|
NPHL considers changes to organization of league
Chris Clegg
for Smoky River Express
It’s time for the North Peace Hockey League to split into two leagues, or at least two divisions, says one of it teams.
“There are two different levels of competition,” said Peace River’s Cal Parenteau at the league’s spring meeting in Fairview May 1. “That’s the problem.”
Discussion began when league president Jack McAvoy asked teams how the playoffs worked this season.
“I think it worked all right,” said MacAvoy, adding Grande Prairie thought the final should have been best-of-seven instead of best-of-five.
Fort St. John’s Rob Larson immediately said the Flyers would seek permission to be eligible for playoffs next season. Currently, the NPHL rules any team playing “AAA” or Allan Cup is not eligible.
“We wanted to be in the playoffs,” said Larson, fresh off the team’s Allan Cup victory.
He added he honestly did not know whether the Flyers would defend the title next season at Kenora, Ont.
“Obviously, we’re going to lose some guys,” he said. “I know 10 guys that are hanging them up. We want to be in the playoffs.”
McAvoy said there were concerns. He cited the example of Falher or Peace River going to play “the best senior hockey team in Canada.”
Parenteau agreed saying the league has to recognize the East cannot compete with the West.
Statistician Chris Clegg brought up stats indicating the West was dominating. In 2008-09 the West enjoyed a 46-4 advantage while last year they won the season series 15-3. West teams have also won 10 of the last 11 league titles with Peace River winning the other title in 2006-07 after the Horse Lake and Fort St. John West Final was suspended.
“We have to be level-headed,” said Parenteau in arguing for an A Division and B Division playoff format. “We should recognize it and do it.
“If you guys can’t realize you’re better then you’re beating your head against the wall.
“I can’t see us competing with Fort St. John,” added Parenteau. “Or Peace River competing with Grande Prairie unless you want to spend $30,000 on hockey players and we don’t want to do that. If we’re going to play in this league and compete we’ll have to spend $40,000.
“The way the league is this year, Falher did it. They’re forced to do it. You’ll force some teams out of the league,” warned Parenteau.
High Prairie’s Jim McLean and other teams disagreed saying many interlocking games were close this year and the final between Grande Prairie and Lakeland went the distance.
“I can’t see a problem in our league,” said McLean.
The matter was tabled to the fall meeting with no solution brought forward.
“No matter what you do, this sort of thing will happen,” said Fairview’s Gerry Noullett regarding the West’s dominance.
< Previous
Home
|
