Watching a youth hockey practice or seeing an old youth hockey banner on the wall of a rink is heartwarming in a way.

It reminds you how quickly that future becomes the present for high school hockey, as that generation transitions from squirt and peewee to high school age in no time.

But it is also a harrowing reminder of the other side of the equation.

Schools and coaches hope every one of those youth players pulls on a jersey at the high school level and represents their teams one day. And maybe — just maybe — a day will arrive when lower-division high school hockey coaches never have to pull players from school hallways and teach them to skate and how to play the game in order to keep programs afloat.

But we know better.

There are options — including options that may not be getting enough consideration.

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