Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/118963
line change advice for parents, refs and coaches Making Heads Or Tails Of Hockey's Alphabet Soup By Christie Casciano Burns For people outside of youth hockey, AAA is the number you call when your car breaks down. AA puts you on a 12-step program to sobriety. A is the grade you want on your child's report card. But those letters have a whole different meaning to hockey parents. Youth hockey leagues throughout the country are often divided into separate levels of play. Tier 1 or AAA offers the highest level of competition with more games and typically more travel. "AAA hockey can be a great environment to play and develop for players who want that challenge. Scouts and recruiters will pay the most attention to the AAA level because, by definition, that's where they will find the largest pool of talented players," according to Nate Ewell, deputy executive director of College Hockey, Inc. Aaron Haider's son Ethan plays goalie for the AAA 2001 Minnesota Blades and says, "It has helped him become the goalie he is today." Diane Firmani made her son wait until he could drive before letting him join an AAA team because of the 90-minute drive from Wasilla to Anchorage, and 10 April/May. 2013 the additional fees associated with AAA hockey. The intensity of AAA hockey can build players and families, but it can also break them if they're not careful. "It's important that families continue to check themselves each season to make sure they are participating in AAA hockey for the right reasons," suggests Jim Sarosy, chief operating officer for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. Ewell also points out, constantly trying to "play up" at the highest level can sometimes hurt if a player doesn't get enough ice time. "Honestly, it doesn't make a particle of difference until Midgets," Firmani says. "At younger levels, it's merely bragging rights for parents and instant martyrdom." Minnesota's Champlin Park Hockey Association President Peter Williams advises parents to be smart consumers. "Pick a program that has quality coaching, convenient location and predetermined costs," he says. "If they ask for an open ended commitment, don't do it." William's children now concentrate on training and play multiple sports. Move up the levels – or don't – for the right reasons: for your child, not your ego or your frustrated dreams of professional glory. And keep in mind NHL.com staff writer Mike Morreale's assessment of hockey alphabet soup, "If you're good enough, you will be found whether it's A, AA or AAA. Players aren't defined by a letter. They define themselves." A-men! USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM BU's Parker Bids Adieu After 40 Years Of Coaching After 40 years behind the Boston University bench, Jack Parker, one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of college hockey, is stepping down. Parker made the announcement on March 11, the date of his 68th birthday, and just days before the Terriers were about to embark on the Hockey East playoffs. No immediate successor was named, but there is no shortage of qualified candidates for the position, including many former players who have made their mark in the coaching ranks. "Sooner or later you have to cut the ties," said Parker, who made the announcement at Agganis Arena, where the rink is named in his honor. "I've been a coach here for 44 years. I was a player here before that. So for 48 out of the last 49 years I've been reporting to duty for BU hockey, and that's enough." Parker said he will continue to serve Boston University in a fundraising capacity. Parker walks away with the third most victories in Div. I history, behind only Jerry York and Ron Mason. He has an 894-471-115 career record and won national championships in 1978, 1995 and 2009. He has won 11 conference titles and led the Terriers to 21 Beanpot crowns. Parker is a three-time winner of the Spencer Penrose Award as the top coach in Div. I men's hockey, and in 2010 was given the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. The announcement came as somewhat of a shock to alumni and current players alike, many of whom were in attendance for the announcement. "Coach Parker's retirement is an end of an era at BU. It is amazing to think that he spent 40 years as a coach and four as a player at the same institution. I don't know if you will see something like that ever again," said Ken Rausch, USA Hockey's manager of Youth Hockey who played for Parker from 1991 to 1995 and was an assistant coach during the 1997-98 season. "Other than my father, he is the man who has had the greatest influence on my life. He gave me a chance as a walk on and also gave me my first coaching job. I would not be in the position I am today without him. "You were a better person after being around Coach, it will be strange to not see him behind the bench anymore." Liberty Mutual Insurance champions responsibility in youth sports. We applaud acts of sportsmanship, selflessness, integrity, fairness and honesty from youth sports fields, rinks, courts and pools from around the country. In an age where negative news dominates the headlines, Liberty Mutual Insurance celebrates acts of responsibility that we know happen every day. Photos courtesy of Each month, our team scours local newspapers and hears directly from community members about Responsible Sports moments in your community. We then ask you – our fans – to vote for your favorite Moment of the Month. Each month, three Moments of the Month will be featured on ResponsibleSports.com/ Top10Moments. We ask you to visit the site and tweet your vote for your favorite Responsible Sports Moment of the Month. You can recommend a moment by emailing team@ responsiblesports.com or tweet @RespSports with your moment and #RSTop10. USA Hockey Magazine Archives; Getty Images