The USA Hockey Annual Winter meeting begins tomorrow, and as usual there have been battle lines drawn in the sands of Tier III markets.
The NA3HL decided to take over management of the NSHL this season and infringe on the USPHL territory. Now, the USPHL is absorbing most of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League, which is also in the middle of NA3HL Mid West territory. Prior to that the NA3HL moved in on the Minnesota League territory. So if you can follow all of that, you can see this is becoming a battle of who will eventually take over all of Tier III in the United States, the USPHL or the NA3HL.
The USPHL is expected to be adding a total of 16 teams in the Mid West. That is no small market share grab, and the USPHL brand is already being widely accepted based upon consumer comments received by TJHN.
Following that, the USPHL will begin to market itself differently. Gone will be the Premier, Elite, and Empire divisions. Now you will have USPHL Tier I, Tier II and Tier III. Following that, the USPHL will maintain their strong and growing youth teams in accordance with the USAH American Development Model.
Out of all of this, the Minnesota Junior League is expected to continue on its own as a five or possibly six team league. Precedent to allow this can be found in the NorPAC from last season when they were allowed to play and qualify for nationals as a five member league. This will be seen as a one year fix as multiple sources are reporting that the MNJHL’s Rochester Icehawks are talking to the NAHL about joining in 2016-2017. This would also require, that the dormant Northern Lights franchise actually be able to assemble a team for 2015-2016.
Also expected to be discussed is the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey Leagues plan for next season. Yet to be confirmed information is suggesting a surprise may be coming concerning the league.
Other yet to be confirmed information is suggesting re-organization of the Met Junior League, and possible changes to the Eastern Hockey League.
Meetings begin tomorrow, and TJHN will have more information as those meetings move forward.
Joe Hughes
