So far based on postings on this forum, looks like the BTHL Pee Wee AA division is going to have the following teams\programs:
For Sure =
1-Cincy (Patterson team) 2-Indy Gold (Frazer team) 3-Indy Silver (Kremer team) grid forces AA due to # of 2nd year kids
Possible =
1 - Columbus, Indiana - earlier posting by coach says they are considering playing "AA"
Not Likely =
1- Dayton, thread on this site says they are going independent.
2 - Columbus, Ohio - thread on this site says they will likely stay in CSHL.
3 - Findlay - only took 10 second year players, grid would allow "A" level, earlier posting on this site says they likely play "A".
Don't Know =
1 - Ft Wayne Komets - did not have a PW team last season in BTHL, but they are listed as a prospective team...Len, do you know if they contacted Buckeye about any PW teams?
2 - Ft Wayne River Rats - last year had AA team, dont know if they plan to return? anybody with knowledge?
3 - No. Ky & Louisville - will they have enough talent and players to field another PW AA team like last season? anybody know??
Still looking like a small number of teams for this age\division...am I missing anbody, anything??
Posts: 70 | Location: cincy | Registered: June 23, 2004
The Fort Wayne Komets have indicated they intend to enter teams in the league acrossed the board. CCYHA has also indicated intent to enter a PW AA team.
The Butler County Youth Hockey Association has changed their nickname from "Blackhawks" to "Redhawks". So yes, this is the same organization Evansville played last season.
Posts: 18 | Location: ohio | Registered: June 28, 2004
Looks like the AA division is turning basically into the jumbo programs division - Cincy, Indy, Columbus and maybe Ft. Wayne...
the mid-size programs (Evansville, Butler, Louisville, No. Ky, etc) are going in the A level given their numbers and depth of talent and ability to truly compete at this level....
although the number of teams in AA is down, its a more accurate reflection of competitive level - before these mid size programs were forced into AA and were often (not always), but often in over their heads and a long, long season with a 0-20 or 1-19 season which isnt fun for them or good for the teams who beat up on them.
Bottom line is, Indy, Cincy and Columbus are competitive with each other, but there are not enough other programs in their geography, so extended travel to play teams like themselves is required...
no grid can solve for that problem, its a matter of growth in the sport of hockey in these other communities where hockey isnt a sport of choice among many youth athletes!
The Buckeye prospective teams link now shows Indy as fielding only one AA team, not two. Same for Bantam. Perhaps they got special permission, despite the no. of second years.
