Have an 03, Playing for full season u16. Full season team has played in many of the better tournaments but not impressed with the coaching and don't see it getting much better (my son gets a ton of ice time, even when he does not deserve it). Son is thinking of leaving and playing for his public HS team. Seeing he has gained some interest for next year would it hurt to play the winter at the public?

Why does teaching their kids to honor their commitments come to parents' minds so infrequently?

You signed a contract. Chances are, they turned other kids down. If you leave, you are leaving not only the program, but the 20 other families.

You also will leave a big black checkmark next to your kid's name. Coaches talk. If your kid quits, that's what he will be. A quitter.

Agree to a point..but if that team has a better player than this kid come to them, are they going to hesitate bumping him down? U16 is a win at all cost league..know the consequences and let your kid have some fun if that's what he wants.

Clearly trolling. If you have an 03 playing U16s already and are considering public HS your are clueless. Public HS hockey is for the kids who love boozing, bending and vaping....

or maybe Public HS is for some kids who've turned down prep offers because they want to continue skating with their friends they've played with since mites as they know they can do PG and Juniors after HS!

Staying in low level HS hockey will retard your players development. He will fall behind. Wish it was not the case but it is the reality

I think it depends on the age. U14 in this state is terrible. If they have a chance to make varsity, it’s better than any u14 here.

Simple answer, do what you think is best for you, your player and your entire family.

Will leaving be a potentially "black mark" against your player? Well it certainly could be as any coach looking at him has to question his commitment.

Only you and your player know what is motivating him to look at HS hockey so really only you and the family are in a position to determine what's best.

If FS better than HS for development, yes. If your player is a top 100 in the state than you are taking a big risk. If he's not, who cares as he'll be playing adult league a few years earlier his FS peers as they have to wait until they age out of Tier III Juniors.

Does it show a lack of commitment on your sons part? Yes it does but if he's sick of the grind and burning out and playing HS puts the fun back in the game, it doesn't matter.

If it's just a difference of opinion with the coach or how to coach and he really wants to play at the next level and isn't burnt out, tell him to embrace the s-u-c-k and stick it out. He is certainly going to face other instances in life where he has an issue or difference of opinion with boss or co-worker and this is a great learning experience.

Thanks for the opinions. After weighing the options he will be staying with his FS team and completing his commitment to them.

Unfortunately hockey suffering in this area now....most public’s are bad, and starting to be to many FS teams. 16 becoming a tough age group decision wise....

If the kid wants to get better and play beyond high school then he has to play club for prep. It’s that simple.