Wait until the rumored Amesbury complex is built. Exeter will be strictly town teams. Even now, it's the only rink that you can find weekend ice to rent.

If Seacoast has all the components, but is not very competitive, what does that say for what Amesbury could be? I agree with the more popular names of Av's, VJW, TG, and IHC, how would a program in Amesbury survive?

Played a couple years for Seacoast and loved the Org and how it was run, but like previous poster said, they just do not draw the talent numbers these other popular org's do. Look at tryouts, these other places draw 50+ walk ons at tryouts, where Seacoast is barely drawing enough for 2 teams at age levels.

I am not sure what is going on here but this "Appears" to be an adult conversation without name calling, mention of the Caps, ducking teams and Little Johnny.... Not sure what to make of this.

I can tell you 05 Elite has best goalie in E9. Great player.

goalie played great in jwk tourney team played down to aaa level sandbaggers

The only logical explanation is that it's one guy talking to himself.

They don't go out and recruit at all. My friend's son had been to national development camp a few times and lives about 25 minutes away and was never even approached by anyone there over the years. They need to go out and recruit kids if they want the teams to be better, but I am not sure that's the model. It's more about developing the players that show up at tryouts instead of seeking out the better players to get more W's. Not a judgment at all as I respect their program and their theories about skills development.

They have the top uni's by far

Not too sure about the development above all, don't worry about W's concept you are claiming they have. We play their 06 team and their top player - who is extremely good - barely leaves the ice. I'm not sure if the player or players who are sitting on the bench watching him play would agree with your assessment

"We play" what team are you on and why are you not in class? What position do you play? If you are a coach you would keep him on the ice all game too!

Not to worry, just hang on 'till end of the year and he will be in the EHF for next season.

I'm a tough kid, homeschooled by my hot mom. Can't wait to bundle all the superstars when we all become bantams! Choo! Choo!

I am a coach and by "we play" I am referring to the team I coach dumb*** and I would not keep him on the ice all game. He is probably the best 06 youth hockey player I have seen but it is my responsibility to develop all of the kids on our team - it isn't good for him or for his teammates. And for the record, you would get a lot more production out of him if you gave him a proper recovery between shifts. I'm not sure what your point is to be honest.

Don't the 05 pats do the same thing? Probably one of these at every level and in every league. Sad.

Your kid is the best 06 player you've seen??

Reading comprehension. Are you capable of it?

He's making my point...about the difference in E9 and Fed. This guy thinks the kid is the best 06 he's seen. My son has played with the kid in reference and with many of the kids from Seacoast and the Fed on spring / summer teams. I can tell you from watching the games, the kid is a good player but he falls short from being in the top tier of 06's in the Fed. I would bet that he ends up in the Fed next year and will be a top 6 forward on a team but not the teams top player.

The kid is very talented and will likely mature to be a very good player if he develops the rate that he is currently on. My point is not to overlook that - but it does reinforce the larger idea that the Fed has better players and deeper teams at this age group than the E9.

Find a new topic - talking about someone else's 10yo kid - embarassing

Seacoast Spartans just don't draw as much talent as they used to, at one time, they would draw the best players in NH & ME, especially at the Midget level (when Grassie ran the program), had top teams at the 91', 94', 95', 96', and 97' level. Just go onto their website and see where some of the guys are playing now. To many programs to choose from now, I believe that the current Spartan program still employs the same development program which has been extremely successful, though they have "daddy" coaches now, where as years before, there was rarely any hockey dad coaching the team. that may be problem?

You are a complete idiot - stop licking the window for a second and pay attention. You are not the only one who has seen top E9 and top FED players. My son plays 06 EHF, I have seen every top 06 EHF forward about four times a year for the past three years. I have also seen this kid play as well and I can tell you without hesitation that he would be top three forwards in the league at that age bracket - everything doesn't have to be twisted into proof that your tired point is correct. I personally think the EHF is a stronger league, I also think it is close enough that it really doesn't matter much. You need to stop polluting the dboard with your hazardous levels of stupidity. Just read from now on, avoid posting altogether - the fact that you put yourself out there as a proponent of the EHF is embarrassing to all of us normal EHF parents.

How did the VJW 06 Elite team do against your precious FED teams?

Your an idiot.

Just looked over VJW 06 schedule this season. Looks like they lost to the Wizards elite team. Didn't Wizards recently lose to a town team at Kennedy Tournament?

Wow! I'd hate to say it but this guy is right! Wizards did in fact beat VJW.

And Flames (super team) lose to Providence Caps and Islanders lose to Jr Eagles. Whats your point? Any given 10 year old team can beat any other 10 year old team. Give it a rest pal.

^^^^^^^ exactly! No idea why this VJW dad comes on every day and pounds his chest knocking EHF teams. It's 10 year old hockey any team can beat any team, town, elite, premiere, whatever....

In trying to get back the OPs question, what's the reason you don't think Seacoast gets numbers at tryout time? As stated, good org, sweet unis, etc, why do people not see them as a good option?

Distance from home? NH? E9? Cost?

I'm with the OP, for the No MA and NH folks, it would seem like a place too be... Why not?

Wrong it's a SSKs dad. They are blowing up and taking everyone down with them.

Ok, let's try again. Forget about SSK, VJW, etc.

If you live in say, Amesbury, why wouldn't you want to play for Seacoast? Or, why would you?

Seems like a no-brainer if your kid is good.

I think Seacoast does get many of the Northeast Ma kids, but I think the pool to pick from gets smaller up there. When you get your IHC and VJW teams dragging kids from around the city, Seacoast just does not have the numbers like that to draw from and the field thins out.

Seacoast has a great program, good facility and very level headed management that is VERY engaged with their families (I have seen them just walking around facility STOPPING to talk to as many people as they can). So their teams are not top 3 at each age level, their ice time is consistent, skills are very good, coaches are not all daddy coaches (many played at high level college and pro), played in one of the top leagues in New England, cost is competitive, and majority of their families keep coming back year after year (maybe part of the reason they do not recruit "top" talent, committed to families that are committed?).

Overall my son is happy with the Spartans at the '03 level, enjoys the coaches and skills and is having fun this year especially.

The team lost a few cancers on the team from last year (parents more than players) that created some issues and left for tg we think - they haven't been missed and other than that - everything over the last few years has been great.

Everyone knows that 06 VJW is the minor league team of the 06 IHC. They seem to pick up all of IHC kids that get cut.