Much adieu is being made on another website about the AAU – UHU foray into the Free To Play market in 2017. All that speculation on the other site is just that, speculation. In fact some of what is being discussed is such absolute nonsense that its unbelievable to see in writing.
Lets be clear, AAU and UHU are NOT USA Hockey. Therefore, any “standards” quoted for any Tier I teams or leagues that were written by USA Hockey DO NOT APPLY. Anyone paying any attention to that kind of speculation would probably believe that Burger King has to comply with McDonalds standards in order to open a business.
The beauty about free enterprise and competition in the United States is that no one has to comply with what their competitor thinks the standard should be.
Why wouldn’t these owners who are striking out on their own simply join an existing league? That’s actually a good question with an even better answer.
Why would anyone pay to join a club when they can start their own club? If you are a home builder, and you own some property and want to build a second home on it, are you going to hire your competition to build it? No. You are going to use your own people. If you are a mechanic and can fix your own car, are you going to pay someone else to fix it?
Throwing the IIHF into the conversation is simply hilarious. Another governing body. Using the “rule” of Hockey Canada not allowing players to return to “sanctioned” programs as an example shows a complete lack of education on the subject.
The rule in Hockey Canada is for youth hockey players, and all a junior player has to do is write a letter to be re-instated. That’s in Canada though. In the United States, that would be called a tortious interference and an unfair business practice. USA Hockey would likely be stripped of any authority if it attempted to block another free enterprise from its legal operation within this country.
Does anyone really think the IIHF isn’t going to allow any of these young men the opportunity to play for their country? No. They have much larger fish to fry. Things like anti doping might keep them a little busy.
That kind of rule change would mean all NCAA hockey payers couldn’t participate in IIHF events. Since NCAA hockey is not under USA Hockey. Come to think of it NHL players couldn’t participate either since they are not under USA Hockey or Hockey Canada.
The problem with the kind of fear mongering on the other site is that there is zero basis of fact in which it is based. There are no rules being proposed.
The real heart of the matter is that the other site is upset they aren’t involved. They are upset their phone calls weren’t returned. They are upset that they can not try to influence a group of brave owners who are taking risks with their own money. They are upset that is was kept secret for months and they didn’t hear about it.
At TJHN we celebrate choice. We embrace brave and bold initiatives. Being bold, and having choice are two things our country was founded upon. In business, there is no innovation without competition. Innovation is never a bad thing.
Its alright to fear the future. I understand the fear of the unknown. But there should be no fear in this case because the competition has made an announcement and told the world its happening. There will be more news I am sure. When will it come? Well, the beauty of free enterprise is that its up to those people involved to decide when it comes and no one else. Another thing the competition doesn’t like.
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
