Pease Help!

We have been skating 96AAA this spring and feel pretty confident my son will make a strong AAA team. Probably second out of the four.We hear rumors about how much it really all costs when said and done. Including everything (except time missed from work)How much can we expect to pay by the end of the season?

We paid approximately $8,500 (includes fees,hotels,gas, etc)

Take the season (Team) price and double it.
Gas Hotels Food lotsa traveling (time off work) etc.
It's a "safe estimate"

You better be sure this is what you want to do. Families have imploded from AAA overdoses. Especially in this economy.

It is about $9000.00 per season including travel, hotels, etc. 4-5 Detroit trips and 1 Cleveland.
My kid missed for whole season about 3 school days. It is much better value than AA. We played around 70 games and a lot of practices.

I've been at this for some time with two boys playing AAA hockey so I have some knowledge of what it costs. You should expect to pay a minimum of $8k - $10K. Below is a general break down.

Team Fee - $5K - $6K
Travel - 4 to 6 out of town trips with two nighs at a hotel - let's assume you drive and don't fly. $300 - $500 per trip = $1,200 to $3,000

"Extra" team fees - I've seen this as high as $500 per month but let's assume your team had built everything into your team fees - and don't charge you anything more - these extra fees include travel costs for coaches, entry fees into tournaments, etc.

Uniforms, team bags, windsuits, etc. $350 - $500

And of course you will have to replace equipment like sticks that break etc.

So you cost will be at minimum

$6,500, at the very low end, to about $10,000

I hope this help.

sounds right about it. To be certain that you're covered, I would think a $10K budget should be a safe, high-end budget for your family this coming season. Hopefully, you'll cash out a few $$$ less. Good luck.

If you have a son who has been playing hockey and beleive he is definately AAA caliber as you mention, I find it very hard to beleive that you don't know the $$$$. Parents who's kids play AA and A know the cost of hockey. Those families that take it seriously, do their homework. I don't have any AAA players, but even I could figure out the cost.

Guest above, You are kind of an a$$hole huh? why not answer the question instead of being a douche. Or are just a douche and cant help it?
we do take it seriously but are getting quotes all over the place even here 6,000-10,000. Thats a big difference. We were told 13,000 as well. We dont like in a trailer park but 4,000 more is something that we would need to budget for in todays economy.

Original Poster, you got the info you needed. Season is 6000.00 plus travel and hotels for Showcases and Tournaments. If you sleep in your car and eat at Subway you will save a lot. If you stay in hotel with your team and eat with your team than is about 3000.00 extra for the season.

It just amuzes me that people come on here and ask basic questions like they don't have a clue. Get Real. If you were not an informed hockey guy, you would not know about this site. The fact that you found this site tells me you must have some understanding of youth hockey. Then you mention your kid is skating AAA in spring and is close to a lock to make a AAA team in the fall. Then you act like you don't kniow the cost? Give me a F**Kin break. Why don't you ask the people at the spring sessions? How about calling the clubs and speaking with someone there? If your son is as good as you say, you probably have come across some families that have kids who play or have played AAA and can ask them for some info. To come on here like a retard and ask for $$$ really demonstrates thast you are an A@$Ho^&.

You are a douche.Ok Ill bite MoFo-why would anyone come on and ask the original question, other than to get the answer? You are a douche.

Welcome to AAA and all it's glory.....

Maybe the person posted the question as he was having people tell him it's 10K, 12K or as high as 13/14K as I had someone tell me they spent on a Squirt AAA player.

There is a big difference between 8/9 K and then coming to realize it's really 11/12K. That could definately put some families over. If it doesn't put your family over good for you, not everyone is in your boat and you should be ashamed of the way you over reacted to a poster.

Everyone knows, just because it's AAA not all the best players are playing. It's all about M$ney buddy. If you can afford it your kid will probably find a spot on a team somewhere. There are players on every team AAA / AA that are only on there since the parents can afford it. Sad.

Now back to the Blackhawks!

after 5 years of AAA I am still too embarassed to tell people what it cost. Yet, I get to spend so much time with the kids that I am sure it's worth every penny. We are the lucky ones, that we are able to even consider this.

If the dads can stay out of the bars and the strip clubs they could easily save a couple grand.

Lets be Honest ? You are in Toronto, Detroit, Minn.,Boston
You have a game at 1pm on Friday. You fly or drive out thursday?

1) Does missing Thurs,Fri,Sat,Sunday of work have a $$$ Value-yes

2) Your Game is over in 3 hours and the day is free ? What do you
do to kill time Team Lunch,Dinner,Mall, work on line ? spend $$$

3) You buy a brand new SUV for bad weather Driving $45k- $60K
you put 17k on it the first year,35k the second -Value drops $$$
plus your monthly gas bills $300 to $400 for all the off-ice,practice
Showcase weekends, car-pooling the other friend because the parents
have to be at work??

4) You break one or two sticks every 2 months, skates Shapering $
once every 10 days, clear and white tape. Power aid drinks after
every skate $$$$$ private personal training $$$

If you have to ask how much, then it is not for you !!
Lots of wealthy kids play AAA Hockey, not all.

If you collect coupons you can play under 10k.

Let's face the truth, AAA players are all good, but they are not necessarily all the best kids playing the game at the time. They are the best kids from money playing the game at the time. If AAA and AA cost the same and level was pure merit, you can bet AAA daddy's money that a significant percentage of kids would be switched around.

And if you really want to think about it, if you could give all the kids with the best raw talent, love of the game, and determination equal ice time and somewhat comparable coaching (there are a couple of great house coaches that come to mind), you'd find some great house players who are just as good as little Johnny Richman, Jr. in AAA.

I don't know what my freakin point is, I'm no Socialist, or anything, I'm just so tired of reading so many snobby AAA AND AA posts that look down on great house kids from struggling families.

say there was a house league player that was better than alot of aa or aaa players, after a couple of years at house league he would fall so far behind from not playing against good competition he would fall off the map to where he could never catch up.

Believe me if there was a house player or Tier II player that was a top end player, he wouldn't need money. AAA teams fihd ways to scholarship or waive players fees for those who need help. Please let us all know who these hidden gems at the house level are. Tryouts are right around the corner, and we could use a few studs.

There we go, the snob who really thinks it's just not possible for those lower kids to have the talent as his high financed DNA. Look, I'd have to run full tryouts to be sure of those names, wouldn't I? My point wasn't that there are a lot of house kids ready for AAA, because they haven't had the ice time for the most part, and coaching is more serious at AAA, but don't be so that you're little AAA brat is better than all the Central States kids and don't be so sure you're NIHL Gold kids are better than all the house kids, you get the idea, (finally, I hope?).

To answer your question, I do know of a few kids of the best kids who played on the top PeeWee and Bantam house teams last season who look as good to my eyes as most of the AA kids I've seen, no doubt. And I'm not about to go interview all those families to see why who wants to play where. Look at HE's Bantam Select team this fall, for example, a few really good players who could easily play high AA.

This past year/season a House leaguer from the Franklin Park Rink made the Blues Bamtam AA 94 Central states team as a 95 birth year in his first season of travel. Currently he is being chased by every AAA club in Chicagoland. Can you dig it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess that means his folks saved about $50 grand getting to that point.

uh, chased? Not even close.

I guess "chased" is a figure of speech that is unacceptable to some who want to think their AAA costs are well invested. Look, AAA is nice for those families who enjoy it and can afford it, and it is for the most part a higher level of kids' hockey, but the attitude that all AAA kids are better than all those below is just arrogant and ignorant.CaySh FLyin Outta My WaZooo

Facts are facts. You exaggerated and your example was not accurate. Chased, pursued, recruited, oogled, blah blah blah. None of it was true. Money is your excuse for your own shortcomings. Chase that wazooo.

To: guest, ip 63.250.232.165

Hey, genius, you are mixing together the posts of two different people. I don't know anything about that particular kid, but was pointing out that even if "chased" is a figurative term, it's close enough if it is true that he would be welcome on several AAA teams (subjective definitions of "chased" will vary).

My posts and my main point have nothing to do with this kid in particular, but with the attitude that you and others exhibit that only the kids that have chosen to pay AAA costs are the kids good enough to play at that level, and likewise for the AAers who categorically look down on the caliber of house players. There are more than rare exceptions.

But snobs will be snobs, and your comment, "Money is your excuse for your own shortcomings" shows that, even though you know nothing of my money or my shortcoming (that from your post, I would bet are fewer than yours).

AAA $9-11k, AA $4-5k, House $1-2k (spring and fall).

Parents and players: Love the game, play the highest level that you can enjoy and can afford to play, but don't be a snob to the families that play at a lower level, whether out of ability, cost, or choice of priorities. Anyway, many of those kids may be better than you think, they don't all show up at tryouts.

You are way off. It's not about money or snobbery. There are lots of great natural athletes who are not good hockey players. Showing up for a tryout does not break anyone's bank. If they test themselves against the better players, they will be recognized and given an opportunity regardless of your rich vs. poor theory.

Well, glad to hear it's not about snobbery for you, but it seems to be for at least some. If a player doesn't make it to AAA tryouts, one can not assume it's because he's not up to that playing level.

Glad to hear players can be offered financial aide, what percentage of players that apply in your organization qualify? What is the criteria: financial, hockey ability, combination of both? To what degree (percentage or amount of fees)? I am interested in knowing, as are many other families.

My guess is that approval is one of those backroom decisions, clear criteria not publicly available and dependent to the subjective judgment of Board individuals? I'd be happy for you to tell me I'm wrong, because you must know asking for financial aide carries a stigma and embarrassment for proud families. I'm sure the full fee families would be just thrilled to subsidize other's kids without passing their personal judgments. Why apply if there is just a tiny chance to be granted? And does one encourage their kid to get excited about making a AAA team before they know how they could pay for it? Asking and not receiving it is a waste of time, energy, and further potential embarassment. It would be easier to ask if the process was clear, otherwise, it's just an excuse for why your kid is better than all the rest.

And of course, even with the finances figured out, AAA is not for all families, maybe not even most families... there is the time off school for the kid, less time for homework, time off work for parents, travel expenses. Hockey is a great sport, but there are other things in life. There is a better chance by a couple orders of magnitude that my kid will get into med school before the best player on any random AAA team makes the NHL.

It is the same ol arguement about the best players. Generally the AAA players are better skilled than the AA, than the A, then House and so on. However, there are kids who have top skill that do not play at the highest level due to time/$ committment, other family obligations, divorced partents etc...


The thing that is great is you have the opportunity to play AAA, AA, A, or even NWHL if you choose. It is a great sport and there is a spot for everyone to enjoy the great game.

Right on, Big Daddy.

Your better off playing in Minnesota for $600 once your kid is in high school, just move there and play against the best and in front of peers that respect hockey. That is best answer to your question if your kid is actually good. Illinois AAA hockey is just a big business but if you have the means to pay for it and want to travel go for it. (10k is a good estimate and if you play for a team that goes to Nationals add another $2500 to $3000.

What an agenda you have. Instead of posting on here all day & crying about not having enough $$$ why don't you getback to work and stop stealing from your boss. Can't you hear the buzzer? The fries are done. Now salt them.

I apologize to the great majority to AAA parents who understand my posts, I do not mean to lump you all together, just a few bad apples that stand out.

@Rich guy, ip 32.141.43.202

A) You're an A$$ho1e
B) You don't understand my point. It's not a complaint about what I can afford, it's about YOUR attitude, and those like you who think you're better because you bought your kid a spot on AAA.
C) It's pointless to try to explain myself further with your type of mentality. Those with at least a 95 IQ already know what I'm talking about.

This is getting old. I'm not arguing with any more idiotic posts like yours.

aaa hockey is for a bunch of stuck up pussys who just have their mommy and daddy pay their way into having their kid play for a team.

to farley-

your just a jealous dad whos kid didnt make a aaa team. have you noticed scores of aaa vs. aa? 9-0 10-0 8-1 11-2 you can't sit there and tell me that aaa players are pussys how many aaa players have moved on and made it to the next level compared to aa?

Just wondering how many move on after Bantams seems not to many survive.Seems to me that this year is the last hoorah for most of the kids.Next year is when size really starts to matter.Like I said I am just wondering about all those people who waste alot of money before midgets.And no not disgruntalted but seriously wondering hear alot of different opinions out there?????

To the guest who is wondering how many move on after Bantams: you know it's not the same for each player, there are so many things to consider!!!!! A friends son played AA hockey because they did not think he was ready for AAA. When they thought it was time and moved him to AAA, they realized he would have been ready earlier as he was as advanced, but he was not as tall as some of the other players. But he was just a late grower and has now passed all the others in height which also gave him more strength, who would have known. Trust your own instincts, listen to what others have to say but don't do everything you hear, it's just not the same for each player..........

Hey thanks for the info. And about time some real help on this board, thanks again

hey dumbfuck i played on team illinois this year so for your imformation i would whoop your ass any day douche bag

oh yeah? and how the fuck was i supposed to know that?

mabey if you had a brain and actually knew a thing or two about aaa, you'd bender

fyi im playin for the mission this year and einstein wouldnt have been able to figure out u play for ti by a 2 line statement tht includes nothing about where u play fucking asshole

Let me understand this. You say that AAA players are pussies in one post and then you say that you played for TI in another. Am I to understand that you have just caleed yourself a pussy?

haha nice

HEY LIL FARLEY!! ITS AL DIVITO!

Hi to dad, the family, and esp .Mo-Mo!
The mother of the millenium!

Read your replies the other night, laffin, then next eve read em to a fellow player, whom you know, and one I know like a son. (hint)
I says"you think a farley wrote that, Dad maybe-or just some kid.
Good ole number 17 goes "that sounds like Aust.
read the second reply of farleys...and the National Champ kids says
Thats definately Austin
You Go boy and screw all these lil ladies on this fake ass board.

never forget at Petit years ago--Me askin Charlie (mo's best friend and father of 7) "got to be costin a ton w/5 kids playin... he just stared at the ice repeating-- $ 642.00 a month for life..642 a month for life...lololol

hey austin its patrick kane and i just wanted to let you know that you are amazing, and ive been talking to the blackhawks about trying to sign you to a contract, and they said they would never do it cause you are a big faggot

lets meet for a little cup of mud eh goombah?

PK-- i don't mind any crap that is said on this ffin site, but your reply to my comment is not what I enjoy.
We must get together Pk and discuss what needs to be adjusted.

So when you are done with your round of golf, call, or send me an email, and we can get things in order.

I dont play hockey nor do I play around.
capiche?

Al D
312-961-9648
24hr line
or
diggerguy427@aol.com

arrivederci mia bella

boring

Travel AAA will Decline and so will the Talent pool.
The Average Family can no longer support 75 games of travel.
Good Athletes will be playing other sports.
The Parents that have the money will push the sport,the pureity of
the sport will Change. The Villages and High Schools need to Help.
Not even the best coach can teach what one needs to suceed in Ice Hockey

Men's Leagues close to home will take off big in the next 6 to 8 years.

To expensive $$$$$$$, $600 Skates and $219 Sticks ?????

dumpling