While every effort is made to ensure that the teams
selected are of relatively equal strength, the league
deals with this issue in most divisions every season.
As we note registration form (Once teams have been
selected some players may be traded in an attempt
to equalize team strength. Team equalization will be
done at the discretion of the Division Coordinator
and the head coaches involved.÷
Ideally, we would like all games in every division to be
close. We would like every team to have a realistic
chance of beating the other teams in its division. If
after the season has started it is apparent that one
(or more) teams are markedly stronger (or Weaker),
equalization is the process we go through to try to
rebalance the teams. Because most U-6 kids usually
are more interested in playing with friends (and what's
being served up in the post game snack).
We do not equalize U-6 teams
These are house league programs. For the stronger players
who are so inclined, the league offers an opportunity to try
out for the all star team chosen to represent the league at
the AMBHL provincial tournament. We hope the kids enjoy
their experience and want to return (and look forward to
returning) the following season - and the season after that.
Lets face it, winning and losing games by large margins is
no fun for anybody, and one of the league's central tenets
is (FUN÷. Player movement between teams is in no way
intended to punish anyone. These moves are done for the
betterment of the division, so that as many kids as possible
enjoy the season.
Prior to the season commencing, each division co-ordinator
assigns players to the teams in that division. After the
season starts, He/She keeps tabs on the games and scores.
If after the first few weeks it is apparent that there is an
imbalance that needs to be correcter, the co-ordinator will
consult with the coaches to determine a plan of action. After
an agreed plan of action is settled - which players will be
moved- the parents of the players involved are contacted.
The co-ordinators, coaches and the members of the
executive are all parents with childre in the league, and
we can fully appreciate that moving kids around can be a
difficult and very sensitive issue.
As noted above, equalization typically takes place after the
third week of the season (i.e. after each team in the
division in question has played a few games).
We are actively taking steps to try to minimize equalization.
Last year we instituted player evaluations, with the
league executive and coaches required to grade each of
their players. We intend to make that a more rigorous
exercise this again this year.
Frankly, selecting teams of equal strength is more art than
science. Kids mature at different rates and every season
sees the dynamics of a division change as half the kids
move up to the next division and an influx of kids from the
division below or who are new to the league. Kids with great
ice hockey skills are sometimes at a disadvantage because
they lack speed and fast kids with limited hockey skills can
be impact players. In the end we try to use all the tools at
our disposal to try to achieve team parody.
Thanks for your understanding...
