Although Wisconsin Prep Hockey deals mainly with high school hockey, three of the WiPH partners have kids or grandchildren involved in youth hockey and it is very important to each of us. (Bergler has one grandson playing; MJ's son plays at the mite level, and my daughter is a U14 goalie.) 

The future of prep hockey is very much dependent on the number of players at the beginner levels. The overall number of players registered in Wisconsin has remained fairly stable the last few years, but the number of beginning players has decreased over the same time period.

The decrease of player registrations overall is 0.8%, while the younger level has seen the participation drop by 4.3%.

Everyone knows that the success of prep hockey programs is determined by the number of incoming players at the lower levels. Of course, more players do not guarantee success, but if there are fewer beginning players, the high school programs will start  to see a decline in number of tryouts ten years down the road. Although one fewer player at the varsity level might not seem like a lot, that player could have been Joe Pavelski or Davis Drewiske, two Wisconsin products that went on to play in the National Hockey League.

Both players had a lot of success at all levels in their respective organizations, including high school, leading their teams to state championships.

What if they had played baseball or basketball instead? Would Pavelski's SPASH team or Drewiske's Hudson club have won state titles? We'll never know, but more than likely, the presence of these two superstars had a lot to do with the success of their teams.

One player CAN make a difference, and that is the number of players that 4.3% represents on a 20-man varsity roster.

CAUSES OF DECLINE

The main cause of the drop of players in youth hockey is the increasing rate of unemployment in the state. Of course, when a family loses a breadwinner, one of the first things to go in the budget is the discretionary spending, of which hockey would be considered to be a part.

Another cause is that local hockey organizations are to blame. If the organization puts too many demands on parents (excessive volunteer hours and fundraising amounts, for example), the parents might pull their child from the program the next season just because they don't want to put up with the aggravation.

Organizations might also fail to keep the "fun" in hockey for the child. This can stem from coaches that are unable to keep the child interested or motivated, or a program that is poorly designed and does not allow the child to be stimulated. These both could add up to a child leaving the sport in search of something that interests him or her.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

USA Hockey has a "Growing the Game" program which awards $2500 to a local organization which shows the best initiatives to grow the game by increasing numbers locally. 

Some local organizations provide free equipment to first-time players in an effort to cut costs for parents that have children who are trying to break into the game of hockey.

Coaches need to learn how they can best keep kids involved during practices in order to make them fun for all, thus keeping the interest of the children.

It all sounds easy, but it is not. Many people need to be on the same page, from the association's presidents and board members, to the coaches and yes, even the parents.

The more fun a kid has playing hockey, the more likely he or she will be a hockey player for life.

And that's what we need.