hahaha

"feeder school system"

Jimmy18,
Please keep the laughter down this is a very serious debate. By the way I found it very tough keeping a straight face and typing that phrase “feeder schools system” when talking about private schools.

HGP,
Let’s be honest, I think we both know that the two players that you spoke of were both two public school students from competing LBCSHL schools. By the way I’m sure you also know that both of these kids played for their middle school and JV teams in that same league. The bottom line is that the private schools hold the advantage by being able to recruit (I did not say allowed, that’s another discussion) and to allow them or any school (public or private) the ability to stockpile players on a 2nd varsity team seems to be at the very least, unfair. But back to the original thread, I’m sure that the HGP program along with the other LBCSHL organizations would balk at merging into any league that permitted organizations the ability to field more then one varsity team. I would not blame them for standing their ground, after all somebody has to if high school hockey is every to be taken seriously by the school administrations

my point was simply that public schools may look at private schools as stealing players, but its the kids choice, no one is forcing them to go to a non public school.

the 2 players did not play in the lbcshl lower leagues as 8th graders. they ended up choosing prep schools. my other point is that private schools deal with the same dilemma as publics. im sure malvern and lasalle, etc also have had situations like the one i just mentioned.

i dont know enough about the specifics of a possible merger to really comment on it. some have given good and bad reasons for it.

I’ll try and keep my post short and to the point.

I don’t think we should eliminate schools with multiple teams just yet. I don’t think enough kids just go to La Salle for Hockey that are not already on the AAA team and with the current state of high school hockey and schools folding teams, its better to have as many competitive teams as we can so the schools that do I have programs can play a decent number of opponents. However schools with II and III teams are not flyers cup eligible and it should stay that way. If there are enough kids to play than they should be able to. Also these II and III varsities should not be eligible for a league championship or league playoffs. It should just serve, as a development team to the varsity teams, just like a JV team.

I still think the biggest problem facing high school hockey is the divider between the 4 major leagues (ICSHL, Eastern, Lower Bucks, Suburban). I also feel that getting the leagues together as they are in every sport is the first problem we should fix. If that means that the Inter-County and Eastern league need to merge and the Lower Bucks and Suburban league need to merge than that needs to be done. Instead of one league “taking over” the other they should just compromise and spread the power. I mean if they could do it in United States Government did it when we divide the powers between the 3 branches I think Eastern PA high school hockey can do it. No not everyone will be happy but I think it’s for the betterment of local hockey and that is really what is important, not who controls what league.

I haven’t really sat down to think about how the leagues could be set up but after talking to a few people who know more about it then I do it is possible. I know the central teams could either play each other twice and that would be their whole season or they could play every team once and add a second game with certain teams and mix a few cross over games in to fill out the rest of the schedule. I think keeping a few cross over games is important. I know it helps the Flyers Cup Committee see the strength of the leagues and helps them pick their game. Garnet Valley finished 5th in the Central League but since they played well outside the league they made the flyers cup and ended up upsetting a higher seeded team in the 1st round.

I know Ches-Mont league would be more of a problem because I believe they have 13 teams so in an 18 game season they would only have 5 games to work with and fill with league rivals and cross over games, but it could be done.

The biggest issue with that is that it leaves the Inter-Ac and PCL schools no league. I think most of those schools are in the AAA division and that should stay the same. So that leaves teams like the Delco Knights, Haverford School and Episcopal Academy. So I don’t know a solution of what to do with them but I am sure someone else that knows more about league structures than me would have a solution.

It looks like Neshaminy and Pennsbury will play a large part of their schedule against SHSHL teams and even be eligible for the SHSHL playoffs.....however, they will still be considered a part of the LBCSHL.

I don't know all the details yet, I'll let you know when I hear more.

Matt,

Well it sounds like some rational and intelligent people finally saw the light! This is a great first step towards merging the two leagues. This will give both schools a real opportunity to compete for a championship with schools that reflect their own student body. Congratulations to the League Presidents for making this happen. This will also give a school like HGP the flexibility in their schedule that they are looking for. HGP will now have room on their schedule to play other Prep Schools and continue to move their program in that direction. As far as Judge, Roman and Ryan goes have you heard anything regarding the formation of a Philadelphia Catholic league?

Interesting. Nothing was said about this at the last SHSHL meeting. By remaining a member of the LBCSHL, I suppose they will retain their automatic FC bids.

I don't know how they would be eligible for SHSHL playoffs if they are not league members.

quote:

Well it sounds like some rational and intelligent people finally saw the light!

Old Man,

Just because people don’t agree with your point of view does not make them unintelligent or irrational.

Top Cat,
I’m not sure where you came up with the assumption that I thought people who did not agree with my point of view were in your words “unintelligent or irrational” because nothing could be further from the truth. I was attempting to compliment the Presidents of both leagues for coming to some sort of agreement that will benefit both leagues. You may not share my opinion regarding the benefits of a merger but I do think reasonable people should be able to disagree on this subject.

Old Man,

When you say,” well it sounds like some rational and intelligent people finally saw the light!” you are basically saying that people that don’t like the idea of a merger are irrational and unintelligent. Some people, like myself, don’t see how the Lower Bucks League benefits from this merger. However, if the League’s General members vote for the merger, I wish them luck.

By the way, I agree people should be able to respectfully disagree without someone resorting to name calling. If I misconstrued your comment, then I apologize.

I don't think "merger" is the right word. It appears that there is move afoot to align the hockey leagues according to established competition in other sports. I believe (hope) there is a chance that the SHSHL will break down into National, Continental and American divisions as the Suburban One League is structured. Neshaminy and Pennsbury would be a perfect fit in the National. You can't blame them for wanting to compete on a level playing field.

It looks like the ICSHL will break down into Central, Pioneer and Ches-Mont divisions, again, along established league lines. The door is open for the formation of a PCL of which Judge, Ryan and C-E (if they exist) would be charter members.

I think there will be some shifting and restructuring of the leagues over the next few years. Let's do what is good for the sport.

I think that what you have just written would be good for the sport.

Hey Matt.

Anything to report from the recent FC meeting?

quote:

I think that what you have just written would be good for the sport.

I agree with you!

Mojo,
I wasnt there and havent heard much about it.