Daily Dish: NAHL or EJHL and the Champions Cup - Junior Hockey

Daily Dish: NAHL or EJHL and the Champions Cup

Back in my day, the who-is-better argument was easily settled with competition. These days, it is much easier to simply claim a league is the best than it is to prove it on the ice. Those days should come to an end. The Eastern Junior ...
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This idea could definitely gain traction if a huge sponsor is willing to step. A cool trophy and a bunch of cash to boot? Yes, I would say this is a possibility.

What has the EJHL done to deserve a shot at this so called "title"???? Lose to St Louis...

Ted,
Notice I said the Tier III Champion would have to play the Robertson Cup winner for a shot at the US Final vs the Clark Cup winner.

That would force the EJ, Atlantic, and NA3HL back to the Tier III Championship.

One contributing factor to the choice of not playing is cost. The Tier III championship should be 8 teams, a total of 12 games, and we walk away with a clear winner at a third of the cost. Having to play 5 games in five days is making the event more of an endurance test than a real hockey event. This event could start on Thursday and wind up Saturday night with a final. Every team would still have 3 games and we would be able to tell where every league is at each year.

Should also be a no host event and held at the same building every year. Maybe Buffalo, Pittsburgh.

The Champions Cup play-in between the Robertson Cup winner and Tier III winner gets to be a home game for the Tier III winner.

The following week has the Champions Cup being played in Toronto. First Round is the US and Canada finals before the 3rd place game and grand finale on a Saturday.

Stephen,

"The other issue is the nagging rumors that top prospects are not paying-to-play in the EJHL. The questions are valid when pre-selected Division I prospects are placed onto Tier III teams. The cover-up is closely executed because it includes a group of high-level NCAA coaches and one of their favorite developmental programs. When the beans are spilled, and one day they will be, the EJHL and those college coaches are going to have a lot of explaining to do."

I have heard of players not paying in EJ and Empire leagues, what does the "have alot of explaining to do" mean?

Breaking story, keep up the good work!

Tom
www.hockeyrecruits4u.wordpress.com

"Who is Better" ?

Good question......multiple answers!

But...if you simply mean "Who is Better" in competitive play...a very narrow perspective !

Who is better in terms of operating a more professional League ?

Who is better in administration of and controlling the teasm in thier League?

Who is better in simple terms of geographic location?

Who is better in Academic support of thier players?

Who is better in policing thier league teams?

Who is better in moving their players on ?

Who is better in Showcasing their players?

Who is better in providing the best return on the investment for players Fees?

Who is better in drawing truly qualified and skilled coaching and staff?

Who is better in providing the best overall package to the players?

Who is better in providing the most consistant competitive environment?

Who is better in community interaction?

Who is better in drawing interest of higher level leagues to "move on"....

Who is better at drawing interest of NCAA scouting?

Who is better at drawing interest of ACHA scouting?

Who is better at drawing interest of East coast schools?

Who is better of drawing interest of mid-west schools?

Who is better at drawing interest of Western schools ?

Who is better at drawing interest of Major Junior A ?

"Who is Better".......at what ?

So.....who is better ?

Who is better in terms of operating a more professional League ? NAHL

Who is better in administration of and controlling the teams in thier League? DRAW

Who is better in simple terms of geographic location? EJHL

Who is better in Academic support of thier players? DRAW

Who is better in policing thier league teams? DRAW

Who is better in moving their players on ? DRAW

Who is better in Showcasing their players? DRAW

Who is better in providing the best return on the investment for players Fees? NAHL

Who is better in drawing truly qualified and skilled coaching and staff? NAHL

Who is better in providing the best overall package to the players? NAHL

Who is better in providing the most consistant competitive environment? NAHL

Who is better in community interaction? NAHL

Who is better in drawing interest of higher level leagues to "move on".... DRAW

Who is better at drawing interest of NCAA scouting? EJHL

Who is better at drawing interest of ACHA scouting? DRAW

Who is better at drawing interest of East coast schools? EJHL

Who is better of drawing interest of mid-west schools? NAHL

Who is better at drawing interest of Western schools ? NAHL

Who is better at drawing interest of Major Junior A ? DRAW

So.....the purpose of your original posting was who would beat who in a game ?

Pretty narrow perspective!

By the way ...my posting was based on all of the leagues not just NA Vs. EJ......

But will accept your answers.....DRAW is pretty good when you look at just those two...considering
the differences in their respective budgets.

Also interesting that one of the numerous tier III leagues gets a draw Vs the only Tier II league allowed by USAH.

So your interest is in a championship between a medium budget pay to play Tier III and a High Budget Tier II play for free.....a rather useless thought.

More interesting game would be between a high ranked Tier III vs Low ranked Tier II.......then another Game of High Ranked Tier III Vs a middle ranked Tier II. Then you will learn something about the Junior concept in USA

So.....the purpose of your original posting was who would beat who in a game?
Purpose of the post was to engage reaction-- and the EJHL fans are always quick to point out how much better the EJHL is compared to the NAHL. The last time the two leagues combined in a showcase, I think the EJ was 3-28-1 or something like that.

Pretty narrow perspective!
Maybe, but it's my perspective.

By the way ...my posting was based on all of the leagues not just NA Vs. EJ......
That's fine.

But will accept your answers.....DRAW is pretty good when you look at just those two...considering the differences in their respective budgets.
Each league has their advantages

Also interesting that one of the numerous tier III leagues gets a draw Vs the only Tier II league allowed by USAH.
Not the ONLY Tier II league allowed...others are welcome to form their own. Just try to follow the rules.

So your interest is in a championship between a medium budget pay to play Tier III and a High Budget Tier II play for free .....a rather useless thought.
I love a good show, the NCAA does a good job with the concept when it comes to basketball. Hoosiers was one of my favorite moves so I think an all-comers tournament would be spectacular for the junior game.

More interesting game would be between a high ranked Tier III vs Low ranked Tier II.......then another Game of High Ranked Tier III Vs a middle ranked Tier II. Then you will learn something about the Junior concept in USA.
I am always interesting in learning something new about junior hockey.

I must have been so confused.....

In your last post 3rd Para. you said it was not just NA and EJ it was on all leagues......

However, Title of your original post was essentially NA and EJ

In your original post ....

2nd para EJ mentioned twice ..NA 0
3rd para EJ mentioned 1 NA 0
4th para EJ 1 NA 1
5th Para EJ 2 NA 0
6th Para EJ 2 NA 0
7th Para EJ 1 NA 0
8th para EJ 1 NA 0
9th para EJ 0 NA 1
10th summary 0 and 0
11th summary 0 and O

Certainly appeared to be limited to EJ and NA

MY point is there are several leagues , each has good points and bad points or advantages in different areas.

As for parity.......each league has a certain number of elite teams and bottom dwellers. So be it !

My original point was each league may have specific and different advantages to those looking for a place to play and not simply who is the most competitive team or the most competitive league.

EJ simply appeared to be your target of the day....where typically you are on the NA case. I enjoy your posts on the NA.

Oh by the way.....in theory, yes another Tier II league can always be approved by USAH. However, Do you really believe that !

Bruce,
Ted asked why the EJ would only get the shot at the NAHL... my response was that is that scenario, the Tier III champion would get the opportunity.

There could be additional Tier II leagues very easily, especially if one or more groups split off from the NAHL to do their own thing.

To see the NAHL and the EJHL go at it in a 3 game series would be cool. But I think the RBC cup champion should compete with the USHL champion. Canadian junior hockey at its best is on a whole different level the any NAHL or EJ team. They would be more evenly matched against a top USHL team. I would pay to see that.

I am not so sure about that... the NAHL is very close to the BCHL which is maybe the strongest league in the CJHL.

Heck, I think the Soo Thunderbirds have a shot at the RBC.