GMHL helping deteriorate midget minor hockey

Kevin, I would think it more offensive to the sensibilities for anyone to believe signing up in a hockey program which, for no particular reason other than marketing purposes, and certainly with no credible evidence, purports itself as Junior A.
Observing hockey as you have from the dad’s seat for 24 years ought to tell you one thing —  that there’s not enough players out there to fill a 36-team league such as the Provincial Jr. A Hockey League, much less three other Tier II leagues in the province.
Easily, at least half of the current teams in the Provincial league could fall through the ice and the quality of the league would be vastly improved to a level approaching what Junior A should be.
Somebody once may have declared it open season for every hockey nut with a few bucks to start up a junior hockey team in every burg in the land, but I do get the idea that starting up a league and putting a misleading label on it is as ludicrous.
On another note, how difficult is it to see that the GMHL is helping deteriorate the midget level of minor hockey? How can it not since it focuses on the very players who should be playing at that level. Perhaps too many people may blinded by the reality that it is a business playing on the gullibility of a hockey public willing to cut a check for their kids to play hockey at the ‘junior level’. That is a market which seems to know no bounds.
Call it super-midget. Call it midget-plus. Please don’t call it Junior A.

Comments

[Kevin]

John,

Have you attended a GMHL game?
Have you watched the Bramalea Blues this season?

I ask this to help me understand your position and the foundation for your opinion.
Call it what you may but it's Super Junior "A" compared to the team mentioned above.

I have a little story that will illustrate by comparison why my son is playing GMHL Vs Provincial Junior "A". It has nothing to do with his ability or playing level.
My son was not taken on this provincial team even though he was statistically in sixth position of twenty four forwards that were entered into a junior summer league. I was told very directly by the team owner that 23 of the 40 players skating would make the team. If they took only the top 12 forwards, mathematics would have ensured him a spot. Modestly he was a top ten forward of the players trying out and yet they didn’t take him.

Bad attitude – no he’s very hard working, shy by nature but takes direction well.
Not big enough – no he’s 6’ tall and 175 lbs of muscle with good hockey understanding.
Statistically not producing – no he had 7 points in 9 games

Then why? I ask myself.

Could it be the two or three politically placed kids? – Almost certainly
Could it be monetary (deep pocketed parents)? – Almost certainly.

When all was said and done the owner announced a fee requirement of $6000.00 per player. Call me crazy, but he should have mentioned that up front.

With regards to midget (he is age eligible) I don’t want to relive that GTHL horror story.

I’ll put that one on the shelf beside the others.

He skated with and against midget and juvenile “AAA” as well as junior “C” teams.
They all wanted him but it was just below his level.

Now, if he’s stronger than most of the current Provincial Junior “A’ Bramalea Blues. And by definition you consider this to be junior “A” – then his current team is indeed Super Junior “A”.

Regards,

Kevin Høecke

Go Rams

You should see a game as I suspect you haven't.

[Mark Goddard]

John,

Not to sound blunt but who made you the know it all in hockey? Did you ever play? Ever coached? Ever scouted for a team?

Maybe you have maybe you have not, but my father and I have been providing players to the US Colleges for over twenty years, and most are now in the NHL or minor leagues after a successful college tenure. I also have personal friends that are involved in Provincial teams and they always abide by the rules set forth by the league, but have stated they wish they had enough courage to start up a league similar to the GMHL, so that they would not have to play the teams that struggle in their league.

Why do you think that Hockey Canada and the GTHL are so against our league?

I can give you my opinion be right or wrong it is based on conversations with people involved but are afraid to lose their high salaried job for their respective opinions. They find that the system that is in place now is not set for the development of children and the skills it takes to move on, but instead for the object of winning at all cost. They put the trophy aheaqd of the child and that is one of the reasons for the startup of the GMHL.

Most kids nowadays don't receive the proper guidance and teaching for them to develop to go on to the next level and possibly receive scholarships or pro contracts.

As far as midget hockey most teams do not have midget age players on them and if they do it is due to the fact that they chose to come to the league instead of going to a coach they didn't like or a team that they thought wouldn't be suitable for them to get better.

Now that I have said what I have to say, every individual can base their own opinions.

Thanks,

Mark Goddard
Head Coach/GM
Richmond Hill Rams Hockey Club-GMHL

[CHNB Correspondent]

I agree with you 100%. I suggest you visit my blog. It is stealing players from the minor hockey. If players are good what is wrong with allowing them to play at the Midget AAA level? Nothing. If they're good they will get notice. The cream always rises to the top.

[Louismq]

well done, dude

[steve]

richmondhill rams suck..gmhl is a joke my friends play there and if u hinestly think u can compared the gmhl to provincial leagues u clearly havent played since u were a kid..the bramlea bulls would stomp ur kids team and it would be hilarious drop the act

[Joe]

the richmond hill rams or ontario lightning rams that they are now are absolutey terrible and wouldnt beat most midget AAA teams out there i know of a few kids on the team who got cut from out highschool team made up of AAA and AA players and they go on to say the play "jr. a" when any ojhl team would simply dominate them.

[fan]

gmhl is a joke...all ojhl, gojhl and jr c teams would embarass gmhl teams...how can they be allowed to call themselves jr A?

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