Are you tired of all of these updates relating to the mess that junior hockey has become on the United States Eastern Coast?
Issues relating to the USPHL, EJHL, AJHL, Met, and Empire junior hockey leagues are said to be nearly resolved from top to bottom. Nearly resolved being the key phrase.
TJHN sources are reporting that at least one more meeting will be needed this week to make sure that all league reorganizations, and recertifications have been completed properly and according to agreements reached between the leagues.
Sources are informing TJHN that rebranding for the EJHL-AJHL league and the new version of the Metropolitan league are also under discussion. Such rebranding may include changing of league names and initials. Wise to choose a rebranding at this time? Will it add to more confusion in the marketplace?
With USA Hockeys Annual Meeting slated to begin next week, these groups on the East Coast are running out of time to get their plans together. More importantly they are running out of time to secure players within their own traditional footprints. Parents and players are still refusing to sign Tier III contracts in many of these leagues and many are choosing the Minnesota Junior Hockey League and the NA3HL as more secure options for their Tier III dollars.
The long rumored NAHL East now appears to be dead on arrival. Sources are informing TJHN that although agreements had been reached with five member teams, that the NAHL was unable to push agreements through USA Hockey. Many are saying that had the other east coast problems not come about that the NAHL East would have happened. The initiative could be revived for the 2014-2015 season.
