AA to JR A?

[Guest]

If you think politics and $ influence ends at AAA, think again. In many ways, it is worse and more of an unregulated wild west. It remains a game of who you know and how much you can pay.

I don't think you can make the jump from AA to Jr A, but it depends on age. Absolutely no chance as a U17 - there are only 2 spots available for 16 year olds and they barely take in any AAA 16 year old goalies. Remember Jr A is from 16-21 years old. They aren't going to gamble one of their 2 spots for one of their 2 goalies on a AA who's never had to face a season of AAA shooters. It's hard enough for a player - they can always take a chance, put them out for a few minutes - but way different for a goalie.

If you are good enough, then that's great. But the biggest problem you have at AA is how does any Jr A team even find out that you are good and how can they really assess how good you are when you are only facing AA shooters? The scouts don't bother coming to AA games so how are you going to get noticed and assessed? Before you compete for a spot, you are competing just for attention. Including word of mouth. Scouts will ask around the AAA coaches but they won't think much of you if you are just AA. If the scouts are not seeing you and coaches are not seeing your or playing against you, then you are not in the conversation.

[Guest]

If you think politics and $ influence ends at AAA, think again. In many ways, it is worse and more of an unregulated wild west. It remains a game of who you know and how much you can pay.

I don't think you can make the jump from AA to Jr A, but it depends on age. Absolutely no chance as a U17 - there are only 2 spots available for 16 year olds and they barely take in any AAA 16 year old goalies. Remember Jr A is from 16-21 years old. They aren't going to gamble one of their 2 spots for one of their 2 goalies on a AA who's never had to face a season of AAA shooters. It's hard enough for a player - they can always take a chance, put them out for a few minutes - but way different for a goalie.

If you are good enough, then that's great. But the biggest problem you have at AA is how does any Jr A team even find out that you are good and how can they really assess how good you are when you are only facing AA shooters? The scouts don't bother coming to AA games so how are you going to get noticed and assessed? Before you compete for a spot, you are competing just for attention. Including word of mouth. Scouts will ask around the AAA coaches but they won't think much of you if you are just AA. If the scouts are not seeing you and coaches are not seeing your or playing against you, then you are not in the conversation.

Zero chance for a goalie going from AA to Jr A or Jr B. Not ever going to happen.

[Guest]

Honest question.

Son is a 2010 AA goalie and very good for his age. Does not want to play AAA because of politics (his friends have mentioned) and because he still likes his 60/40 split (in his favor)

Is there any realistic chance he can make a JR A team having only played AA? Or does have absolutely have to make a AAA jump. I know OHL is out of the question with only AA but have heard JR A is a real option for players (especially goaltenders) who have only played AA.

I think the main concern here is the politics part? Unfortunately politics is at all levels in all sports... If this is something he can not deal with or does not handle well it could be a struggle... it's just the reality of sports and life, better for him to deal with it at a young age so when he gets older when it matters then he can deal with the adversity.

[Guest]

If you are serious about getting onto a Jr team, then you have 2 options:

• Get on a AAA team by U16 or U18, or
  Buy a Jr A team and require them to take your kid (you would not be the first)

That's it.

[Guest]

If you are serious about getting onto a Jr team, then you have 2 options:

1. Get on a AAA team by U16 or U18, or
2. Buy a Jr A team and require them to take your kid (you would not be the first)

That's it.

[Guest]

If you think politics and $ influence ends at AAA, think again. In many ways, it is worse and more of an unregulated wild west. It remains a game of who you know and how much you can pay.

I don't think you can make the jump from AA to Jr A, but it depends on age. Absolutely no chance as a U17 - there are only 2 spots available for 16 year olds and they barely take in any AAA 16 year old goalies. Remember Jr A is from 16-21 years old. They aren't going to gamble one of their 2 spots for one of their 2 goalies on a AA who's never had to face a season of AAA shooters. It's hard enough for a player - they can always take a chance, put them out for a few minutes - but way different for a goalie.

If you are good enough, then that's great. But the biggest problem you have at AA is how does any Jr A team even find out that you are good and how can they really assess how good you are when you are only facing AA shooters? The scouts don't bother coming to AA games so how are you going to get noticed and assessed? Before you compete for a spot, you are competing just for attention. Including word of mouth. Scouts will ask around the AAA coaches but they won't think much of you if you are just AA. If the scouts are not seeing you and coaches are not seeing your or playing against you, then you are not in the conversation.

Zero chance for a goalie going from AA to Jr A or Jr B. Not ever going to happen.

Don't know about the goalies but know a kid u17 AA who is going Junior A with no relation or friendships to the team or coach.

[Guest]

If you think politics and $ influence ends at AAA, think again. In many ways, it is worse and more of an unregulated wild west. It remains a game of who you know and how much you can pay.

I don't think you can make the jump from AA to Jr A, but it depends on age. Absolutely no chance as a U17 - there are only 2 spots available for 16 year olds and they barely take in any AAA 16 year old goalies. Remember Jr A is from 16-21 years old. They aren't going to gamble one of their 2 spots for one of their 2 goalies on a AA who's never had to face a season of AAA shooters. It's hard enough for a player - they can always take a chance, put them out for a few minutes - but way different for a goalie.

If you are good enough, then that's great. But the biggest problem you have at AA is how does any Jr A team even find out that you are good and how can they really assess how good you are when you are only facing AA shooters? The scouts don't bother coming to AA games so how are you going to get noticed and assessed? Before you compete for a spot, you are competing just for attention. Including word of mouth. Scouts will ask around the AAA coaches but they won't think much of you if you are just AA. If the scouts are not seeing you and coaches are not seeing your or playing against you, then you are not in the conversation.

Zero chance for a goalie going from AA to Jr A or Jr B. Not ever going to happen.

Don't know about the goalies but know a kid u17 AA who is going Junior A with no relation or friendships to the team or coach.

Which organization is he coming from and going to?

[Guest]

Of course he could make the jump. Agreed likely from Jr B.
No politics in Jr????!!!!. What you smoking??

[Guest]

If you think politics and $ influence ends at AAA, think again. In many ways, it is worse and more of an unregulated wild west. It remains a game of who you know and how much you can pay.

I don't think you can make the jump from AA to Jr A, but it depends on age. Absolutely no chance as a U17 - there are only 2 spots available for 16 year olds and they barely take in any AAA 16 year old goalies. Remember Jr A is from 16-21 years old. They aren't going to gamble one of their 2 spots for one of their 2 goalies on a AA who's never had to face a season of AAA shooters. It's hard enough for a player - they can always take a chance, put them out for a few minutes - but way different for a goalie.

If you are good enough, then that's great. But the biggest problem you have at AA is how does any Jr A team even find out that you are good and how can they really assess how good you are when you are only facing AA shooters? The scouts don't bother coming to AA games so how are you going to get noticed and assessed? Before you compete for a spot, you are competing just for attention. Including word of mouth. Scouts will ask around the AAA coaches but they won't think much of you if you are just AA. If the scouts are not seeing you and coaches are not seeing your or playing against you, then you are not in the conversation.

Zero chance for a goalie going from AA to Jr A or Jr B. Not ever going to happen.

Don't know about the goalies but know a kid u17 AA who is going Junior A with no relation or friendships to the team or coach.

Very different for players than goalies. A player who looks promising, you can add to the bench, play him or her a minute or two or three to see how they do, add minutes as they develop. For a goalie, they are starting the game or not playing at all. And you only have 2 at a time. And only have 2 16 year olds. If they have not been facing AAA or better shooters, you are not going to use 1 of your two 16 year old cards for 1 of your two goalie positions. Not at Jr A or Jr B. Not unless they are getting paid a bundle, and even then.