Over the last few week, I have been spending much of the time on the road scouting camps, and games. I spend a lot of time in Ontario two week ago, and now I have traveled from the east coast and the OJHL showcase to Blaine Minnesota for the NAHL showcase.
You see some many thing on the road. So much good player, and so many great organization doing all they can for the player while still trying to win game for the fan. It is what the game is all about. When you take out the money, and the business, you still left with a game that is the teaching vehicle. That is the core of the game.
Until two year ago, I had no idea what Tier III hockey, or pay to play hockey is. I found it strange in its idea having player pay. But I see expenses rise, and I find it acceptable if it create more opportunity for player.
Since then, I have paid more attention to the goings on of the level. I have gotten to know the leagues, and some of the players. There are some really good player at this level who should be at higher levels to be sure. I have been surprised by how many good organization I have found. This is because the organization respect the core value of junior hockey, and recognize it as the vehicle to help and develop young people.
The last two week though, I read TJHN and my friend David Wagner. He is the very funny young man who often report the bad or sad news. So I say to myself, I must look at some of these team who listed in Death Watch.
I am sad to say, some of these team are such the embarrassment to hockey that they are disrespecting the game by calling themself junior hockey team. It is disgusting to me and should offend any true hockey professional.
When team play with 8, 9, 10, or 12 player, it is not junior hockey! It is a money grabbing punch line to the bad joke.
I could not believe my eye when I see a team actually try to play with 8 player and 2 goalie! Who allow this to happen?!
Who allow the player who after the loss go to the pub and get drunk?! Who allow the player to walk into and out of the public area looking like homeless person in ripped jeans and backward hat?
I am sorry, but I actually watch two unsanction league game the last weekend. This is not junior hockey. These team are total embarrassment. They not even real team.
I will never go back, and have told all I know they should not go. This clearly only league designed to make league money, and owner will take any player who have his own gitch.
If you a player on team who do not have enough player, or if you a parent of such a player, what are you thinking? Are you so desperate to say you play junior hockey you willing to pay for anything? It is like buying dog food and calling it filet mignon!
If you on any team like this, anywhere, it is time to leave. You are playing for the team that does not care about you, and a league that does not care about the team. You are contributing to these people disrespecting the game and all that it stands for.
If you want to be respected as a player, respect the game. Don’t support those people who real hockey people don’t want in their life. There is the reason these team and league exist. It is because you let them, and you pay them. Stop, and they will disappear.
Coach
