I received my official letter in the mail today announcing that Indianapolis travel hockey has come together under the Indianapolis Checkers name. The old Racers/Checkers and Jr Ice are united. The new org in Westfield (Arctic Blast) will still exist, but Indianapolis is too large to have only one travel association.

I personally don't feel this change impacts me much, but I'd like to thank the organizations involved for coming together. Just like Toledo, there isn't room for three quality programs in Indy.

Part of the deal in joining the organizations is that all teams will play under the Checker name. Former Jr Ice teams (were to be called the Indy Wings in 2004-05 with the departure of the Indianapolis Ice professional team), Racers and Checkers AAA teams all under the Checkers name.

I think this is good news for Indy parents and kids. For those of you outside Indy, you'll have to get used to the Checkers name being used for AAA, AA, & A teams.

Only time will tell, but it looks good from here...

myhockeyman

Is this effective immediately? If yes, have any of these organizations held tryouts already? If yes, I am assuming that the teams will have to be reset. Any mention of which teams will play at what rinks or will the practices and games just be scheduled as necessary for what ever rink?

This sounds great for Indy!! There is still a second program for those that might have or develop issues with the Checkers organization, but the combination should allow some fairly strong AA and A teams to be formed. (Indy AAA teams were always the Checkers--right?)

What problems would this cause if the new IYHA would scrap all travel teams that have been picked and have new tryouts?

I agree that this is a very good thing for Hockey in Indianapolis.
Good job IYHA, Fishers and IJYHA.

Team Info and Consolidation as you may have heard.

IYHA travel coaches,

For the 2004-05 season and beyond all our travel teams will be named Checkers! There will/may be some distinction between tier 1 and tier 2 (to be determined). Many details to follow. The five travel teams formerly the jr ice will also be Checkers. This is the first step in unifying and combing the IYHA, Jr. Ice and Fishers for the 2005-06 season.

Further, all travel teams will wear navy helmets, navy pants, and combination of red, white, and blue gloves starting this season (2004-2005) and beyond. I understand that this is a change for the Racers and the former Junior ice teams. The colors were chosen because the new Junior team, Indiana Ice, will wear the same colors schemes related to helmet, pants and gloves. Since the tier 1 Checkers teams are a potential feeder for that teams, it makes the most sense to wear those colors.

Currently, we are taking an inventory of old Checkers jersey's. These may be available if the teams dont want to purchase the newly designed jersey's. Details to follow. Former Checker's team will have the option of using their old jersey's or buying new.

Related to the above, apparel and jersey sizing details will be forthcoming shortly.

Thanks

VP of Travel IYHA

Wish i had a stake in the pro shop in Fishers!$
If I had recently bought my kid gloves, helmet or pants - I might be a little miffed.
Other than that, congrats Indy.

The Board could care less about what families have to spend on the right color helmet, breezer or gloves. The amount of money wasted on Uniforms alone is nuts. Take that money and develope skills.

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Originally posted by CrossCheck:
What problems would this cause if the new IYHA would scrap all travel teams that have been picked and have new tryouts?

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If teams are set already, there might be concern about committing to a team/organization due to the coach or other players on that team and finding out later that your son or daughter will not be playing with that group but with somebody else. In Columbus, for example, tryouts are done and teams set. Commitments and rejections have been made. Suddenly the situation expected is gone, you have a new situation and the offer from the other organization that you rejected is no longer available. It would feel like a bit of bait-and-switch to me.