Dear AMHL Juniors Players, Families and Prospects;
Over the last few weeks, we’ve received several phone calls and emails from parents and players trying to get an understanding to what exactly is going in Junior Hockey on the East Coast. There is far too much erroneous and misleading information that may impact your decisions in selecting a Junior team for the coming season and the record needs to be set straight. Through the course of this Open Letter, we hope to provide you with as much information regarding the departure of 7 MET South Member teams and to separate the fact from fiction.
Here are the facts:
- The former MET South member teams known as the Atlanta Knights, East Coast Eagles, Florida Eels, Hampton Roads Whalers, Palm Beach Hawks, Space Coast Hurricanes and Tampa Juniors,had previously made application to the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL), a certified Tier III Junior “A” League.
- The AJHL unanimously rejected these applications for membership for a variety of different reasons, however in large part because these teams generally didn’t meet an on-ice competitive performance standard consistent with teams at the Tier III “A” level, especially within the AJHL. That proof is apparent as they competed with consistency in the MET League for the past three seasons, with only one team demonstrating an above-par level of play.
- After the AJHL rejected these teams, we encouraged them to build their own credible high performance Junior League, and use their player’s tuition dollars for the betterment of their players, rather than paying some premium membership fee to another league.
- They attempted to form a league called the Southern Atlantic Hockey League, however the USA Hockey VP of Junior Hockey prevented the SAHL from making a presentation in January 2011, while affording another league from the west, to make their presentation. We have called for an investigation into this issue, which the USA Hockey Executive Committee has agreed to investigate.
- In the past week or so, these former MET South teams have allegedly entered into an “affiliation” agreement with another Tier III “A” league, that carries an excessive membership costs, only affording them a few non-league showcase games that WILL NOT COUNT in that League’s standings, nor will it qualify these former MET South teams for that League’s Regular Season Title or League Playoffs.
- The USA Hockey President, Ron DeGregorio issued a statement that placed all Tier III Leagues under an expansion moratorium, which included existing teams jumping from one league to another. That statement was issued on April 20, 2011. (See link below for actual statement). There is a process that must be followed in order to expand, which involves a USA Hockey Committee, and to our knowledge that process has not yet been followed.
- USA Hockey Staff Member, Marc Boxer stated in an email; “All these junior programs must still be certified or re certified at Annual Congress. Just because a league has decided to make an announcement about a contract that they have entered into doesn't mean USA Hockey/Review Board has given approval for anything.” -- APRIL 28, 2011
- Under USA Hockey Rules, no team may make claim to a status or classification that has not been approved by USA Hockey’s Junior Council. This means, if some team that played as Tier III B this past season, is now claiming that they are now Tier III Junior “A”, that would be a false statement, as no new teams have been approved by the USA Hockey Junior Council to claim that they are Tier III Junior “A”.
- USA Hockey has advised us that those teams making such claims have been so warned and to refrain from claiming Tier III Junior “A” status.
- The USA Hockey Junior Council along with a Special Task Force voted in January 2011, to eliminate the A, B, and C Labels of Tier III, and simply have Tier III Junior hockey. This means there will be no league carrying the moniker Tier III Junior “A”. All leagues and teams will have to rely on the integrity and strengths of their operation, and not some meaningless label.
The AMHL operates the longest running Junior league based in the United States, and has been in operation for nearly 50 years and we’ve done so because we’ve put our players first. Our teams have worked for and EARNED a reputation built on trust, honesty and integrity, as these are values that you can’t purchase; these values are part of the fabric of our League and member programs.
Through our Tier I “AAA” Youth League, MET League and AJHL, we have played a vital role in the hockey development of literally thousands of players and their advancement to the NHL, Division I & III College programs, and USA Hockey National Teams. From Brian & Joe Mullen, to Jeremy Roenick, to John Carlson, their NHL dreams became a reality through the MET League and the AJHL. The coaches in our league have won Stanley Cups, NCAA National Titles; they are First Round NHL draftees, and coached on USA Hockey National Teams; we have some of the most experienced minds in amateur hockey.
We don’t rely on logos, labels or false and misleading promises; we help players make the most out of their God-given talent, to achieve uncommon results. Making it to the next level in hockey isn’t something you purchase; it’s having the talent and the opportunity to showcase that talent as often as possible. With the expertise of our coaching staffs and the proximity of teams to Division I & III College hockey programs, it makes the MET League and AJHL one of the best opportunities for today’s high-level player to achieve their dreams.
OUR PROMISE TO OUR JUNIOR PLAYERS
When you sign with a MET League or AJHL team;WE PROMISE you will compete on a team that’s ACTUALLY in the MET or AJHL, not some “Affiliation” or other gimmick.
WE PROMISE that your MET or AJHL team will battle for the Regular Season Title, League Playoff Championship, and USAH Nationals, if offered by USA Hockey.
WE PROMISE that as a player in the MET or AJHL, you will eligible for Post Season Awards.
WE PROMISE to use your hard-earned tuition dollars for the best efforts in your development as a hockey player and not waste it on high priced premiums for empty or meaningless affiliations.
No gimmicks, no nonsense, no clever tricks with labels or illusionary agreements, just straight up Junior Hockey and college exposure. So you are right to ask the questions and demand the accountability and HONESTY from all teams and Leagues, as you make your team selection for your development as a hockey-playing student athlete.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to write me directly at MHGH@AOL.COM
Yours in Hockey,
Glenn Hefferan
AMHL President
Please click here to view USA Hockey Statement
(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)
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6 comments:
Boston, MA- The Eastern Junior Hockey League is proud to announce a historic affiliation with the Southern Atlantic Hockey League for the upcoming season. With the formation of the partnership, the Southern Atlantic League will operate under the banner of “EJHL South.”
The affiliation is designed to substantially raise the standard of play in the south, provide improved league infrastructure, player development, college promotion, and increased visibility through an expanded league schedule that includes both regional competition and showcase competition at EJHL events.
The EJHL South encompasses a working partnership with the seven teams that encompass the existing junior hockey footprint of the Southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida. The purpose of this affiliation is to extend to the rapidly growing southern hockey marketplace, the advanced player development and academic based junior hockey model that has been so successful in the advancement of student-athletes over the past twenty years.
Under the agreement, the EJHL South will participate in EJHL Showcases and play selected exhibition games against EJHL clubs and take advantage of the exposure to NCAA and NHL scouts currently enjoyed by the EJHL. The EJHL South will also stage its All-Star Game in conjunction with the annual EJHL All-Star Classic.
“This is a great day for the sport of junior hockey and for players involved in this affiliation. We believe in the promise and potential of the southern hockey footprint, and we have total confidence that with the implementation of our player development model and with the EJHL branding and product extended to this region, that junior hockey players from the south can reach their ultimate goals and dreams,” commented EJHL Commissioner Bob Mainhardt.
Since its inception in 1993, the Eastern Junior Hockey League has placed over 1500 players in NCAA hockey, including fifteen Division I All-Americans, six Hobey Baker Award Finalists, with Matt Gilroy winning the award in 2009. Twenty-five EJHL alumni have played in the National Hockey League.
SAHL Vice President David Falkenstein stated, “For our families and players here in the south, this is a historic day. Though there are many junior hockey leagues and products, but there is no confusion on the enormous value that the EJHL offers to all its players in terms of complete player development. We are humbled by the opportunity to participate as an affiliate of the EJHL and this is the culmination of a dream for most of us. Finally, players from our region can play closer to home and have similar player development and collegiate advancement opportunities afforded the vast number of successful players that have been associated with the EJHL.”
The EJHL South will commence operations immediately and will operate under the control and administrative guidelines of the EJHL.
For more information go to www.easternjunior.com
This is funny. The same guy that "affiliated" with these teams the last few years, charged the teams affiliation fees, and they got very little from it but the name. My kid played in the south, the first year his 4 games against the met north teams "didn't count", the second year they did, but not in the division standings, and the past year i understand that they did, but they only played the north teams twice. Wow, now that a return on a big affiliation fee. Hefferan, youre a joke, and its ironic that you go after these guys for the same crap you pulled.
you gave these guys one playoff spot and the rest had to spend more money to go into a wild card. Funny, the south teams got three teams in of six, with half as many teams to qualify, No wonder your pissed, you lost some good teams that you now put down.
Can you spell hypocrite. Look in the mirror.
Everyone wants to make the junior teams in the south as a bunch of thugs and criminals. My son played junior hockey with one of the southern teams and was treated wonderfully. I have nothing bad to say about the teams and my son had a great time and has grown so much.
May 9 @ 2:36pm
You hit the nail on the head.
Glenn is waging this attack because the
move the south made to better themselves
had a negative impact on Mr. Hefferans
personal income.
The AMHL and Heffernan will be at some point be tried in the court of public opinion. When you are a hypocrite, when you fry others for the same things you've done, and then put down teams you too took money from, you'll be exposed. My best advice to you is to shut your mouth and focus on your own problems and self improvement. You have made lots of enemies in junior hockey and you aren't changing anyone's mind about you and your motives.
Mr. Heffernan is being like the school yard bully. Trying to get his way no matter who he makes look bad. He will get is due payback
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