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Does anyone else here have any experience when a PWC team initially rosters 14 skaters and a goalie, then has two skaters and a goalie quit?

There are higher level teams in the association that have two goalies - can the association reassign a goalie down? (Not that any of these goalies or their familes would be willing to, which is a completely separate question.)

Would it be easier to recruit from another nearby association where their C level team(s) have more than one goalie?

Right now we have twelve skaters committing; if one of these skaters rotates into the goalie slot, then its eleven skaters for gametime. 3 centers and two lines for all other positions.

Yes, the "icetime" is increased, but the season budget is divided across less families driving the per player costs higher. It will likely cost more to skate PWC in our association this year than PWAA. I don't believe the comparable value is there. Is it fair to ask the other teams to cover some of our fees because the player distribution is skewed?

Does anyone have any experience bringing a similar scenario to an assoc. board meeting for help? What is the correct answer when twelve skaters' season is in jeopardy for lack of numbers at the lowest level?

kopernicus wrote:Does anyone else here have any experience when a PWC team initially rosters 14 skaters and a goalie, then has two skaters and a goalie quit?

There are higher level teams in the association that have two goalies - can the association reassign a goalie down? (Not that any of these goalies or their familes would be willing to, which is a completely separate question.)

Would it be easier to recruit from another nearby association where their C level team(s) have more than one goalie?

Right now we have twelve skaters committing; if one of these skaters rotates into the goalie slot, then its eleven skaters for gametime. 3 centers and two lines for all other positions.

Yes, the "icetime" is increased, but the season budget is divided across less families driving the per player costs higher. It will likely cost more to skate PWC in our association this year than PWAA. I don't believe the comparable value is there. Is it fair to ask the other teams to cover some of our fees because the player distribution is skewed?

Does anyone have any experience bringing a similar scenario to an assoc. board meeting for help? What is the correct answer when twelve skaters' season is in jeopardy for lack of numbers at the lowest level?

Unfortunately, the nature of how things work out is that C teams can have issues in formation...RIGHT AT THE CONCLUSION OF TRYOUTS. Short on numbers...or not even having a coach as it is very difficult to find C coaches.

First - don't panic and don't start rushing the Board with pitch forks and torches. These things tend to resolve themselves within a few weeks and concerns tend to be moot in the end and the hard feelings created are not worth it. Someone is probably working on the issue (among the dozens of other issues they have going right now).

Your numbers aren't bad and your team will be fine with those numbers. It is unfortunate that your association bills ice hours out on a player basis as incurred rather than packaging all-inclusive ice in the annual dues. Definitely not fair to C teams that might end up with a few less players. Can't help you there.

Your hockey coordinator should be shaking the trees of neighboring associations (and probably is) to see if they have 2-3 straggling players or a team with two goalies and the goalies wanting to play every game. Might not find them, but every year I see emails going around with teams looking for players or having a few extras.

About the goalies --- though your association has extra goalies at higher levels, goalies should be placed at the skill level that your hockey people think they should play at --- not placed where there is an empty crease. However, if there is a first year at B2, parents should be approached and asked if he wants to play 100% of the games at C or 50% at B2. It is also possible to move up B1's from the level below yours (squirts to peewees, etc.). However, both of these should be parent decisions after the Board asks. If they don't want to move from their assigned teams...forcing them is a bad thing.

If you have no goalie...embrace it. Have fun with it. Rotate the pads. There are probably 3 or 4 kids that always wanted to try it on your roster. Set up a schedule and rotate the pads. If you lose games because of it...who cares...in the bigger picture make sure they have fun with it. You may have a few stay at goalie after the end of the season.