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Showing posts from February, 2020

Youth Hockey Absurdities

My eight year old plays hockey.  Actually, I'm the one that introduced him to it, and he happened to really like it, so I keep shelling out money like there is no tomorrow.  I'm mostly fine with it, and truth be told, I probably spend more than I should on his gear.  After all, he is only eight.  I remember being young and wanting to have cool gear, so sometimes I splurge.  It's pretty easy at this age to spend an extra twenty bucks on a piece of equipment.  However, a conversation I had with another parent recently shook my hockey expectations to the core. My buddy and I were sitting in the bleachers watching our boys on the ice.  I was pondering taking the next step to participate in the travel program.  I wasn't sure if spending the four grand was appropriate or worth it at this age.  having watched some of the older kids, like nine years old, on the AA and AAA teams play, I have to admit that it would be pretty awesome to watch the litt...

NCAA Div 1 Hockey in Southern California

The future of NCAA Div. 1 hockey in Southern California seems to be non-existent.  While ASU in neighboring Arizona has set a previously unimaginable precedent by finishing the 2019  season ranked, and climbing as high as No. 10 so far this season, universities in Southern California don't seem to making any strides toward bringing NCAA hockey to California.  The reason seems to be a combination of ignorance to the explosion of youth hockey currently going on, and an unwillingness to throw money at a sport that many Californians see as a novelty. Recently, youth hockey has seen a remarkable surge in popularity.  This is in no small part due to programs where kids can learn to play ice hockey for free.  While the price to play ramps up incredibly quickly, local hockey clubs are brimming with players of all levels.  As more kids play, more are reaching the upper levels.  Between California and Arizona, there are twelve native sons playing in the NHL....