CSHL League Meeting Sept. 8, 2009

Programs attending: Canton-Akron, Cleveland Hts., CCYHA Bluejackets, Elyria, Erie, Euclid, Fremont, Garfield, Geauga, Gilmour, Mentor, North Olmsted, Parma, Rocky River, Shaker, Strongsville, Tri-County, Winterhurst and Wooster. Columbus Capitals excused absence.

Board Members attending: Tim O’Shaughnessy, Terry Horonzy, Barry Lulas, Chris Kendel, Don Lewis, Mike Radosevic, Pam Rice, and Jim Smith

Minutes from May 19 Annual Meeting and Elections were previously distributed for review. Motion made by Cyndi Bova to approve minutes. Seconded by Ed Garrity. All in favor, motion passed.

Review of preseason scheduling times, requirements for attendance by team rep, hops.

Tim reviewed creation of team preseason schedules, ability to make changes, add additional games. Only games scheduled at Saturday’s scheduling session will be counted toward a team’s RPI. Ice times submitted but not used will be released and returned in a spreadsheet to the Head of Program. 8 games per team optimal for data collection. Teams can schedule more games if desired, not required. 10 day grace period for changing games at no charge: both coaches must agree. Coaches are advised to re-arrange their schedule to accommodate away games requiring 1-1/2 to 2 hr travel time, will not be able to cancel these games arbitrarily.

Non-CSHL teams wishing to attend scheduling and pick up games against CSHL teams will not be charged the $150 per team deposit, but will be charged the $8.00 fee per game.

New program this year being utilized to calculate what is the best size for each division level.  Should help during petition review process to determine where cut off point should be. 8 teams per division still a good basis, but 6 team divisions or 10 team divisions a possibility if data supports this.

Cathy Fievet will not be present at Saturday’s scheduling session but Pam Rice will be assisting her by collecting team rosters that day. Rosters are not due on Sept 13 but Peewee and Bantam teams planning on playing in the USA Hockey State Tournaments should have their rosters approved as soon as possible so early season games count toward their tournament application requirements.  Next season USA Hockey will mandate on-line registration for all players and coaches.

Cleveland Hts and Euclid will be fielding a combined Bantam team this season. Both programs did not have enough players to have separate teams, by fielding a single sponsored by both programs it allows players to stay with their friends, enjoy what may be their final season in CSHL before going to high school. Cleveland Hts and Euclid are commended for the effort and thought they have put into this to make it a success.

General discussion was held regarding best way to determine proper number of games per division level. Smaller divisions (6,7,8) at Mite, Squirt, will result in less games at younger ages, larger divisions (9, 10) at Peewee and Bantam, resulting in more games at older ages. Program budgets may not permit 10 team divisions, may not be able to find/fund the ice for the required number of games.  General consensus of HOPS was to let RPI dictate division breaks, don’t make decisions on team movement based on 2 program teams in same division, moving teams up or down to make  8-team division levels, etc, less emphasis on petitions.

Motion to adjourn made by Mike Koehler, seconded by Pam Rice.  All in favor, meeting adjourned.