Hey kids, what day is it? Huuuuuuuummmmmp Dayyyyyyy! Oh hell yeah, I just love that Camel in that commercial. 15 minutes can save you 15% or more on Geico. Its amazing how you can remember that good old brand marketing. Commercials are such a great sales tool aren’t they? I mean really, how much junk have you tried in your life after seeing some catchy commercial?
Well kids, some Tier III hockey is all about Branding, Marketing and selling the product. The question you have to ask yourself before you jump on another catchy commercial is “What am I buying?”.
Am I picking on Tier III a little? Yeah, maybe some people will think I am, but hey, its the only level of Junior Hockey that tries to brand and market itself based on illusions. Its the only level that feeds on the dreams of many players and parents who shouldn’t even be playing junior hockey simply to collect a paycheck.
So lets congratulate the NSHL on becoming the NA3EHL in the hope of being able to capitalize on the great marketing machine. Lets tap the sticks for the AWHL while we’re at it.
The NA3HL is the best Tier III Marketing and Branding machine in the country. Make no mistake about it kids, they know what they are doing. The results are there. They are big, and their teams are full of players. As a business they are doing a great job, and hockey is a business.
Other leagues do a pretty good job of Marketing and Branding as well. Each leagues approach is just a little bit different.
The USPHL has multiple levels much more in line with the old A, B and C junior labels. It works for them. Add in their U-18 and U-16 programs and they have a development model you can go through Midget and Junior.
The WSHL markets themselves as a development league for any other higher level league. It works for some of those teams very well.
The MNJHL markets themselves as a NCAA D-3 development league for the most part, and some teams do an fantastic job.
Other leagues, have other ways of trying to attract players and keep chugging along.
But here’s the thing kids, league’s and any set of initials they may have do not get you moved on to higher levels of junior hockey or to College hockey.
As the boss says, there are good teams and bad teams in every league. Its the people within each individual team that get you moved along, not the league.
So when you talk about Marketing and Branding illusions what are you talking about Angel of Death? Good question kids.
I am talking about the hype. All the hype that parents and players thinks means something. All the blown up player promotion announcements.
Have you ever gone through these “promotions” and did a little research? Nahhhhhh of course you didn’t because you believe what some people tell you. And that’s just what weaker teams in leagues count on to fill their rosters and bank accounts. Weaker teams are counting on you suckers to assume success by affiliation.
“Geee Jenny, if their in this league they have to know what their doing, look what these other guys did.” “Okee doke John, and they sure wouldn’t say it if they couldn’t do it.” We got ourselves a BINGO boys! Ha Ha Ha
But hey, you know I spent a little time doing the research for you. Yeah, I know, you’ll send me some dead carnations later right?
Funny what I found though.
Can you believe that some Tier III teams would advertise college commitments that had nothing to do with playing college hockey?
Can you believe that some teams listed some players in their college promotions list that have never gone on to play a single game of college hockey? Shocking isn’t it? Ha Ha Ha Yeah right.
Can you believe that some teams announce promotions up without following up and saying the player never played a game at the higher level?
How about leagues talking about college commitments where players are not getting a single dime of athletic scholarship money? Or, maybe a coach that raves about promotions when the player didn’t play a single game for them?
O hell yeah kids. That’s called marketing. Commonly referred to in the marketing industry as bullshit.
So hey, the next time you find yourself falling for the marketing, how about you do yourself a favor and do some research. There are good teams and bad teams in every league, and a league name or set of initials doesn’t mean anything.
People, not leagues, develop and move players on. Don’t be sold on a league and their marketing. Be sold on people who can prove they have done it before.
Will it ever end? Not a chance. Not until you actually start doing research.
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.
