Multiple sources are reporting that the USA Hockey Junior Council met multiple times over the last few days to discus many issues. Among the issues under consideration were multiple junior hockey expansion applications.
The long rumored absorption of the AAU Mid West Junior Hockey League into the Great Lakes Division of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League was a non issue. The move was not presented to the Junior Council after the MWJHL informed the MNJHL that they were proceeding with AAU.
The AAU machine appears to be picking up steam once again as many well placed hockey people are looking to change how some things are being done. TJHN has been made aware of multiple leagues may be looking to come together under the AAU umbrella and have multiple levels of both Junior and Midget AAA hockey for next season. More on that story next week.
The MNJHL was reportedly able to add one franchise in Ironwood Michigan located in the upper peninsula. Three other independent MNJHL expansion applications in the Detroit Michigan area were denied based upon objections from existing operators in the area and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association.
Alpena Michigan had applied for membership to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. That application was denied.
The NA3HL reportedly withdrew multiple expansion applications based upon ownership not being prepared to move forward.
Multiple Tier III relocation applications were tabled for a later discussion in order to provide time for USAH affiliate members to provide their opinions on the relocations.
Information is still trickling in at this time and TJHN will update this story as more information becomes available.
