Then why do people care about playing club at these ages ? Better yet why do people care about leagues and levels at these ages ?

Real simple, FOMO! All these orgs have found a way to get down deep into parents psyche. With Elite tags and team gear with names and logos. Itts literally all a farce and build for those suckers who fall for and buy the tag lines. Unless you kid is top of the top, save your money and play town.

It’s usually where the talent goes and is developed the most. Not many kids can come into club hockey after mites. The club kids end up being light years ahead. Some of it from better cosching and a lot of it because they are on the ice a lot more.

15. That is when usa hockey starts scouting your bender.

We didn’t really care much until Prep mainly because we have other kids and this costs 12k per year. Now he’s 19,living away from home playing jrs and we are just waiting to hear what schools he got into for next year. Don’t really care if hockey is part of the plan or not, time to be a man.

This used to be the case but with clubs now having at least 3-4 teams for every age level people are paying club prices for town level hockey.

It depends on the club

Never. Your duster is a bender and will get cut. Once the 2014s enter this pro level all birth years are over.

??

You heard that here 1st. 2014s are stacked.

I wouldn't ever say "I'm invested" in any of my kids athletic endeavors, I although I certainly invest in them in time & money but I have always cared, from Learn to Skate through high school.

What you care about changes as they age, at Mites you want to make sure they are having fun, that the organization is running age appropriate skills weekly, the coach isn't a nut job, that the coaches are giving all the kids the same opportunities on the ice. What you really want is for your kid to fall in love with the game at this age, to be excited to go to practice because he just loves being on the ice.

Squirts, focus is much the same but is the coach also teaching & enforcing some basic elements of hockey, like spatial discipline (left vs. right), defensive responsibilities, teaching them the basics of competitive body contact, etc. Are the skills coaches running drills that encourage good strides, edgework, and getting their heads up and are they working to correct mistakes? Far too many skills guys set up the cones and blow the whistle & do nothing more.

At any age, the focus should be on enjoyment of the time at the rink and appropriate development & the coaches control most of that. What can start as a great coach and/or organization at Mites might not be "the right fit" for your player as he hits U10 or U12.