Are you or your kids playing hockey too late? Times suck?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by V

The NCHL is building their own rink to try to get some better start times for their league. I don't know if that just means that prices for the league are too high, but it seems like a good idea to me. If I can get a couple games in at 8:00 instead of 11:30 I'll be thrilled.

The ice times will be very good apparantly, however there's a couple of wierd things about it though. First of all, they are saying that teams will play a few games on their "outdoor but covered rink" as if it's a "cool experience", personally I just see it as them cheaping out and saving money. I don't know how I feel about paying $8000 (per team) and then playing some games outside in the cold winter air.

Also, like Jayems said, they are suggesting that team GM's will need to "front money", kind of a membership type scenario, which is also crazy. As a GM myself, and going to school, I can barely come up with my portion of the league fees, so I'm really in no position to front money, and I would assume there are a number of GM's in my position.

[jayswin]

Wow, lots of div C players on here eh? I play for the Whitesox in the south division.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

What's your team name? I'm in Div C south, and I think we play a few north teams

We're the gorillas.

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Also, like Jayems said, they are suggesting that team GM's will need to "front money", kind of a membership type scenario, which is also crazy. As a GM myself, and going to school, I can barely come up with my portion of the league fees, so I'm really in no position to front money, and I would assume there are a number of GM's in my position.

I actually have played Div C (Eagles) last year, but couldnt finish out the season because of other commitments. Right now I'm playing in both HNA + NCHL.

I've heard that as well. Apparently its something along the lines of a $10,000 up front fee and that guarantees your ice time (eg. 8pm every Tuesday). For how long I have no idea or if its a one-time scenario. They are also going to have games all day Saturday and Sunday.

Personally I cant stand the NCHL. They are after 1 thing and 1 thing only...your money. I find HNA much better run, with WAY better ice times (ours have actually been getting better), better tournaments etc. The only bad thing is the jersey rules (matching helmet + pants).

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Personally I cant stand the NCHL. They are after 1 thing and 1 thing only...your money. I find HNA much better run, with WAY better ice times (ours have actually been getting better), better tournaments etc. The only bad thing is the jersey rules (matching helmet + pants).

what division in HNA are you? We are in div 5 right now, the eagles. This is my second year in the league. I love playing in it.

[Tron_fdc]

We play the Whitesox in 2 weeks...hilarious. We may not win, but I can guarantee we could out-drink you guys.

It's only my second season in the NCHL, and my main complaint so far has been the refs. No idea if they ref a bunch of gmes back to back, but it seems like once you get to the late games they're all strung out and blow a gasket if you question their calls.

I'm not too interested in plaing outdoor hockey for 2x what I'm paying now though. I'm sure I'm not alone on that either.

Edit: our last game of the season is against the Gorillas. No idea WTF the NCHL is doing that for...I think half our games are vs North teams.

[flambers]

My kid plays minor hockey in South Calgary. Personally the announcement from the City is great news.

Last year it was announced Calgary is 10 rinks short with the number increasing.

This year due to numbers Minor Hockey were forced to limit the amount of Kids who can play.

As for the ice times, not sure what choice the City has. If you child is young the ice times are very early. If you child is in the older groups the ice is late.... With the shortage of rinks there is no other options.

[Jebus]

New rinks can't come fast enough.
I have absolutely no problem with minor hockey getting all the prime ice times, as really, that's where it should go. But I have a huge problem with beer leagues that can't get ice until 11 at night on weeknights. Brutal.
Unfortunately, adding four rinks won't make a dent. We could add a dozen rinks in Calgary and likely not see much difference.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Jebus

New rinks can't come fast enough.
I have absolutely no problem with minor hockey getting all the prime ice times, as really, that's where it should go. But I have a huge problem with beer leagues that can't get ice until 11 at night on weeknights. Brutal.
Unfortunately, adding four rinks won't make a dent. We could add a dozen rinks in Calgary and likely not see much difference.

Below is the annoucement, however I bet this will not be enough to fix the Beer league issues.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...e2b1fe&k=58697

a plan that includes funding three regional recreation centres, five additional ice rinks and four tournament-standard soccer fields.
All projects would use the city money to leverage funds from other levels of government, although some projects already have matching grants lined up.

Spending Priorities

Where Dave Bronconnier proposes spending $301.5 million on recreation in the next decade:

- $70 million -- toward each of three regional recreation facilities. Land has been set aside for the one in the northeast and securing funding has started. It could be ready for construction by mid-2009. Land is in place for the one in Seton, while the proposed northwest facility still needs a location.

- $40 million -- capital reserve fund to retrofit and upgrade existing rec facilities.

- $20 million -- partner with Calgary Olympic Development Association to build four ice surfaces at Canada Olympic Park.

- $14 million -- two ice rinks at South Fish Creek recreation centre.

- $8 million -- a new athletic park at New Brighton, with four tournament quality soccer fields.

- $9.5 million -- new ice rink at the Family Leisure Centre.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

We play the Whitesox in 2 weeks...hilarious. We may not win, but I can guarantee we could out-drink you guys.

It's only my second season in the NCHL, and my main complaint so far has been the refs. No idea if they ref a bunch of gmes back to back, but it seems like once you get to the late games they're all strung out and blow a gasket if you question their calls.

I'm not too interested in plaing outdoor hockey for 2x what I'm paying now though. I'm sure I'm not alone on that either.

Edit: our last game of the season is against the Gorillas. No idea WTF the NCHL is doing that for...I think half our games are vs North teams.

Lol, not likely... I think you should change that to "we may win, but I garauntee we can't out-drink you guys."

Maybe a healthy wager is in order?

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

what division in HNA are you? We are in div 5 right now, the eagles. This is my second year in the league. I love playing in it.

Nice! I play on the Roughnecks, last year we were div 5.5, this year div 7. We played the Eagles quite a few times 2-3 years ago (same division). I think we played you guys once 2 years ago. Thats the best thing about HNA is the parity in the divisions. Plus the refs get paid more than NCHL, so they get the "good" ones.

And I have no idea how the NCHL got enough money together to build a 4 rink complex. Any idea on costs??

[Ch40s]

Down here in the south we really need another complex.

When Midgit teams have icetimes at 9 or 10 at night on weeknights way up in the north, something's wrong.

Typically something like three times a month you have a late and/or far away practice, games are usually better times, but you have quite a few up north because of the more northern teams.

Edit:

Originally Posted by flambers

Spending Priorities

Where Dave Bronconnier proposes spending $301.5 million on recreation in the next decade:

- $70 million -- toward each of three regional recreation facilities. Land has been set aside for the one in the northeast and securing funding has started. It could be ready for construction by mid-2009. Land is in place for the one in Seton, while the proposed northwest facility still needs a location.

- $40 million -- capital reserve fund to retrofit and upgrade existing rec facilities.

- $20 million -- partner with Calgary Olympic Development Association to build four ice surfaces at Canada Olympic Park.

- $14 million -- two ice rinks at South Fish Creek recreation centre.

- $8 million -- a new athletic park at New Brighton, with four tournament quality soccer fields.

- $9.5 million -- new ice rink at the Family Leisure Centre.

Good.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Nice! I play on the Roughnecks, last year we were div 5.5, this year div 7. We played the Eagles quite a few times 2-3 years ago (same division). I think we played you guys once 2 years ago. Thats the best thing about HNA is the parity in the divisions. Plus the refs get paid more than NCHL, so they get the "good" ones.

And I have no idea how the NCHL got enough money together to build a 4 rink complex. Any idea on costs??

i just looked at the sched from last year and we played to a 6-6 tie in december