should be on growth hormones. Would not last a period in high school hockey.

I think size is a family problem that limited TL's prospects as well. Why on earth work Dad put him through it as a defensemen? Same goes for the Little Super Star currently playing at BC. Got ran over in high school hockey, got ran over in the USHL and now is getting run over at BC. When will someone bite the bit and move the kid upfront??? To paraphrase Waylon Jennings, " Daddy don't let your babies grow-up to be undersized defensemen."

I agree he is small, like the same exact height and weight as my 11yo. maybe 4'9 and closer to 75 pounds, but I was being generous given the sub 160 pound comment. And I always heared he will get killed playing U16 when he was thirteen, he dominated. Then it was he will not last a shift playing U18 due to his size, then he ran the offense while his 6'0 205 D partner towered over him, and once again he held his own. I still hear he would not last at high school and I don't know why people say that, what high school ??? because the majority of them he would be the best player on the ice. Watch him play, it is very very impressive. He has suffered some hits and possible concussions which may eventually end his career early, but if he can grow to even 5'6 or 5'7 and put on some size with age, then watch out. Sky is the limit for this kid.

I think he was the only 13 yo to even get a sniff of the USNDP for U14, and that was when he was 4'9 and like 70 lbs.

I have seen more kids stand around in awe watching him, or making bad plays in an attempt to run him that it makes him look even better than he is.

OK, it's decided, the little guy is good and can skate with the big boys. Should make everyone happy but I'm sure it doesn't. Getting back to the original poster. If he's an 02 8th grader and wants to give it a shot, let him give it a try if he's got the skill and ability to play with JV's that are typically 14-16 years old. The way the system works is need based (In the MIAA anyway,) and has to be open to any and all 8th graders. Any 8th grader that try's out has to be given at least a spot on JV team. (Cant cut if you're telling the MIAA you need 8th grade bodies to keep the program going.) Just bear in mind that the program you're leaving will probably have more ice time, skills and games than the typical JV team, and it's tough to do both because kids are not allowed to miss high school meetings, practices or games for a non-high school team. The one 8th grade kid that the coach probably has his eye on (typically a goalie) will get pulled up to varsity and probably do a lot of sitting, but may (or may not) benefit from the practice time with the older kids. As always, it's up to you to know what's right for you're kid. Good luck!

slightly confused here... we are talking about a defenseman? as in one that at some point has to stand in front of his net and cover and/or clear a player out. i guess too many here think a D only has to carry a puck. if he is truly that gifted with the puck, then move him up and let him be creative.

as HS is much different from juniors. HS: most are trying to impress their GF (or their friends GF), nothing gets you more noticed than ANY type of hit. Juniors: trying to impress upper level coaches that are looking for size, speed, skill and IQ (and not necessarily in that order). went to a premier VJW game last week: i could count the hits on one hand; and the upper half would dominate most HS teams. its a different game.

He is plenty creative with the puck, clearly you have yet to see this kid play. And his puck skills are not holding him back as a defensman one bit, especially to be a top ranked D at his size and have interest by the National team at age 13.


But, hey you must know the game better and want him to play forward. He would be probablly still get the looks if he was playing forward, but it is no mistake that he plays D. Its all in the numbers as the herd thins as your reach the top (pssst....the game has changed my friend)

The game has changed but come on. The guy saying "if he can grow to even 5'6 or 5'7 and put on some size with age, then watch out" is out of his gourd. There is no place for a 5'6" defensemen. Watch 5'9" 180 lbs. Torey Krug. Short little crappy strides, too slow, no reach, gets killed in front of the net and all he is is a way overpaid, bottom pairing, power play specialist and he is a one in a million! Look at our old pal Lil' Tidbit, lead the Q in scoring for two straight years and is a magician with the puck and at 5'8" for a forward and he gets no respect. Look at the Little Super Star (5'8") at BC and everyone in H.S. was "oh look at his skating, look at his skating..." and look at him with the big boys. Undersized and the skating isn't all that special now is it? TL is no fool, if the kid doesn't grow he will move him up front.

The only place Tim will be moving him is to operations. He's got a great future as a skating instructor--think even smaller Besa...

NUMBERS --- you mean like these:

https://hockey-graphs.com/2015/02/19/nhl-player-size-from-1917-18-to-2014-15-a-brief-look/

for the lazy ones: since the 90's avg height 6'+ weight 200+ --- ALL skaters, although it has plateaued for several years.

now he COULD make it, but just how many 'Torey Krug' positions are available v small wings?

Yea, you don't get it.. "The numbers" was a reference to the lesser numbers of D compared to available F at the upper levels.

If a kid is strong decent size, A "smart" player that keeps head up, skilled enough and assuming the coach will use him in situations that are fitting, why hold him back. Yes there's a chance he could get hurt but there's a chance they can all get hurt. What a about those kids that didn't even start playing hockey till 7th or 8th grade and then get on a HS team skating with head down and don't know the game. That's an even worse scenario! I'de rather see a skilled 8th grader with good hockey sense out there.

I have no idea what school your kid goes to but "What a about those kids that didn't even start playing hockey till 7th or 8th grade and then get on a HS team skating with head down" doesn't happen at our H.S. Kids that start in the 2nd or 3rd grade are late bloomers for most average to good teams.

This is the crux of it ^

Again, this is only going ON in my area because the team/school demonstrated that the entire program would fold because they could not field a team, and therefore got the 8th grade waiver. Maybe two 8th graders are playing.

So the high school participation is nice, but there would be zero participation due to the lack of kids

sounds like a great team to be on.