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Post by southoftheborder on Oct 25, 2019 7:08:21 GMT -5
Anyone following what is going on in Newfoundland this year?
The game at the senior level in the province is on life-support and Hockey Canada may indirectly pull the plug. A decision was announced that Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador will not recognize the East Coast League for this year as a five team league due to the league members not letting Harbour Grace Cee Bee Stars join the league (with on-going accusations of the team paying players in the past). The league has pushed back opening weekend back a few weeks pending the result of the appeal and several teams could pull out of playing this year possibly collapsing the league.
The Central/West League has two teams and they are getting sick of seeing one another and are having a hard time keeping the interest level up among fans.
The West Coast League is supposed to have four teams but two of the teams are having problems recruiting players and the league may fold completely if one or both of the teams fold.
The only league that appears to be major issue free is the intermediate level Central Newfoundland League.
With the way three of the leagues are going it is more and more appearing that senior level hockey may soon be gone unless someone comes up with a better idea for a setup for the leagues or some concessions are made by all parties involved.
Too bad 120 years of tradition going down the tubes.
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Post by mlh01 on Oct 29, 2019 21:18:58 GMT -5
The appeal by the East Coast Senioir Hockey League was denied today. Hockey will continue at the Senior level but just not sure how each league will be structured.
The ECSHL will have to make some decisions - ie do they let the Conception Bay CeeBees into their league? Or do the CeeBees join the Central west League? They, along with Clarenville Caribous potentially would join Grand Falls and Gander. Otherwise there may be no CWSHL.
The only league confirmed is the 3 team West Coast League consisting of Cornerbrook, Port au Basques and Deer Lake.
Ultimately Hockey Newfoundland would like a province wide league. The East Coast teams around St Johns disapprove of that scenario as the belief is the West Central teams like Grand Falls and Gander (along with Clarenville) pay their players too much. And the CerBees are accused of being the worst offenders. They wanted to join the East Coast League. The East Coast teams feel they cannot compete if Conception Bay is allowed in their league.
Lots of drama.
My suggestion is they form one league with a few levels. Similar to soccer overseas. This would allow teams to declare AAA and shoot for an Allan Cup. If not you play at the AA level. This would allow some teams to play at the higher level but still play teams in a league. You could have crossover games should only a few teams declare AAA. This would ensure Senior hockey continues at all levels - AAA and AA.
The old Senior League east of Toronto where Whitby played had AAA and AA in the same league.
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Post by naitch on Oct 30, 2019 9:55:35 GMT -5
The appeal by the East Coast Senioir Hockey League was denied today. Hockey will continue at the Senior level but just not sure how each league will be structured. The ECSHL will have to make some decisions - ie do they let the Conception Bay CeeBees into their league? Or do the CeeBees join the Central west League? They, along with Clarenville Caribous potentially would join Grand Falls and Gander. Otherwise there may be no CWSHL. The only league confirmed is the 3 team West Coast League consisting of Cornerbrook, Port au Basques and Deer Lake. Ultimately Hockey Newfoundland would like a province wide league. The East Coast teams around St Johns disapprove of that scenario as the belief is the West Central teams like Grand Falls and Gander (along with Clarenville) pay their players too much. And the CerBees are accused of being the worst offenders. They wanted to join the East Coast League. The East Coast teams feel they cannot compete if Conception Bay is allowed in their league. Lots of drama. My suggestion is they form one league with a few levels. Similar to soccer overseas. This would allow teams to declare AAA and shoot for an Allan Cup. If not you play at the AA level. This would allow some teams to play at the higher level but still play teams in a league. You could have crossover games should only a few teams declare AAA. This would ensure Senior hockey continues at all levels - AAA and AA. The old Senior League east of Toronto where Whitby played had AAA and AA in the same league. No way...i'm in complete shock. Senior teams pay players? I can't believe it.
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Post by Scooter on Nov 22, 2019 12:25:17 GMT -5
According to the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts Twitter feed, there will be no senior hockey in Grand Falls-Windsor this winter.
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Post by catsfan200 on Nov 29, 2019 21:19:34 GMT -5
And now they are back again.
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