I just got off the phone with one of the best hockey directors in the North America. Just does things the right way and really cares about the kids and families in his and other organizations. Their teams are always ranked at the top of the country on @MYHockeyRanking at the Tier 1 level too so hopefully that keeps the crazies reading. And if you are one of those crazies who got more excited about that statement than the one about him doing things the right way, I hope what I’m about to say will resonate. I asked him about the different successes at different birth years he’s seen in his area. What was it about certain birth years that lead to more successful years and more players moving on as they got older? Were there any striking differences between the coaches, philosophies, standards between the ones that did well and the ones that didn’t? His answer was awesome. And it goes against what so many believe about youth hockey development. His answer? The years that had more success and moved more kids on were the ones that didn’t create the super teams early. The talent was spread out amongst more teams in the area longer. There was a resistance to the urge of shortening the talent pyramid too early. Amen. For everyone out there that thinks Mite AAA is a good idea (I’d even say Squirt AAA), or who think that if a kid doesn’t make the Brick their career is over, or who pray on parents selling them on the premise they need to play on a super team before puberty or their development is gonna be left behind… Retire from the game. You have no clue what you are talking about. “As many as possible, for as long as possible.” It’s a standard that I’ve researched from other countries that are top in the world in youth development. It’s an amazing motto they’ve lived by and promoted with their development models. We do the opposite. We structure things that drive people out of the game, with super elite AAA stupid crap at the youngest ages being Exhibit A. Why does Minnesota always send out the most elite players? “As many as possible for as long as possible.” Rant done.