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Post by steeball on Dec 16, 2022 21:36:08 GMT -6
I can't help asking a stupid question, I know the answer is money. But why can't Provies be set by a ranking system based on performance and strength of schedule? League teams entered based on their strength, strength of their league, and considering history? If you still want to take population into consideration, maybe a C/D team would be allowed an extra import if they are put in A/B, and A B players could still play with their club teams in lower categories.
I just think some of the best hockey last year was in the D category, and blow outs in the first 2 rounds are no fun for anyone. The only problem might be preventing sand-bagging. Nothing will be perfect, but I think senior hockey in rural SK can be better come February for the towns involved.
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Post by Hockey dude on Dec 17, 2022 12:51:57 GMT -6
I agree with what you are saying. It would also give more teams incentive to go provincials. A lot of teams don’t enter any categorie cause they know they will blown out 20-0 in the first round. Would be nice to start a new division, E for teams with non- elite or a set number of elites. More teams from Wheatland and SPHL could compete and fill small town rinks
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Post by Admin on Dec 17, 2022 12:58:41 GMT -6
I agree with what you are saying. It would also give more teams incentive to go provincials. A lot of teams don’t enter any categorie cause they know they will blown out 20-0 in the first round. Would be nice to start a new division, E for teams with non- elite or a set number of elites. More teams from Wheatland and SPHL could compete and fill small town rinks I like the idea, we need more teams entering provincials. The Brackets should be filled with lots of teams. I feel like it’s getting smaller every season. You would think hockey Saskatchewan would notice this?? |
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Post by Lifer on Dec 17, 2022 13:10:53 GMT -6
Its 100% a problem. Small towns want to enter but can’t compete with some of these communities. Almost need a way to base it off number of
Elites. Debden is a perfect example. Theyve tried to enter a team in D multiple Years but keep getting beat first round because they don’t have the elites other teams have.
I understand people like to make a big deal when there are complaints about a team like Kenaston in D. But it’s a problem. There should be a place small towns without a bunch of ex college and junior players.
As well we are getting 6-8 teams in some divisions because some of the top teams are so much better / have more $$. It’s made it way less exciting and limited the number of teams.
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Post by ppbluesfan24 on Dec 17, 2022 15:59:11 GMT -6
There needs to be some kind of rework. I don't hate the way things are set up right now, but it's damn near impossible for more rural communities to compete with towns close to the cities. Kenaston's D team had what, 7? 8? Ex-WHL players? I don't think there's 8 WHL guys in the entire northeast. Assume it's the same for teams in other corners of the province.
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Post by Hard-On on Dec 17, 2022 16:12:20 GMT -6
A: unlimited imports (current format)
B: 5 imports, 2 non-imports ( 2 extra imports from current format)
C: 3 imports, 2 non imports (current format)
D: no imports
Allows teams in A to add freely like it is now, would push more teams to enter B instead of adding a bunch of guys to go A or cutting guys to go stay B/C/D. C stays as it is, D eliminates imports
Think that would allow a better framework to have more teams enter provincials at different levels of competition. Thoughts? Could also limit the import numbers in A, as it pretty much operates like AAA right now. Could be something high like 10?
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Post by 80shawk on Dec 17, 2022 16:19:02 GMT -6
A: unlimited imports (current format) B: 5 imports, 2 non-imports ( 2 extra imports from current format) C: 3 imports, 2 non imports (current format) D: no imports Allows teams in A to add freely like it is now, would push more teams to enter B instead of adding a bunch of guys to go A or cutting guys to go stay B/C/D. C stays as it is, D eliminates imports Think that would allow a better framework to have more teams enter provincials at different levels of competition. Thoughts? Could also limit the import numbers in A, as it pretty much operates like AAA right now. Could be something high like 10? this is a better idea---no clue what the limits are now lol but to have to rely on sha trying to rank teams on schedule and performance......well for years sha has had troubles organizing a piss up in a brewery most times...so you dont want to go a that route etc |
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Post by mrhockey on Dec 17, 2022 19:29:14 GMT -6
A: unlimited imports (current format) B: 5 imports, 2 non-imports ( 2 extra imports from current format) C: 3 imports, 2 non imports (current format) D: no imports Allows teams in A to add freely like it is now, would push more teams to enter B instead of adding a bunch of guys to go A or cutting guys to go stay B/C/D. C stays as it is, D eliminates imports Think that would allow a better framework to have more teams enter provincials at different levels of competition. Thoughts? Could also limit the import numbers in A, as it pretty much operates like AAA right now. Could be something high like 10? I like where you’re going with this. Ranking teams based off of leagues and players is flawed to say the least. I would go as far as: A - unlimited imports B- 4 imports 2 non imports C- 2 imports 2 non import D- 0 imports 2 non imports And add E for teams with limited elite players. |
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Post by steeball on Dec 17, 2022 20:48:02 GMT -6
I don't think there is an easy fix, and lets be honest, we had exciting hockey in every division last year. But can you eliminate imports in D? Most leagues have imports, and making teams release theirs just to enter D would be a nightmare. They would play with teams in higher divisions, possibly bumping good locals, and that is not good for senior hockey.
I could see an E division possibly working - but would throw the idea out there that E would just be Regional championships. Maybe 4 in the province? Could even call them Senior D Regionals. Open it to all teams with no imports, just towns with enough locals who want to compete, and decide on who is in what Region based on geography. I'm just spit-balling here. Could get local guys playing competitive playoffs in local rinks.
It might cost Hockey Sask money for banners and plaques, but they might make that back with additional registrations.
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Post by yardsale on Dec 18, 2022 9:15:56 GMT -6
I like the idea of adding a division for teams without imports or perhaps just two to allow teams to fill a need such as a goalie. I think the four divisions A-D can remain. You can’t legislate out the arms race senior hockey has become, but you can find a place for teams not able or willing to be a part of it. I do find it interesting that teams don’t enter saying they “don’t have a chance to win”.
Sometimes it should just be about the experience of playing someone new and building experience. I took a lot of beatings in my life, made the winning that much sweeter.
I think the biggest issue facing senior hockey is the lack of officials. So many games being postponed due to ref shortages.
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Post by cheeseburger on Dec 18, 2022 9:48:34 GMT -6
I like the idea of adding a division for teams without imports or perhaps just two to allow teams to fill a need such as a goalie. I think the four divisions A-D can remain. You can’t legislate out the arms race senior hockey has become, but you can find a place for teams not able or willing to be a part of it. I do find it interesting that teams don’t enter saying they “don’t have a chance to win”. Sometimes it should just be about the experience of playing someone new and building experience. I took a lot of beatings in my life, made the winning that much sweeter. I think the biggest issue facing senior hockey is the lack of officials. So many games being postponed due to ref shortages. I think you modify B and C and let the D division for teams with only 3 elites etc. it will fill up the categories in the other divisions then as well. Does any one remember back in the day when these brackets were filled and there would be like 5 rounds to get to the finals? No there’s only like 2-3 some years. To me that’s a bad look and yo I question why SHA hasn’t done f all about it. More teams u get in, the more money that goes around for everyone.. once a few of these teams get a taste of provincials then you’ll see a lot of these teams keep entering year after year. But like someone said. What’s the point of entering if your just gonna get slaughtered. That’s why these categories need to be changed! 🍔 |
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Post by bsdfarms on Dec 18, 2022 10:24:11 GMT -6
Speaking from experience. Back in the day our team used to enter provincial A with no hope of actually winning. It had to be A to keep the team together. Sometimes we would win a round as there was a bunch of teams like us. It was nice playing different teams and making good money at the gate/beer gardens. Times have changed and players like having the extra time off now.
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Post by Dysart blues on Dec 18, 2022 10:50:45 GMT -6
Speaking from experience. Back in the day our team used to enter provincial A with no hope of actually winning. It had to be A to keep the team together. Sometimes we would win a round as there was a bunch of teams like us. It was nice playing different teams and making good money at the gate/beer gardens. Times have changed and players like having the extra time off now. I think that’s a poor excuse that players like having extra time off. Take a couple games off the schedule and add in a couple week day games. That will open up some time for provincials. Things need to change there is over a 100 teams in the province. There should be 75 atleast entering. |
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Post by rr11 on Dec 18, 2022 11:10:53 GMT -6
Why is there this incessant need to try to change things these days? To try and rank provincial by strength of schedule is completely subjective as all the leagues aren't similar in caliber + play by different import/elite rules.
Let's use D as an example since this seems to be the source of the "need" for change. Kenaston, Craik and Kyle as examples of communities luckily having a good group of hometown guys who have connections to bring in good players for league and/or provincial play. So should they be penalized for that providing the team's are on the up and up roster rules wise? All 3 are playing by the population rules and have mostly entered D (Kyle also entered C for a period of time) to keep the rinks running and provide a good source of entertainment. And it's hardly like Kenaston have been dominate in D, Kyle it can be argued have been much more dominate recently in D.
Was there this much fuss raised pre social media days and differing population rules when Drake and Conquest dominated D in the '90s? The common theme would be a strong group of locals sprinkled with a few imports much like what we see today.
Saying that Kenaston should jump to A is ridiculous, why should they other than it be kind of fun to see how'd they make out. They didn't exactly walk D playing Macklin, Edam and Craik...last I checked and saw they were pretty good squads.
The way provincial categories are sorted based on population + import rules is the best way, leave it alone and instead enjoy the great hockey with packed arenas.
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Post by seniorhockey7 on Dec 18, 2022 11:24:29 GMT -6
Why is there this incessant need to try to change things these days? To try and rank provincial by strength of schedule is completely subjective as all the leagues aren't similar in caliber + play by different import/elite rules. Let's use D as an example since this seems to be the source of the "need" for change. Kenaston, Craik and Kyle as examples of communities luckily having a good group of hometown guys who have connections to bring in good players for league and/or provincial play. So should they be penalized for that providing the team's are on the up and up roster rules wise? All 3 are playing by the population rules and have mostly entered D (Kyle also entered C for a period of time) to keep the rinks running and provide a good source of entertainment. And it's hardly like Kenaston have been dominate in D, Kyle it can be argued have been much more dominate recently in D. Was there this much fuss raised pre social media days and differing population rules when Drake and Conquest dominated D in the '90s? The common theme would be a strong group of locals sprinkled with a few imports much like what we see today. Saying that Kenaston should jump to A is ridiculous, why should they other than it be kind of fun to see how'd they make out. They didn't exactly walk D playing Macklin, Edam and Craik...last I checked and saw they were pretty good squads. The way provincial categories are sorted based on population + import rules is the best way, leave it alone and instead enjoy the great hockey with packed arenas. I think you missed the point…how to get more teams to enter lol. You are stuck in the past sir. These rules were good like 12 years ago. Those teams you mentioned can all move up if rules change and there would be nothing wrong with that. |
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