This just keeps getting better and better.

Just because the MMF and SSK weren't there doesn't mean it was weak. Maybe you've never heard of the NJ Avs or NY Aviators. Doesn't mean they aren't good teams. Really good teams. Forget EHF vs. E9. I would love to have seen those four square off.

Take your parochial blinders off. I said it before, I'll say it again, there are teams from outside this area that are far superior to all but a very small handful of local teams. HPHL, T1EHL, USPHL, EJEPL, ECEL, etc. etc. These are super-regional leagues that are getting stronger and stronger. Focus may be Bantams and up today, but from the sound of it, they are coming. They want the money that goes along with the volume that is at the younger age groups. And the local owners want in.

Ever heard of the MBHL? No? That's what the EHF will be to parents of '10s in 5 - 7 years.

Step away from the bottle Charlie. You are clearly an idiot or drunk. U14 Rats are aweful and won't qualify for an already weak e9. Kings or Flames would beat them by 10.

One end of summer tournament certainly doesn't define the team. They had one practice under there belt, brand new team never played together and their best guy wasnt their the whole weekend. A win, a tie, a close one and a 0-5. I wouldn't put a bullet in them just yet!

So let me guess, your kid played in the ECC tournament, right? This is what made it "far superior" is that his team was playing it.

What made it "far superior" was the talent. Tons of D1 commits and USHL draft picks, Scores of top prep players from up and down the East coast. The level of play in the Red Divisions was some of the best you'll see in Midget hockey.

But, you don't have to take my word for it. Ask the college and USHL scouts that were there, and the ones that were at the Face Off.

Glad the midget teams were so good . However the OP and previous posts are discussing the U14 team Bantam major ................ Was at a different rink and different teams ........

^^ Exactly!!! This was my point. The OP was referring to U14, not U16 and U18. Totally different things. Just because it was the same tournament means nothing. How many U14 college D1 commits and USHL draft picks were playing at the U14 levels? If you want to talk about the U16 and U18 games, that would be the High School and Prep Hockey forum.

Thank you for reading my mind, Nostradamus. I was referring to the quality of the U14, U15, (which you guys don't even know exists yet, apparently), U16 and U18 fields. I actually mentioned a couple of the strong U14 teams that were there by name. SSK and MMF should have signed up for the stronger tournament instead of not even breaking a sweat in the Face Off.

My point was, the whole EHF/E9 debate is so parochial. Ever see that New Yorker mag cover from the '70s? That's an apt metaphor for the Youth Hockey board mentality.

And, guess what? '02s are committing now. Didn't comb the rosters, but I'll bet they were at the ECC, at their prep coaches' suggestion with the rest of their teammates.

As for the Rats, guess we'll see when parity begins. I have a sneaky suspicion the philosophy of the U15 through U18 teams didn't shift 180 degrees at the U14 level.

I was at both. Mediocre all around.

Midgets and U14 are different animals. U14 River Rats are a AAA team. The u16 and U18 teams are loaded. They are different animals. The U14 ECC tournament was weak like it or not. The EHF teams that were there were the mid to lower teams and they advanced to playoffs. Just the facts.

Actually only one made the playoffs and did not win it . 2 of the four playoff teams AYHL ...... The E9 team that was there won only one game ...

A clue.... get one

They are not "non league" once they join your league...

Will struggle in BHL American.