WOW POST OF THE YEAR hahahaWise Old Man wrote: ↑Sat Aug 22, 2020 2:37 am
Wolfman... although I'm honored you would be that interested in my diatribes, for your own good health I hope you're not waiting up that late to read my musings on a regular basis.
"WestMetro"....thanks for your well thought out response. Much appreciated. Of course, for some reason you chose not to address the other questions I asked. Hopefully, you choose to respond to the other two soon.
OK, since we're getting closer to what would normally be the start of the season for the various Junior leagues and the Elite League, I made a few phone calls to people I trust and I heard some very interesting things today. Much of it will throw at least a partial wrench in the points a few of you have made in trying to use the the fact that, for the last month or so, the USHL and NAHL have said they have every intention to play a full/normal season. So, why wouldn't the MSHSL or even Minnesota Hockey play a normal season? Well, all I can say is, Covid would like you to hold its' beer...
Before I dive into this, I want to state that if there is any way to have some type of hockey season that can legitimately be done in a truly Covid safe way, I will work as hard as I can in my local area to help make that happen. As I've stated previously, I have two kids in youth hockey and it will be an extremely long winter if there isn't at least some type of season. And, if there isn't a season, I'm going to have to hope the extra $600 in federal unemployment gets figured out, otherwise things will be a little tight come Christmas.
Now for the "good stuff". Most of what I was told is second-hand and, even possibly third-hand. However, I trust both the person I spoke with and, he has significant trust in the person who told him certain pieces of information. First, here's the "third-hand" info I was given. I was told that within the next two weeks, the NCAA -- not the conferences but the NCAA -- would announce the cancellation of the entire hockey season. Not a delay in the start to Jan. 1st, which is what all of the Div. III leagues and, I believe the Ivies have already announced, but an actual cancellation of the season. Now, to this point, it has been the individual conferences (BIG10, Pac-12, and the smaller conferences) that have chosen to halt sports until Jan. 1st, and not the NCAA. This begs the question, why would the NCAA now take the reins and make that type of determination, versus leaving it to the individual conferences? Still, as I said, I do trust my source and, in turn, his source. Obviously, we'll know in due time.
Next, let's move to the Junior level. I was told that the USHL would be delaying the start of their season until Nov. 1st. And, if the NCAA does actually cancel the entire Div. I & III seasons, I was told the USHL would then cancel its' entire season as well. I realize that all of that runs completely counter to everything the USHL has been saying. But, there may also be challenges arising with some of the cities who own some of the buildings their teams play in from the standpoint of either being told the team can only allow limited numbers of fans each game, which will drastically affect their bottom line. Or, the cities may choose to close the buildings completely for the season.
As for NAHL, apparently they had an emergency owners meeting this past Monday. At which their commissioner, Mark Frankenfeld, was adamant that the league would do everything in it's power to have a full season. Still, they have already postponed their big September Showcase in Blaine and, told it's teams that they won't be starting prior to either Nov. 1st or possibly Nov. 15th. Next, the other thing revealed during the meeting is that both Alaska teams, as well as the all of the teams in their Southern division are being forced to take the season off. Either due to being told they'll be limited to only 50 or less fans each night by their respective municipalities or, they simply won't be allowed to use their arenas at all. Also, for the Alaska teams, there may be some limitations on other teams coming in from other states and having to quarantine for 14 days. Again, that's some pretty significant info but, my sources feel strongly that it's true.
Although at this point the Elite League is planning to play, that could obviously change. Finally, I was told this afternoon by a completely different source, that the MSHSL has decided that they will make a final decision regarding winter sports on October 20th. That was apparently decided within the last couple of days. I will do my best to try and either confirm or deny everything I have stated here in the next few days. Regardless, for those like "HockeyCrazy", "InThePipes", and others, I will say again that just because all of the various camps, summer leagues, tournaments, and tryouts have been going forward has absolutely nothing to do with whether any of the various leagues will play this coming winter. Those responsible for making those decisions for those leagues don't give a rats rear end what happened during the summer. It's all about liability and whether the potential known (and not yet known) risks from Covid 19, outweigh the benefits of playing.
One other thing I learned today is that the main (and possibly only) reason why USA Hockey chose to sanction a normal game play season is essentially about money (I know, shocking). Both the potential loss in individual player, coach, team, and officials' registrations, as well as the fact that if they chose not to sanction a normal season, it would create chaos with all of the Junior leagues and private clubs around the country. Including the possibility that a number of the private hockey clubs might choose to register with the AAU which, apparently the USA Hockey brass were worried might not come back the following year. Personally, as interconnected as USA Hockey is with the various upper-level development tracks, I highly doubt those teams wouldn't rejoin USA Hockey next fall.
Oh, I almost forgot. One last thing. A little birdie told me tonight that, there is a long-tenured, extremely successful high school coach whose future at his current school may -- emphasis on MAY -- be in jeopardy. If this is true, it's extremely sad and unfortunate in my opinion. Apparently, just this past week, his players' parents began the process to pursue his removal. Why now and at this point in the year, I have yet to hear. But, I should be able to find out. I apologize but, that's all I'm comfortable saying at this moment.
Hey "wolfman"... If you're up, I hope you enjoy what I've written!
According to Wise Old Man Hockey is all gonna be cancelled in the USA .... Wow
His news on USHL is old they already announced this week Friday November 6th is opening night.
The NAHL keeps saying October but we will see...
Elite League is a full go so no worrying there.
The NCAA Hockey thing was well awesome and I guess we will see but highly doubt they cancel hockey yikes. I am hearing Thanksgiving time more likely from a source of a source....
Finally the one we care about the MSHSL yes they will wait to till mid October for Winter Sports.
Hockey will be played it just might be reduced by weeks and games.
What NCAA does has nothing to do with High School today in Iowa, Ohio, Nebraska, Penn (Against the Advice and Plea of the Dem Gov.) they will play football even thought NCAA made it deemed unsafe.
Great post WIse Old Man wow your sources wow
Anyways, thanks again for your response.
Anyways, that test will probably sell for between $15 and $20. Much cheaper than any of the others. Still, due to the HIPAA challenges, I'm not sure how youth associations or high schools can mandate any type of testing program.