So about a month ago I sent an email to the guy that runs the rink closest to us('bout 5 minutes) and thus runs all hockey programs based there, asking if I could sign my daughter up for the 3-3 Summer Hockey. She will be a first year mite this October(first year she is able to play here) and I figured it couldn't hurt. I also wanted her attending organized ice time this Summer(so much easier than S&P or drop in).
He responded that she has not even completed a season of mite play and described 3-3 as being for "the advanced kids" or something of that nature. He said she was not done with Start Smart(all kids here are
supposed to finish Start Smart before entering any league play) and he generally does not encourage Start Smart kids to play in the 3-3 because it is too fast paced. He also said that there was another session of Start Smart(I was not aware of this) and that would keep her on the ice in the Summer.
I am not new to the Summer 3-3 here, the Little Man did it for years....and his response sounded about right, but I admit that I was a little disappointed. I told him that I appreciated his candor and was just pleased that there was more Start Smart that would keep her on the ice bla..bla..bla...
Anyway, he sent out a request for goalies for the 3-3, apparently they need 2 for the Mites. Abby has been asking me about some time between the pipes and I thought, why not ask... I sent a quick note stating that I knew that he did not feel a 6 year old Start Smart kid was ready for the 3-3, but if he was really in need of a goalie, she'd be happy to fill in there in lieu of the shooter tutor that they'd end up using. This is a copy and past of his response. It should be noted that he is currently teaching Abby's "gap session", which is just a month between the last Start Smart and the next one.... It is the first time he has seen her on the ice.
"Abby is a pretty good Start Smart kid. I think she would be ok in the Mite division. She’s a competitor. Does she want to be a goalie in the League? We need goalies so if she wants to play as a goalie that would be fine. I would let he be a skater also but our biggest needs are goaltenders.
Let me know."
Put a huge smile on my face. Know what, no words describe her better.... "She’s a competitor."
Classic, as I am typing this, know what she just yelled at me....
"Dad, can you get my bag down..... I need to get the goalie stuff on so I can practice."