Message-ID: <3D86077A.5F213506@fuse.net>
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 12:31:54 -0400
From: Hugh Miller <nkic@fuse.net>
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To: Len Holtgreven <LenHoltgreven@loadmasterscale.com>
Subject: Re: Petition Request]
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Status: U

Mark M. Dean
Athens Youth Hockey Association
Pee Wee “A” Coach
2 Dove Drive
Athens, OH  45701
(614) 336-7077/ (740) 592-4675
mark.dean@oh.ngb.army.mil

Mr. Tracy Merritt
President, Buckeye Travel Hockey League
906 Queens Court
Centerville, OH  45429


Dear Mr. Merritt,

I am contacting you on behalf of the Players, Parents, and Coaches of the Athens
Youth Hockey Association (AYHA) Pee Wee “A” Travel Team with a formal Petition
requesting participation in the Buckeye Travel Hockey League at the Pee Wee “A”
level during the 2002-2003 season.  This petition is based on the BTHL Rules and
Regulations Section III, paragraph D, which states a team can have no more than
six “2nd Year” players.  In this instance “2nd Year” being defined as players
born in 1990.

We are requesting this exception to the Rules and Regulations based on several
facts.  The first is the extremely limited number of PeeWee age players in the
Athens Youth Hockey Association.  Please bear with me while I explain the
numbers.  For example, there are 27 PeeWee’s in the entire Athens organization.
Of those 27 players, 17 were born in 1990.  Of those 17, nine have registered
for travel hockey.  Four competed at the Pee Wee level last season, one of
which, Nick Gates, is petitioning the AYHA Board to move up to the Bantam level,
which I anticipate being acted on favorably due to the fact we only have nine
Bantams registered for this season.  For two of those four players, John Sass
and Devon Zimmerman, last year was their first year of travel hockey, in fact,
it was Jon Sass’ first year skating.  All four returning players played for the
Athens Pee Wee Team last season posting an overall record of 14-28-4, their
record in the Greater Cincinnati Youth Hockey League was 6-8, with a fourth
place finish in the league tournament.  The “A” players returning are Stefan
Lombard and Nick Gates, both Jon Sass and Devon Zimmerman would be considered
“B” level players in a larger community.  In the event that Nick Gates does move
to the Bantam level there is currently eight registered 1990 players for this
season.

Due to the recent age change the remaining five 1990 players are playing their
first and only year of PeeWees.  These players, Daniel Rankin, Duncan Green,
Colin Walker, and David Deal all participated in the GCYHL last season with the
AYHA Squirt “A” travel team.  The Squirts finished their season several games
above 500 overall and within the league, finishing third in the GCYHL
tournament.  Three of these players participated in the MID AM tryouts this past
April in Dublin, but none were selected to go on to the next level.

I have been involved in hockey for over 35 years, as a Captain of a Division I
program, post collegiate player in Europe, as an Assistant Coach for the past
four seasons with the Ohio University Bobcats (AYHA Division I), a minor hockey
coach for the last four seasons, and most recently as an evaluator for the MID
AM Development Camps.  It is my opinion that this PeeWee team is a true “A”
level team who does not have the skill level to compete at the “AA” level.
Participation at the “AA” level will have similar results as the Athens Bantam
“AA” team experienced last season where neither the Athens players, nor those
they played, truly benefited from the difference in skill level.

Two seasons ago this same group of PeeWee players played both in the GCYHL and
the BTHL.  Our BTHL record was 1 win and 22 losses.  That one win was the last
tournament game of the season with the winning goal being scored with five
seconds remaining.  Since that time these young athletes have matured
physically, mentally, and gained a great deal more knowledge of the game.  They
can compete at the BTHL “A” level with a measure of success.

In the event that this petition is not acted on favorably we cannot compete at
the BTHL “AA” level and will participate in the GCYHL as our second
alternative.  Due to the fact the GCYHL is a league hosting both “A” and “B”
level teams we feel our athletes will not benefit and improve to their potential
by competing in a league with such disparity.

The second fact that has a large bearing on the amount of 1990 players
requesting participation on the Athens PeeWee “A” travel team is the AYHA does
not have a Recreational League (in house, with no travel involved) above the
Squirt level.  The AYHA board has a standing policy that unless there is a
certain amount of participants at a particular level, giving us the ability to
field two teams, no player is denied the opportunity to play travel hockey.
Many Athens players who are fortunate enough to have experienced travel hockey
would not have had this opportunity in larger hockey communities.  This years
Pee Wee team will have two players who have played only recreational hockey thus
far as well as the two individuals mentioned above who are going into their
second season as travel team participants.

Because the talent pool within the Athens community is so limited we would like
the opportunity to play at the highest level possible to ensure the continued
growth of our players and program.  With favorable consideration of this
petition the BTHL will gain a team that is well disciplined and competitive
across the league.

If you or any member of the Buckeye Travel Hockey League Executive Board have
any questions regarding this Petition please feel free to contact me at your
earliest convince.


Sincerely,

Mark M. Dean