Melrose,
I guess what they want is to teach the teams to play nice and let the other teams stay close. There are many other things to do where there is no score kept. In a tournament like this its about winning. The old saying is true- If you cant run with the big dogs stay on the porch!!
The racer teams did what they had to do to make it to the next level and that is skating hard for 3 periods each game. Congrats and what a great coaching job to turn the team around

quote:

Perhaps letting the host team be represented whether or not they're competitive is not the best way to select teams to play at districts?

Which host team are you talking about?

Honestly, I'm not referring to any particular host team. I'm just wondering if the host team should automatically be included at any level, districts or nationals? I go back to my statement that if these tournaments are suppose to be about the best of the best, what is the best way to be sure that goal is achieved? There is probably not one right answer. For the last two years at my son's level neither host team won a single game. Not sure if that is the norm or not but I don't think it's a positive sign for sure.

Just to tell you a little about nationals...

The reason that the host team is always included is that the host organization is in charge of organizing the affair on the ground. They pay for the ice, they get the volunteers to work the event. And if the sell enough passes to see the event, they may actually make a couple of bucks. But more importantly than making a few bucks, it is the opportunity to have your kids exposed to the top teams in the country is what makes organizations sign up to host nationals.

With the change to "super-sites" (24 teams) to be implemented beginning next year, my understanding is that a single 4 sheet facility will be required to host going forward. So the "small organization" that is way out of its league at nationals won't be a common occurrance in the future. Most small organizations don't have that type of facility.

Having been to a girls nationals that ran at 2 2-sheet facilities last year (Centennial CO) and about to go to another this year in Buffalo, I really look forward to having it all in 1 building. Being able to watch that much high level hockey at 1 location going non-stop from about 8AM till about 7PM is a real treat for parents, players, and the hockey public at large.

And with the large facility in Buffalo, you have a fairly competitve girls hockey organization that while not favored to win any division, won't embarass themselves.

The only downside I see in the new format is a relative lack of willing girls division hosts with 4-sheet facilities. Perhaps some large girls organizations in Detroit will step up now and try to host for once.