Girls Hockey Forum - A Bravenet.com Forum

Anon

Aug 5, 06 - 11:41 AM

Assabet Valley

Just last summer this board was predicting the demise of Assabet Valley. " They are losing too many players, numbers are way down." Enrollment is up by over 60 players. I guess a few Natinal Championships can change every thing

Anon

Aug 5th, 2006 - 5:35 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

To Anon: I shouldn't even respond to this but I am - If you know there are 60 new players you must be on the inside at AV. Everyone knows if your a player on a red team you don't leave (maybe one or two do). Also everyone knows Carls tryouts are a joke because his red teams are picked way back at the end of hockey season. So the 60 new players will most likely end up on white teams - which AV does not really care about - so those 60 new players will probably leave next year and so on and so on. Good luck to the 60 new white players.....

Anon

Aug 6th, 2006 - 7:10 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

Well last year when "ASSABET LOST SO MANY PLAYER" we were in trouble, now that we have 60 new players coming in they are all white player. LOL

anon

Aug 6th, 2006 - 8:51 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

I hope you are mistaken about teams being picked already. How could a program consistently win national championships at the red level without bringing in new talented players every year? Politics does not win championships, talent does, and if a kid has talent I would hope they would pick her.

REF

Aug 6th, 2006 - 9:00 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

And the beat goes on and on and on.

Assabet, the program everyone loves to hate.

How many Anon(s) are there anyway?

AV Anon

Aug 6th, 2006 - 9:12 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

60 new players = 1 more practice hour per week for the red team and maybe a pizza party!

AV Coach

Aug 6th, 2006 - 12:19 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

I think the number a little inflated. My daughter skates there every week and I havn't heard that number. I have heard that there is some increased interest. Don't hate all of us!

Anon

Aug 6th, 2006 - 8:52 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

There are plenty of players that leave AV Red teams for one reason or another. AV has on years and off years like any other org.

Laughing Hysterically

Aug 6th, 2006 - 9:53 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Jealousy abounds. At least they have goalies...hehe

There are many programs out there that don't!

who cares

Aug 7th, 2006 - 9:46 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

Who cares my daughter left there three yr's ago and it worked out! however a friend of hers went there and it worked out for her so do what's best for your child.

Av is much cheaper and a good deal if you are on a red team and it can get nasty at try'outs.

From what I heard there was a lot of movement with players and I think this year will be interesting.

Now that NEGHL has merged with the EHF(girls) it should be better for girls hockey kinda like the WHL and the NHL merger 30 years ago..

I

Agreed!

Aug 7th, 2006 - 1:26 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Those who need AV Red teams will stay, those who do not, can move on and be succesful anywhere. Over the last 5 years there have been numerous Red players who have moved on and ended up doing very well.

Parent

Aug 7th, 2006 - 1:26 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

I've never had a daughter play on AV but I have had daughters play against AV. All I can say about that program is that they constantly show results. I also can say that the girls that are on the red teams most likely diserve to be on the red team

Anon

Aug 7th, 2006 - 6:25 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

TO the first anon that setup this post - you didn't resond to the fact that red teams (especially national bound teams) are picked way before tryouts....???? and I agree most of the red team players deserve to be there, but a few are just politics just like all the other progams....

Red

Aug 7th, 2006 - 6:31 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Go away pot stirrer! Your daughter is now happy playing where she is, get over it.

Anon

Aug 7th, 2006 - 7:21 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

As Carl always says "Call a spade a spade".

Hux

Aug 7th, 2006 - 7:33 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

As Tip O'Neill once said "All politics is local" which can be paraphrased to "All hockey is politics"

And generally what turns out to be "political" is usually a matter of one person having an opinion that is different from someone else's. Simple as that. No axes to grind, no favortism. Just one person having a different opinion of a situation...usually involving the talent of one player as opposed to another.

anon

Aug 8th, 2006 - 9:11 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

Hey Red,

relax nobody is stirring any pot "just calling a spade a spade"

Lets all get along and watch some competive girls hockey this season.

ghr

Aug 8th, 2006 - 9:19 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Assabet develops the best teams. Minnesota develops the best players.

agree

Aug 9th, 2006 - 4:15 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

assabet teams do very well - take the girl away from the team and some (not all) have difficulty because the other players do not know the assabet system. BUt they still win alot of championships as a team.

just wondering

Aug 10th, 2006 - 5:03 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Hey, laughing histerically - how do you know you have goalies - like the other anon said - you haven't had tryouts yet.....

anon3

Aug 10th, 2006 - 7:33 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Red teams are picked, don't let anyone fool you.

Dad

Aug 14th, 2006 - 7:05 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

anon 3,

Are you saying that I was just swindled out of a $400 deposit and that my daughter has no chance of making the red team?

Been There

Aug 14th, 2006 - 10:07 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

No, If your daughter is one of the top players she will make the red team although the coaches of the red teams already have a very good idea of who is gonna be on their teams. If your daughter is new to the program and was not "recruited" (which in itself doesn't always mean she will make a red team)she better be outstanding and I mean outstanding. Assabet historically is loyal to families who are active in the program and who have stayed with the program.

Anonymouse

Aug 14th, 2006 - 10:59 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

"Assabet historically is loyal to families who are active in the program and who have stayed with the program"

There really isn't anything wrong with this as long as people understand the situation. Every sucessful program knows that loyalty has to go both ways. When programs toss dedicated familes and good skaters over the side to recruit a super team it always seems to blow up in their faces then or in another year or two. The Lady Flames of a few years back come to mind for the girls and it happens all the time with the boys.

Assabet on the other hand has a great system where national bound red players move to an odd year red team with a competitive schedule the next year. The following year they are rewarded for their patience and loyalty with a slot on another national bound red team. It keeps the squads and even lines together for their entire club hockey career and is probably the biggest factor in Assabet's overall success. It does mean that the teams are basically set before tryouts each year and it makes it very difficult for outsiders or Assabet white team players to break into the red team track.

There is a lot of horse trading behind the scenes too. They violate their own system sometimes by moving individual players up before their time because a red team family has no intention of waiting a year and Assabet does not want to lose them. Families who bought into the concept get mad about it.

anon

Aug 14th, 2006 - 11:07 AM

Re: Assabet Valley

Tryouts are tough at AV and all those kids are going to stick together and your daughter will have to create her own offense by simply making great defensive plays and turning it into offence. You will have to prepare her mentally because she will not be collecting the puck in full stride through the redlines like the AV girls. We went through this for the first time four years ago. You may get lucky and actually get a coach that knows hockey and takes notice on where your daughter actually touches the puck.

If she is good enough and CG wants he will keep her around for a extra look.

Power skate power skate right up to tryouts.

I wish any kid the best of luck in this situation
Good luck

Anon

Aug 14th, 2006 - 1:00 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Tyouts are tough at AV and if you haven't been asked to tryout by CG it is tough to make a Red Team - You have a better chance if your daugter is 11 and under. After that 12 and over gets really hard - Carl is loyal and most of all the girls stick together, after all they've been playing with each other for years. Even if your daughter is better than there bottom 4 players - the girls won't want her. Good luck.....If she makes a Red Team it's a great program with great coaching.

anon

Aug 14th, 2006 - 1:41 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Okay it's a going to be tougher than before because some kids that got pigeon holed would play on two teams until December. They would play in the EHF and the NEGHL two different leagues now everything falls under NGHL so you do not have that luxury. The Rosters for the states and the nationals do not have to be in until December.

Youth hockey is try'ing and expensive so keep asking around on this board it's good info..

anon

Sep 3rd, 2006 - 6:16 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

The season is fast approaching
How will assabet fair this year?

Just Like Mike

Sep 3rd, 2006 - 10:27 PM

Re: Assabet Valley

Twas the night before tryouts,
And all through the rinks,
The girls were all ready,
And Mike gave a wink.

The long shots were all sleeping,
All nuzzled in bed,
While visions of grandeur,
Danced in their head.

The medals of past years,
Made the shoe ins too smug,
While the coaches debated,
Pulling the rug.

While outside the outsiders,
Created such noise,
The lighthouses of Connecticut,
And the Northshore buoys.

Created distractions and called them by name,
On Assabet, Spitfire, Charles River, Springfield and Flames,
On Bears, Wizards, Islanders and Terriers too,
Now Falcons, Chelmsford and the Cape Cod Waves crew.

All of the girls prepare to play,
See them tomorrow as they skate all day,
And on the night before Labor Day as they dream with all their might,
Dreams that they have what it takes for their skates to take flight!

Dedicated to Mike "Sarge" Cheever

	Girls Hockey Forum Discussions on Massachusetts/N.E. Girls Hockey in general from NEGHL to Town. This Board has been moved to www.massgirlshockeyforum.net or www.negirlshockeyforum.net
Search For Similar Forums · Return to Website

Author	Comment
Anon Aug 5, 06 - 11:41 AM	Assabet Valley Just last summer this board was predicting the demise of Assabet Valley. " They are losing too many players, numbers are way down." Enrollment is up by over 60 players. I guess a few Natinal Championships can change every thing
Anon Aug 5th, 2006 - 5:35 PM	Re: Assabet Valley To Anon: I shouldn't even respond to this but I am - If you know there are 60 new players you must be on the inside at AV. Everyone knows if your a player on a red team you don't leave (maybe one or two do). Also everyone knows Carls tryouts are a joke because his red teams are picked way back at the end of hockey season. So the 60 new players will most likely end up on white teams - which AV does not really care about - so those 60 new players will probably leave next year and so on and so on. Good luck to the 60 new white players.....
Anon Aug 6th, 2006 - 7:10 AM	Re: Assabet Valley Well last year when "ASSABET LOST SO MANY PLAYER" we were in trouble, now that we have 60 new players coming in they are all white player. LOL
anon Aug 6th, 2006 - 8:51 AM	Re: Assabet Valley I hope you are mistaken about teams being picked already. How could a program consistently win national championships at the red level without bringing in new talented players every year? Politics does not win championships, talent does, and if a kid has talent I would hope they would pick her.
REF Aug 6th, 2006 - 9:00 AM	Re: Assabet Valley And the beat goes on and on and on. Assabet, the program everyone loves to hate. How many Anon(s) are there anyway?
AV Anon Aug 6th, 2006 - 9:12 AM	Re: Assabet Valley 60 new players = 1 more practice hour per week for the red team and maybe a pizza party!
AV Coach Aug 6th, 2006 - 12:19 PM	Re: Assabet Valley I think the number a little inflated. My daughter skates there every week and I havn't heard that number. I have heard that there is some increased interest. Don't hate all of us!
Anon Aug 6th, 2006 - 8:52 PM	Re: Assabet Valley There are plenty of players that leave AV Red teams for one reason or another. AV has on years and off years like any other org.
Laughing Hysterically Aug 6th, 2006 - 9:53 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Jealousy abounds. At least they have goalies...hehe There are many programs out there that don't!
who cares Aug 7th, 2006 - 9:46 AM	Re: Assabet Valley Who cares my daughter left there three yr's ago and it worked out! however a friend of hers went there and it worked out for her so do what's best for your child. Av is much cheaper and a good deal if you are on a red team and it can get nasty at try'outs. From what I heard there was a lot of movement with players and I think this year will be interesting. Now that NEGHL has merged with the EHF(girls) it should be better for girls hockey kinda like the WHL and the NHL merger 30 years ago.. I
Agreed! Aug 7th, 2006 - 1:26 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Those who need AV Red teams will stay, those who do not, can move on and be succesful anywhere. Over the last 5 years there have been numerous Red players who have moved on and ended up doing very well.
Parent Aug 7th, 2006 - 1:26 PM	Re: Assabet Valley I've never had a daughter play on AV but I have had daughters play against AV. All I can say about that program is that they constantly show results. I also can say that the girls that are on the red teams most likely diserve to be on the red team
Anon Aug 7th, 2006 - 6:25 PM	Re: Assabet Valley TO the first anon that setup this post - you didn't resond to the fact that red teams (especially national bound teams) are picked way before tryouts....???? and I agree most of the red team players deserve to be there, but a few are just politics just like all the other progams....
Red Aug 7th, 2006 - 6:31 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Go away pot stirrer! Your daughter is now happy playing where she is, get over it.
Anon Aug 7th, 2006 - 7:21 PM	Re: Assabet Valley As Carl always says "Call a spade a spade".
Hux Aug 7th, 2006 - 7:33 PM	Re: Assabet Valley As Tip O'Neill once said "All politics is local" which can be paraphrased to "All hockey is politics" And generally what turns out to be "political" is usually a matter of one person having an opinion that is different from someone else's. Simple as that. No axes to grind, no favortism. Just one person having a different opinion of a situation...usually involving the talent of one player as opposed to another.
anon Aug 8th, 2006 - 9:11 AM	Re: Assabet Valley Hey Red, relax nobody is stirring any pot "just calling a spade a spade" Lets all get along and watch some competive girls hockey this season.
ghr Aug 8th, 2006 - 9:19 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Assabet develops the best teams. Minnesota develops the best players.
agree Aug 9th, 2006 - 4:15 PM	Re: Assabet Valley assabet teams do very well - take the girl away from the team and some (not all) have difficulty because the other players do not know the assabet system. BUt they still win alot of championships as a team.
just wondering Aug 10th, 2006 - 5:03 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Hey, laughing histerically - how do you know you have goalies - like the other anon said - you haven't had tryouts yet.....
anon3 Aug 10th, 2006 - 7:33 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Red teams are picked, don't let anyone fool you.
Dad Aug 14th, 2006 - 7:05 AM	Re: Assabet Valley anon 3, Are you saying that I was just swindled out of a $400 deposit and that my daughter has no chance of making the red team?
Been There Aug 14th, 2006 - 10:07 AM	Re: Assabet Valley No, If your daughter is one of the top players she will make the red team although the coaches of the red teams already have a very good idea of who is gonna be on their teams. If your daughter is new to the program and was not "recruited" (which in itself doesn't always mean she will make a red team)she better be outstanding and I mean outstanding. Assabet historically is loyal to families who are active in the program and who have stayed with the program.
Anonymouse Aug 14th, 2006 - 10:59 AM	Re: Assabet Valley "Assabet historically is loyal to families who are active in the program and who have stayed with the program" There really isn't anything wrong with this as long as people understand the situation. Every sucessful program knows that loyalty has to go both ways. When programs toss dedicated familes and good skaters over the side to recruit a super team it always seems to blow up in their faces then or in another year or two. The Lady Flames of a few years back come to mind for the girls and it happens all the time with the boys. Assabet on the other hand has a great system where national bound red players move to an odd year red team with a competitive schedule the next year. The following year they are rewarded for their patience and loyalty with a slot on another national bound red team. It keeps the squads and even lines together for their entire club hockey career and is probably the biggest factor in Assabet's overall success. It does mean that the teams are basically set before tryouts each year and it makes it very difficult for outsiders or Assabet white team players to break into the red team track. There is a lot of horse trading behind the scenes too. They violate their own system sometimes by moving individual players up before their time because a red team family has no intention of waiting a year and Assabet does not want to lose them. Families who bought into the concept get mad about it.
anon Aug 14th, 2006 - 11:07 AM	Re: Assabet Valley Tryouts are tough at AV and all those kids are going to stick together and your daughter will have to create her own offense by simply making great defensive plays and turning it into offence. You will have to prepare her mentally because she will not be collecting the puck in full stride through the redlines like the AV girls. We went through this for the first time four years ago. You may get lucky and actually get a coach that knows hockey and takes notice on where your daughter actually touches the puck. If she is good enough and CG wants he will keep her around for a extra look. Power skate power skate right up to tryouts. I wish any kid the best of luck in this situation Good luck
Anon Aug 14th, 2006 - 1:00 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Tyouts are tough at AV and if you haven't been asked to tryout by CG it is tough to make a Red Team - You have a better chance if your daugter is 11 and under. After that 12 and over gets really hard - Carl is loyal and most of all the girls stick together, after all they've been playing with each other for years. Even if your daughter is better than there bottom 4 players - the girls won't want her. Good luck.....If she makes a Red Team it's a great program with great coaching.
anon Aug 14th, 2006 - 1:41 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Okay it's a going to be tougher than before because some kids that got pigeon holed would play on two teams until December. They would play in the EHF and the NEGHL two different leagues now everything falls under NGHL so you do not have that luxury. The Rosters for the states and the nationals do not have to be in until December. Youth hockey is try'ing and expensive so keep asking around on this board it's good info..
anon Sep 3rd, 2006 - 6:16 PM	Re: Assabet Valley The season is fast approaching How will assabet fair this year?
Just Like Mike Sep 3rd, 2006 - 10:27 PM	Re: Assabet Valley Twas the night before tryouts, And all through the rinks, The girls were all ready, And Mike gave a wink. The long shots were all sleeping, All nuzzled in bed, While visions of grandeur, Danced in their head. The medals of past years, Made the shoe ins too smug, While the coaches debated, Pulling the rug. While outside the outsiders, Created such noise, The lighthouses of Connecticut, And the Northshore buoys. Created distractions and called them by name, On Assabet, Spitfire, Charles River, Springfield and Flames, On Bears, Wizards, Islanders and Terriers too, Now Falcons, Chelmsford and the Cape Cod Waves crew. All of the girls prepare to play, See them tomorrow as they skate all day, And on the night before Labor Day as they dream with all their might, Dreams that they have what it takes for their skates to take flight! Dedicated to Mike "Sarge" Cheever