My kid is now a bantam major and played EHF. There was a few kids that played up during mites/squirts and even a few that did as a bantam. Based on that - it didn't help any of the players. Once they dropped down they were still good but never dominating. In fact, I think there is a huge thing that is overlooked and its the publicity the kid would have got playing in his own age group. Instead of playing up and being an average player there is something to be said about playing with own age and getting the reputation as one of the best in that age bracket. A few of the kids that played up got overlooked when it comes to invites to prestigious camps and combines.

After having lived through it, I'm not sure the comment - "Playing up is almost always beneficial and great for development" is accurate. After seeing one of my sons do it for a few years I think it hurt his confidence on the ice and the game of hockey is about 90% confidence. That and always being one of the smaller kids on the ice and taking his share of hits I think I would have done it differently if he had to do it over again. I think it's a lot like the kids that are born at the tail-end of the calendar year and how they seem to fade out of the scene as the years go by.

Just my two cents. Good luck regardless.

Here are facts.

In the same season (14-15), my son played in the Elite 9 (16 games), BHL (24) and EHF Elite (16).

PPG for each were

EHF Elite: 1.18 ppg
Elite 9: 1.06 ppg
BHL: 3.70 ppg

Prestigious camps and combines! Too funny...
Thanks!

Why is that funny? They are bantams and there are camps and combines that are invite only. Kids at that age are committing to college programs.

Yeah! Tons. How many '02's are committed to college programs?
3?

How do you think the kids get on the radar? Getting invited to college/ high end combines.

Moving to the E9 from EHF isn't moving "up" in anyway, even if it's a year ahead. Some kids will be bigger, sure, but the idea that their skills will be better is laughable.

another E9 Sucks Troll. If you know anything about hockey outside of what your coach and ptema parents try and vomit all over you you will know the skills are comparable. and i would say at best 60/40 ehf.

AL, please let us know what 04 team has offered this to your son. Just so you know there already is an 05 playing in the 04 E9 who is widely viewed as the best 05 in the state and he struggles at times.

The Spartans 04 Elite. I appreciate the feedback. Thank You.

May be a good move they have a quality program.

Bottom line is all kids thrive on the ice differently. What wasn't good for one benders kid, may be best for your superstar. There's no development plan that works for all players. If there having fun and getting better, go for it.

Spartan elite will need to play into the 04 E9 so buyer beware. I'd echo what others have said about an alternate on the 04 team. As kids get older, size and speed increase and time to make plays decreases. My oldest plays up in the spring/summer tourneys but with his age group in the regular season. Works for him but not fit everyone.

Spartans organization has an automatic E9 bid, but has opted out at the 2004 level the last two years. Last year they were placed in the BHL National Division after parity. This will be a major step down from an EHF Elite 05 team, IMO.

I would ask them what their intentions are for next year, and if they intend to play E9 I would attempt to verify that they've made adequate improvements to be able to compete in that division.

No, the select team was in the BHL national and only won two games.

The Elite was in the BHL America, albeit not the E, butthey wqere strong and top place at 23-5

I'm sorry, you are correct. My mistake. So looks like the 2004 Elite team is a little closer to being competitive in 2004 E9 than I thought. I hope they are, that league could use another solid team...hopefully they don't end up with Lovell Knights again this year.

What 05 team is your son on?

MY son is an 05 and played up a year and against the Spartan team last season. The Spartan 04 team was not even the second or third best team in the BHL. Not being critical of that team. Seems like they are well coached but I would not leave the EHF 05 for the E9/BHL unless it is with one of the teams that has an automatic bid into the E9, has excellent coaching and your son has the physical ability to play against bigger stronger kids.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Didn't Seacoast 04 win the BHL last year? And I know they made some upvrades next year so I would expect them to take the automatic bid next year...

Excellent information. Thank you to all.