Q: For the Owners/Managers/Coaches...

[MrCanada]

In a PIHA structured league, where the players pay to play (and usually they all pay the same amount to play, roughly 300-400$)

That is why (in my opinion) PIHA was never pro, never will be and people running it or subscribing to it are far from professional.

How can you justify to a player, his lack of floor time (healthy scratch) compare to a player that plays his every shift + PP + PK? If they pay the same amount, shouldn't they get the same service, treatment?

[scotty b]

I think when a player try's out for a team, he understands the situation. Now in a perfect world you would think someone who pays gets to play just as much. However everyone going in understands the situation and wants to be a part of something bigger. Maybe the word pro isnt the best word but im sure everyone understands exactley how the league works. Now im neither an owner mngr, or coach but it seems pretty simple to me. Plus not everyone always wants to play every shift. When you play a smaller role, and are happy with that role it can be just as fulfilling to be a part of the team, and contribute where needed. Know your role! Is what our coach likes to say. KNOW YOUR ROLE!

[MrCanada]

Maybe the word pro isnt the best word but im sure everyone understands exactley how the league works.

I agree, never use pro and PIHA together ever again.

As for understanding how the league works, I think this is exactly what hapened this year, some poeple got sick and tired of paying and asked the league:"Hey how do you guys work?" And the league did not like that...

As for myself it would be so easy to make me happy, just change every supposedly pro leagues' name to Senior or Adult because lets face it guys, none of you are playing pro roller, you are all playing into a well organised adult league that's it that's all and it will be the same next year!

And another thing, if I pay to play and I get to the rink and they (coaches and managers) tells me:"You are not playing today" What are my rights, why this guy over that one? Do coaches pay to coach or get paid? What about Managers? Does the onwers makes money at the end?

The players are the ones supplying the $$$ and they get benched or even traded... LOL!

[nyrhatric]

I think that even at the house level, in the adult "A" leagues or High School leagues, players understand why some players get more playing time. What about the kids who play travel or high school? Their parents watch every tournament go by with their son, who paid the same amount of money, not getting as much playing time as a certain other player or two. It happens.

But as long as most people are playing on a team, and their enjoying it, they're ok. At the adult level, only the cry babies will complain about their playing time. I think they have every right to complain, and they have the same right to not sign up again next year too.

But if it was me, I'd continue playing with PIHA, AIHL, or MLRH on the third line if I was having fun and helping the team. That's just me


Bobby Henry

[hckypop02]

Folks, I have coached for a lot of years and I learned from Mario Sousa of the Nor-Cal Mustangs long ago that you don't need to take the best players but take the players that you know will give 110%, practice hard, be positional role players if need be and that will buy into the "team" concept.
When I first started out coaching years ago it was all about getting the best and winning everytime. Yes it is about winning but also teach the team values and don't ride your own kids if they play for you, a lesson well learned I must admit. Teach with a team attitude and the rest will fall into place!

[coach]

well mr.canada the idea you believe in is why piha,aihl will not move forward.its not about winning its about teamwork and teamwork only.fee's are paid so organizations can succeed.who is going to pay the bills you?any league is only as strong as its weakest link. its what i preach and coach to my players on the hartford fire ants.our team doesn't base our success on our best players just all as a team.hardwork and dedication and no complaining should bring winning and progress.togetherness makes a team,not wondering what fee each guy should pay.winning and success is achieved by how much each guy wants to play by skating hard and working to be a complete player.why waste time about money?,the passion owners,coaches,players have for the game itself.if you want to fix this fee problem step up and get us a t.v. contract!not happening is it?now please stop complaining out here and give us a solution!

[minutemen]

Mr Canada, I have to agree with the rest on this. It does not matter if you pay, if your not playing well you do not play. I and most players have had to deal with that throughout our playing careers. My parents paid for me to play and I sat he bench sometimes. But it made me bust my butt and become one of the top players on the team. Obviously I ma taking about youth travel and All Stars. And yes most owners pay money as well. I paid almost full price for my team for 3 years until I got sponsors. I know most owners and coaches end up paying alot more out of the pockets then players do.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Coach,

The invention of the space between sentences has been with us for hundreds of years because it works. Please consider using it.

[Stampede#11]

Since when did hockey become a communist pass time?!?!?

Everyone must pay an amount pro-rata'ed to how much you played!?! ... it is just part of playing a team sport, where you may be a role player. Take pride in what you do, and hope your lesser minutes and team spirit are valued by your team mates. If people don't like that .. play a solo sport like bloody ping pong or the ker-plunk pro tour.

The only "value" anyone will get out of playing inline hockey in the near future is the value of being part of a team and laughs that will be had.

So please drop all the "pro" or "not pro" talk ... as it is very tired on this board now. It is like groundhog day sometimes ... "what is pro?", "how is it pro when you have to pay?", "if I get paid to do something does that make me a pro?" ... look it up in a friggin dictionary for christ's sake.

Everyone knows unless you get paid, or at the very least, don't have to pay for playing/travel/equipment ... you are not a proffessional/semi-pro athelete.

It is like me buying a truck load of milk ... taking it to people's houses, giving it to them, and saying I am a Professional Milk Man!

[quick_dry]

It does work smoother if the players don't pay for the team when it is a team where rosters change because it is essentially a rep team, versus the normal situation where costs are just split because you're only a rec league/club team and everyone will get rink time, even if some get more and some a bit less.

I don't think there are issues when people are getting a few less shifts a game, but when the team costs are split up at the start of the season, and then partway in, someone finds they're just scratched from the team completely. You can argue that that the risk you take, but it'd be hard not to feel like you got taken for your money.

[Stampede#11]

Again then back to the fact this is and will be for the forseeable future, an amateur sport. As you would do in any amateur instance ... You play on teams with guys you know and/or trust.

If you are lucky enough to be getting your hockey subsidised .. you get cut ... big deal, as long as you are not out of pocket.

If you go and play for a team, pay up front fees, and you don't know any of the people running the set up .. fool on you. A class at the local college in "common sense for beginners" would probably be better use of your time and cash.

In answer toe Mr Canada's original question ... you can justify someone getting more/less floor time .. that is just the risk we all take playing hockey and playing your role in a squad.

You can't justify cutting someone from a squad mid season of they have paid up front and were selected at a trial. If that happens then you have just had your leg lifted ....

.... And I am sure Mr Canada you already know all of the above .. so why ask the question?

No coach, owner and/or manager is going to come on here to debate this pointless thread ... that I am certain of. Please can we stop these pointless threads and have something that others reading this board (i.e. me) can learn from and get ideas from?

[PGHhockey]

I now have ambitions to be a professional milkman.

But, on topic, I don't believe that travel/competitive/elite leagues and tournaments are subject to any kind of "equal playing time" unwritten rule. This isn't suffrage, people.

Although I would say that house leagues (adult and youth) should follow a principle where everyone gets to play. Sure, in a tight game, you'll shorten up the bench, but I think that's expected and understood.

For instance, in our youth in-house leagues, the scorekeeper rings the buzzer every 3 minutes and the teams must change lines. Does it interrupt the flow of the game? Absolutely. But, every kid gets a chance to play, to have fun, to learn, and to grow. Isn't that what it's all about?

[coach]

Mr. Graham,

My post was posted in a hurry.My apologies. Have a nice day.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Coach,

No worries. I understand. I made a mistake once.

[Zubas Stylist]

holy moly

a) Its called a spacebar. Notice the spaces between the words. This is used after a comma as well.

b) The beginning of a new sentence starts with a capitol letter. Notice the capitol T at the beginning of the word the.

c) It's

Makes it much easier for the reader to read