USA Hockey Crowns 24 Youth National Champions
USA Hockey crowned 24 youth champions over the past couple weekends. Congrats to the 2011 Champions! Additionally, thanks to all the volunteers who put in countless hours making this possible for the players, coaches and fans. At all 8 locations there was an organization that made it all possible.
A couple things to note this year. While there are many more improvements needed, kudos to USA Hockey for fixing the Massachusetts Tier 2 Girls District Qualifier. This year seven different USA Hockey districts won girls titles, with only New England (and the state of Connecticut) winning more than one. The three classes of Tier 2 boys tournaments appeared to be better organized and more competitive this year. I know some people appreciate this improvement, but when almost half the state champions didn't play a qualifying game to make it to Nationals, more needs to be done. And if USA Hockey is thinking that there are too many teams making it to Nationals (like the rest of us are thinking), the answer isn't to eliminate Peewee Nationals, but to revert back to district qualifying for Nationals at the Tier 2 level. And while I'm at it, USA Hockey needs to get serious about defining what Tier 1 and what Tier 2 hockey is (and is not). Should teams be able to have $100k budgets, with coaches making five digit salaries, playing in AAA leagues and/or tournaments and then play Tier 2 at Nationals? Common sense says no, but USA Hockey says yes. Why do pre/post teams in Wisconsin, New England and a few other states attempt to qualify for Nationals, but not those from Minnesota or Michigan? I'd best stop here. I've definitely got some more rants, but I'll save those for another time. Enjoy the off-season! Oh, that's right, most of you are already trying out for next years team and there really is no off-season. Another future rant...
Again, congrats to all 24 National Champions!
- Boys Tier 1 18U - Shattuck-St Mary's
- Boys Tier 1 16U - Detroit Honeybaked
- Boys Tier 1 14U - Detroit Belle Tire
- Boys Tier 1 12U - New Jersey Colonials
- Boys Tier 2 18U (3A) - Hatfield Ice Dogs
- Boys Tier 2 18U (2A) - Richmond Royals
- Boys Tier 2 18U (1A) - Lewiston Area
- Boys Tier 2 16U (3A) - Summit Plastics
- Boys Tier 2 16U (2A) - Mid-State Mustangs
- Boys Tier 2 16U (1A) - North Dakota Starz
- Boys Tier 2 14U (3A) - Old York Road Raiders
- Boys Tier 2 14U (2A) - Indianapolis Racers
- Boys Tier 2 14U (1A) - Casco Bay
- Boys Tier 2 12U (3A) - California Heat
- Boys Tier 2 12U (2A) - Indianapolis Racers
- Boys Tier 2 12U (1A) - Oklahoma City Oil Kings
- Girls Tier 1 19U - Shattuck St Mary's
- Girls Tier 1 16U - Detroit Honeybaked
- Girls Tier 1 14U - Mid Fairfield CT Stars
- Girls Tier 1 12U - Assabet Valley
- Girls Tier 2 19U - Dallas Alliance Bulldogs
- Girls Tier 2 16U - Connectict Polar Bears
- Girls Tier 2 14U - Rome Grizzlies
- Girls Tier 2 12U - San Jose Jr Sharks
A couple things to note this year. While there are many more improvements needed, kudos to USA Hockey for fixing the Massachusetts Tier 2 Girls District Qualifier. This year seven different USA Hockey districts won girls titles, with only New England (and the state of Connecticut) winning more than one. The three classes of Tier 2 boys tournaments appeared to be better organized and more competitive this year. I know some people appreciate this improvement, but when almost half the state champions didn't play a qualifying game to make it to Nationals, more needs to be done. And if USA Hockey is thinking that there are too many teams making it to Nationals (like the rest of us are thinking), the answer isn't to eliminate Peewee Nationals, but to revert back to district qualifying for Nationals at the Tier 2 level. And while I'm at it, USA Hockey needs to get serious about defining what Tier 1 and what Tier 2 hockey is (and is not). Should teams be able to have $100k budgets, with coaches making five digit salaries, playing in AAA leagues and/or tournaments and then play Tier 2 at Nationals? Common sense says no, but USA Hockey says yes. Why do pre/post teams in Wisconsin, New England and a few other states attempt to qualify for Nationals, but not those from Minnesota or Michigan? I'd best stop here. I've definitely got some more rants, but I'll save those for another time. Enjoy the off-season! Oh, that's right, most of you are already trying out for next years team and there really is no off-season. Another future rant...
Again, congrats to all 24 National Champions!
