20130508 – Important Info On SDIA Tryouts and INFO for 2013-2014 travel hockey

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Hello Hockey Families,

Every year at this time, I get countless questions from concerned parents about what is the best situation for their child’s hockey career.  This is a legitimate question so I have put together my thoughts on what you should consider at you head into try-outs.
A family’s first consideration would be what they see as the future for their child.  Parents and children often have different priorities.  Many times different activities present conflicts between these priorities.  Generally, after health, there are four main categories of consideration.  These are family, education, finances then sports.  Without going into detail, it is up to each family to see how each of these fits into what they are trying to accomplish.  I am sure with a little thought and some help from hockey management and coaches, you can get the information you need to make your choices.  The most important thing is to speak to people you trust and that you are sure have your family and your child’s best interest at heart.  Below are some of the things you should know.
Overall, you have to realize that hockey is a business, and rinks need hockey players to pay their bills.  Don’t be swayed by clubs that appear to be “scouting” your player, or try fear tactics that tell you your player won’t have exposure or the opportunity to play A/AA/AAA/Juniors/D-1/NHL if they don’t join their organization.  The most successful hockey players come from situations where they enjoyed their teammates/coaches/travel experiences, which made them want to spend more time on the ice and improve their game, especially at 16U and below.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions.  Please feel free to contact me if you still have issues that are not addressed below.
Best Regards,
Craig

Important considerations and questions to select the program that is right for your player:

Don’t complicate the process.

IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU TO PLAY AT THEIR CLUB OR YOU WILL NEVER MAKE A AA OR AAA TEAM OR EVER HAVE ANY CHANCE TO PLAY COLLEGE OR JUNIOR HOCKEY …THINK TWICE ABOUT BEING A PART OF THAT CLUB.  A million people will be pulling you in a million different directions claiming all sorts of reasons you should be doing this or that.  Don’t fall into this trap! The process is actually very simple.  Just like any successful life path, choose what is truly important to you, and do not be distracted by all of the background noise. Recognize that times are tough financially, and many rinks make money recruiting players!

Determine the truly important factors to consider for your child, right now. Really!

12U and 14U age groups– don’t get wrapped up in recruiting emails, letters or calls saying your player has been looked at and has potential to go all the way if he plays here or there.

The exposure myth ? My child needs to be seen!

At  8U , 10U 12U ,14U and  16U your child does not need “exposure”.  There are no college and pro scouts at PW and Bantam showcases.  Yes, it is great to have the opportunity to do some travel and play some great competition, but not to the point where you are sacrificing your child’s love for the sport, and your family’s sanity and financial well-being.

At 18U, exposure has a little more merit as kids plan for juniors and prep school.  However, the athlete at this age is still in what USA Hockey terms the “Train to Train” stage.  Skill, physical, and mental development still must be the #1 priority.  If these are developed to the athlete’s full potential, the scouts will find you (large rink or small.)  If your player is good enough, colleges and Junior teams will find him or her without having to jump form club to club . SDIA has top notch coaches and we work closely with Brad Buetow (Detroit Redwings, Pittsburgh Pennguins, and D1 Coach of the Year, Junior Placement Showcase), one of the top youth scouts in the country.  We have mentored several kids who have gone on to play College, Juniors, and NHL. Check out some of SDIA Alumni click here.  If your player has what it takes to go far in hockey, our coaches have numerous contacts that will assist in getting your player seen by the scouts/coaches he needs to see!  
Should my player be playing on a top ranker team?
This can be good in certain situations, but you need to evaluate the situation on this top team.  Is it important to be on a “top team” if you will only be a “role player” and not get key ice time minutes? Absolutely not.  This is still the age where players need to develop skills, confidence, leadership, and responsibility on the ice.  If they do not have this opportunity, no amount of team banners and trophies will develop this for them.
If the situation is good for you in particular, playing on a top team can be great, if the philosophy is a sound philosophy that emphasizes development over the outcome.  Never sacrifice the core fundamentals and values of long term development just to chase a high ranking.My child is a top player. Don’t I need a coach who will promise him or her top line minutes?
You are doing your child a huge disservice if you are trying to control the situation and make it easy for them to have “guarantees”.  When moving on to the highest level, players will most definitely go through challenging stretches where they will have to take personal responsibility for their performance and selflessly contribute to the team even if they are not in the situation they desire. Furthermore, any coach promising “guarantees” is clearly violating any ethics they have towards the coaching of children–so beware! If a player rides an easy road the whole way up because their parents have controlled that path for them, they will have a very difficult time accepting the harsh realities of Junior, College, or Pro Hockey.Should I try to map out the club with the top Midget team and put my child there so I can be on that team down the road?
This has no value or relevance.  What matters is the situation your child is in for their development RIGHT NOW.  If they are not with a good coach who they will learn from, having fun and enjoying the sport and learning key character strengths, they will not make this team when they are older anyways.  If they develop into one of the top players, top teams will want them regardless what club they are from.

Isn’t SCAHA/Tourney hockey the time to “play to win?”
If any coach does not believe their #1 job in youth hockey is to develop hockey players to be the best they can be first and foremost, they should not be in a leadership position! Plain and simple.

What should I consider then?

A) What is the philosophy of the rink? The coach? The program in general?
Don’t be afraid to ask this flat out.  It should be to develop your player, and all players, on and off the ice to their fullest potential; To give them access to future opportunities, to their dreams and goals.

B) Do I have access to top people? Support? Do they care about my player and family?
You should feel confident that coaches and organization staff will take an interest in your child and be there to provide guidance, time and support to help them along the way, at any point.  This should extend beyond normal practice and game times.

C) What is the moral and ethical character of the coach and organization?
Having nothing to do with hockey, would I want my child to look up to these people?  Beware of any rink and/or coach that demeans another club or coach just to entice a player.  The Southern California Hockey community is relatively small so it benefits everyone for all rinks to field competitive programs. 

D) What is the on-ice training philosophy?
At this age, on- ice skills and hockey sense is still definitely most important.  Players should be encouraged to play aggressive and free and not be afraid to make mistakes.  If the coach has an overemphasis on system and positional play and discourages, instead of encouraging risk taking, beware!

What the SDIA Oilers represents:

Opportunity
Integrity
Leadership and Character Development
Extensive Hockey Training
Remembering What is Important
Support of the Player and the Family
The San Diego Oilers Hockey Program is interested in total player development.  We are driven to help develop young men and women of character and integrity on and off the ice while remaining one of the premier clubs in California.  From community service opportunities to first jobs and referrals to top youth scouts, we vow to remain loyal and stand behind our players all the way.
What SDIA is NOT about:
You and your child are not a number or a dollar sign to us
We will never adopt a “win at all costs” philosophy
We will not be motivated by political agendas
 
SDIA TRYOUTS ARE COMING UP. HERE IS OUR CONDITIONING PRE SKATE INFO AND OUR TRYOUT TIMES: CLICK HERE 
SDIA TEAMS AND COACHES FOR NEXT SEASON: CLICK HERE
 
HERE ARE SOME SDIA ALUMNI THAT HAVE WORKED WITH SDIA COACHES AND WENT ONTO COLLEGE AND JUNIOR HOCKEY . OUR COACHES AND MENTORS ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF SDIA OILER PLAYERS AND WILL DO ALL THAT THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE OUR PLAYERS GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF HOCKEY!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PLAYERS
SDIA2013-14TryoutInfo sdiacoachstaff2013-14