Why is it harsh? If you look at their win loss at showcases these past couple of years in both u16/19, they aren’t doing well especially their offensive scoring. They have strong individual players who have been recruited to colleges on their current u19 team but as a team in both u16/19 they don’t gel. Why is that? Other teams have players recruited to similar or higher ranked colleges but do gel and win at these tournaments or atleast win a few games. Something is a miss. They aren’t the same club they use to be and I hope they can get back to be a strong club again. |
Looking back on the past year, I don't think these assessments of the Wolves is correct.
U19 Wolves @ Disney last year: Beat SanJose Fly 4-0 Tied Texas Pride 0-0 Beat Phoenix Elite 3-0 Beat FHL 3-1 Lost to Spirit of USA 0-1 Lost to AGH 0-1 So their on-paper record is 3-2-1 which might not look great, but their actual results are very strong. The ties and 1 goal losses against Texas Pride Red, Spirit of USA, and AGH are against some of the strongest teams in the country. They finished 4th in the 2nd highest bracket and were seeded 14th overall. To compare other area clubs, finishes were Freedom (1st in top bracket, seeded 2nd), Warhawks (4th in 3rd bracket, seeded 21st), Next Level Blue (1st in 4th bracket, seeded 27th), HUSEL (1st in 5th bracket, seeded 35th), Hammers (8th bracket, seeded 62nd), Jackals (9th bracket, seeded 65th), Koa (9th bracket, seeded 67th), Next Level White (9th bracket, seeded 68th) Shooting Star Easter, they were 3-1-1 in Pool A with wins against Rob Short, Freedom Yellow and Centercourt, a tie against Wizards, and a 1-2 loss against pool winner NJ Grit. Again, a very good showing against good teams. At Shooting Star Thanksgiving, their on paper record was 0-4-1 but this was in pool A. Lost to Mayhem 0-2 Lost to WC Eagles 1-3 Tied Texas Pride 0-0 Lost to NJ Grit 0-1 Lost to Panthers United 0-3 Again, the win/loss/tie record doesn't look great, but it is actually quite a good showing. In U16, they beat Mayhem, tied FHC of CT, and tied Centercourt. All very good teams. As for Winter Escape, they took a team comprised of uncommitted (but interested U19s and U16s). They took everyone that was interested and had a few guest players (and a guest goalie) to have enough players. Win/loss doesn't look great, but they played very tight games against all but one team and I'm sure we will find out what the results were from a recruiting standpoint. First year that Wolves took a team and it was to provide another recruiting opportunity for those that were interested. Perhaps more importantly, the goal of a showcase or recruiting tournament is to showcase athletes in the best possible light in front of college coaches. I know that the coaches actively try to play the toughest teams they can which brings college coaches to come watch. The fundamental play of the teams is good. They play good hockey, and that is apparent to the coaches they play in front of. You can diminish their recruitment results as just strong individual players, but that doesn't jive based on what is actually happening. College coaches don't really care about a club team's win/loss - they are looking at how individuals play the game and how that player might fit into what they are looking for. Sources: Disney 2023: https://tourneymachine.com/Public/Results/Division.aspx?IDTournament=h20221208192627595dcc1dacc0d154e&IDDivision=h202212081926277771c1eae74021649 Shooting Star Easter 2023: https://tourneymachine.com/Public/Results/Division.aspx?IDTournament=h20230309164814107e683a83198dd40&IDDivision=h20230309174649657dac2f15266ff42 Shooting Star Thanksgiving 2023: https://tourneymachine.com/Public/Results/Division.aspx?IDTournament=h20231024165310123afecc2ae248c43&IDDivision=h20231024172644537272436bae6db4f |
Omg, someone has way to much time on their hands |
U19 Shooting Star Easter and Thanksgiving Wolves brought their committed players while the other teams listed brought their B string non committed players and the results aren’t so great based on the results. Easter is known for last ditch effort for junior non commitments and top universities don’t even show up, it’s D3s and not even the top ones except JHU bc they are close by. This years Thanksgiving, look at the other teams roster for u19. WC eagles did not bring their Diamond team nor did Pride bring their A team. Disney I agree Wolves did well but it’s grass field, slow, doesn’t remotely represent turf for colleges or even RCC. Wolves is not a speedy aggressive team so grass works for them. Wolves scores don’t look terrible because they have great goalies that keep that score down (heard goalie for u16 left for a higher tiered club). However if you looked at shots taken offensively and shots taken against the Wolves it’s very lopsided. Wolves has very limited offensive pressure. Wolves defenders and goalies make the score not look atrocious. Wolves is a good club but their reputation is no longer a stellar club. Strong athletes no longer pick going with Wolves. The athletes that are there in the older age group have significant potential but that potential isn’t being harnessed. Where they use to shine the completion has caught up skill snd team dynamic wise and now surpassed them so they don’t look as great as they did in the past. Again the club has potential but I don’t know if they can harness it to turn things around. No way either the u16 or u19 will qualify for NCCs as the top 2 teams in R7. They just don’t have the team or coaching to pull it off. How long can Wolves ride on the coattails of their prior reputation? I don’t think much longer. This will in turn impact who decides to join and stay in the club and will impact recruiting. It a vicious cycle that I hope Wolves do not have to go through but I am not seeing how it won’t go that way if the club doesn’t make some changes. |
I love data driven stats. Thank you |
Data driven stats WITHOUT context is the standard 😀 |
What are the top teams to consider if you live in McLean VA. Seems like top teams are Warhawk’s and Freedom and we can’t commute that far for practices. Husel and Next Level? |
Nova Extreme is on the rise. Hammers. Lots of players have gone to Next Level from Yorktown HS. |
If you read through this thread, you will find people bash pretty much every club. Find a fit for your kid based on your own experience with the team/coach. My DD did not like her experience with Next Level’s coach. I’ve watched the Husel coach enough to stay away. However, I have friends at both these clubs and they are happy. DD has had a good experience with Wolves as a guest and at some clinics. She likes Gloria and the other coaches. I have friends at Freedom and Warhawks and while they are mostly happy they still have their complaints. All these clubs have sent players to D1 schools. If you want that for your kid, most of them will be able to get her their if she puts in the time and effort. Don’t get hung up on how many times a teams wins, because as someone else said, coaches sent necessarily looking at that. |
Wins are a reflection of a clubs’ players and coaches. Therefore results do matter. College coaches obviously look at individual players, but a club team that is successful will get looks too. That’s why it is so important for clubs to attend showcase tournaments like Shooting Star, Winter Escape, Sunshine Showcase, etc. with the best players possible - both committed and uncommitted. |
Everything you say is fine except for ability to play D1. It is incredibly hard, and getting harder. I have seen some exceptional players not get recruited this year. |
Gloria really does have tents pitched in multiple heads around here. Many would say Wolves are great. Some would say they didn't like it and then left. Some others would say they checked it out, liked it, and joined. The same goes for EVERY SINGLE CLUB. |
Some where on this or the other thread had some good stats - pretty much if your kid doesn't at minimum make nexus, the chances of a top D1 program are zero. There are a lot of politics with nexus, yes, but if you can't figure out a way to get there, there is no chance. Then there is getting to D1 and then playing in D1. Good chance if your passport has a cover that says Nederland or UK on it! |
This. Not zero but it is harder. |
I didn’t say it isn’t hard. I said if a kid puts in the time and effort, even a kid at a second tier club can get there. Go to clinics, do nexus, guest play if you have to. It’s not just the coach/club that matters. A kid with drive can get there even without playing for the best clubs. Yes, playing for the best clubs help, but that isn’t always possible. The poster said Warhawks and Freedom won’t work, but plenty of kids at other local clubs get recruited. They get recruited because they put in effort, go to clinics, and if they are lucky have a coach that supports and helps. Too many people are here preach going to a top club vice finding the club that works for your kid. They are not always the same thing. |