we all understand the local junior league has premier higher than elite.

you can't be considered elite until you spend more time practicing than playing games AND more time doing off-ice training than both of these: combined. but you will understand when you get to HS and beyond.

From experience you wont know who is truly "Elite" till after checking.

Man, am I really on the Dboard right now?? There are so many solid, reasonable, educated comments on this thread.

FACT:
When the hitting starts, and you are no longer in the bubble of your own age bracket, the cream will rise to the top....

...AND, 75% of the players on FED elite teams are not elite.
It's called DILUTION.

Dilution or delusion ? Both apply

Elite, Select, AAA AA, A, E9, BHL, or EHF (colors).

They are all words and abbreviations with no true meaning.
There are kids, young teens who have more talented and have more drive than many in this alphabet soup programs and leagues. But for what ever reason ($$, logistics, connections) do not play for that TEAM or in that LEAGUE.

Parents find it more important than the kids playing the sports. Or the parents drive it into the head of the player if they do not play for or in this group. They pressure the player, if they do not make it (?). They are not good enough.

Keep it up Mom/Dad also the trollers!!! Organization and the owners are just profiting by these words. Also my bender did get cut, we are realistic as parents. He drives himself to be and get better!

You are pretty much correct, but can't we at least admit that EHF and BHL are tiered according to team strength? EHF Elite > EHF T1 Black > EHF Tier I White > EHF Tier 1 Silver and E9 > BHL American > BHL National. This much is true. It's not a totally unranked system as you suggest.

Yes, there is a disconnect here somewhere.

Athletics are competitive, people by nature are competitive. When your kid enters a sport and tries out they are competing against the others to hopefully achieve the highest level possible. As a parent you direct them to the best league possible that works for you and the family.

So if a kid is really good and year after year plays at a high level for a strong team in the strongest league they are "X".

Around these parts, for better or for worse, that is called "elite."

What we have are parents whose kids aren't on elite teams piling on due to the fact their benders are't (yet) elite. I get it, your kid may be a stud in a few years. We are all excited to see what he becomes. When that hitting starts he will be the best I am sure. But for now, he is not elite.

Elite is just a foolish word to describe the highest level in this region. But the bottom line is, it is the highest level. If we abolish "elite" and go strictly to Tier I, that doesn't make your kid better, you know that right? They are still where they should be.

tom-A-to to-MAH-to

I love all the dads on this thread that are butt hurt over the word "elite". I could give two ****s what they call my sons team. Elite, AAA, Tier 1...Whatever. As long as he is on a good coached team and is improving is all anyone should care about. People get caught up on labels way too much. Parents with kids who are truly talented never have to brag on how great their kid is. People already know.

Only a tool parent uses the word "elite" to describe their kid's team or league.

"What team does your son play for?"

"He plays for the elite Wizards!" << TOOL! I sit as far as possible from this guy/girl during games.

"He plays for the Wizards." << Normal parent who I want to have a beer with.

Translation - select players dad

EHF Tier 1 Silver dad - I pay 'elite' fees each year

Ah, no. Both my daughters play though and they would turn your son every day and twice on Sunday.

Differentiates people between "elite" and "select" << TOOL!

You keep telling yourself that there Jock O

Thanks screwball Scott!

Jock O?! You definitely did not play hockey past high school and you live vicariously through your "elite" (LOL) boys. Dude, you are a loser...and you know it.

2 daughters in hockey and wife who likes coaches.

I like that test. I'll have to remember that.

In my experiences it has been mostly tier 1,bhl and town parents who get caught up in the elite tag and are preoccupied by it. Those parents feel like they are on the outside looking in and most times are the ones talking trash about the elite level and how their kid should be on the elite team.

I've only met a few parents of kids on elite teams who really believe they're kid was elite and that was when our kids were at the mite level. Over the years those parents have come around to the realization that their kids are not as good aa they thought they were at mites. Which sounds absurd. On the whole people need to get over the fact that organizations call their top team the elite team. Whether they call it AAA,elite or superior parents are always going to have an issue

...and probably spoon!