Back when I started this blog, I inquired with Kyle Kotrba, the Hockey Director of the Chicago Hawks, about why they left the South Suburban Hockey League (SSHL) for the NWHL. I received no response. As a new blogger, these indignities are to be expected. Here we are a couple of months later celebrating our 5,000th page view, and I still wonder about it. Since Kyle chose not to comment, I will speculate wildly herein. You've been warned.
The departure of the Hawks after two seasons in the league leaves the SSHL with just 5 clubs (plus the Pirates at PeeWee). Due to the bizzare setup in Orland Park, the Arctic Jr Fury is the name of the house teams there. The Vikings have nothing to do with it. The 15 Arctic Jr Fury teams comprise nearly 50% of the league now that the Hawks are gone. It is not far removed from an in house league really.
THIS is the sad state of the SSHL.
As in left at the alter for a prettier league. Diminished by a sixth. Judged.
So why did the Hawks leave for the NWHL? Is it because it's the "premiere" travel B league, as the Hawks' official communication states? Ok, seriously? Say it with me ... H-O-U-S-E. No dis intended for the NWHL, but come on.
Or was it the fact that at 20 clubs the NWHL is four times larger than the SSHL? Look at the growth at the Hawks lately, and you will find that not all of it is the halo affect from the resurgence of the Chicago Blackhawks. On the team page, there are 5 teams at Mite through PeeWee and 4 at Bantam. This is not counting the in house stuff, which is bursting at the seams.
Where did all of these kids come from? Is it at the expense of the Jaguars, Huskies, and Vikings? The list of coaches count a displaced Huskies and Jr Fury coach in their ranks. I guess Hawks territory stretches all the way to I-80 now. Did they all come to play for Rocky? Is the grass greener?
Maybe the Hawks got a bit more variety in the rinks they will travel to out of the deal. But at two NWHL teams per level, it is not like the SSHL was too small for them. In all of this wild speculation, I ultimately wonder if this move will not in fact turn the tide in the recruiting game. How many Orland Parkers or Joliet-ites or Romeovillans will enjoy the drive to Skokie or Gurnee or Crystal Lake?
Well, it IS for premiere Travel B hockey after all.
Please help me figure this one out and comment below.
Update: It has been brought to my attention that I did not elaborate on why the Hawks believe the NWHL is more competitive. The NWHL has a tiering round, which enables teams of similar ability to play each other for the regular season. Given NWHL's principles of balanced teams and equal ice time, I personally consider this to be a strange argument. With more teams, these fine distinctions between organizations can be better made perhaps. The goal of this structure is to reduce the frequency of lopsided games.
The SSHL moved away from tiering for Mites this year, which results in a greater spectrum of abilities amongst the teams. This change was made as part of the SSHL's response to the ADM directives. The ADM discourages the removal of better players from the 8U level so that all players can benefit from playing with them. Inevitably, this will result in more blowouts.
Here is the May 20 notice from the SSHL where the change was announced.
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I am a peewee NWHL coach at the Hawks who coached SSHL last year. 95% of my players are from towns surrounding Darien. Comparing last season to this year, I can tell you the caliber of hockey in NWHL is much better and the tiering system works great. To me this is the premier travel house league. I believe this is just as good as the NIHL travel option but without the price tag. You mention travel to crystal lake but I'm sure my parents would rather travel there than HF or Kankakee. As for the hawks territory, 90% of the membership comes from La Grange, Western Springs, Hinsdale, Downers Grove and Burr Ridge. There are very few people from far towns there. If they are it's for CSDHL.
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