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Twice now, I have left messages for someone from the Jamestown Ironmen to get back to me about doing a story on them. So far, I'm 0-2. Or, should I say, they are. There will be no third pitch on my part.
Bet you are just lovin Danny Vasquez teaming up with Johnno at the ice box for the MWJHL. The league has a great opportunity to become great. But only if they offer players more than what they are getting in the NAHL. If they offer equal or less it is a huge mistake and they will compete for years against the Tier 3's.
Mr. marks I believe you are far off in stating that the midwest league will end up competing with tier III teams or the nahl... there are numerous teams in the nahl going dormant this year due to not making enough making or various other reasons I can only imagine what'll happen to the nahl if this trend continues. It's a new time and many changes in jr hockey look for the midwest and western states league to start having a big footprint in the jr hockey world I do not think AAU would throw their name out there unless they fully believed this could workout well for everyone my daughter has been in aau sports for years it's a very well ran and well respected organization.
Who in the heck is Danny Vasquez? I remember now, one of Agrusa's...friends.
Jeff, I think the league has a very unique opportunity for its membership. First I assume that owners are not going to have to pony up 300k for membership leaving huge resources for clubs. Second, eliminating USAH and not having to incur ridiculous fees for officials will improve operating costs.
If the league members use those funds to create first class organizations I think you can compete with the USHL. If they use it for cost savings only, you wont compete with the NAHL.
From a players perspective they are looking for 3 things:
1 an organization that is focused on moving them to the collegiate level. This means being proactive in their approach, not reactive or nonreactive.
2nd: They are looking for qualified coaches. These kids can smell a truly knowledgeable motivated coach and they also know if they have a dad out there with a level 4 coaching card.
3rd: They are looking for first class treatment. Junior A level lockerroom, top line equipment, lids-visors-sticks (not sherwoods), travel etc.
If you accomplish these 3 you will have a killer product. If you don't you will have a tough time competing with Tier 3. IMHO
Mr.marks thank you so much for that insight as a dad that is exactly the advice and knowledge I have been searching for on here with this new league in particular to help my son find a good place to play. It seems to me on here there are some severely bias writers who have an obvious love for one league and one coach. my son is not paying in the nojhl he is playing somewhere in the states and I have been looking for advice into this new league and all I ever hear about is the nojhl and this bruno coach that mr russon seems to write so frequently about. Mr. marks thank you for being the first to give some non bias help it's appreciated
Jeff,
If you don't like what I write, don't read it. Very simple.
Regards,
RR
Mr. russon no disrespect intended I am new to this it just seems as though the only league you write about is the nojhl our the only coach you speak of is mr. bruno bragnoluo (sorry for spelling) I am just not clear on what kind of reporter or columnist you are I have spoken with many good people and many good coaches involved with this new aau league why has no one spoke with any of those teams our coaches involved on the subject. Thank you
Jeff,
I am paid to write about the NOJHL and the NAHL North Division, predominantly, for Juniorhockey.com. That is my deal with Mr. Heisler.
As for Bruno being the only coach who I ever write about, check back and read some of my other columns here. Lots of ink about the coaches of the Port Huron Fighting Falcons and Michigan Warriors, for example.
Regards,
RR
Jeff,
I have talked with the important people... so taking shots at Randy is not going to be well received.
Mr. Tannery,
# 1 way to evaluate a Junior A team: go back several years and see how many recruits they place to Division 1 each year. Go to the Heisenberg list and they have links to leagues teams etc.
You do not want your kid on a team that only moves 2-3 players a year. You want him on a team that consistently moves 7-10 a year: that gives him a 50-50 chance in his first year and a better shot in year 2.
There are 3-4 EJHL teams like that, 3-4 NAHL teams like that, 3-4 BCHL teams, 2-3 OJHL teams, and all of the USHL. If your son can't make one of those squads, and he is young enough, have him look for a feeder team. If he only has two years of eligibility and cant make those teams then he should be looking for a team that will successfully move him to D3 - again that info is available on the web.
Mr. Tannery,
# 1 way to evaluate a Junior A team: go back several years and see how many recruits they place to Division 1 each year. Go to the Heisenberg list and they have links to leagues teams etc.
You do not want your kid on a team that only moves 2-3 players a year. You want him on a team that consistently moves 7-10 a year: that gives him a 50-50 chance in his first year and a better shot in year 2.
There are 3-4 EJHL teams like that, 3-4 NAHL teams like that, 3-4 BCHL teams, 2-3 OJHL teams, and all of the USHL. If your son can't make one of those squads, and he is young enough, have him look for a feeder team. If he only has two years of eligibility and cant make those teams then he should be looking for a team that will successfully move him to D3 - again that info is available on the web.
Excuse me for the re post I am new to this...
Mr russon I was by no means taking shots now that you have explained that you are paid by those leagues to write about those leagues it all makes perfect sense you gentlemen are all great writers I have not been on here long but I enjoy and read daily what you guys write about I just believe you guys should tap into the small market teams some more they may develop players just as well as the big market teams.
Mr. heisler you say you have spoken with some folks from the midwest league can I look forward to hearing anymore details of teams schedules and try out info
So the Owner might take over as Coach in Jamestown NAHL or are you just kidding around Mr. Hiesler!!??
Excuse me for the re post I am new to this...
Mr russon I was by no means taking shots now that you have explained that you are paid by those leagues to write about those leagues it all makes perfect sense you gentlemen are all great writers I have not been on here long but I enjoy and read daily what you guys write about I just believe you guys should tap into the small market teams some more they may develop players just as well as the big market teams.
Mr. heisler you say you have spoken with some folks from the midwest league can I look forward to hearing anymore details of teams schedules and try out info
The MWJHL is a disaster waiting to happen. You heard it first here. Read the Traverse City article, your eyes will explode. Barry Soskin, people claiming teams they don't own or have any affiliation with, tons of misinformation...great start folks.
Soskin is not involved
Harry, the misinformation at this point is comong from you. What is it your reading in the Traverse City Record Eagle that could be construed as "tons of misinformation"? Let's wait awhile before we cast that first stone.
To Jeff Tannery,
I suggest that you read my previous post and then re-read it one more time before you pontificate on matters potentially legal.
I did not say I am paid by the leagues to write about them. Rather, I said I am paid by Mr. Heisler (and Juniorhockey.com) to write stories about the NOJHL and the NAHL North for Juniorhockey.com.
May I ask -- and suggest -- that you do not put words in my mouth again.
posted May. 29th, 2012 - 3:14pm
Jon Hart says:
Randy, Randy, Randy I don't think Mr. Tannery meant anything by saying you were paid by the league/s, I read that as an honest mistake on his part. No need to get all worked up over it. The guy is here trying to find the best opportunity for his son to move up the ladder. Not come and make things personal over which or what teams you write about or who ever signs your paycheck. Perhaps you should take your own advice and re-read his post where he said "you gentlemen are all great writers" unless I'm missing something here I thought that was a compliment...
With that said I will go back to my cavern of obscurity!
Jon,
Whether Mr. Tannery meant it or not, his statement was not correct. I am not worked up. I just do not like being mis-represented. (Do you?)
I envy you. There are days that I crave a cavern of obscurity. Enjoy.
Regards,
RR
Mr. russon mr. hart was correct obviously I miss read for you to think any if this could be construed as a legal issue is laughable like I stated all you gentlemen are great writers from what I read I most certainly could not do that on this level on a regular basis. With that being said please relax I was not trying to put any words our take any shots or make this personal for anyone. Thank you
Jeff,
Okay. Now I am laughing. When my son (who is a lawyer) calls me back I will pass your message on to him. You are right. I need to relax. (And have a beer.) Can't wait to watch the Soo Firehawks in action this coming season. (Pause.)
Regards,
RR
Thanks mr. russon you may be in luck from what I have heard about the big bear arena in the sault there is a bar that over looks the rink so hopefully someday in the near future mr. russon I can have the pleasure of talking hockey over a couple beers.
Jeff,
You buying?
Of course I'm buying
Don't forget that I'm Canadian.
Gotta go. Tigers at Red Sox tonight. Verlander on the hill.
Mr. Urschel,
Respectfully, I disagree with your assessment regarding the MWJHL but will assume you haven't had anyone explain to you why this league is so important for Junior Hockey and most importantly the players. The MWJHL is for those players written off for various reasons such as too small, too slow, bad hands etc. or they might not have been ready to play junior hockey at 16 or 17 years old resulting in these players being labeled. The MWJHL is about giving players a second chance, a platform focusing on 18 -19 year old players and building a league consisting of entrepreneurial hockey enthusiasts as owners armed with a vision, strategy to create sustainability and long term value in each market.
It is so "un" American not to root for the underdog, and this is what this league is about, but on the same hand, we are not naive to think this will be easy. Everyone understands that the other leagues have earned their right to be the 800lb Gorilla but, with the opportunity the AAU is giving us and talking to players, parents, owners etc.., about our objective I like our odds of succeeding on and off the ice even if they were small which I don't believe they are.
The truth is that young players develop at different times, which is why, it is so important to keep developing and most importantly support these players wanting to be hockey players as you never know when a player will hit his stride. Besides, most players growing up aspire to play College or at the Professional level. The last time I looked at the rosters of NCAA or minor pro leagues the majority of the players were 20 years old plus.
I know first-hand that careers really don't start until your early twenty's. I also know that many young players receive bad advice little, or no support etc., coupled with seeing their peers at higher levels become discouraged, lose focus on the big picture, make bad decisions ultimately leaving the game.
On the flip side, I have also witnessed young players that were never labeled as a prospect, continued to get better every day and received support from everyone around them leaving most of the players that were touted as a prospect paying $125+ to watch these late bloomers.
Personally, I, believe that our caliber of play will be somewhere between that of Tier III and Tier II for several reasons although I will explain a couple of those points:
First: Each member in the MWJHL is allowed to carry up to eight import players. We are currently working on recruiting a good mix of Canadian and European kids for this season. I'm optimistic we will have a couple of players that ended up not making their Major Junior team as an overage due to the limit allowed but are still looking for an opportunity to play minor-pro so our league or, any other AAU Junior League with a similar business model makes sense for these players.
This mix of players players alone should place us in the level we want to achieve.
Second: With our focus on older players this in itself should raise the level of play by itself.
I could sit down and write about twenty or thirty more reasons why the MWJHL is here for the long haul but, unfortunately, when you are limited to typing with one finger at a time we would be in December by the time I'm finished. So, please call me direct at (419) 517-4404 and we can clarify any outstanding questions or it is obvious that you are passionate about the game and perhaps you could help our league get better which ultimately benefits the players.
Thank you and I look forward to your call.
Patrick Pylypuik
I'm not about to engage in any conversation with you, I only responded to an article I read about your league. Not much of it was flattering or in some cases even true.
A Tier II pay to play league is not in the best interests of players.
Period. Write me back when you move on 50% of your players to NCAA Hockey.
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