BTHL Member Associations - Those Eligible to Vote at Board Meeting

To: Local Hockey Association Presidents, Buckeye League Representatives and other interested folks

From: Kim James, BTHL Secretary

The next Board Meeting of the Buckeye Travel League (BTHL) is on Saturday September 18, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. (Ohio & Kentucky); 8:00 a.m. (Indiana). The Scheduling Meeting for the upcoming playing season will immediately follow, starting at 10:00 a.m. (Ohio & Kentucky), 9:00 a.m. (Indiana). Both meetings are being held at the Dayton Airport Inn in Dayton, OH.

1999 - 2000 Board Positions

The position of President is still open for the 1999 - 2000 playing season. A description for this board position can be found in the BTHL By-Laws, located on the BTHL WEB page. A Chairman for the End-Of-Season Play-Offs is also needed. Feel free to contact any of the other board members if interested in one of these positions. Board members for 1999 - 2000 playing season:

Team Applications

We are fast approaching the deadline for team applications. Deadline is September 4, 1999. Any application received between September 4 and September 11 will be accessed a $50 late fee. No application will be accepted after September 11, 1999. One application should be completed for each team. Organizations may, however, send one check to cover the cost of all team registrations. Any teams requesting an exception to the A/AA rule should do so prior to the September 4 deadline. At a minimum, requests should include a list of players (or potential players) with birthdates and playing experience. This information can be sent to Len Holtgreven for review and appropriate board action.

Registration is again $125 per team. Team application forms are enclosed and can also be accessed from the WEB page.

1999 - 2000 Rules & Regulations

Please find enclosed the updated 1999-2000 Rules and Regulations and BTHL By-Laws. In the Rules and Regulations, changes have been made in the following sections:

• Section III Team Registration; Item D - A/AA Classification
• Section IV League Games; Item E - Referees
• Section IV League Games; Item G - Game Schedule

Changes have been made in the By-Laws in the following areas:

• Article III Membership - Section 5 added
• Article V Executive Board - re-written - This change is in effect with the 2000 - 2001 playing season

During the season, the Board tries to conduct at least one meeting via conference call. We also try to rotate meeting locations as much as possible to accommodate member organizations. The October meeting is typically held in Indianapolis, the December meeting is held during Silver Sticks weekend and the January or February meeting is held in city hosting the End-Of Season Tournament. The purpose of these two by-law changes is to increase member participation.

Organization Contacts

Enclosed is the latest contact information I have for your organization. During the playing season, mailings are sent to the President, BTHL representative and alternate rep. Please make sure this information is correct. Send any changes to me by September 13 so an updated list can be available for the scheduling meeting.

End of Season Tournament

The End of Season Tournament will be played February 18 - 20, location TBD. A tournament director is still needed. Any organization wishing to host the tournament should let a board member know ASAP.

New Member Organizations

Three new member organizations were voted into the league at the August meeting. They are Toledo Youth Hockey, Owensboro Youth Hockey and West Carrollton High School. Any members not fielding a team in the 1999 - 2000 playing season will be dropped from the league. These organizations may petition for new membership if so desired in the future. Removal of these organizations will take place at the board meeting prior to the scheduling meeting.

Team Classifications

For the 1999 - 2000 playing season, teams with more than six (6) second (2^nd) years players will be considered a "AA" team. A team with more than 6-2^nd year players may petition for an exception to this rule. Teams requesting an exception must include with their team application a list of players (or potential players) with birthdates, playing experience and reasons why the exception should be made. Important: Any teams requesting an exception must have their team application and associated information sent to Len Holtgreven by the September 4 deadline. No exceptions will be considered after that date and no exceptions will be granted at the scheduling meeting.

Notes of clarification:

• Club/High School Teams - Teams registered through USA Hockey as Club/High School will be allowed to play in the Midget AA division.
• 2^nd Year Midgets - A second year player is defined as a player in his/her third year of eligibility. First and second year Midgets are considered 1^st year players.

Len continuously updates the WEB page with the latest team information. Check this page often for any changes that may have an impact on your particular team(s).

Final Scheduling Meeting Notes

• Every team must have someone at the meeting to schedule for their team. It's highly recommended that each team come with their home ice schedule ready. It's also recommended that the organization master scheduler also come to the meeting for any last minute changes.
• Organizations hosting tournaments during the season are encouraged to bring their brochures to the scheduling meeting. Roughly 80 teams from 20+ organizations will be present.
• The Dayton Airport Inn will have a soup/sandwich/salad bar available for the $4.95 if anybody wants to eat before leaving.

Please copy this mailing and distribute to all the appropriate people within your organization so that they are aware of what's happening.

Directions to Dayton Airport Inn

See attached map.