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Post by wade on May 13, 2015 15:25:36 GMT -5
Yikes.
This is a very tolerant move on the part of the ACH.
As I said a few weeks ago...I have a hard time trusting mass-expansion in the ACH...especially in such a seemingly hasty time frame.
Will these expansion teams be automatically locked into SR AAA status for 2015-16?
If I were an existing team in Brantford, Dundas or Whitby.. I think I would at least attempt to negotiate the idea that these teams would be tiered as "AA" for (only) the first year of operation.
This would serve as a sort of "expansion fee" to enable the option of the 2016 ACH Champion having an affiliate player source while also ensuring the incoming teams won't be able to simply steal existing teams' players.
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Post by Bar Down on May 13, 2015 16:11:26 GMT -5
Buddy this league was the best senior league around bar none for years.If they are able to attract teams to play senior hockey when its dying everywhere else why wouldn't they go AAA.I think Don Robertson has worked hard to promote senior hockey for years around here ,if they can improve the competition then the team that comes out of this league should give them a great shot at winning the Allan Cup.
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Post by wade on May 13, 2015 16:21:31 GMT -5
I'm not big on the idea of allowing new teams to jump onto a slow moving train and give them a seat beside the conductor.
I'm more of a "Ticket, please, Sir" guy.
People who jump on moving trains tend to be robbers.
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Post by wade on May 13, 2015 16:26:08 GMT -5
If an expansion entry is serious about facilitating growth & honouring the work put in by the existing teams...it seems reasonable to me they're willing to lend some concessions. Not the other way around...and definitely not without ALL or MOST of the $$$ up front with a list of players which checks out upon some backgrounding.
We've seen more harm than good from expansion entities across Canada (Ontario included don't kid yourself).
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Post by wade on May 13, 2015 16:30:30 GMT -5
Alberta SR AAA registration requires a team to have played a full season at the "AA" level. While this provision doesn't offer a fail safe against failed expansion teams...it does go a long way in screening.
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Post by mlh01 on May 13, 2015 17:27:17 GMT -5
Wow that is great news. I had heard rumours since the Jr Red Wings were leaving Dave Andreychuk Arena, but had no idea that there would be 2 new teams. I hope the Niagara Region team is a stronger entry than Welland. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be as there are so many great players from that area with no higher level to continue playing after Jr.
As for your worries about players wade, there should be no concern. I know we've discussed this on other threads, and debated it to death...but the reality is that there are more people in this tiny little area of the country than there are in Sask, Man and Alberta combined. Just the small stretch known as the Golden Horseshoe, from Niagara to Toronto (which is only about 120 kms in length), there are over 10 Million people, and thus a huge amount of very high end hockey talent to draw from. We have over 100 OHA sanctioned Jr teams.
The catch, that jimc refers to from his experience, is getting them interested in AAA. A viable 7 team league goes a long way towards respectability. Crowds follow their team when it is a short drive to an opposing teams arena. This builds rivalries, and interest in each community.
A 7 team league is ten times better than the 4 team league from a few years back.
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Post by mlh01 on May 13, 2015 17:33:24 GMT -5
Also, when I started this thread, with all the doom and gloom on this board, I didn't envision so many positive stories. Sounds like there are possibly 2,3,4 new teams in Saskatchewan/Manitoba. Plus these 2 new teams in Ontario.
Hopefully the start of greater pastures for Senior AAA from the low of 17 teams country wide.
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Post by wade on May 13, 2015 18:43:01 GMT -5
I really think it's wise to reserve judgment until the end of the upcoming season...at the earliest.
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Post by cowbellgal on May 13, 2015 18:54:19 GMT -5
Also another rumour that there might be an 8th team announced for the ACH League for the upcoming season.
A gentleman I was talking to Saturday at the Burlington Bandits IBL game told me the league may be expanding for the upcoming season so am so glad to hear it's true. As much as I never get tired of watching Brantford and Dundas play each other, it's great to see there will be more teams coming into it.
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Post by naitch2727 on May 14, 2015 10:37:53 GMT -5
This I know...the overall quality of the ACH will drop. As I have stated on this board before, I felt the league this past season took a dip. With Dundas, the Creek and Browntown already tripping over each other when trying to recruit talent...does not bode well for anyone with a new team in the Hammer. I believe all the teams will become younger and less ex-pros will be in the fold.
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Post by wade on May 14, 2015 10:53:56 GMT -5
This I know...the overall quality of the ACH will drop. As I have stated on this board before, I felt the league this past season took a dip. With Dundas, the Creek and Browntown already tripping over each other when trying to recruit talent...does not bode well for anyone with a new team in the Hammer. I believe all the teams will become younger and less ex-pros will be in the fold. The Hamilton group does have a very credible hockey guy running the show. Jason Daleo has an impressive resume. I must admit.
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Post by Sniper 81 on May 15, 2015 18:28:45 GMT -5
Agreed, there may be more ex pros due to the short commuting distance but the talent will be more diluted. The talent dropped off overall this past season due to retirements and teams competing for players.
What is the new team's home dates?
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Post by joe snugg on May 16, 2015 2:22:06 GMT -5
"now he wants to right the rules for ontarios new expansion project"
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Post by Don Robertson on May 24, 2015 17:44:20 GMT -5
Yikes. This is a very tolerant move on the part of the ACH. As I said a few weeks ago...I have a hard time trusting mass-expansion in the ACH...especially in such a seemingly hasty time frame. Will these expansion teams be automatically locked into SR AAA status for 2015-16? If I were an existing team in Brantford, Dundas or Whitby.. I think I would at least attempt to negotiate the idea that these teams would be tiered as "AA" for (only) the first year of operation. This would serve as a sort of "expansion fee" to enable the option of the 2016 ACH Champion having an affiliate player source while also ensuring the incoming teams won't be able to simply steal existing teams' players. Wade With all due respect these operators have been vetted by the League both have quality track records and it has taken great effort to get these locations, they will I'm sure be strong entiries and suggest you know better than suggest these guys pay a price to play at the AAA level based on the fact New Bruniswick really didn't even have a AAA team and others like Powel River who jump in and out whenever it suits them. The ACH now have the largest Sr AAA League in the Country and we are proud of that, 3 teams in one City 5 within an hour's drive it will take lots of work to be competitive but we'll give it a go and see how we do, I wish others would take such a leap of faith in the best interest of Sr AAA. With respect to the 2 new Franshises playing as AA do you really want the ACH having affialtes from within our own League, be careful what you wish for. Cheers Don Robertson
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Post by wade on May 25, 2015 12:50:26 GMT -5
Do I really want Affiliate Players available to ACH teams?
No. I'd like to see the rule abolished coast to coast.
Do I believe southern Ontario is capable of sustaining a league this size, where ALL teams are truly competing at an equal level with a legitimate chance to win most years?
Bahahahahaha. Of course not. The bottom end of the league, LAST YEAR, was composed of teams who would have a hard time convincing a trained eye of their legitimacy as SR AAA.
So, congratulations, you'll now have a two tier league being sold as a one tier league.
Don't mean to sound like a dink...but...I gotta call em straight up, folks.
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