Let the countdown begin folks. The over/under is twenty six, and we now have our first corpse of the 2016-2017 season!
The Erin Shamrocks of the Georgian Bay Junior Hockey League are, ummmmmm taking a year off. Wink Wink Nudge Nudge.
In case you don’t have a calendar, or just in case you are getting this news via smoke signal or carved on a stone tablet because you live in a cave. The recruiting season is only just in full swing for 2016-2017. For teams to start folding, or “going dark” now means there is a lot more going on.
Yeah well, it turns out recruiting players to the Shamrocks may just be part of the issue. You know, having a less than inspiring 14-23-3 record last season isn’t a strong base to work from but it sure isn’t a franchise killer.
Lack of players though, that might do you in. Lack of financial support might do you in too. Ohhhhhh snap, you think all the expansion taking place again this year might have something to do with players and money? No way!
You know I wonder who it was that said, lower level junior programs and midget programs are going to be the ones who pay for all the over expansion?
This is an organization that has been around in its current form since 1992 kids! Almost twenty five years going down the tubes with yesterdays breakfast! If you don’t think this is a travesty you don’t know hockey. This team actually dates back to 1971 through its name and league changes over the years! Forty Five Years!
Yep, lets have more expansion kids. Lets allow leagues to self determine and self label themselves Junior A. Awesome idea. Lets continue to market ourselves as something we are not simply in order to get kids to believe we are a higher level based on the label we give ourselves.
Just think, if we can continue to do this we can kill off all the old time franchises! We can get all these parents and players sucked into paying us for our substandard product with no tradition! Yep, now that sounds like a business plan!
So, may the Erin Shamrocks rest in peace. The resurrection for 2017 will require a miracle. We will zip up the body bag now and fill the hole with all the tradition that 45 years brings a franchise and cover the hole with dirt. Not to worry though, the Angel of Death will stay on the trail of your killers and pluck them off one by one.
David Wagner – The Angel Of Death – For Those Who Live Stupidly I salute You
*The Death Pool is a mix of comedy, and satire in connection with recent events. It is not an official report of current events although it may look as though the news is so accurate that it could one day happen or may be happening
