MIKE'S ICE ADVICE

It’s the time of year again where BIRTHDAY SKATES are beginning. What are BIRTHDAY SKATES some people who are new to the whacky world of Minor Hockey might ask? They are skates or skill sessions that really are not supposed to happen, but over the years people have got around the tampering of players belonging to a certain organization until the playoffs are completely over by creating skill sessions that people refer to as BIRTHDAY SKATES!!

Now the question you may ask is are they worthwhile for us as a family to send our child to? The real answer to that is quite muddy, as if your child is going up to full ice age groups, or has been playing in the SELECT or SHA system in Toronto or comparable outside anywhere else then it may be favourable to spend the $40 for the skate to find out how your child compares to other kids in terms of skating, puck control etc. Notice I didn’t say size as to me it is an attribute that means nothing!!

If your child has already played on full ice and some coach is asking to come to a skill session, then be prepared to hear the worst as most of those teams are already predetermined with the exception of maybe 1-2 spots. The $$ that are being passed around these days to coaches so “LITTLE JOHNNY” can get some extra ice time in games is astonishing. Coaches have no shame anymore as it is all about the might $$

So take your kids to skates without having any preconceived notion that they will make that team and use the experience to their benefit, but don’t scream foul if you feel they were better than some kids that make the team, as there was probably some sort of nefarious deal that no one knows about!!

Good Luck!!

Mike Tanev

mtanev24@gmail.com