Why now? Why make a change?
In part one of “The Shift” What If? we looked at the possibility of an entire league being proactive and potentially looking at making an unprecedented shift in the area of player development. That shift would encompass the league investing in a model that would be adopted by the U13 and U15 AAA levels to ensure best practices were in place to ensure progression and development but also providing players in those leagues the best possible opportunity to further their path in the game beyond the U18 AAA level. So why now, why even consider making a shift like this?
Perhaps the best question to ask is What if they don’t do it? What if they don’t make any changes, stay status quo, how relevant will the “status quo” be in five years?
Five years might seem like a longtime, but in hockey terms that’s not that far off. What if things do stay the same where will “the league” and the state of game be in five years? I think everyone can agree the landscape of hockey is drastically changing in Atlantic Canada and in all areas where the game is being played.
More opportunities abroad are providing players and their families to reconsider their options in hopes of making the best decisions possible. We all know that choice is controversial when it comes to the game of hockey, which shouldn’t be the case but that’s the reality of it. How can we stop the mass exodus of hockey players? That’s not the question that people should be asking right now. Why are they choosing to leave should be the question, but no one dares answer that or even have the conversation about that because of the perceived ramifications that could occur to their son or daughter. Instead of taking a proactive approach, leagues, governing bodies and specific teams/organizations often times get incredibly defensive when they see players leave their areas to go play elsewhere.
“God forbid a family/player chooses to go play somewhere else to improve, play and develop.”
Players and families are weighing their options due in large part to the “status quo” and the lack of potential developmental options that are currently in place. That might sound like an lame excuse, but again that’s the reality of it.
The “status quo” might be working in some markets and for some players, but big picture things don’t look the greatest especially if you look further down the road, like five years from now. Kicking the proverbial can even further down the road isn’t going to help one damn bit and it would also appear that history would point to certain markets, hockey people and certain players/families don’t give too shits about the big picture.
So just how relevant are leagues going to be, if they don’t provide better competition and player development opportunities?
You don’t need a crystal ball to know what the future is going to look like. Some markets are struggling to put forth competitive teams, while other markets are having an influx of too many players and turning them away in droves. The age and era of advanced signings are a must for some markets because it provides clarity and stability, but for some families and players it forces their hand.
Sprin ID camps are all the rage, and that’s where all the advanced signings happen. That’s right, picking a team some five or six months before the puck is dropped. Well, everyone is doing it, so everyone has to stay current and if they’re not they instantly loose their competitive traction. Is the U15 AAA funnel too wide or does it narrow too fast?
What about the U16 AAA ranks what does that look like moving forward? What about creating a U17 level? Are things too watered down? What about limiting the number of teams in hopes of enhancing the competition and development opportunities? What about limiting the number of 3rd year players to a set number in hopes of strengthening the junior ranks and providing more options for younger players to play at the U18 level and Junior A level?
Remember what if “the league” were ready and willing to discuss all of these questions and put everything on the table?
Why now?
Getting ahead of things or a grasp on the ever-changing landscape right now and being open-minded about this topic is critical for potential or any change to occur. Taking action at this point in time will inevitably help players in the future. You can look at all of the stats and numbers you want, the fact is the vast majority of Atlantic Canadian kids are behind their counterparts. You can discuss all of the reasons why things are just fine or defend that everything is going great in this region, or you can stop and think at the reality of it.
“Oh, it’s always been that way and they all seem to be doing just fine.”
“The teams the region are sending to the TELUS Cup are competitive and don’t look out of place on that stage.”
“Just look at the success we are having with so many players from this region playing in the Q and other Junior leagues, there’s nothing wrong with things right now.”
There’s no question we should constantly celebrate players from this region that are having success. I’m not trying to take anything away from their accomplishments, but what about the all the other up and coming players climbing the ranks? What about their developmental opportunities? What if we don’t evolve to the ever-changing landscape or give them the best chance to enhance their development?
What about the players five years from now? Where’s the game going? How are leagues, teams and associations evolving with the ever-changing landscape?
A lot of people just look at the region or the top kids or teams from the area and say, “Oh, they’re strong this year or it’s a strong crop of players this year, they should do well or will get drafted high.” What about the other players and markets? What about them? What about their development and opportunities?
Why now? Because if it’s not now, we will be even farther behind and potentially irrelevant.
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