The Minnesota Junior Hockey League Commissioner has voiced an objection to the twelve teams who want to leave for the USPHL. The only problem with his objection is that there was no MNJHL member vote authorizing his objection.
The objection is based upon the teams who want to leave allegedly signing a “letter of intent” to play in the MNJHL next season.
That letter however is not a binding agreement because if they decide to leave each team simply forfeits the $2000 deposit made.
Complicating the issue of the letter of intent is that no team submitted the letter of intent within the timeline prescribed under the MNJHL Policy and Procedure. The Commissioner, without having the authorization to change Policy and Procedure extended the deadline to submit the letter of intent. Policy and Procedure states that the Commissioner can not change Policy and Procedure without a league vote to do so.
If you follow this, because any alleged letter of intent was not submitted on time, and the deadline to submit was not legally extended, all teams letters are not binding and they are essentially void.
The MNJHL Policy and Procedure clearly states;
“c) Teams who fail to meet the October 15 requirements shall be deemed to have defaulted and their affiliation shall be considered withdrawn as of October 16 unless a request for temporary withdrawal has been approved.”
Under the MNJHL rules, all teams who are looking to join the USPHL are not members of the MNJHL for the 2015-2016 season, and by virtue of missing the October 15 deadline, automatically withdrew their MNJHL membership.
Further complicating the matter is the Commissioners lack of authorization to voice an objection. The Commissioner can not arbitrarily voice an official league position without taking a league vote to support that position. No such vote was taken, and therefore the objection is “out of order”
The politics being played at the Tier III caucus concerning this matter are dangerous.
TJHN will update this story as it develops.
