Dallas Stars Travel Hockey League
Background
Several years ago the Texas Amateur Hockey Association (TAHA) recognized that Tier I hockey had become more of a money-‐‑making venture for some organizations than a true player development and advancement vehicle. The number of organizations and teams claiming Tier I status could not be supported by the pool of Tier I talent in Texas and Oklahoma. The result was an excessive number of imports coming to Texas to play Tier I hockey, and Tier II players paying Tier I fees to sit on the end of a bench. TAHA established guidelines on Tier I hockey and began limiting the number of Tier I organizations and teams to improve the competitiveness of local teams, reduce the number of imports from out of the area, and get local players competing at the appropriate levels. Entering the third year of the established Tier I selection process, the pyramid structure is clearly working as three of the four Rocky Mountain District champions were from Texas. The fourth Texas Tier I team narrowly missed also advancing to the National Championship tournament with a loss in triple overtime. The player pyramid simply works, and it has become evident that attention now needs to be focused on Tier II hockey and below. The Stars, along with several local hockey organizations, recognize that there are not enough upper level players available to support the number of organizations offering “AA” teams. The talent pool has been severely diluted locally with “A” players rostered on “AA” teams and “B” and “house level” players playing on “A” teams. The end result has been watered down competition at ALL levels and many of the players overpaying for their hockey experience. The game has become entirely too expensive for new players, many of whom have to bypass the much needed house development phase to jump onto more expensive travel teams to fill rosters. These
budget-‐‑filling players are sacrificing learning and development all in the name of some organizations claiming “AA” status. The NTXHL has been exceedingly ineffective at stemming the unnecessary expansion of hockey associations or in setting and “upholding” rules on the number of “AA” programs and teams. In fact many of their decisions created even more talent dilution and non-‐‑competitive playing divisions. The Dallas Stars Travel Hockey League (DSTHL) was formed to establish some restrictions on “AA” hockey, to facilitate players competing on the teams they are more suited to be on, to reduce the overall number of “travel” teams, and to hopefully reduce the cost of our sport for current and new players. The DSTHL has no desire to negatively impact any rink or reduce the number of kids playing hockey. We believe there should be a team for every kid who wants to play our sport. Not every player is a travel or elite level player (at least at this moment), and we want teams to be affordable and participate at the appropriate level; “AA”, “A”, “B” or House to allow maximum learning, enjoyment, and development. In short the DSTHL continues the player development pyramid and is the correct approach to delivering intelligent and financially appropriate hockey teams. The launch of the new Dallas Stars Travel Hockey League (DSTHL) has the complete support and backing of the Dallas Stars of the NHL. The encouragement and endorsements from the local hockey community have been strong with very few but predictable exceptions. To be sure, we will not be able to answer every question at this point, and some information may not be available for some time, but rest assured that we are working to establish the structure and governance that will provide a quality environment for League members and improve the overall level of competition in all our playing divisions. 2
Dallas Stars Travel Hockey League
FAQs
Q-‐‑1 How will the new DSTHL be governed? A. League direction and policy will be set by an Executive Committee that will be comprised of representatives from the Charter Member Organizations (Alliance, DJHA, Stars and Wild). The NHL Stars will sit on the Executive Committee, and Affiliate Members Organizations will each select one non-‐‑voting representative to sit on the Committee. The initial Executive Committee will consist of: • Dallas Alliance – Paul Freudigman • DJHA – Bryan Ford • Dallas Jr. Stars – Keith Andresen • Houston Wild – Karen Young • NHL Stars – Ed Reusch The DSTHL will select a Commissioner to oversee the day-‐‑to-‐‑day operation of the League and provide liaison support with all League Members. Q-‐‑2 How were participating Organizations selected? A. The decision on who to invite to participate was based on several factors. The League wanted clubs that have demonstrated stability over time, and clubs that have exhibited a history of class, character, and responsibility, with a willingness to work effectively with others. We recognize this League is a change for everyone, but it won’t be successful unless the participating organizations are committed to work together to seek solutions. On-‐‑ice success was a consideration but not a driving force as we sought to invite organizations who believe that changes were necessary to improve hockey in our region. We want all participating organizations to find success in this new DSTHL but we all have to be willing to sacrifice and compromise to improve the sport. 3
Geography was also factor in Dallas as we looked to add programs that were dispersed across the Metroplex. We did not want to have organizations competing for the same players in a small territory if possible. You will find no building with more than one accepted Member Organization except the centrally located Valley Ranch facility which houses both Tier I organizations. Outside of Dallas and Houston the DSTHL wanted to continue to provide a strong and sound League option to the smaller market Clubs. The League wants to do what it can to further the development of players and teams across Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Q-‐‑3 Will teams out of Dallas still be allowed to host weekend play? A. It is the League’s intention to continue the policy of host weekends for non-‐‑Dallas organizations and teams in the “A” and “B” divisions. At the “AA” level we are considering a different approach that would more closely mirror college and junior game weekends where the visiting team would travel in for a two-‐‑game series against the home team. The non-‐‑Dallas “AA” Member Organizations, however, will not be limited to two (2) games per travel weekend and may participate in up to four (4) league or non-‐‑league games upon travelling to Dallas. Q-‐‑4 Will costs increase with the new DSTHL? A. Costs for the new DSTHL have not been finalized but we do not expect costs to be substantially changed from the prior league. There may be some adjustments for the older and upper level teams as we are considering some modifications to game format (longer periods, three-‐‑man officiating crew, and hosting responsibilities). Q-‐‑5 How many teams will each Member Organization be allowed to offer? A. Those clubs operating “AA” teams in the DSTHL will be allowed one (1) team at “AA” in each age bracket (18U, 16U, 14U, 12U, and 10U). “AA” organizations may also offer UP TO five (5) A or B teams in the DSTHL. Provided, however, that during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons we recognize some of the organizations will have budget restrictions that necessitate up to twelve (12) teams in the League, and multiple “A” or “B” teams in an age division will, therefore, be acceptable. Those organizations, however, must be down to ten (10) League teams by the start of the 2014/15 season. 4
Affiliate Member Organizations may be allowed UP TO eight (8) teams in the DSTHL. There should be at least one team in each age division, and multiple “A” or “B” teams in an age division will be acceptable. The new DSTHL will feature four “Charter Member Organizations” competing at the “AA” level. Three organizations will be Dallas based (DJHA, Alliance, and the Dallas Jr. Stars) and one organization in Houston (Wild). Additionally, where competitive, “AA” teams will be accepted from Austin (Texas Jr. Stars) and Oklahoma (OKC). In Dallas, the League will accept one additional “AA” organization at Midget Major and Midget Minor reflecting the number of potential players currently in the Dallas market at the midget age groups. The Allen Americans have been accepted to fill the fourth Midget “AA” slot (minor and major). Organizations participating in the “AA” divisions will be allowed ONE (1) “AA” team in each age bracket (18U, 16U, 14U, 12U, and 10U). The clear goal is to reduce the number of teams claiming “AA” status and elevate the level of competition. “Affiliate Member Organizations” will compete at the “A” and “B” levels as determined by leveling play and evaluations. The DSTHL will accept UP TO eight (8) teams from each Affiliate Member skating in the “A” and “B” divisions. Q-‐‑6 How will leveling be handled in the DSTHL? A. For the 2012/13 season the DSTHL will continue to use the Labor Day tournament as the primary tool for leveling. All teams, including “AA” teams, will be required to participate in the expected/desired bracket. There will be just one weekend of leveling instead of the two previously considered by the former league. No additional AA teams will be added through leveling except at the squirt level (see Q-‐‑8). Rosters for teams leveling during the Labor Day tournament may not include guest players, temporary, or part-‐‑time players. The roster you level with should be the roster you play with during the season. All players competing in the Labor Day tournament must be contracted to the team and organization he/she is playing on. Prior to your team’s first game of the tournament, each team manager must present a credentialing book that includes DSTHL-‐‑approved proof of contract for each player on the roster. Players who do not have a signed contract prior to the Labor Day tournament will not be eligible to participate in the tournament. 5
Any team found to be using a guest player during the leveling tournament or determined to have used a guest player during the tournament will be removed from the League and subject to sanctions and fines. If after the Labor Day tournament any team experiences more than a 30% change in roster not attributed to certified injury (ies), that team may be ineligible for playoffs. In future years the DSTHL will consider alternatives to the Labor Day tournament. Q-‐‑7 Will the DSTHL have team and roster size requirements? A. Accepted Member Organizations will not have to meet minimum number of team requirements to play in the League. The DSTHL does want to ensure the viability of each team playing in the League so the MINIMUM roster requirements are as follows: • Squirt teams must have minimum of 10 skaters and 1 goalie • PW teams must have minimum of 12 skaters and 1 goalie • Bantam teams must have a minimum of 15 skaters and 1 goalie • Midget Minor / Midget Major A teams must have a minimum of 15 skaters and 2 goalies • Midget Minor / Midget Major “AA” teams must have a minimum of 16 skaters and 2 goalies Any team that has not met the roster requirement by August 1st will be required to release contracted players to allow them to find other teams to play on for the coming season. There can be no penalty assessed against players whose teams did not meet the roster requirements. The League will attempt to devote a portion of the DSTHL web site to teams seeking players in hopes of assisting players in securing spots. Q-‐‑8 Will the Elite teams be playing in the League? A. No, with the following exception. The lone team from the Elite that will be playing in the DSTHL will be the first year, 2003, Squirt team. Given that both Tier I organizations will have Squirts coming from the Mite ADM program, both Alliance and Elite will be allowed to put their minor Squirt teams in the League at whatever division (AA/A/B) they level at during the Labor Day tournament. 6
Additionally, DSTHL Member Organizations support the official TAHA Tier I organizations, the Dallas Stars Elite and the Alliance, and will be required to schedule non-‐‑league scrimmage games against specific teams at the scheduling meeting. Q-‐‑9 If my Organization is currently only playing at A/B, can we ever get to AA? A. The DSTHL Executive Committee each year, prior to tryouts, will evaluate the number of players in our cities, the levels they play, and each organization’s results during the prior seasons. We want the most competitive divisions possible so an organization that is consistently demonstrating strong on-‐‑ice performance and models the attributes of class and character may be considered to move to the higher playing bracket. Q-‐‑10 What communication can Member Organizations expect from the DSTHL? A. The League is currently developing a website that will deliver the majority of information to Organizations, coaches, players, and parents. Additionally, the League will hold one annual meeting each year for Member Organizations’ representatives and one or two conference calls throughout the year with team representatives. Q-‐‑11 Will eligibility and playing rules be the same in the DSTHL as the old league? A. Eligibility will follow USA Hockey guidelines. Players can be on only one League roster at a time; players may not be on multiple Tier rosters at any given point; and junior players will be eligible until they reach six games at the junior level. After six junior games they are no longer eligible for play in the DSTHL. Playing rules will mirror USA Hockey rules; although, we are exploring applying for pilot league status on several potential rule changes that may be introduced in the coming year. Q-‐‑12 Will girls’ teams be allowed to play in the DSTHL? A. Yes provided they play at an age group that does not include checking. The DSTHL wants to promote and support girls’ hockey in any way possible. However, asking the boys teams to alter the rules for league games does not seem appropriate. 7
Q-‐‑13 How will the League conduct playoffs? A. Although we have not finalized the format of playoffs and we are considering several options, we want the regular season to have meaning and those teams that excel during the season to be rewarded. The League wants strong competition and wishes to foster an environment where players learn and grow from both winning and losing on the ice. Learning how to win and learning how to deal with losing are both teaching opportunities for our coaches and League. Q-‐‑14 Will tryouts change with the new DSTHL? A. The DSTHL will follow the tryout schedule released earlier by TAHA. The June 23 tryout start date for non-‐‑DFW Member Organizations, as previously established by TAHA, will not change. Q-‐‑15 Who is playing in the DSTHL? A. The current list of clubs who have accepted positions in the DSTHL (as at May 18, 2012) are: Allen Americans Alliance Youth Hockey Association BAHHA (Houston) DJHA Dallas Jr. Stars Houston Wild OKC Oil Kings Lone Star Wolves San Antonio Texas Aces Texas Brahmas Texas Jr. Stars (Austin) Additional Members will be announced soon. Q-‐‑16 What if my child does not make a travel team? A. In the DFW area, plans for a cooperative effort between DSTHL Member rinks for a city-‐‑wide house league with an added level of play between traditional 8
house and “B” travel are underway. It has taken incredible effort and compromise between rinks and clubs to get the new DSTHL off the ground. We feel that the time is right to extend this cooperation between rinks to the bases of the pyramid. Q-‐‑17 How many regular season games will be played during the 2012/13 season? A. The target number of regular season games is 20 but may vary slightly by division based on the number of teams in that division. Q-‐‑18 May any team of a participating DSTHL Charter or Affiliate Member Organization participate in another league or play an independent schedule? A. With the exception of the Alliance Tier I and 12U AAA teams, all Charter and Affiliate member teams must play in the DSTHL. Teams may not participate in any other league or regularly scheduled series or showcase. Teams are free to participate in weekend/annual holiday tournaments and schedule scrimmage games against opponents of their choice, IN ADDITION to league play.
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