New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

[OnMAA]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

And here is the list of Ontario recruits from the 08-09 listings:

Most of these players are '90 born.

Player................Position.......(Current Team)...............................Hometown
Tara Watchorn...........D.........(CAN 18s/Durham Lightning)..............New Castle, ON
Donelle Latimer...........G.................(Whitby Wolves)..........................Whitby, ON
Alison Wong................F..............(Etobicoke Dolphins).................Mississauga, ON
Danielle Boudreau........F...............(Durham Lightning).........................Whitby, ON
Gabby Kosziwka..........F...............(Brampton Thunder).........................Acton, ON
Brittany Mulligan..........F..............(London Devilettes)........................London, ON
Krista Dermott..............F.............(Brampton Thunder)........................ Milton, ON
Amanda Kirwan.............D...............(Toronto Aeros).....................Mississauga, ON
Sami Evelyn................D......................(NCCP )................................Nepean, ON
Amanda Mazzotta.........G.....(CAN 18s/London Devilettes)....................London, ON
Jenna Paulson..............D...............(Toronto Aeros)..........................Toronto, ON
Catherine White...........F......(CAN 18s/Mississauga Chiefs)................Brampton, ON
Geneva Kliman..............D...............(Oakville Ice).............................Toronto, ON
Whitney Kennedy...........F.............(Toronto Aeros)......................Mississauga, ON
Jessica Jones...............F........(CAN 18s/Whitby Wolves)......................Picton, ON
Leah Whittaker.............D...............(Toronto Aeros).......................Cambridge, ON
Laura McIntosh............F.......(CAN 18s/Mississuaga Chiefs)...............Waterloo, ON
Natalie Spooner............F........(CAN 18s/Durham Lightning)...........Scarborough, ON
Stacey Kmill.................F..........(Thunder Bay Queens)...............Thunder Bay, ON
Jane Moss..................F/D..............(Northwood)........................ ..Morrisburg, ON
Kate Wheeler...............F................(Oakville Ice).............................Oakville, ON
Brianna Delaney............F....................(NCCP).... ..........................Stittsville, ON
Paige Pietrangelo..........D..............(Hamilton Hawks)...................Niagara Falls, ON
Josee Belanger.............D..............(Sudbury Wolves)........................Sudbury, ON
Alley Bero....................F..........(USA 18s/Salmon River).................Akwesasne, ON
Katie Bero...................F.............(Cornwall Typhoons)..................Akwesasne, ON
Stephanie Jones...........G..................(M-S Stars)...........................Thornhill, ON
Taylor Metcalfe............D.................(Oakville Ice)...........................Oakville, ON
Kelly Alyea.................F...............(Culver Academy).........................London, ON
Chelsey Heinhuis.........D............. (Windsor Wildcats)......................Chatham, ON
Dania Simmonds..........D................(Toronto Aeros)...........................Aurora, ON
Shannon Bellefeuille.....D......................(NCCP).... .............................Kanata, ON
Alyssa Baldin..............F.............(Mississauga Chiefs)....................Mississauga, ON
Marlee Fisher..............D................(NCCP Capitals)..........................Kingston, ON
Micheline Frappier........F...........(Sudbury Lady Wolves)....................Val Caron, ON
Carolyn Prevost............F......(CAN 18s/London Devilettes).....................Sarnia, ON
Heather Grant.............D................(Toronto Aeros)..........................Toronto, ON
Jenny Ladiges.............G......................(NCCP). ...............................Almonte, ON

 

[ARM]

Minnesota has on occasion in the past recruited players that do a PG year, or are a year older. Prime example was the twins.

No, the twins didn't do a PG year. My guess would be that they started kindergarden a bit later. Sometimes parents do that with kids with summer birthdays if they don't think that they are ready for school.

Wendell was older because she had spent two years centralized with Team USA. The Finns were older, as Europeans often are. I can't remember anyone who did a true PG year like Coyne did prior to NU.

 

[D2D]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

My guess would be that they started kindergarden a bit later. Sometimes parents do that with kids with summer birthdays if they don't think that they are ready for school.

"Back in the day" parents would almost always enroll their kids in kindergarten if they had their 5th birthday in September or earlier. So there were quite a few who graduated from high school before turning 18. Now, not so much. There's been a gradual shift towards more parents holding their kids back, and over the years I've heard of some who have chosen this approach to give their kids an athletic edge as well as for academic and "social maturity" reasons.

Note: The above is my observation as respects Minnesota only. It may differ from other parts of the country, such as New England.

 

[giwan]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

"Back in the day" parents would almost always enroll their kids in kindergarten if they had their 5th birthday in September or earlier. So there were quite a few who graduated from high school before turning 18. Now, not so much. There's been a gradual shift towards more parents holding their kids back, and over the years I've heard of some who have chosen this approach to give their kids an athletic edge as well as for academic and "social maturity" reasons.

Note: The above is my observation as respects Minnesota only. It may differ from other parts of the country, such as New England.

There is certain validity to your comments.

 

[Hux]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

There is certain validity to your comments.

Ayuh. A friend's wife worked from home and as a consequence did not need day care. When she took her son to kindergarten the teachers chided her for not having had him in preschool as he was "behind" on how to operate in a structured envioronment, how to "learn" etc. Later she found that most of her son's fellow students had been in preschool since two or three and were often a year older (kids with birthdays after May or June) apparently because it would enable them to achieve better results in school.

 

[giwan]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

Ayuh. A friend's wife worked from home and as a consequence did not need day care. When she took her son to kindergarten the teachers chided her for not having had him in preschool as he was "behind" on how to operate in a structured envioronment, how to "learn" etc. Later she found that most of her son's fellow students had been in preschool since two or three and were often a year older (kids with birthdays after May or June) apparently because it would enable them to achieve better results in school.

The relative age effect does matter.

Forgot to add this from the beginning http://www.newjhl.com/page/show/1020153-teams-2014-2015-

 

[Hockeydad4two]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

"Back in the day" parents would almost always enroll their kids in kindergarten if they had their 5th birthday in September or earlier. So there were quite a few who graduated from high school before turning 18. Now, not so much. There's been a gradual shift towards more parents holding their kids back, and over the years I've heard of some who have chosen this approach to give their kids an athletic edge as well as for academic and "social maturity" reasons.

Note: The above is my observation as respects Minnesota only. It may differ from other parts of the country, such as New England.

My D's birthday is in November. The school district we lived in (Wisconsin) wouldn't let us enroll her in September. We had to wait until the next year. Turn's out it was probably a good thing as she was one of the oldest in her school class. Although, she was still one of the youngest in non-school sports due to "birth" year.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

My D's birthday is in November. The school district we lived in (Wisconsin) wouldn't let us enroll her in September. We had to wait until the next year. Turn's out it was probably a good thing as she was one of the oldest in her school class. Although, she was still one of the youngest in non-school sports due to "birth" year.

Reverse was true for our oldest who is also a November born. She went to JK at 3, K at 4 and grade 1 at age 5. She was always one of the younger ones, both school and sports wise. It helped that she ended up 6ft tall, so her height often hid the fact she was younger than most. Went to University at 17 and she will graduate as an MD next year at the ripe age of 25.

In Ontario , if you turn 4 by the end of the Calendar year (Dec 31), you go to JK, and two years later to grade one as a five year old. That system has been in place for many years. With many dual working parents, many parents are often eager to send their kid to school to save on baby sitting services.

 

[giwan]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

A fair amount of kids come out of Prep, and most enter as rising sophs or juniors from high school but repeat a year to catch up with the curriculum.

The programs in the new league may be thinking of finding billet families but I doubt that will fly with most mothers and fathers of teen girls.

Some billet families, some team apts, some a team house. Cheaper than a year or two of prep.

 

[Hockeygirlzmom]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

Not everyone can or is willing to pay exorbitant prices for their child to play hockey. Not all female hockey players live in an area ripe with opportunities or exposure. This new league is a chance for those families to help their players achieve their dreams. It is no more of a gamble for us to send our daughter across the country than it is to keep her home and cross our fingers someone notices that a girl from somewhere outside MN or NE can actually play hockey.

 

[96IllinoisDad]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

This new league is a chance for those families to help their players achieve their dreams.

I am all for more opportunities for girls, but I think some families can be oversold. So, if I can ask, what do you think this new league doing for your daughter (more than her current situation)? What are you giving up for her to participate in it?

In evaluating the benefit of the league, you should assume 0 DI scouts will attend any of the league games or league showcases.

 

[giwan]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

I am all for more opportunities for girls, but I think some families can be oversold. So, if I can ask, what do you think this new league doing for your daughter (more than her current situation)? What are you giving up for her to participate in it?In evaluating the benefit of the league, you should assume 0 DI scouts will attend any of the league games or league showcases.

Why no D1 scouts? Some of the showcases shown on the web site are ones D1 scouts have always gone too.

 

[96IllinoisDad]

Why no D1 scouts? Some of the showcases shown on the web site are ones D1 scouts have always gone too.

I was referring to "league" games and showcases. This is a new league so no track record of having scouts attend. I didn't see other showcases listed - maybe I missed them though.

 

[giwan]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

I was referring to "league" games and showcases. This is a new league so no track record of having scouts attend. I didn't see other showcases listed - maybe I missed them though.

Scouts don't really show up for other league games either.

 

[96IllinoisDad]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

Scouts don't really show up for other league games either.

I agree 100% -- which is why I said assume 0 D1 scouts.

My daughter played in HPHL (nicknamed "high price hockey league" by parents) and Tier 1 elite before that. We had some of the top teams in the country playing each other, and I can't recall ever seeing a scout attend one of our league games or league showcases.

 

[Hux]

Scouts don't really show up for other league games either.

Interesting. JWHL games usually have several D1 coaches in attendance at most games.

 

[Hockeygirlzmom]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

In reply to 96IllinoisDad (my phone won't let me submit direct reply) we have nothing to lose hockey wise. I acknowledge it is a risk but in our situation so is doing nothing

"The danger of venturing into uncharted waters is not nearly as dangerous as staying on shore, waiting for your boat to come in." Charles F. Glassman

 

[pakidnyc]

I agree 100% -- which is why I said assume 0 D1 scouts.

My daughter played in HPHL (nicknamed "high price hockey league" by parents) and Tier 1 elite before that. We had some of the top teams in the country playing each other, and I can't recall ever seeing a scout attend one of our league games or league showcases.

The Tier 1 league does a showcase in Exeter, NH that has over 50 college coaches in attendance! good mix of D1/D3. It's tier 1 league teams and guest teams.

 

[HockeyEast33]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

Looked at the Tryouts page on the League website. The league-wide and Wizards tryouts were cancelled (Wizards held a meet and greet) which seems like a pretty bad sign. All the other programs appear to have held at least 1 tryout session. Most charged for the tryouts, which while I conceptually understand the concept of ensuring some level of player commitment, doesn't seem the way to go for a startup program trying to demonstrate its affordability. The Rockets are a long-standing (and generally reasonably successful) club program in an area with generally few quality season-long girls hockey options (other than maybe Morristown-Beard and Lawrenceville), so I would have expected them to draw pretty well. I'd be interested in how attendance was at the rest of the tryouts which were in New England where lots of other options already exist. Any input from the forum?

Edit: Just looking at some of the league head coaches and seeing some cause for concern if I'm a palyer/parent looking for college placement out of this league - pick your team carefully. The Express coach is graduating from BU in May and was a low impact player who played 18 games as a Fr/So and wasn't rostered as a Jr/Sr.... The Wolfpack coach was a Quinnipiac assistant for 6 years, but appears to have been out of coaching since 2008-2009 based on their announcement .... Bandits don't have a coach identified - makes you wonder how serious they are .... Wizards, Cyclones, and Rockets coaches are established, relatively well-known coaches.

 

[Trillium]

Re: New Women Juniors Program. Will it work?

Scouts don't really show up for other league games either.

It isn't unusual at all to see D1 coaches (and often multiples) attend PWHL league games....ever since that league began. And that's a long way to go for virtually all coaches, unlike New England would be.