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anon

Dec 15, 2016 - 9:06AM

Re: Games vs practices

anon

Anon

Herb brooks

Game play is the best growth of a player and a team hands down.

This is absolutely false. It is a belief unique to the U.S. Kids spend the majority of game time off of the ice, even less time on their edges, and a minimscule amount of time with the puck on their sticks. Games are a critical part, but a minor part, of the development equation. I'd put it at 10%. Even USA Hockey suggests a minimum of 2:1 and preferably 3:1.

My guess is that the reason you may believe games matter that much are inefficiently/ineffectively run practices, with too many kids on the ice, too few knowledgeable coaches, and not enough stations being run simultaneously.

although I don't agree with USA Hockey a lot, I agree with to disagree that game times is where the development is. In my opinion it is not. You need games, true, but the bulk of the development comes in practice. The thing though is, I don't see a lot of practices at game speed.

Also, the fact that they seem to have played less games does not mean they have practiced more. So only if you have the data on practices would you pull off your theory. Unless your theory is that simple playing less games while practicing the same amount makes you a better team. in that case I would say. Nonsense.

Why would I suggest fewer games and the same amount of practice would be a net positive? Clearly I'm suggesting these teams practice more than the local teams. Taking a quick look at MFJR 2004, first week in January they practice Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. They could find a game, but they opt to practice, likely because they couldn't find a competitive game. That same weekend, the Islanders play the Caps and Terriers and the Kings play the Terriers and Bandits. Just for that weekend, which team do you think is getting better? So again, is it possible that the youth hockey model in New England hurts the development of our players?

Anon

Dec 15, 2016 - 9:16AM

Re: Games vs practices

The Florida Alliance team is a regional all-star team that plays in tournaments every few weeks. All of the players on the team play for other teams so they are playing the same amount if not more games than the teams you mentioned.

anon

Dec 14, 2016 - 11:11AM

Re: Games vs practices

Anon

anon

Taking a look at the 2004 rankings this morning, noticed something about the top three:

1. Honeybaked 34 games played
2. Mid-Fairfield 29 games played
3. Florida Alliance 22 games played

Top 20 teams from EHF (only two, by the way):

10. Islanders 46 games played
13. Kings 41 games played

Think there's a correlation? Parents love games, parents love tournaments (especially in Canada!), parents pay bills. Practice develops players. Which organization has the courage to change the model in New England?

Just because they only show that many games doesn't mean that's all they played. Not everyone is as diligent about putting their scores in MHR as the Islanders' and Kings' parents.

You may be right, but spot-checking the Honeybaked team, it looks like all of their games are reported on MHR.

http://www.honeybakedhockey.com/schedule/team_instance/1137324?subseason=206701

anon

Dec 14, 2016 - 11:19AM

Re: Games vs practices

anon

Anon

anon

Just because they only show that many games doesn't mean that's all they played. Not everyone is as diligent about putting their scores in MHR as the Islanders' and Kings' parents.

You may be right, but spot-checking the Honeybaked team, it looks like all of their games are reported on MHR.

http://www.honeybakedhockey.com/schedule/team_instance/1137324?subseason=206701

Lets not be ignorant here and look at the facts - Honeybaked 04 team played 73 games last year. Look it up on MHR if you want. They went 63-7-3. Florida Alliance played 22 games last year - probably a travel tournament team only.

anon

Dec 14, 2016 - 2:09PM

Re: Games vs practices

anon

Anon

anon

Just because they only show that many games doesn't mean that's all they played. Not everyone is as diligent about putting their scores in MHR as the Islanders' and Kings' parents.

You may be right, but spot-checking the Honeybaked team, it looks like all of their games are reported on MHR.

http://www.honeybakedhockey.com/schedule/team_instance/1137324?subseason=206701

Maybe Honeybaked had the courage to try something different. Did they not change coaches this year?

Anon

Dec 14, 2016 - 11:55AM

Re: Games vs practices

anon

Hi dummy - FA is pretty much a tournament team bc they are limited on competition due to their location. They would smacked any EHF team and the EHF parents run around and say it's an all star team from the whole state of FL which isn't true

The reason FA is so successful is bc of the programs development model. FA is one of the most expensive programs due to all the travel. The people who run the program are smart and there are several former legit NHL players involved.

Has ZERO to do with the number of games they play.

anon

Dec 14, 2016 - 1:41PM

Re: Games vs practices

Anon

anon

You call me a dummy, but ultimately agree with my point. Why would a Florida Alliance model not work in New England? A team like the Islanders only has a few teams nearby that can regularly give them a good game. So why fill up weekends with non-competitive games. EHF is why, but does it have to be that way?

I'm only questioning whether there is a better way. Isn't that what this forum is about?

Anon

Dec 14, 2016 - 11:56PM

Re: Games vs practices

anon

Anon

anon

FA doesn't play the number of games b/c they want to they do it b/c thats all they can get. There are not many teams within driving distance and as a result they have to play several tournaments but with the tournaments the costs go up exponentially. If the costs were not so high with tourneys they would play more games. The teams only practice twice per week.

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