The CH1L: A junior hockey concept that has been proposed and discussed on line and in dark corners, for the last three seasons.
Until now that was about all anyone could say about the CH1L.
Until recently, the CH1L was nothing but some ideas of what could be, and what some thought might be good for junior hockey. The idea consisted of increased import players competing in a “free to play” league. The league would look to obtain leases in former minor professional markets, largely in non-traditional southern markets. In theory the league could attract some of the world’s top players and would attempt to compete directly with the USHL and NAHL.
Whether the CH1L ever actually takes the ice as a league is up for debate, but TJHN has learned that the www.ch1l.com is now owned by Mike Messer. Mike Messer is also the Owner of the WSHL’s Tulsa Oilers Junior Hockey team. Messer is also the Owner of Messer Construction, a very successful company based in Tulsa working in the Commercial and Residential building industry for more than 30 years.
Recently TJHN sources are reporting that meetings have been taking place with various groups including people with experience in the Central Hockey League, Western Professional Hockey League and allegedly the WSHL.
Rick Kozuback current President of Global Entertainment, former owner of the CHL, is said to be involved in the group looking to start the “CH1L”. Current and former CHL markets are allegedly being targeted for the potential start-up. This would make sense considering Kozuback’s experience in these markets.
According to the CHL website:
“Rick Kozuback was the original President and one of the founders of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) in 1996. Kozuback has been in the hockey industry for more than three decades playing Canadian Junior Hockey and then moving on to coach and manage various teams including the Head Coach and General Manager of the Tri-Cities Americans of the Western Hockey League for two seasons and the Associate Coach of the Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League and farm team to the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings during the 1993-94 season. From 1982-86, Kozuback was Owner, General Manager and Head Coach of the Penticton Knights Junior A Hockey team guiding them to the Canadian Championship in 1985-86. In May of 2001, Kozuback served as a key player in the joining of the WPHL and the CHL into one league operating as the Central Hockey League. Each year, the Rick Kozuback Award is given to a CHL owner, front office member, coach or player for showing qualities of perseverance, endurance and commitment towards the league and the sport. ”
TJHN sources are also stating that the league would look toward AAU for sanctioning, while allegedly partnering with the WSHL for player development.
While Kozuback certainly would bring a high level of experience, and Messer would also bring experience and a link to the WSHL, many questions and concerns would remain.
While in its “heyday”, the CHL was a very strong minor professional loop. Most would say that its downfall has been in its business approach of finding locations for team placement before finding owners that actually wanted teams. TJHN sources are reporting that this is the same process being used for the alleged CH1L project.
TJHN sources are also reporting franchise fee’s for the CH1L are in the $100,000.00 range. While on its face, that would not be expensive for a high level junior franchise, what would you really be purchasing? As of now there is no league, so where would the money go?
While players would likely welcome another “free to play” junior hockey league option, recruiting players ready to compete at a USHL or Major Junior level would take time. Time and a significant investment of capital in scouting during the 2013-2014 season if the CH1L would hope to get off the ground for the 2014-2015 season.
The “Field of Dreams” approach to building a league or team does not work. The days of simply hanging your shingle that you’re open for business and expecting players to come are long over. Players and parents are skeptical these days, particularly with new teams and leagues, and rightly so.
The idea that people with experience in the development of minor pro players and Tier III organizations will automatically equate to success does not hold water.
Recent years have proven that the transition from minor pro to junior is not always an easy one, and it is not always succesful. There is a big difference in recruiting players that are already developed from College Hockey and Junior Hockey, and recruiting prospects that can develop into College and Professional players.
If the CH1L does get off the ground, the battle for player talent will rise to a previously unknown level.
If sources are correct, the CH1L will not require a billet fee from players as well as no tuition. This will pressure all Tier II leagues in North America. With increased import limits, the Canadian and European players will surely take a look at this league.
Would the CH1L actually rival the USHL or Major Junior hockey? Its not likely to happen over night, but over the course of time it could become a direct competitor for top end talent around the world.
The questions remain though;
Will it happen? Do they have owners? Can they make it work in markets where minor pro did not? Will teams currently in other leagues make the jump?
Time is running out on the would be CH1L. After all the talk over the course of the last few years, many have forgotten the idea even exists. As time passes it becomes less likely the CH1L gets off the ground. Every day that passes makes sucess less likely than the day before.
