batman,
trying to follow the conversation. are you saying there is a possibility that the pihl will merge with the east or is this simply not the truth?

Not True

Maybe not this season but it's only a matter of time. As we speak the powers in the east are busy aligning rules and policies of the "new league" with the PIHL. Setting the table for an inevitable merger. Take denials to the contrary with the proper degree of skepticism. There are some who distribute much misinformation on here. This isn't exactly fair and balanced reporting like Fox news. Or maybe it is?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Txi,

I was at the meeting that included Ed Samm from the PIHL. Mr. Samm attended the meeting to give insight on how the PIHL was run and to supply their by-laws for our viewing.

His appearance at the meeting WAS helpful, meaningful and appreciated, but he was not there to discuss a merger between the East and West....it just wasn't the purpose of the meeting.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Sacks:
I was at the meeting that included Ed Samm from the PIHL. Mr. Samm attended the meeting to give insight on how the PIHL was run and to supply their by-laws for our viewing.

His appearance at the meeting WAS helpful, meaningful and appreciated, but he was not there to discuss a merger between the East and West....it just wasn't the purpose of the meeting.

....so the next obvious question is why were you at the meeting? Was it open to the public? Are you a league official? If you are a reporter why aren't you reporting on things as they develop? For someone who is an independent voice you seem to have a very comfortable seat at the table with the hockey GODS.

I was asked to be there by the hockey gods to listen to proposals and offer my oppinion. I was not there in a reporting capacity which is why I have not offered a play-by-play analysis.

No it was not open to the public, I was invited.

A comfortable seat with the hockey gods? That's pretty accurate, I guess they respect my oppinion enough to include me....I'm honored that they feel that way.

Thanks for being honest. At least we know now that the opinions expressed here are not independent but the spin of the Hockey GODS ( I believe your pal in the West refers to his version of these people as "the villans")

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Txi,

I'll have to go back to see what oppinions I've offered. I believe all I said was that the leagues in the East have agreed in principle to merge as one and that there was no merger with the West in the works. Neither statement is an oppinion, they are fact.

My buddy out West doesnt quite get along with the people that run the show out there.....On the contrary, I have a good relationship with the gentlemen that run the show in the East.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Matt Sacks,

Look people....I will put it to you this way and you can take it or leave it. The PIHL will divide and conquer Eastern Pa if given the opportunity and they are interested in one thing and one thing only. Not Mergers, Not Betterment and Growth of the Sport, Not to make alliances with Eastern Pa, THEY ARE INTERESTED IN MONEY AND CHARGING EXHORBITANT FEES AND TAKING KICKBACKS FROM RINK OWNERS, EMTS, REFEREES AND WHOEVER ELSE THEY CAN STEAL FROM.

These people are telling EVERYONE in Western PA who will listen that the West and East are merging and the PIHL will run the show. Their By-Laws are about wrestling control from the member schools and establishing a dictatorship over all of you. People of Eastern Pa beware of the wolf in sheeps clothing !

If it was an informational meeting .....why was it a closed meeting.....I should be invited to give some more information

quote:

Originally posted by Pa Hockey:
If it was an informational meeting .....why was it a closed meeting.....I should be invited to give some more information

Great....so the sheep are being lead to slaughter and the people who should be working to expose this are attending secret meetings and going along with it. So either the East takes over or the powers in the West are looking to set up their own little empire with similar results. Looking forward to getting fleeced.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Txi,

The 4 area leagues could not finish the merge they inially were hoping to accomplish. I think the folks in the PIHL will have to wait a while so at least the powers that be here try to finish what they set out to do. It is my understanding that the leagues are not going to merge this year but continue for this season while trying to align the schedules and crossover games to accomodate more rivalries and while playing under the same set of rules and by laws. The Pittsburgh people are a long, long way from running the east.

PA Hockey brings up some valid points. it is concerning that the west seems to hold a different opinion as to their relationsip with the east. matt, is the board aware of the west's attitude and how do they view their relationship to the west? should the general public be concerned that this new merger of local leagues will lead to the same type of self serving autocracy which seems to plague the west?

You make me laugh.....what about the State Championship Trophies that the East paid 1/2 [paid in a chek made out to not the PIHL, but to the Commissioner for $ 4000 +]? They can't even bring themselves to let the Winning school take the trophy for a year and they are trying to negotiate a Statewide merger ......maybe they will lend Matt a ladder to take some pictures at the next meeting ?

The history is that I met with the 7 Eastern Presidents back in 2001 and at that meeting we agreed to work toward a Statewide Organization and this was to be an independent [not appointed] group of people to to study common rules, alignment and state playoffs.

The sentiment at that time was that each league should remain in tact administratively and keep a democratic process. This way no one would have a monopoly.

If you are a High School team in Western Pa west of State College and not a member of the PIHL, you are INELIGIBLE to compete for a State Championship. And there are plenty of teams who are in that boat and if some in Western Pa had it there way they would leave the PIHL and its ridiculous cost structure [nearly $ 1000 per game].

The reason why Eastern Pa doubles the number of schools is because they kept the costs reasonable and they are way less than Western Pa. The Ice Time in Eastern Pa is $ 275 - 375 an hour and Western Pa is $ 180 - $ 250 an hour yet the cost is way more ! The PIHL charges an 85 - 100 per game admnistrative fee to take care of its payroll and its a non profit 501 c 3 that has NEVER been audited. The Pittsburgh Penguins have donated over 100,000 to the PIHL [which is in their media guide] and the PIHL charges $ 7 per game for every playoff game and only PAID media members are allowed to cover the Penguins Cup playoffs.

Talk to Big Jim or SM14 or the former Radnor crew about these people because they have seen this first hand and fortunately only have to deal with it once a year and not on a daily basis.

People who love hockey in Eastern Pa will be in for a rude awakening trust me !

It will be like everything else around here when it comes to hockey in the Atlantic District ... nothing new.