Now the kid has class
Scott Radley
The Hamilton Spectator
(Nov 6, 2008)
A couple years ago, a University of Saskatchewan study looked at a longstanding belief in hockey circles that kids with birthdays late in the year tend to be at a significant disadvantage in the sport. Turns out, it’s true.
The researchers found that since hockey players are grouped into levels based on their year of birth, boys born in October, November and December who spent their childhoods playing against kids nearly a full year older — with all the emotional, psychological and especially physical development that entails — often quit the game early. As for those who stick with the sport, many don’t begin showing their true skills until well after others do.
So when Hamilton Bulldogs’ head coach Don Lever says Matt D’Agostini’s improved play this year is the result of a new level of maturity, he’s not suggesting the just-turned-22-year-old was acting like a child last season. He’s just lending credence to the theory.
