Episode 89: Is Your Kid on the Wrong Hockey Team? w/ Islanders Hockey Clubs' Mike Busconi

The best team isn't always the best place for your kid to develop.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Mike Busconi, Islanders Hockey Club - East Director and coach at The Winchendon School, to talk about youth hockey development, team selection, and the increasingly competitive road to higher levels of hockey.

Mike explains why being a bottom-line player on a top AAA team isn't always the best situation, especially when kids aren't getting enough puck touches or meaningful reps in practice. He also gets into parents chasing status over development, the pressure of year-round hockey, and why sometimes taking a step back is the smartest move.

The conversation also covers AAA hockey becoming watered down, navigating tryouts and getting cut, the benefits of prep school, and why families need to look beyond Division I when considering their child's hockey future.

In this episode:

• Why the best team isn't always the best fit
• Why AAA hockey is becoming watered down
• Navigating tryouts, cuts, and crazy hockey parents
• Prep school, D1, D3, and alternative hockey paths

This one is a reminder for hockey parents: the goal isn't to get your kid on the best team today. It's to put them in the best position to keep getting better.

Islanders Hockey Club IG: https://www.instagram.com/ihc.hockey/
Islanders Hockey Club website: https://islandershockeyclub.com/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://sparxhockey.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/