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Post by mlh01 on Apr 20, 2014 10:28:40 GMT -5
Posted in another thread but thought it best to start a new thread.
I read in a Niagara newspaper last summer that the Welland Whalers had applied to host a future Allan Cup - in 2016 or 2017.
Had a great time at this Cup. Senior hockey is growing in Ontaio (finally). With the hopeful addition of an Intermediate league, an Allan Cup, in the near future, in Southern Ontario would be great.
Hopeful someone from Welland or the OHA can comment.
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Post by Miffer on Apr 20, 2014 11:17:24 GMT -5
Gee I hope the they do not call it intermediate. I think it should be Senior AA.
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Post by enogca on Apr 20, 2014 11:30:03 GMT -5
I heard rumours as well during one of the games of the Allan Cup that Welland wanted to host it. That would be a real boost for sr hockey in that city.
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 20, 2014 13:02:11 GMT -5
Intermediate and Senior AA are the same thing. Senior AA has an age limit (you must be 20-25 with an allowance to play til 30...not sure who qualifies for this exemption).
In Ontario especially, with all the ex-pros who play Senior AAA, it is very hard for players to make the jump from Jr B or Tier 2 Jr A. Even can be intimidating for players who are only 19 coming from Major Jr.
The Senior AA loop will give these players a chance to continue playing at a high level. Many now quit playing altogether or join men's leagues.
Again, with this new loop, and added interest, hopefully Hockey Canada will see this and S. Ontario (ie Welland) can stage an Allan Cup sooner than 5 years from now.
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Post by Western Guy on Apr 20, 2014 13:38:19 GMT -5
Intermediate and Senior AA are the same thing. Senior AA has an age limit (you must be 20-25 with an allowance to play til 30...not sure who qualifies for this exemption). In Ontario especially, with all the ex-pros who play Senior AAA, it is very hard for players to make the jump from Jr B or Tier 2 Jr A. Even can be intimidating for players who are only 19 coming from Major Jr. The Senior AA loop will give these players a chance to continue playing at a high level. Many now quit playing altogether or join men's leagues. Again, with this new loop, and added interest, hopefully Hockey Canada will see this and S. Ontario (ie Welland) can stage an Allan Cup sooner than 5 years from now. In all parts of Canada Senior A or AA or AAA in just Senior Hockey. If Ontario has created something different, that's not true elsewhere. As far as the AC coming to Ontario or Welland before 5 years - Dream On. The Allan Cup is given to all the Zones in Canada in rotation. So Next year is Nfld followed by Manitoba, BC, Northern Ontario (Kenora), Saskatchewan and Alberta. So actually 7 years before a Southern Ontario repeat and then it's up to the Southern Ontario Senior Hockey Rep to decide who will host. Most teams submit their Hosting Plan and then a decision is made, often influenced by the teams who have been around the longest. Should Welland still exist then - you might have an outside chance. Don't mean to dash your hopes but every region wants to host the AC and traditionally the AC has been rotated across the country equally. In fact the break from protocol was allowing the Nfld federation to break the cycle and host after only being back in the AAA loop 4 years but of course they had last competed in 2007 but it has been 10 or 11 years since the AC was hosted in the East at St Johns New Brunswick. And again a break in protocol was made as the pitch was made for Nfld only and not the rest of the East Coast. However stay tuned for the crazy things that can happen if a PEI or NB or Nova Scotia team declares AAA. Nfld won't get the second bye as they would have to play an Eastern team for that right for the second seat. Of course if Quebec decides to jump in, the situation just get a little nuttier.
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Post by wade on Apr 20, 2014 13:42:32 GMT -5
SR AA doesn't have an age limit.
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 20, 2014 13:48:07 GMT -5
Actually not completely true. The cost of hosting an Allan Cup is approx $300k. The host team must provide this guarantee. Teams such as Nfld and Bentley were forwarded $35k each to help with travel expenses.
This is beyond many centres'/provinces ability. Ontario has hosted in 2001, 2003, 2008 and 2014. 4 times in 13 tournies + Kenora a few years back.
Hearing a few provinces may take a pass.
Hopefully someone from Hockey Canada can provide some insight. Heard Manitoba "may" host 2016. Any word after that?
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Post by wade on Apr 20, 2014 13:51:22 GMT -5
I believe Doug is waiting for a notification from Hockey Canada in regards to the 2016 AC.
Can't remember where/when I read it...but...he said he would hear back in May.
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 20, 2014 13:55:29 GMT -5
SR AA doesn't have an age limit. Yes, sorry should have clarified. In Ontario, it will be classified as "Intermediate". Will be equivalent to Senior AA. These teams will affiliate with AAA teams, thus allowing more players to play Senior hockey. Ultimately will be awesome for teams in this area. We have 8 Major Jr A teams within a one hour driving distance of Dundas/Brantford/Stoney Creek. And about 30+ Tier 2 Jr A and Jr B teams. Will help with the Senior teams depth an development. Here is the link to the OHA page: www.oha.pointstreaksites.com/view/oha/members-only/intermediate-hockey
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Post by wade on Apr 20, 2014 14:25:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the link.
Any teams yet?
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Post by mlh01 on Apr 20, 2014 15:30:47 GMT -5
Heard there is interest from about 6 centres...a few in the Niagara region. Haven't heard anything official from any contacts in the OHA if any have filed applications.
Again would be great for Senior hockey, especially the age limit. Allows for 20-25 year olds to continue after junior. And is also great for the small centres.
Currently, we have an "outlaw" league in Southwestern Ontario - 16 teams I think. Many former AAA centres play in this loop - Petrolia, Aylmer to name a few who have been to the Allan Cup in the past. It is classified as AA but not recognized or governed by the OHA.
The hope is some of those teams may join the new "recognized" league. Would love to see the old Petrolia Squires back. Maybe they'd declare AAA again some day.
Is there anything like this in Alberta Wade? Intermediate?
I've been on your Senior AA website and as you mentioned it is open to all ages above Junior.
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Post by wade on Apr 20, 2014 15:47:32 GMT -5
Alberta had some Intermediate Leagues 25 years ago...but...most of our SR AA hockey is serving that age bracket & purpose these days.
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Post by Doug Mathieson on Apr 20, 2014 21:43:48 GMT -5
I believe Doug is waiting for a notification from Hockey Canada in regards to the 2016 AC. Can't remember where/when I read it...but...he said he would hear back in May. I was told by Hockey Canada that the 2016 Host Branch would be decide at their next General Meeting. It would be then August until the host city would be announced It would be logical to assume that it will be Manitoba but nothing is written in stone Even if 7 years pass and it is Southern Ontario's turn Welland would not be even a lock as Whitby with their Allan Cup history would be a consideration if they wanted it Just woke up after 18 hours sleep and going back to updates for my missing photo pages while watching the Kings Sharks
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Post by jimc on Apr 20, 2014 23:28:23 GMT -5
The ON sr AA league will get together and promote a single host for the AC next time it is offered...and it won't be 7 years...not every federation can come up with a willing or suitable candidate on their year, so they get skipped...ON has hosted three times now in 11 years, as an example. 2 in Dundas and one in Brantford.
If Welland want it, and are an acceptable candidate, the ACH will get behind it.
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Post by jimc on Apr 20, 2014 23:29:41 GMT -5
would the Hardy Cup return with the new Intermediate loop?
I find it had to believe there are enough operators out there who want to be involved in intermediate hockey, when it is hard enough to find Sr AAA operators.
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