Yeah, because what you see as the best avenue is ridiculous. Any 14 year old that can play for a good FS U16 team isn't worried about any of this. They are coveted players on U14 teams that shooting for Nattys and on Prep school's radar.

So, that leave the 14 YO that can make a crappy FS U16 team> Now, why would anyone see that as desirable? You're spending twice as much - or more - than a top EHF/E9 FS team.

And, i hope you realize that FS U16 teams travel, and have Friday and Monday games. You gonna pull your kid out of school for 6-7 days?

Then, of course, there's the safety factor. A U14 player has been checking for exactly one season. Even if he is undersized, the U16 game is MUCH more physical than U14. He needs to learn how to play that game, gradually, not thrown to the wolves.

I assume you did this, or you wouldn't be recommending. it. What U16 team did he play for at 14?

It isn't really very hard to know who the good FS U14 teams are. Just look at the league schedules and see who's still winning. Then go to a game.

Speaking about .02 cents. Now how about the $$$ and cents. Any word out there about program prices for the U14 season next year. E9/BHL or Fed (PLEASE no league hating comments), full or half season prices.

Thank you for your posts... most valuable thread I have ever seen on this site. I’m struggling with this for my U14 incoming 8th grade goalie for next year and even though you guys are talking about players you’ve given me more to think about. Thanks,

Goalie is even more unique. Keep the reps coming. Lots of pucks. Play u14, u15, u16 until ready to move up. Too many goalies sit and watch

I know and this is my fear... he has been approached to be the #2 for an E9 team and a #2 for a T1 EHF. Don’t want to sit on the bench!

My advice is to ask the coaches what the story is with other goalie. If they are on the path to play high school then you have a half season as the one and only

At that age they should be splitting evenly. Perhaps if one is quite stronger than the other or playing better, then split based off of strength of opponent. No reason to have a #1.

Moving forward, absolutely, positively have your goalie play FS through High School. If he is CC, D1 ( Quality) or Prep, have him play FS until he is guaranteed to get playing time and even still the trend seems to be towards FS. Keep training hard! It gets really competitive as you go up the pyramid!

Now if hockey is not his main sport or he is not "All In" ( Relatively speaking) then save your money, play half season and see what happens in High School.

Either way, enjoy the journey and best of luck.

Thanks for the advice! He is a great golfer and a great LAX player but he is “all in” as a goalie and has left club lax and his jr golf team. He has a goalie trainer and off ice trainer so he is chugging along!

Eagles looking for a full season U14 goalie

Where do they play out of?

Newton

EHF Elite full season team

OOFA! That would be a haul! Live in the Attleboro area and used to commute up to Newton for work BEFORE they built up the area with TripAdvisor, etc! BOCH and Hyde Park are doable... Newton is a stretch...

I agree. Thank you for your insight. It's good to hear many different opinions on this, especially as a first time bantam hockey parent.

Not surprised it came in a thread about 2004s. Congrats to the 2004 parents for making it this far and being by far the least nutty of all birth years (at least in my years on the dboard). There could have been a lot more 2004 chatter on these boards over the years, but I think most of us just sat by and watched the other birth years duke it out while our kids' teams stayed out of the spotlight.