Squirt Team - dropping down for tourney?

[jBlaze3000]

Looking for some clarification on the possibility of a Squirt B2 team playing down in a C tournament.

The situation is this - I have a son playing on a Squirt B2 team in an association that does not have a C team. In league games we have been somewhat competitive but in 2 tournaments this year we have gotten slaughtered. We play in "B" tournaments as there aren't many "B2" tourneys around and they fill up quick. Typically we find ourselves down by about 10 goals, then the other team "calls off the dogs".

Our 3rd tournament is in about 6 weeks and looking at the teams involved I see B1 teams, teams from Canada, and a club level team from Iowa. Needless to say this will likely be another bloodbath.

Was wondering if there are any exemptions that can be made if we were to find a Squirt C tournament with openings, or if that is an impossibility being that we are classified as a B2 team.

For the record, this team would not breeze through a C tournament either. Just looking for some competitive games for these boys.

Thanks in advance.

[SWPrez]

Looking for some clarification on the possibility of a Squirt B2 team playing down in a C tournament.

The situation is this - I have a son playing on a Squirt B2 team in an association that does not have a C team. In league games we have been somewhat competitive but in 2 tournaments this year we have gotten slaughtered. We play in "B" tournaments as there aren't many "B2" tourneys around and they fill up quick. Typically we find ourselves down by about 10 goals, then the other team "calls off the dogs".

Our 3rd tournament is in about 6 weeks and looking at the teams involved I see B1 teams, teams from Canada, and a club level team from Iowa. Needless to say this will likely be another bloodbath.

Was wondering if there are any exemptions that can be made if we were to find a Squirt C tournament with openings, or if that is an impossibility being that we are classified as a B2 team.

For the record, this team would not breeze through a C tournament either. Just looking for some competitive games for these boys.

Thanks in advance.

No can do. Minnesota Hockey does not allow play between levels. B1 and B2 are both considered "B" teams and they can play each other. You cannot play down from "B" to "C". No exceptions as I understand it.

It is a little late and it would cause big scheduling hassles, but you could inquire about having your team moved down and classified as a "C" team for the remainder of the season.

This is too bad. Sometimes associations do not make the difficult decisions of classifying teams where they should be often due to not wanting to hurt parent egos - thus, a bunch of C players end up getting destroyed all season long at the B2 level.

I am an advocate of MN Hockey moving "C" hockey to a new level called "B3". This would then make that team a "B" team and teams could play down from "B2" to a "B3" tourney in your team's instance.

[JSR]

Looking for some clarification on the possibility of a Squirt B2 team playing down in a C tournament.

The situation is this - I have a son playing on a Squirt B2 team in an association that does not have a C team. In league games we have been somewhat competitive but in 2 tournaments this year we have gotten slaughtered. We play in "B" tournaments as there aren't many "B2" tourneys around and they fill up quick. Typically we find ourselves down by about 10 goals, then the other team "calls off the dogs".

Our 3rd tournament is in about 6 weeks and looking at the teams involved I see B1 teams, teams from Canada, and a club level team from Iowa. Needless to say this will likely be another bloodbath.

Was wondering if there are any exemptions that can be made if we were to find a Squirt C tournament with openings, or if that is an impossibility being that we are classified as a B2 team.

For the record, this team would not breeze through a C tournament either. Just looking for some competitive games for these boys.

Thanks in advance.

No can do. Minnesota Hockey does not allow play between levels. B1 and B2 are both considered "B" teams and they can play each other. You cannot play down from "B" to "C". No exceptions as I understand it.

It is a little late and it would cause big scheduling hassles, but you could inquire about having your team moved down and classified as a "C" team for the remainder of the season.

This is too bad. Sometimes associations do not make the difficult decisions of classifying teams where they should be often due to not wanting to hurt parent egos - thus, a bunch of C players end up getting destroyed all season long at the B2 level.

I am an advocate of MN Hockey moving "C" hockey to a new level called "B3". This would then make that team a "B" team and teams could play down from "B2" to a "B3" tourney in your team's instance.

They could go play in Wisconsin though assuming the WI association holding the tourney allows MN teams to play. We don't have any problems with teams playing where ever they fit down here. Sounds like your team could play in a WI B tourneyor maybe even a low level WI A tourney and find their competitive games they are looking for. Would solve your issue without worrying about MN politics

[greybeard58]

JSR
Mn Hockey rules cover the teams where ever they play, either in state or out of state. They also need permission from the to leave to play outside of the state and if you include Canada then USA Hockey needs to be notified.

[InigoMontoya]

No can do. Minnesota Hockey does not allow play between levels. B1 and B2 are both considered "B" teams and they can play each other. You cannot play down from "B" to "C". No exceptions as I understand it.

MH may not allow it, but some DDs do. Probably too many hoops to jump through to get this to work for a tourney, but you may be able to set up some exception scrimmages. Assuming you can find a squirt team that doesn't already have its max games already scheduled (but again, DD may make exceptions for that, too).

[JSR]

JSR
Mn Hockey rules cover the teams where ever they play, either in state or out of state. They also need permission from the to leave to play outside of the state and if you include Canada then USA Hockey needs to be notified.

Yea, but our A's and Bs are not as good as yours. And there are tons of MN teams that lay in WI tourneys, so what I am saying is that it would probably be easier to find a tournament of "WI A" or"WI B" teams in WI that are more on level with caliber of this person's team and it seems like the "permissions" to play in these tournaments outside of MN are pretty easy to get from most districts.....

[jBlaze3000]

Thanks for the replies. I sent a few emails today to the "governing bodies" and was told pretty much the same thing. We can petition to be classified a C team, would still play our B2 league schedule (no problem), but would likely not be able to play in either the C or B2 district tournament (makes it not worth it at this point).

It really is a shame that there aren't more options for teams like ours. Most districts do not go with the B1/B2 classification so there aren't many B2 tournaments around. The difference between B1 and B2 is really no different than the difference between A and B1 (the lower teams can't compete) and it's too bad that our group of kids continually gets stuck with being on wrong side of these mismatches.

Seems like a problem that needs to be addressed. The B1, B2, B3 idea sounds like a good one, especially since more associations now consider their C teams "traveling".

[SCBlueLiner]

If you are willing to travel you can find appropriate level competition. I would look to the west/southwest. Windom, Worthington, Redwood Falls, towns like that host B tournaments that your team should find similar level teams.

[elliott70]

Thanks for the replies. I sent a few emails today to the "governing bodies" and was told pretty much the same thing. We can petition to be classified a C team, would still play our B2 league schedule (no problem), but would likely not be able to play in either the C or B2 district tournament (makes it not worth it at this point).

It really is a shame that there aren't more options for teams like ours. Most districts do not go with the B1/B2 classification so there aren't many B2 tournaments around. The difference between B1 and B2 is really no different than the difference between A and B1 (the lower teams can't compete) and it's too bad that our group of kids continually gets stuck with being on wrong side of these mismatches.

Seems like a problem that needs to be addressed. The B1, B2, B3 idea sounds like a good one, especially since more associations now consider their C teams "traveling".

Come to,district 16. You can find 3 teams to play that will probably be comparable and you won't have an entry fee. You will be out of here around noon. And games are 3 periods, 17 minutes stop time. Downside, some driving.

[The Exiled One]

I am an advocate of MN Hockey moving "C" hockey to a new level called "B3". This would then make that team a "B" team and teams could play down from "B2" to a "B3" tourney in your team's instance.

Sorry I'm replying to a dated post, but my kids are still really new into organized hockey and I'm not sure how everything ended up the way it is.

For example, why are there B1 and B2 teams? Why isn't B2 the same as C? Does it have something to do with post-season eligibility? I read in the handbook that C teams aren't eligible for Minnesota Hockey sanctioned regional and state tournaments. I guess I can see that as the only reason to have sub-levels, but Minnesota Hockey could just as easily fix it be sanctioning C level tournaments. The classifications seem to be so diluted that they're becoming convoluted.

IMHO, I think the classifications could largely be fixed by eliminating the bolded part below...

A."Classifications" means Mite, Squirt, Peewee, 10&Under, 12&Under, Junior Gold, etc.

B. "Divisions" means A, B, C, House, etc.

C. To encourage development and expansion of hockey within the State and to provide for uniformity of competition, all youth hockey shall be divided into five competitive divisions as herein provided. Each District Director has the responsibility to maintain the integrity of each division within his/her district.

"A" The highest competitive division, essentially a development program designed to enhance team and individual skills. MH provides district, regional and state tournaments for this division. Every association shall have the right to enter teams in the A division. (Note: "A" teams are divided into"A" and "AA" sub-divisions for district/region/state tournament competition. See pg 42.)

"B" The intermediate competitive division, also essentially a development program, but primarily intended to provide a uniform competitive experience for smaller communities and programs that are not able to compete effectively at the A division. Every association that has an A division team shall also have the right to enter teams in the B division.

"C" The lowest competitive division, also intended as an entry level for new communities and programs in order to provide a good competitive experience until they are ready to advance to a higher
competitive division. There shall be no regional or state tournaments at the C level. All associations that have teams in A or B divisions shall also be entitled to enter teams in the C level.

"House" Similar to the “C” division, but limited to an “in-house” program (Teams do not participate in any way outside of their home association).

"Recreational" Similar to the "C" division, but limited to two activities per week (maximum) within a recreational league or organization (teams do not participate in any way outside of their recreational league or organization). No tournaments are allowed at this level, but a year-end play-off is permitted.

The only other argument I can see for sub-classifications is the psychological impact on the kids not moving up each year. For example, a 4th grade squirt C didn't move up to B or A in 5th grade. But would that be more disheartening for the kid or the parents? Also, are they really helping anybody by having a C level team playing against B level opponents?

I don't claim to be an expert by any means, but sub-classifications just seem odd to me. They're kind of like this scene from Spinal Tap.