News

EYHA Adult “B” League Meeting

Thursday, May 20^th 2010 – 6:00 PM

PRESENT:

Jeff – Tri-Penn

CJ Prue –Red Fox

John Sorge – North Coast

John Kroto – Coyotes

NOTE: Last year, the Keg Kickers, Rack & Roll, and the Demons played in this division, but none of these teams was represented at the meeting.

The North Coast and Coyotes are looking to register in the “B” division for the 2010-2011 season. Tri-Penn and Red Fox had some game schedule concerns (see below) which will seriously effect their likelihood of registering a team in the coming season. Feedback at the meeting indicated that it is likely that the Demons have folded, although no formal communication with anyone from that team occurred.

Tri-Penn and Red Fox were seriously concerned about having the majority of their games scheduled with start times later than 9:30 PM. Both teams include a significant number of individuals that work late at night, and start times later than 9:30 PM prevent them from participating. Last season, the majority of their games appeared to have start times after 9:30 PM which caused concern for the year ahead. The commissioner will work with the EYHA board and scheduler to see what times are available for the coming season, and what assurances (if any) can be made about games that start after 9:30 PM.

Captains/ Team Representatives were asked “what went well last year” and “what would you like to see continue in 2010-2011”. Responses included:

League Parity – Teams were satisfied with the parity in the league the previous season.
Schedule Consistency – Teams enjoyed the consistency (Sunday nights) of the majority of the schedule.
Officiating – Teams thought that some of the on-ice officials from last year did a professional job.

Captains/ Team Representatives were asked “what did not go well last year” and “what would you like to see improve in 2010-2011”. Responses included:

Officiating – Teams would like to see more consistency from the on-ice officials, both from official to official and from game to game. Teams also felt that there were certain specific on-ice officials that seemed disinterested in officiating at this level and this was exemplified by their apparent lack of effort on the ice and lack of professionalism and respect for the players.
Scheduling – Teams were not pleased with the frequent schedule changes last year, and were also upset with the fact that schedule changes were often communicated with little notice or not communicated at all.
League Parity – Teams were upset with the lack of parity between teams and players last season. Most of the parity problem seemed to be driven by late-season roster additions.
Scoresheets – Teams would like for scoresheets to be provided to them for games instead of having to purchase or generate their own.
Goaltenders – Teams indicated that there is a definite need for goaltenders appropriate for this level. In past seasons, goaltenders have been shared among multiple teams – not just the occasional “fill-in” game, but nearly all the time. The commissioner will look into ways to recruit skilled goaltenders and the new “player list” being hosted for interested players looking for a team may help in this regard.

As teams were generally pleased with league parity, the consensus was that no measures as are being used in the lower divisions (i.e. captains’ “meet and discuss” and possible player movement prior to a roster freeze) were needed. However, there will be a roster “freeze” at the beginning of the season with roster additions between that time and January 1^st only permitted by commissioner approval.

Playoffs will most likely be a single-elimination style again, with the possibility of top-seeded teams getting a “bye” into the second round if scheduling requires it.

Teams asked if league game scores could be submitted to the Times-News for inclusion in the local sports section. The commissioner will look into automatically submitting these via email as an automated export from the online stats and standings system.

Teams asked for a later start to the season – possibly in October – rather than an early September start. The commissioner will investigate the feasibility of such within the constraints of available ice time and the EYHA schedule. Teams also asked that if the season starts one month later, if they could have their deposit/payment deadlines moved one month later as well.

The teams expressed a significant interest in using paid timekeepers/scorekeepers at a cost of $10-$12 per game. Various options were discussed including working with the Erie Ice Referees to provide this service, and offering the opportunity to local youth hockey players and parents as a fundraiser. The commissioner will work on this item and report back to the captains at a later date.