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This is a landmark moment in junior hockey. Should be interesting to see how this all pans out.
How will USAH stop the leak? think it's just a matter of time before some others give it a shot.
How will USAH stop the leak? think it's just a matter of time before some others give it a shot.
AAU has NO rules for hockey governance. The fact they accepted Jim Cashman should make everyone pause.
Harry, could this be the first step in setting up rules and regulations under AAU? Ron White is a stand up person in the business, I dont believe he would lead the WSHL into anything like this blindly.
Reminder, he said business model. I like Ron but if that is his only criteria then he's in the wrong business.
How many junior hockey teams actually make money outside of the USHL?
One problem I see is, what is going to stop a USA Hoockey Affiliated Team from signing their players away from them? NOTHING ?
Good point Mike. This is where a solid organization makes all the difference. Just because a USAH team comes calling does not mean they are any better of an organization. Not only that, kids are reluctant to move to other teams after signing with a team, particularly if they have registered for school or have already paid for plane tickets. What should stop USAH and AAU teams alike from poaching each others players is integrity, if you want a player, be up front and trade for him. It makes no difference who your insurance carrier is, it does make a differnce if you step on peoples toes you may see somewhere down the road.
posted Aug. 9th, 2011 - 2:43pm
Dan Foss says:
Tier III Junior teams are going to have a challenge with the dropping of the "A", "B", and "C" designations, the NA3HL playing for their own National Championship, and now the WSHL making the jump to AAU. Looks like the entire level is unraveling before our eyes. USA Hockey should step up and make peace with Tier III teams before the entire level goes away or all over to AAU.
Harry, do you think AAU has never had hockey before? I'm sure they know a little about the game. There will be bumps along the way, but they have some good folks there and Mr White is a good hockey guy.
It is not USAH that needs to make peace with Tier III it is the affiliates and USAH Youth Council that needs to make peace. Think youth teams wont follow these Tier III teams? Less to register for AAU and more insurance coverage? Saves families money to register, and allows them more choice. No import restrictions for Juniors? Think the level of play wont go up? If the WSHL is the first, and more leagues follow as well as more leagues starting up, this could present a huge problem for USAH and all its members down the road.
How about a FREE TO PLAY JUNIOR LEAGUE WITH NO IMPORT RESTRICTIONS! Nah that wouldnt be something USAH and its members hsould worry about, it certainly isnt what people would pay money to watch.
$6500 is what NORPAC charges, as well...not a bargain considering the amount of travel the kids have to do, and the lop-sided level of talent in all of these tier III leagues. When you look at a team like Helena, however, what those poor kids get for their $6500 is a "spot" on the team UNTIL the NAHL starts cutting kids, and they quickly replace the rostered Bighorns players. In my book, that is what needs to stop, the dedicated players end up being chopped at the last minute so their team can go on to nationals without them. Who wins there?
Poor Mom, many if not most Tier III teams keep a few open roster spots for just this purpose. Teams that commit to players should stay that way and leave spots open for late arrivals. If a player signs with a team, that team should be committed to the player for the season unless the player requests a trade, release or messes up off the ice. It is not all about winning with most teams, development is important to most teams. The key is to find out which teams operate in this way. If you like a player enough to sign him, you should like him enough to keep him.
Poor mom... you need to re-register using a real name.
Thanks,
Stephen
Helena charges $5,000 per season. I know this, as I paid the fee for the past three years.
Overall, it's not so much about the League or their affiliation that gives you strength. It's about the quality of play and the ability to move players on to college or other higher levels of Junior hockey. If somehow this league can provide that, they will have some success. In my experiences, the movement of players from this league to colleges is non existent. Mostly because of geographic limitations, but also because of a slightly lower standard of play than most other Tier 3 leagues in the country.
The old saying is, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
Such a low standard of play that both El Paso and Idaho had strong runs at the national tournament.
Lets face it, the biggest problem with the WSHL is geography, not the level of play.
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