Dear Mite Hockey Parents and Bluehawk Families,
I wanted to update you on the state of Mite (under 8) hockey, not only in Northbrook but throughout the Chicagoland area.
Several years ago, USA Hockey (historically the governing body for amateur hockey in the U.S.) implemented what they called the American Development Model (ADM). The Northbrook Hockey League (NBHL) has embraced many of the core elements of the ADM: incorporating small-area games into practices, station-based training, etc. Where we (and many of the youth hockey programs in Chicago) disagree with USA Hockey, however, is with the belief that all Mite hockey must be played on half sheets, or cross-ice. We believe a blended approach consisting of full and half-ice games is more beneficial and enjoyable. Unfortunately, and despite the significant time and effort spent by our club and others to find a mutually-agreeable solution, USA Hockey has mandated a plan that we do not find workable.
The NBHL and at least 17 other local youth hockey programs have been meeting and discussing this issue regularly all while USA Hockey has continued modifying player development protocols, including imposing further game limits, over the past 3 years. We feel that the direction of USA Hockey on this issue is inconsistent with how we believe players at a young age should be developed both in terms of their skills and in their love for the game. Our belief is that local clubs, with direction from their Boards, Hockey Directors, and Staffs, are in the best position to determine the best course of action for their skaters.
After lengthy and careful consideration, a new organization has been established for Mites that will include Travel and House programs.
The new organization is the Northbrook Jr. Spartans Hockey Club (NJSHC). Jr. Spartans Travel teams will compete in the new Chicago United Hockey League (CUHL). CUHL will include at least 17 other Mite organizations from the Chicagoland area. The league will offer a full season of 24 full-ice games, plus round-robin playoffs, from September to March. Tournaments for Mite Travel teams will be in addition to their regular season games. Jr. Spartans House teams will continue to practice and play primarily at the Northbrook Sports Center.
How will this impact your child? The short answer is: very little. All Mites will participate in either a House or Travel program in the same way as in the past. The Jr. Spartans will offer a schedule that involves weekly practices, and a game schedule that is primarily on full-ice with some cross-ice.
The only noticeable difference will be in the way players register. Bluehawks Squirt, Peewee, and Bantam teams will continue to be registered with USA Hockey and be part of the NBHL, playing in the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL). The Jr. Spartans, for Mite-aged players, will register instead through the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and will be part of NJSHC, playing in CUHL. While there is much work to do between now and September to organize this transition, the Jr. Spartans will make it as seamless as possible for you, the customer.
The Jr. Spartans will host a meeting for all Mite parents on Tuesday, July 15 at 8:00 PM in the Community Room at the Northbrook Sports Center. More details about the organization and plans for the upcoming season will be provided then.
We are grateful to Arika Siegel for her continued time and efforts on this matter and for being President of the NJSHC. The new club will contract with Rich Blakey as its Hockey Director. Arika will provide you with more details as they become available. Please direct any questions to Rich or Arika. Enjoy the remainder of your summer! Hockey season will be here before we know it!
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Well done Northbrook! Let's hope a significant number of clubs follow suit and show USAH/AHAI that paying customers have choices and we won't be bullied from on-high...
ReplyDeleteI think the whole north shore, with the exception of Highland Park is going the AAU route. I know Evanston is. I actually understand both vantage points and think that in a few years most leagues will follow the ADM model, but also think that parents of kids in full ice programs now view it as a step backward.
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