Major changes or minor changes?
Minor Hockey Associations across Saskatchewan, including the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association, are waiting to see if the newly formed Saskatchewan Bantam Hockey League brings about major changes to their hockey season.
A press release from the Saskatchewan Hockey Association last week announced the new league, which will commence in October 2011. The new league dissolves the current Centre Four Hockey League bantam division and the South Sask. AA Bantam Hockey League and intended to include the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association teams as well.
The Battlefords, Humboldt and Prince Albert along with combinations of the West Central area (Dodsland), Melfort/Tisdale and Martensville/Warman make up the North Division. Excluded from the CFHL were Unity and Meadow Lake with Melfort and Tisdale combined into one centre. According to CFHL president Bruce Clements those teams left out of the league were not happy about it and are hoping to appeal the process, before they lose AA bantam hockey in their communities.
The original plan was to have six teams from Saskatoon join the North Division, but the SMHA declined to participate in the league.
In the South Division will be Estevan, Weyburn, Melville, Yorkton, Prairie Storm (Balgonie), Moose Jaw, Swift Current, four Regina teams and Notre Dame for an exhibition basis only.
BMHA president Mark Pfeifer said it is unknown yet what that will ultimately mean for the Battlefords. The bylaws and constitution as well as the schedule are not completed. Depending on whether or not the North and South Division play each other, it could mean either more travel for bantam AA teams or the same CFHL with just six teams instead of nine.
The other major change is there will no longer be separate playoff and provincial brackets at the AA bantam level. The winner of the SBHL will also be the winner of the provincial title and will represent the province at the Western Canadian Bantam Championship.
Due to declining to join the league, Saskatoon teams will no longer have an opportunity to participate in provincials.
Pfeifer explained it would not change much in the Battlefords. They accept players within the 120km radius, as regulated by SHA, but with Unity and Meadow Lake both losing their teams the Battlefords could be the closer centre for the majority of the players on those two teams looking to play AA hockey.
Clements said some teams in the CFHL are concerned with the new league's bylaws and constitution, while others are obviously disappointed about being left out of the league entirely.
Clements was explained the new league was brought about because of concerns in the rural areas, but in his discussion with some of those rural centres, he isn't convinced that was what they wanted.
Pfeifer feels the league was created by SHA to regulate the teams in the bantam level and follow the mandate.
It ultimately could mean getting the best players playing the best hockey in a league under the watchful eye of the SHA.
Clements has been the CFHL president for 14 years and said the bantam division has operated for 25 to 30 years. This season will be last to crown a Centre Four Hockey League Bantam Division Champion.
