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Originally posted by breakout:
I would hope that _teams_ and organizations would want to play a division up, if they've had previous success playing where they were slotted. Talent changes from year to year, and most organizations have birth years that are strong, and birth years that are weak. Look at Bloomington, for example. This is no knock on them...but it's obvious those teams were talented enough to at least play in the "A" division this season. All three (3) teams played "B" and led their divisions. My guess is they'll consider playing up a notch next year. I haven't looked, but chances are they supplemented their schedule with tougher non-conference competition, which is the right thing to do.

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In reference to the above comments. This was Bloomington's first year in the BTHL. We previously played in the GCYHL. Therefore, we were automatically placed in the 'B' divisions. This was something BTHL did, not Bloomington Blades Youth Hockey Association. I'll also note that in the past few years in the GCYHL (a 'B' league only), our teams haven't had much success. We haven't even been in the top 3 at any age level in many years. Another note, our organization is very small, and even if we weren't grandfathered into the 'B' divisions due to our GCYHL relationship, we would STILL have been put into the 'B' division (based on the guidelines set by the BTHL). Were our teams some of the better 'B' teams? Yes! However, are Squirt team was the only team to win the tournament championship. And I might add, both Huntington and Cincinnati BOTH gave us all we could handle in those games. Lets give credit where credit is due. Bloomington's teams practiced and played VERY hard.(Just like everyone else) Fortunately, our kids got to experience some success for a change.

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Originally posted by David Leverenz:
our organization is very small, and even if we weren't grandfathered into the 'B' divisions due to our GCYHL relationship, we would STILL have been put into the 'B' division (based on the guidelines set by the BTHL). Were our teams some of the better 'B' teams? Yes! However, are Squirt team was the only team to win the tournament championship. And I might add, both Huntington and Cincinnati BOTH gave us all we could handle in those games. Lets give credit where credit is due. Bloomington's teams practiced and played VERY hard.(Just like everyone else) Fortunately, our kids got to experience some success for a change.

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David,

I don't think the intent was to take anything away from the accomplishments of your group this year. Congratulatioins to your association and especially the Squirt team. As you look forward to next year, I think the question is what do you do--assuming that the same kids stay with the program? Just because BTHL would allow a team to play at the B level doesn't mean that is the right choice. As Len, indicated, several second-selected teams who could have played A, decided to play AA.

It would seem that if you had success at one level and get many to most of the same kids back the next year, you have to at least consider moving up a level depending largely upon whether the team is also moving up an age classification. This doesn't mean that you decide to actually do it--there could be reasons such as taking a large group of second year squirts and moving them up to peewee and checking that it would be better to leave them at the B level--but it seems like it should be part of the analysis.

Again, congratulations to the Bloomington Association.

David,

CBJHockeyNut explains my point exactly. My intent was not to belittle your accomplishments this season. My apologies to you if you took it in that regard. You've had success at all levels this season, and should be proud of that. I used your program as an example, because I noticed that all of your teams were at the top in their respective divisions. I had no prior knowledge of the way you were brought into the BTHL.

Thanks! We have already began our dialogue about our peewee team for next year. For the record, I am personally a VERY competetive person and I would have preferred our teams (at least my sons team - squirts) to have competed at the 'A' level. I believe we had some VERY talented players, however this doesn;t justify playing in a higher league. This is a 'Team' sport and not an individual sport. The overall talent of your team is what has to be considered. No disrespect intended, but we have some players that don't even belong playing 'B' level hockey. Believe me, I wish our program was big enough to offer more opportunities ('A' and 'AA' teams). Some of our kids don't get that opportunity to play at the level they are more suited for. If I get my way, we'll see you in the 'A' league next year! :-)