Sports
August 14, 2008 10:15 PM
John Cudmore
As the first wave of training camp starts-and-stops begin this week, it seems there will be no stopping the Ontario Hockey Association’s pilot project in the Ontario Provincial Jr. A Hockey League from achieving lift-off.
Otherwise known as the Central Division, an eight-team division within the OPJHL to be unveiled this season, the project is well on the way to its maiden flight when the puck drops for regular season play next month.
It is difficult to imagine the pilot will not take flight for the 2008-09 season.
Regular season schedules are in place and the group of eight teams is pursuing its own commissioner — St. Mike’s Buzzers’ Mike McCarron is the interim boss.
The Central Division is about to announce a marketing program aimed at raising the profile of the project. In addition, Cardinal Sports Management has been hired as educational consultant to provide access to opportunities for every player. And a busing contract has been secured for the eight teams that include the Stouffville Spirit and Markham Waxers, in addition to the Hurricanes and Buzzers.
Wellington Dukes, Cobourg Cougars, Toronto Canadiens and Hamilton Red Wings round out the field for the initial season.
All this aside, and perhaps most important, there is a vision toward the future in place that would take the pilot project beyond its one-year promise and perhaps alter the face of junior hockey in the province.
“We believe in it because we believe in the concepts and where it could go,” said Hurricanes’ majority owner Anthony Pietramala and one of the key pushers of the project. “We’re hoping to show the Ontario Hockey League, CIS and NCAA this is the way of the future.”
For the upcoming season, at least, it will be difficult for fans to detect on-ice differences between the Central loop and its brothers in the North, East and West since player recruiting for the 2008-09 season. The business of recruiting players has been conducted in the same manner as any past season. In short, it is too early to use the pilot project's potential profile as a selling point.
“It’s not a super league of elite teams. But a different division of like-minded individuals who think junior hockey should take a different direction,” Pietramala said, speaking on the issue of competitiveness.
Despite beefs from the other 29 teams in the OPJHL, who are still, apparently, considering appeals to Hockey Canada and subsequent legal cases after being rejected by the Ontario Hockey Federation last month, the project has plenty of upside. Few can dispute that issue. However, that core group as a whole is still stuck on its own perception that the OHA rammed through the pilot without consulting its OPJHL teams.
That, more than being part of the action, seems is the sticking point in this matter.
“Each shareholder in the league wants a say and to play a role in the decision-making in future changes in the direction of the league they fund,” said Port Hope Predators’ general manager Tim Clayden, also a member of the OPJHL executive committee.
“(But) until Hockey Canada decides to hear and appeal, there is no question the pilot project is moving forward. Right now it is a series of ongoing negotiations between partners and the OHA to resolve differences. It’s down to the final touches to get the league back on track and moving forward in a positive manner.”
At the same time, there is a dangling carrot — be assured, there are franchises sitting quietly on the sidelines hoping this thing works — and about the potential to join for the 2009-10 season should the project be extended beyond one season. There is, you know, a distinct possibility the field will be expanded and certain teams could be shuffled in and out of the mix.
“Who knows? It’s possible the original eight may not be part of it in the long-run,” said Pietramala.
Whistle blowers: It’s tough enough running a 127-team rep soccer tournament as did the Newmarket Soccer Club over the weekend with its marquee Heart of York tournament.
Rain-soaked conditions complicated the logistics to be sure. But it can’t help matters when on-field officials are absent for Day 2 assignments on Sunday based on rain the previous day.
Players pay to play the game and show up. Taking it upon themselves to play the role of climatologist and failing to show up for assignments can’t help a club’s image in the eyes of visitors.