Heartbreaking news in germany of my former teammate & friend Tobi Eder.Tobi lost his battle to Cancer at 26.He was amazing player.A even better person.His big smile was contagious & would light up the room.Thinking of the Eder family. You will be missed Tobs but never forgotten💙
Haha I just had a conversation tonight with a buddy coaching D1. He has an 8 year old that’s a pretty good little player.
He’s getting calls from “elite” programs left and right, early Brick stuff, etc…
His response to them?
Nah, we’re good.
He’s already seeing the stress it’s causing other kids and parents that are either going that route or thinking about it.
He just wants his kid to have fun, play hockey with his friends, and knows his son will pass the kids choosing to go that “elite” route in a few years because his kid will love the game and those kids and families will likely start to get burned out.
It’s so bizarre that the research, the data, and the top development people in our game keep pointing us to more community, fun, passion building, multiple sports, etc…
Yet our sport keeps going in the complete opposite direction. More elitism, more specialization, more professionalization at younger and younger ages. It’s absolutely backwards.
For all the parents out there that are struggling with the BS that this time of year brings in youth hockey, with everyone jockeying for positioning for next year even though this year isn’t even close to over…
Just thought this might be some perspective that might help.