The preliminary topics include:
- Do we continue to offer only full-ice hockey at the Mite level, or do we become a cross-ice league, or some combination of the two?
- What effect would incorporating cross-ice/half-ice have on our league and tournament structure?
- Should NIHL continue to maintain primary responsibility for facilitating and setting up game play between member clubs at the Mite level or should clubs take a bigger role regarding the same and in determining the overall direction of their Mite program?
- Should there be distinctions between U8 and U6 hockey?
- What about number of games and length of season?
- How might an A2 type season factor into the process?
What do you think about those 5-year Mites playing cross-ice?
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I am interested to see what comes out of this meeting. I believe that the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Between USA Hockey wanting all mites to play half ice and a majority of mite players, parents, coaches wanting full ice, it seems that there is room for compromise. Maybe the top mite travel team from each club can play full ice. Top 2 teams of clubs that field 5+ teams. Play half ice for seeding. There are a lot of good ideas out there that help the kids learn and grow, keeps the parents happy and helps the clubs keep the money coming in. For U8 mite house teams let them play full ice for 1/4 of their games.
ReplyDeleteHalf/Cross ice games are a great tool that can teach a lot of very valuable skills, but full ice games have equal value. USA Hockey and AHAI should be encouraging using both.