So I was talking with a ton of other parents during last weekends tournament about this topic. Perhaps predictably most are content with what their kid is currently doing.
Parents whose kids made AA last year are pretty content to stay in AA, and tended to bad mouth HSL. Parents whose kids didn't make it to AA are content to try out for AA again. Parents who aren't interested in AA still aren't interested. I don't think any of these kids played HSL last year anyways.
I got an interesting perspective on the JPHL which was mentioned from some of our AA parents. Apparently the JPHL *is* Hockey Canada affiliated. They're taking the Hockey Academy model (for Edmonton, OHA and NAX) and stripping out the academic part to reduce cost. So it costs $12,500 instead of $30k, but you're responsible for getting your kid to and from school and hockey. The JPHL teams are owned by the same groups than own some HSL teams, which is why it's all HSL kids moving over. The advantage for them is that by being Hockey Canada affiliated that makes you eligible for some Team Alberta-type teams.
My wife on the other hand was talking with a guy who does various skating camps (and my son has attended a few). He was very bullish on HSL saying it's more directed towards development. Of course I wonder if he doesn't get more business from those teams though (although he does get some from community and club hockey). He apparently said how political club and community hockey is.
Which is true - the blessing and curse for club and community hockey is it's a true non-profit. It has a board of directors, elections, and a whole bureaucratic procedure that can sometimes be maddening. But it also gives you a route to have your voice heard. On my middle kid we used the "Parent liaison" when we thought a team manager was stepping out of line and we were satisfied with that process.
Private clubs are owned by one guy, or a small group of guys. If you don't like what they're doing you can vote with your feet the following year, but that's about your only recourse.
Anyways, sorry for the mini-essay. A handful of you had opinions on these topics so I thought I'd post it. Interested in any thoughts pro or con.
There's still a bit of time. I think the traditional AA club hockey is the best path forward, and going down to community isn't a terrible option if he doesn't make it. When asked that's the path my kid wants to go - try out for our AA club. My wife though isn't sure, and who knows might convince my kid otherwise.
Edit: Got an email saying my kid made the HSL team (never doubted that). Fees are $3400, which is comparable to AA. The guy my wife was talking to - it's his company that does hockey development for this team so of course he'd talk it up.