Every hockey parent faces this question at some point: should we invest in that expensive European tour, or stick with local tournaments closer to home? It's a tough call, especially when you're trying to balance development opportunities with your family budget. Having organized European hockey experiences for countless youth teams over the years, I've seen both sides of this debate play out. Some families swear by international tournaments, while others believe local compet

If you've been around youth hockey circles lately, you've probably heard whispers about European development programs. Maybe it was at the rink, or during a tournament weekend conversation with other hockey parents. The truth is, these aren't just whispers anymore: European hockey development has become the topic everyone's discussing, and for good reason. The landscape of hockey development is shifting dramatically. What was once considered an exotic alternative is now becom