Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these things are definitely part of the equation. DC came to me and set this as a goal, it wasn't even on my radar. I don't want to get into a riding-the-bench situation and I'm not savvy enough to know if DC has what it takes to get playing time. I know that college is a goal, but honestly I'm not sure how realistic that goal is and it certainly isn't a goal of mine. I don't want to set DC back by not reaching, but I also don't want the game to become less fun (and let's be honest, riding the bench is less fun). DC is a strong player on the current team but will that translate? For the person who asked, DC is currently U14.

If college is the goal, then your kid would have to try to make it off RL. If they are riding the bench on ECNL then more than likely they were never going to be a collegiate player anyway. Would that be less fun? Yeah, but at least they tried to achieve their goal and don't have to live with regret. At least the found out the answer to the question...could I make it? That is a life lesson worth learning. Personally, I don't focus on fun because they are kids for such a short time, and I want them to learn how to be a good human being as an adult. I have never once thought, "man I wish my childhood was more fun." I think about the lessons I learned and the value in those, albeit hard to go through.

I'm not trying to preach at you, but if you kid wants to try let them try and they will have to deal with their own challenges that come from that! Protecting our kids from risk will make them live scared forever.

Yeah, that's one way to look at kids and life...

Sure is and I couldn't agree more. You worry about Johnny having a good time and I'll worry about raising kids who can handle life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these things are definitely part of the equation. DC came to me and set this as a goal, it wasn't even on my radar. I don't want to get into a riding-the-bench situation and I'm not savvy enough to know if DC has what it takes to get playing time. I know that college is a goal, but honestly I'm not sure how realistic that goal is and it certainly isn't a goal of mine. I don't want to set DC back by not reaching, but I also don't want the game to become less fun (and let's be honest, riding the bench is less fun). DC is a strong player on the current team but will that translate? For the person who asked, DC is currently U14.

If college is the goal, then your kid would have to try to make it off RL. If they are riding the bench on ECNL then more than likely they were never going to be a collegiate player anyway. Would that be less fun? Yeah, but at least they tried to achieve their goal and don't have to live with regret. At least the found out the answer to the question...could I make it? That is a life lesson worth learning. Personally, I don't focus on fun because they are kids for such a short time, and I want them to learn how to be a good human being as an adult. I have never once thought, "man I wish my childhood was more fun." I think about the lessons I learned and the value in those, albeit hard to go through.

I'm not trying to preach at you, but if you kid wants to try let them try and they will have to deal with their own challenges that come from that! Protecting our kids from risk will make them live scared forever.

Yeah, that's one way to look at kids and life...

Anonymous wrote:All of these things are definitely part of the equation. DC came to me and set this as a goal, it wasn't even on my radar. I don't want to get into a riding-the-bench situation and I'm not savvy enough to know if DC has what it takes to get playing time. I know that college is a goal, but honestly I'm not sure how realistic that goal is and it certainly isn't a goal of mine. I don't want to set DC back by not reaching, but I also don't want the game to become less fun (and let's be honest, riding the bench is less fun). DC is a strong player on the current team but will that translate? For the person who asked, DC is currently U14.

If college is the goal, then your kid would have to try to make it off RL. If they are riding the bench on ECNL then more than likely they were never going to be a collegiate player anyway. Would that be less fun? Yeah, but at least they tried to achieve their goal and don't have to live with regret. At least the found out the answer to the question...could I make it? That is a life lesson worth learning. Personally, I don't focus on fun because they are kids for such a short time, and I want them to learn how to be a good human being as an adult. I have never once thought, "man I wish my childhood was more fun." I think about the lessons I learned and the value in those, albeit hard to go through.

I'm not trying to preach at you, but if you kid wants to try let them try and they will have to deal with their own challenges that come from that! Protecting our kids from risk will make them live scared forever.

All of these things are definitely part of the equation. DC came to me and set this as a goal, it wasn't even on my radar. I don't want to get into a riding-the-bench situation and I'm not savvy enough to know if DC has what it takes to get playing time. I know that college is a goal, but honestly I'm not sure how realistic that goal is and it certainly isn't a goal of mine. I don't want to set DC back by not reaching, but I also don't want the game to become less fun (and let's be honest, riding the bench is less fun). DC is a strong player on the current team but will that translate? For the person who asked, DC is currently U14.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone who gave constructive advice! DC is a starter and does play the entire game for a top ECNLR team and does demonstrate most of the attributes mentioned so it sounds like there’s a shot at least. I guess I’ll start reaching out in January to local ECNL clubs to see if DC can attend a practice at least and get an honest opinion of if the talent level is there. Will I this damage our relationship with current club at all?

Be careful what you wish for. He may have more fun actually getting to play games vs. sitting on a bench for much of the rest of his youth career. At least it's his goal and not yours. I swear some parents want to see their kids sit on an ECNL bench just to have a chance to sit on a college bench. Fun times for the kid I'm sure...

And careful what advice you listen to. One thing is for sure...if you never give your kid the chance to make it at a higher level because of fears like this, then your kid will never get the chance to make it at a higher level. You can't win the raffle if you don't buy a ticket. Sounds like the OP's kid wants to shoot for the top so I wouldn't even entertain fears like this...shooting for the stars always comes with risk of failure.

But in all honestly, if your concern is fun then just stay at the RL level.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone who gave constructive advice! DC is a starter and does play the entire game for a top ECNLR team and does demonstrate most of the attributes mentioned so it sounds like there’s a shot at least. I guess I’ll start reaching out in January to local ECNL clubs to see if DC can attend a practice at least and get an honest opinion of if the talent level is there. Will I this damage our relationship with current club at all?

Be careful what you wish for. He may have more fun actually getting to play games vs. sitting on a bench for much of the rest of his youth career. At least it's his goal and not yours. I swear some parents want to see their kids sit on an ECNL bench just to have a chance to sit on a college bench. Fun times for the kid I'm sure...

What age is he? It’s harder and harder each year to move up. Your player will have to be better than the bench players.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone who gave constructive advice! DC is a starter and does play the entire game for a top ECNLR team and does demonstrate most of the attributes mentioned so it sounds like there’s a shot at least. I guess I’ll start reaching out in January to local ECNL clubs to see if DC can attend a practice at least and get an honest opinion of if the talent level is there. Will I this damage our relationship with current club at all?

You're a paying customer. Never forget that.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone who gave constructive advice! DC is a starter and does play the entire game for a top ECNLR team and does demonstrate most of the attributes mentioned so it sounds like there’s a shot at least. I guess I’ll start reaching out in January to local ECNL clubs to see if DC can attend a practice at least and get an honest opinion of if the talent level is there. Will I this damage our relationship with current club at all?

Just like switching employers, some are happy for your kid and some are clowns.

The coaches are the ones with attitudes and hypocritically they come and go all time.

Best of luck to your kid.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone who gave constructive advice! DC is a starter and does play the entire game for a top ECNLR team and does demonstrate most of the attributes mentioned so it sounds like there’s a shot at least. I guess I’ll start reaching out in January to local ECNL clubs to see if DC can attend a practice at least and get an honest opinion of if the talent level is there. Will I this damage our relationship with current club at all?

Unless you are in one of those unicorn environments where club leadership actually cares about player development, I think you might damage your relationship with your current club (if they find out). These are businesses and clubs will likely look at it as losing revenue and talent. Hopefully this is not the case, but I would beware that doing the best for your kid can often mean doing what is not best for a club. Thats why I don't care about clubs at all...I'm a paying customer and I don't get attached so that I can make ruthless decisions for my kids.

If your kid is good enough to play at the ECNL level and you are willing to make the money/time commitments necessary, do whatever is necessary to get them there.

I would also say if your kid, particularly if female, has even small aspirations of playing in college, get to a club with full ecnl asap

Speed of play, it, touch

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC just let me know they are interested in possibly moving from playing ECNLR at our local club this year to ECNL. What does this process look like? We are not in a "feeder" club. What is the likelihood anyone would take a look at him? I am completely unfamiliar with any process other than just trying out and playing for your local club. How would I even know if they've got what it takes (beyond the yes, they start, yes they play the whole game)? What is the time commitment for ECNL over ECNLR? So many questions, but I want to make sure I at least know what I'm doing so they have a decent shot.

The speed of play is the biggest difference. You need to make decisions faster.

Which in order to do that you need to have better first touch. And better IQ. Combination of things, not just one.

Anonymous wrote:DC just let me know they are interested in possibly moving from playing ECNLR at our local club this year to ECNL. What does this process look like? We are not in a "feeder" club. What is the likelihood anyone would take a look at him? I am completely unfamiliar with any process other than just trying out and playing for your local club. How would I even know if they've got what it takes (beyond the yes, they start, yes they play the whole game)? What is the time commitment for ECNL over ECNLR? So many questions, but I want to make sure I at least know what I'm doing so they have a decent shot.

The speed of play is the biggest difference. You need to make decisions faster.

OP here. Thanks to everyone who gave constructive advice! DC is a starter and does play the entire game for a top ECNLR team and does demonstrate most of the attributes mentioned so it sounds like there’s a shot at least. I guess I’ll start reaching out in January to local ECNL clubs to see if DC can attend a practice at least and get an honest opinion of if the talent level is there. Will I this damage our relationship with current club at all?