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Premier Ice Prospects
- Thread starter DDad16
- Start date
Good reputation? Worth the time and money, or is it a cash-grab? Just general overall thoughts... Good or bad.
Have a friend's daughter that tried out and made a team. They're wondering what it's all about and if it is worth the time. I've dealt with her (Kathy) in the past and have had good interactions. I've heard other things as well, though.
Have a friend's daughter that tried out and made a team. They're wondering what it's all about and if it is worth the time. I've dealt with her (Kathy) in the past and have had good interactions. I've heard other things as well, though.
Reddington
Well-known member
Most of the girls will play multiple sports, but their high school coaches for the most part will allow the girls a weekend to disappear from their high school team to go play hockey. Therefore, most of the girls are playing hockey almost year round. It's not cheap to do so for some it will be a money grab and for others it will not be. Most of the d one girls play year round so keep that in mind. Going to Europe to play hockey is exorbitant with any outfit and in my opinion not worth it. That money could pay for a whole spring and summer of hockey. Premier always attracts some of the best.
Good reputation? Worth the time and money, or is it a cash-grab? Just general overall thoughts... Good or bad.
Have a friend's daughter that tried out and made a team. They're wondering what it's all about and if it is worth the time. I've dealt with her (Kathy) in the past and have had good interactions. I've heard other things as well, though.
If you have dealt with Kathy in the past, then you know the score. As with all of the cottage industries that have popped up around all youth sports, it is partly a cash grab. Her events are expensive, but she does have relationships with many of the top women's programs, so it is a trade-off. Events like these feed off of FOMO, especially at the younger ages.
If you look at these events (Nashville! Vegas! Europe!) as fun vacations with a little hockey involved, it is a positive. If you are looking for some guarantee for your 12 year old, not so much.
On the backside of my youth hockey experience, my feelings are this: If your daughter is truly dedicated to the sport of hockey, prior to her sophomore year in high school, your money is better spent by finding a private trainer for skating and skills at your local rink.
I've heard that these Europe trips are in place for the coaches involved (not just PIP but others have similar packages) to scout European players vrs upper-echelon NA players. So in short if you do the Europe trip, you are paying for potentially a European player to take your D's college spot. It is understood that even most of the European women who play on their national team would struggle against top flight NA players so these 'tournaments' are a good way to gauge. For all the NA players, if your D is a top players, she will be found. Even a lot of women who should be playing D3 will make D1 rosters given there is not enough D1 talent to go around all the programs. Just look at the huge gap in talent the 40ish D1 programs there are. These events can be fun and a nice change of pace from their "real" youth teams but your friend should not feel like he 'has' to do this to get his D discovered if she truly has D1 talent.
Reddington
Well-known member
I've heard that these Europe trips are in place for the coaches involved (not just PIP but others have similar packages) to scout European players vrs upper-echelon NA players. So in short if you do the Europe trip, you are paying for potentially a European player to take your D's college spot. It is understood that even most of the European women who play on their national team would struggle against top flight NA players so these 'tournaments' are a good way to gauge. For all the NA players, if your D is a top players, she will be found. Even a lot of women who should be playing D3 will make D1 rosters given there is not enough D1 talent to go around all the programs. Just look at the huge gap in talent the 40ish D1 programs there are. These events can be fun and a nice change of pace from their "real" youth teams but your friend should not feel like he 'has' to do this to get his D discovered if she truly has D1 talent.
People are paying for Prep School and or Hockey Mills which is essentially paying for your scholarship upfront. Think about that.
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
Yep. The way most youth sports are nowadays (even basketball, supposedly a haven for lower income participants), for someone to think they are going to save all this money by having their kid get a college scholarship is ridiculous. They could have taken all that money spent on their top level youth/prep development, dropped it in a college investment fund, and made out better even after paying for an Ivy League school.People are paying for Prep School and or Hockey Mills which is essentially paying for your scholarship upfront. Think about that.
@Russell - if a kid has D1 potential and wants to attend an ivy, as strange as it sounds, the best chance to get in is to go "all in" on the sport and get a coach to notice you. A tier 1 youth team investment would be needed but not necessarily the fluff of the spring/summer leagues. Even some of the higher ranked non-ivys (any of the B1G schools, BC, etc.) most applicants won't get in through the front door so having a coach 'sponsor' you gets you in. No amount of 'academic prep' training will match what shooting (or blocking) a puck (or throw/kick/hit a ball) will do to get a kid entry.
Russell Jaslow
Registered User
@Russell - if a kid has D1 potential and wants to attend an ivy, as strange as it sounds, the best chance to get in is to go "all in" on the sport and get a coach to notice you. A tier 1 youth team investment would be needed but not necessarily the fluff of the spring/summer leagues. Even some of the higher ranked non-ivys (any of the B1G schools, BC, etc.) most applicants won't get in through the front door so having a coach 'sponsor' you gets you in. No amount of 'academic prep' training will match what shooting (or blocking) a puck (or throw/kick/hit a ball) will do to get a kid entry.
That's an interesting point, and for the most part I don't disagree with you (though, I was merely picking an Ivy League school as an example of affording a huge tuition bill as opposed to going after an athletic scholarship; nothing to do with the academic prep).
However, you still need grades. Sure, they can lower the bar a bit, but you still need grades. My brother-in-law was a highly recruited wrestler back in his day. He ended up going to Cornell. But, he still needed some really good grades to get in, which he had.
So can you try out for a team at a tryout ran by the PIPs? Or do you go to a local program that sends teams to the tournaments?
I heard a positive is that the girls are made to feel really special, girls hockey is the center of attention etc. depending on what your hockey situation is elsewhere I can see how that would be attractive for parents.
I heard a positive is that the girls are made to feel really special, girls hockey is the center of attention etc. depending on what your hockey situation is elsewhere I can see how that would be attractive for parents.