So, setting aside the issue of this or any particular season or school districts, your view is that the Pa. model of allowing kids to play both high school hockey and Junior Hockey simultaneously should be changed to an either/or model?

My note about "either/or" is addressed to both Carl and lemieux.

I'm actually of the opinion that if a local kid is playing Juniors, he should still be permitted to play for his HS. My issue is with billeting. Although with Juniors and Midgets, the issue of split seasons with HS is still a contentious issue.

Considering the time and effort (not to mention the cash) that goes into Jr. hockey it is difficult at best to do both. I can see a kid who is from the School District wanting to do both particularly for the social aspect. But one does have to wonder what motivates a kid who is really from CT. to play for PV. What benefit does he get out of it vs. what benefit PV gets.

Funny thing though, when it was U18 AAA players being billeted for Bud's team and it was the West Chester area schools that were able to benifit from it, there was no issue

dumpandchase --- I think some is social, some is the desire to play as much hockey as possible. Most kids in high school want to play for their school if they want to have friends, wherever that school is.

quote:

Originally posted by SpeedKills:
Funny thing though, when it was U18 AAA players being billeted for Bud's team and it was the West Chester area schools that were able to benifit from it, there was no issue

what makes you think it was funny, and what makes you think it wasn't an issue?

And, Speed, I think there are billeted players scattered throughout the AA and A level teams around Philadelphia. They just aren't as noticable as Sutherland.

Speedkills,

If in fact there were billeted kids playing at the West Chester schools (or ANY school for that matter), that was wrong too. Close the loopholes, let the local kids play, and make the school organizations develop their players so that they don't run into a situation of not having a goalie.

Carl,

What does PA Hockey know about this issue out west? Do they have a similar problem with their Junior billeting players?

So the facts appear to be that the player leaves CT to play for the Eastern Penn Bucks in the independent Jr A league (America East) and to play high school hockey in PA. Just what every CT born hockey player wants to do, play PA high school hockey. When the Bucks dissolve for the year PV77's mom invites him to tryout for the team. Interesting question is which team- PV or the Minutemen? He was suppose to live with the "head coach." Was that PV's head coach who does not live in the district? But after the he makes the team (again which team) he is invited to live with PV77 and family. As defined under the PIAA, all billeted players are transfers and would be ineligible to play any sport at their new school

BTW, Snipe goaltending is always a difference in a hockey game if the skill of your starter is appreciably better than the backup. If Sutherland played for Garnett Valley this topic would be about how Garnett Valley "recruited" a goalie and made them one of the favorites for the "A" FC title.

I realize this would not be an issue if PV wasn't having a great year. While everyone is focusing on Sutherland, PV's third leading scorer is also a billet from VA. He has scored 1 less goal than Christie and Fiorillo and only 4 and 1 less point overall. Without that 3rd option would PV be as good?

Ok ill say it again. WHEN THE KIDS WHO PLAYED IN WEST CHESTER SCHOOLS WHERE THERE THEY WHERE BOTH AAA. Wochtel for Malvern was a transfer student and Marshal for east was billited but both East and Malvern where AAA at the time so yes it was not as big a concern.

Hawk --- Here are the answers to your questions:

1. Yes, the player signed to play with the Jr. Bucks, registered at PV, intending to live with PV77 and family, as arranged by the Bucks.

2. Several days before the start of school (2-3), registration having already taken place, the Jr. Bucks folded and immediately, within 24 hours, a position on the Minutemen was offered and accepted.

3. The kid came to Pa. to play Junior, also wanting to play high school, as is allowed in Pa., but not in Ct.

4. And, yes, the Perk Valley team is improved with the play of two billeted players, as allowed under the rules. And it is a big deal because, as you said, they are doing well this season. How many other billeted players are playing on their high school teams in greater Philadelphia is unknown to me. These two are not the only ones, that's for sure. They're just the most visible.

5. Would Perk. Valley be as good without them? No. But they would still have Fiorillo, DeLuca, Christie, Shaw, Daschille, Ziegler, and all the rest of the team, many of whom also play Junior or AAA, just as their counterparts all around Phila. do.

quote:

Originally posted by hhfan:
Hawk --- Here are the answers to your questions:

1. Yes, the player signed to play with the Jr. Bucks, registered at PV, intending to live with PV77 and family, as arranged by the Bucks.

2. Several days before the start of school (2-3), registration having already taken place, the Jr. Bucks folded and immediately, within 24 hours, a position on the Minutemen was offered and accepted.

3. The kid came to Pa. to play Junior, also wanting to play high school, as is allowed in Pa., but not in Ct.

4. And, yes, the Perk Valley team is improved with the play of two billeted players, as allowed under the rules. And it is a big deal because, as you said, they are doing well this season. How many other billeted players are playing on their high school teams in greater Philadelphia is unknown to me. These two are not the only ones, that's for sure. They're just the most visible.

5. Would Perk. Valley be as good without them? No. But they would still have Fiorillo, DeLuca, Christie, Shaw, Daschille, Ziegler, and all the rest of the team, many of whom also play Junior or AAA, just as their counterparts all around Phila. do.

Ok come on, if you replace Southerland with some JV goalie they would have lost first round to LaSalle II and wouldnt have anywhere near as many wins. Look at Garnet Valley or even Rustin, Rustin has probaly the deepest team in all of A and AA and they arent going to win anything this year because of there goaltending.

rahal --- I agreed that PV was improved by having Sutherland and Nicholson. Does Sutherland being a goaltender somehow make him MORE unfair than other billeted players who might be forwards or defensemen? How about if he was a back-up goaltender? Or shared time like the tandem at Henderson? Or is it just unfair because he can take over a game?