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Post by IceMan_M on May 27, 2019 23:28:03 GMT -5
This just got posted on the Innisfail Eagles Facebook.
Wonder if there’s truth behind it.
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Post by IceMan_M on May 27, 2019 23:35:19 GMT -5
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Post by upperupperdeck on May 28, 2019 1:08:29 GMT -5
The witch is dead The witch is dead Hi Ho the witch is dead. Yes unfortunately the Bentley Generals have ceased operations. I guess there Pay roll has finally caught up to them. Many of the reasons for the folding was that GM Jeff McInnis could not get the Hockey Canada, and Hockey Alberta offices moved to Lacombe so they could change all the rules in there favour for them to go to the Allan Cup every year. Ah it’s to bad the 1000$ a Gm Goalie (Weimer) has no place to play next year. The City of Lacombe is also thrilled at the announcement as they just Flushed out many Millions of dollars to upgrade there Arena so to accomadate the Generals. Sound familiar Bentley. Brand new dressing rooms, upgraded lobby. Oh and a brand new 700,000$ Dressing Room for the mitey Generals. Ah what a great 2yrs it was in Lacombe. At least now Lacombe Minor Hockey can practice at there Arena in Lacombe instead of Practicing in Sylvan, Bentley and Blackfalds. Also Thx Jeff for your letter to the League President stating if they would have been around 5 or 10 yrs ago they (Lacombe) would never be in this situation of having to cease operations. It has nothing to do with all the Teams in the past that you have steam rolled over that are no longer franchises in the league. Weather it was the old Chinook League or the ACHW or they have moved to other leagues. I hope for the people of Lacombe you guys get a AJHL team in your great city so that your not without good honest Hockey for long. I’m sry you had to put up with the Generals.
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Post by pucker on May 28, 2019 12:38:02 GMT -5
Upper deck, that is all nonsense, there is a clinic you can call for your jealousy problem. Wow, who looks like a unconfident little person now with comments like that. Personally, I have no idea if it's true or not, but it's looking that way. It's horrible to be losing another league in the AAA hockey system, obviously there's a problem somewhere.
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Post by wade on May 28, 2019 13:16:20 GMT -5
Pretty clear where the problem starts when you’ve got teams cheering the loss of other teams.
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Post by IceMan_M on May 29, 2019 0:39:11 GMT -5
Pretty clear where the problem starts when you’ve got teams cheering the loss of other teams. Whomever could you mean.... saw that post. Some choice words from the Eagles brass.
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Post by southoftheborder on May 29, 2019 3:37:17 GMT -5
The two remaining teams in the league (Innisfail and Stony Plain) are apparently both trying to join the North Central League for the season and at least Innisfail will try to qualify for the Allan Cup as an independent. Innifail's GM is thinking it is 50-50 is the league will accept them as their is the perception that Senior AAA players are being paid to play and the games won't be very competitive score-wise. After dropping out from ACHW last season, Fort Sask was mentioned as playing in the NCHL for 2019-20 (likely registering as Senior AA).
Stony Plain tweeting out the following Tuesday afternoon:
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Post by southoftheborder on May 29, 2019 3:48:34 GMT -5
Pretty clear where the problem starts when you’ve got teams cheering the loss of other teams. Whomever could you mean.... saw that post. Some choice words from the Eagles brass. The whole system is broken and Hockey Canada has ignored senior hockey for years. When you lose a healthy team within a month or two of hosting and winning the Allan Cup there is something seriously wrong with the system. TSN broadcasting the Allan Cup final on a three hour delay is a pretty good indication that even the broadcasters don't care about it either.
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Post by jimc on Jun 19, 2019 10:06:15 GMT -5
whatever became of the mighty generals?
This is most certainly a black eye that will tarnish their 'legacy'
I thought ACHW was the be all and end all league for Sr Hockey?
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Post by IceMan_M on Jun 21, 2019 9:03:19 GMT -5
The two Eagles will still keep the league running as a two league team this season with the idea of expanding the following year.
Also, the Eckville Eagles are looking to move to Lacombe and they are inquiring about taking the Generals name as well.
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Post by wade on Jun 21, 2019 22:20:51 GMT -5
whatever became of the mighty generals? This is most certainly a black eye that will tarnish their 'legacy' I thought ACHW was the be all and end all league for Sr Hockey? They didn’t fold the team. The chose not to continue to compete due to an obvious & embarrassing shortage of teams both in Alberta & across Canada.
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Post by jimc on Jul 16, 2019 9:16:36 GMT -5
um...ya...sure
the 'embarrassing shortage of teams they are helping to be responsible for. Not buying that load.
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Post by wade on Jul 16, 2019 13:15:27 GMT -5
um...ya...sure the 'embarrassing shortage of teams they are helping to be responsible for. Not buying that load.[/quote For several years (even decades) PRIOR TO the Bentley Generals registering for SR AAA, Alberta didn’t have more than TWO SR AAA teams. In fact, for most of the 90’s, interest in SR AAA was virtually non-existant. So thin that Stony Plain played a year of exhibition games against ACAC college teams just so they could keep their AAA focus alive. It was only when the Bentley/Stony rivalry began to catch fire that any sustained legitimacy took shape in Alberta. Around the same time the 1-2 teams in BC continued to barely hang on and (unfortunately) NEVER built a league or even a perennial rivalry anywhere. Same thing for SK & MB. The Gens’ played an undeniable & instrumental role in helping restore passion, competition & appreciation for SR AAA. As they got stronger...yes...it got much tougher to compete with them. But I said it...time & time again....SR AAA needed leadership in order to keep going. For 15 years...we had a crown jewel franchise and never got to a point where we could ever distinguish any direction or governance from Hockey Canada. The teams that folded...aren’t the fault of the Gens. And the teams that never happened in the first place aren’t the fault of The Army either. So, whose fault is it? I personally don’t see how ANYONE can exclusively have blame laid at the feet. From day one...SR AAA was a difficult patient to operate on & although we often discussed different solutions to different problems....*NOBODY*...ever TRULY came up with something that WORKED. Ohhhh sure...we had ideas. We had experiments. But I still say...the wheels never turned fast enough to keep up with increasing costs & challenges. Often times, the wheels never turned at all or when they did turn...we had nobody steering the machine. Directionless. In fact. And hypothetically...had the Bentley Generals folded...say...5...or...10 years ago...Allan Cup would have died an even faster death than it has.
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Post by jimc on Jul 24, 2019 9:42:14 GMT -5
but I thought that league was the be all and end all of Sr hockey??
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Post by wade on Jul 24, 2019 21:40:24 GMT -5
but I thought that league was the be all and end all of Sr hockey?? I haven’t said anything along those lines for a few years now. In fact, nobody has been more pessimistic about SR AAA...anywhere...Be it the ACHW or anywhere else...than this guy. And if you think the Ontario League isn’t a year or two away from being in the same boat...think again. Bottom Line has been the same for a few years now...-and I’m the one telling you...- This thing is DEAD. DONE. KAPUT. Start fresh with an entirely new concept & brand.
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