Prov. B

if anything they will change the populations I can’t see them going A C D every year

B division should be 5 imports, while C/D remains 3 (& A is wide open).

The current setup has basically wiped out the B Division:

D = <3,500 population, + 3 or fewer imports
C = <3,500 population, + 3 or fewer imports
B = <5,000 population, + 3 or fewer imports
A = >5,000 population, open import spots

That's a pretty narrow band there for the B Division to exist within. Seems the overwhelming majority of teams qualify for C or A, not inbetween.

If the setup made a minor change on imports, say to this:

D = <3,500 population, + 3 or fewer imports

C = <3,500 population, + 3 or fewer imports

B = <5,000 population, + 5 or fewer imports

A = >5,000 population, open import spots

you'd have seen atleast half a dozen teams who were in that crowded A division (5 friggin rounds!) last year as entered into the B division instead - cause they'd now qualify for it. Then on the otherside of the B bracket, you'd also see teams stop dropping an import or two to avoid A - they'd just enter B instead as they'd now qualify. Kyle did this couple years ago when they dropped Doerksen for provincials because he was their 4th import - that 1 player was the difference between them qualifying for D (they won that year) or being forced to go A, which is pretty ridiculous that there is no inbetween option.

So that’s the difference between D and A, as it stands currently. 1 player. In that Kyle example from the 22-23 season, if Doerksen is out, they’re D (they did this and won). If Doerksen is in, they have to go A.

Shouldn’t be that way… It should be a progression, not only in terms of population but in imports as well. Gives teams some options, and keeps each bracket full.

If you look at the Sask Valley for example, it’s a B league, and ironically none of the teams go B division. SV allows 5 imports (no “non-imports”/grandfathered). If a SV team has 5 imports, with 2 qualifying as “non-import” by HockeySask standards, they go C division. If a SV team has 5 imports, with only 1 qualifying as “non-import” by HockeySask standards, they must go A. B division never enters the picture.

B isn’t a thing, the way HockeySask has the current rules designed. Teams are either C or A. If a middle ground existed, there’d be a few teams at minimum from the Sask Valley alone that would enter the B bracket.

No offense but, might be the worst suggestion I’ve ever heard.

We need more teams entering provincials, not less. Regardless of how good the team is, small towns will pack the rink to watch their local team in provincials. What they need to do is change the formats so there is a division that allows for smaller, primarily local teams to be competitive.

5 imports for B would be perfect. If this isn’t changed, the B division is dead