In reading the congratulations mission 99 thread Id thought I want to discuss and clarify the coach/politics on a team.

As a former AAA coach who went to Nationals I can tell you, In NO way shape or form have I ever taken a player from Peewee on up that didnt deserve to be on my team. (Mites are too young to really judge AAA) Coaches that partake in such are weak in character and their subsequent reputation will destroy them. I dont know a single good coach who would sell out the integrity of a team to take players that were sub-par or that knew someone in high places. Any coach that does not want to build the most highly competitive team will be exposed in time.

I can name coaches on the top of my head who have passed over true talent for "favors"... How about SB, LP, RT, AS, just to name a few... Interestingly many of those "favored" kids aren't even playing hockey any more. Go figure.