For months TJHN has been reporting on what is the mess that Tier III junior hockey has become on the east coast of the United States. Today it looks as though things may finally be coming to a resolution. A meeting is scheduled, and TJHN sources have indicated that many teams are eager to come to a resolution.
What the following email does not identify is the three “switzerland” teams. TJHN sources are confirming that other teams from the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League are the “Switzerland” a.k.a. neutral teams. After reading this publication the reader will surely understand what a dire position junior hockey on the east coast is now in.
Mergers, expansion, and other issues are to be decided. TJHN has learned that the USPHL will be using USA Hockey insurance in the 2013 -2014 season even though not USA Hockey santioned. While this is not expected to be a debated issue, it does lead many to believe that the USPHL will receive USA Hockey sanctioning in 2014.
In an email obtained by TJHN Casey Jorgenson, legal council of USA Hockey says the following:
Gentlemen,
John Vanbiesbrouck, Marc Boxer and I have been speaking with all of you over the past few days trying to seek a resolution to the chaotic junior hockey situation in the East. Our plan is to have a meeting in Boston this Thursday at the (REDACTED) beginning at 9:00 am. The meeting would include representatives from the USPHL, the 5 clubs from the EJ, leadership from the AJHL, as well as the Empire and ESHL. At this point we have not spoken with the 3 clubs commonly referred to as Switzerland, but can do so tomorrow and invite them if anyone believes it is important to do so.
I can’t emphasize enough that USA Hockey’s role in this matter is related to governance and organization of USA Hockey programs in the area. Our agenda is to seek a global resolution of the hockey related issues. Different clubs may have other issues, but we are focusing on the hockey issues of who will play under USA Hockey’s certification, and in which league they will play. At this time these are critical issues that cannot continue, and without a resolution they will continue all summer.
We are not assessing the situation based on winners or losers, but rather seeking a resolution that is reasonably acceptable to all involved. It may not be the ideal solution for individual programs — it is not possible to find a solution that is ideal for everyone involved, but it should be one that is for the overall good, provides stability in the marketplace and is beneficial for the junior hockey players in the east. If we did not think that a solution could be reached then we would not come out. But if a reasonably acceptable resolution is reached that is in the best interest of the overall hockey market, then we would recommend that USA Hockey leadership take some action contrary to the current rules in place governing expansion and movement of teams. To achieve a resolution, we strongly believe that all parties must come in with an open mind and intending to resolve league composition in a reasonably acceptable manner. We are also not interested in a meeting that is about assessing blame, as that exercise can continue forever. We need to look forward.
There have been various proposals floated over the past few months, and several in the past week. Some of them have been floated numerous times. Please understand that USA Hockey is not wed to any particular proposal, and we ask that you not be wed to only your proposal. A hard line approach to only one acceptable solution will not be productive.
I will email out additional details on the meeting room, etc. as they become more concrete. In the meantime, if you have questions or need to talk on these issues, please do not hesitate to call.
Best Regards,
Casey
Casey Jorgensen | General Counsel
