Buckeye Travel Hockey League Board Meeting
August 30, 1998 Minutes
Sportstown Ice Center, Dayton, OH
Member Organizations Represented: Findlay, Dayton Bombers, Gem City, Cincinnati, Columbus Chill, Kettering Fairmont, Lakota, Louisville
Other Guests Present: Evansville Youth Hockey
Secretary Kim James welcomed everyone and introductions were made. The Agenda was reviewed.
The minutes from the 7/11/98 Board Meeting were reviewed. With no changes to the minutes, Jill Walker (Louisville) moved and Chuck Ericson (Fairmont) seconded, that the minutes be approved. Motion passed by consensus. Minutes for all meetings will be posted on the WEB.
Daryl Rotman presented the Treasurer's Report. The Bright Net Internet service is up to date. The 1998 - '99 Budget has been posted to the WEB.
In an e-mail dated 8/27/98 to Board Members Len Holtgreven, Rotman and James, Phil Morrical resigned his position as Vice President of the BTHL. The Oxford Youth Hockey Association met on 8/26/98 and decided not to participate in the Buckeye League this year. Phil felt that it would then be in the best interest of the League to resign. This left the BTHL with no President or Vice President. Murray Stall, President of the BTHL in 1997 ' 98 volunteered for the President's position. Kim James (Gem City) moved and Daryl Rotman (Findlay) seconded, that Murray be elected as the President for the BTHL for the 1998 - '99 season. Murray was elected by a landslide.
The BTHL is still in need of a Vice President. The main responsibility of the VP is the Chairman of the Conduct Committee. Anybody interested in filling the important position is encouraged to contact one of the BTHL Board Members and/or attend the September 19 Board Meeting.
Discussion then moved onto planning for the upcoming season. Tom Krause represented Evansville Youth Hockey and expressed the interest of that organization to join the BTHL. Evansville wants to submit a team at the 'A' level in each of the following divisions; Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam. Additional discussion centered on how Evansville would be placed and the travel that may be involved with some teams. Alternatives, such as buying ice in "neutral" locations was suggested to cut down some of the travel. Evansville expressed the desire to work with all teams involved to lessen the travel impact. Walker moved and David Stover (Dayton Bluehawks) seconded the acceptance of the Evansville Thunder Youth Hockey Association to the BTHL. The motion passed by consensus. All members believe that other elements, not just travel distance, should be taken into consideration in accepting new organizations.
The Columbus Capitals want to submit a Midget team for play in the BTHL for this season. The Capitals have participated in the past, but were "voted out" last year since they didn't have any teams in the League. Although nobody from the Capital was present, based on past participation, the recommendation was made that they be voted back in for the 1998 - '99 season. James moved and Stall seconded; motion carried.
Len Holtgreven then reviewed the list of planned participating teams. The updated list is posted to the WEB. Additional discussion started with the placement of several teams. Steve Mills, one of the coaches from the Cincinnati Cyclones Squirt team stated the team is comprised of 11 second year and 4 first year players. With the new rule in the BTHL Rules and Regs., this would place the team at the 'AA' level. Although he agreed with the rule, Steve felt they would be one of the weaker Squirt AA teams. Based on the fact that this team is the top picked team out of Cincinnati, the Board felt that no exception should be made and that if they are going to participate in the BTHL, they would have to be a Squirt AA team. Steve accepted the Board's decision and looks forward to a competitive season. He did ask for the League's support, if necessary, if he runs into problems when entering a tournament, particularly Silver Sticks and wants to play at a more competitive level. The board agreed to do what they could, based on the information available.
Discussion then moved to the Dayton Bombers/Kettering-Fairmont Bantam A team. This is a team that will be registered with USA Hockey by Kettering-Fairmont, but will be administered through the Bombers. The BTHL will recognize and place this team under Kettering-Fairmont. If any conduct issues develop over the season, they will be handled by both organizations.
The Bombers also wanted a ruling on the placement of their Pee Wee team. Although not completely formed, Steve Wilson thought it would be predominately 2nd year players. His concern, however is that most of these players played on 'B' teams last year and that they would not be competitive if forced to play at the 'AA' level. Len told him that when the team is formed to submit the roster, along with some playing history of the players and that he would make a final decision.
Additional discussion moved to the Scheduling meeting. Team applications were made available for those that needed them. Len outlined some of the procedures he will use. It was stated once again that each team must have a representative at the meeting to schedule for their team.
Walker moved and Stall seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.