My son is 8th grader and I am somewhat certain where my son will be playing in high school (one of NE prep school. don't ask me why.). My son may be interested in being selected to some of Mass CCM high performance camps and festivals, but I don't necessary see him playing at junior or college. He definitely wants to do well at the varsity team and have a meaningful ice time at the games.

Then, how much should I pay attention to these "exposure" events or "combines" for U14s or U16s in upcoming years? He doesn't have to be exposed to another prep coaches, junior teams, and college coaches. If you go to these "exposure" events, do anything good happen to my son other than occasional appearance in the JC's or IM's article?

Sometimes they pick up the ability to string coherent sentences together.

All a money grab. Focus on prep.

If he's not going to play junior or in college, then why even be concerned with CCM High Performance? My suggestion is you go where you think your kid will have fun and get better, and have no expectation of exposure at any of these events.

OP didn't say the kid doesn't want to play college or junior, his dad has decided that for him. Maybe realistic, but it would suck to have a parent that isn't willing to support your passion. I do realize sometimes it comes down to money, it did in my upbringing, but then he is going to Prep School. Maybe mom or dad works at one.

My dad didn't share my passion either. When I was a kid, when I was a little boy, I always wanted to be a dinosaur. I wanted to be a Tyrannosaurus Rex more than anything in the world. I made my arms short and I roamed the backyard, I chased the neighborhood cats, I growled and I roared. Everybody knew me and was afraid of me. And one day my dad said, 'Bobby, you are 17. It's time to throw childish things aside,' and I said, 'Okay, Pop.' But he didn't really say that, he said, 'Stop being a ****ing dinosaur and get a job.'

Great to see that all your years in therapy have helped you. It's OK to hate your dad. I know my kid realizes how fortunate he is that his parents are 100% behind his pursuing his goals.

But you can't deny he makes a very good point.

That point being, that it's OK to want to be a T Rex, or that dads should tell their kids to grow up and get a job?

I assume it's the latter.

I do realize everyone's situation is different. I paid my own way through college, and I've been extremely fortunate. But, I've also worked hard, and planned well, too.

If someone had come along when I was 15 - which was when I quit playing HS sports to get a job - and said "you can do anything you want for the next five years. I'll take the money back when you're 60, and you'll have to work until you're 65" I would have taken him up on it in a heartbeat. I can't ever have those five years back, no matter how much I make.

You're only a kid once. Professionally, reality has exceeded expectation. But, as much as I enjoy my work, it's nothing compared to the passion that my kid is pursuing hockey with.

I'm fine with his wanting to be a T Rex for now.

What if he wants just wants to be a hockey player and bang chicks..is that ok too?

I think his GF would object.

This is a good response, and an inspiring story, and I agree with your general point. But I doubt many kids today are picking between playing HS hockey and having to get a job. Especially this kid who claims to be at a prep school.

By citing an extreme and unrealistic case, however, you distract from TRex poster's point. Sometimes it's a parent's job to temper expectations if they realize the kid doesn't have what it takes. I'm not saying discourage the kid, but it's just as unhealthy to support an unrealistic dream as it is to deny your kid an opportunity. Parents seem to get it right when it comes to college searches, you're not going to look at Ivies if your kid is a slightly above average student, but too often we seem to hold out hope for hockey pipe dreams that are just as out of reach. I think that's a point worth not missing. And we got an amusing dinosaur story out of it.

Skating, Skills, Speed, IQ....

If a coach isn’t doing this and video review, we’ll....

Good SS team and Prep or legit Academy. Run from the FS salesmen in the area. They are all a joke, including the famous Lovell boys.

If you want him to improve or get better so he plays more on varsity then you're much better off at investing in individual skills schools. For example, Laura Stamm Power Skating, Pertti Hasanen, Turcotte hockey, etc. Can make a massive change in your kid's development, it did mine. Went from 4th line Varsity/healthy scratch freshman year to 3 years on the first line and on to D3 college. Most high schools and even prep work on flow, systems, PP & PK 90% of the time. Get your kid lots of skill development if you want them to get better and play a lot on varsity.

If he does get better, he'll get noticed and asked to be on elite summer and fall teams. No need for the exposure camps if he's playing prep & on a solid off season team.

"Most high schools and even prep work on flow, systems, PP & PK 90% of the time. Get your kid lots of skill development if you want them to get better and play a lot on varsity."

There are coaches out there who still coach like this? Dang, talk about dinosaurs.

And Step Brothers is a fantastic movie. Hilarious.

OP...I appreciate this response, as well as "dinosaur" story. I will be very keep on learning if he wants to be a dinosaur. Thank you everybody.