Hockey Alberta considers getting rid of geographic restrictions for minor hockey

[Yukon Joe]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/proposed-hockey-alberta-rule-changes-would-remove-residency-based-registration-requirements-for-minor-hockey-1.7406929

Right now if you go to register your kid for money hockey you are required to sign up with your local minor hockey association. The primary advantage of that is competitive balance, that you play with kids in at least the same part of the city, and at least you kind-of mostly get ice times close to you (although because rinks aren't all evenly balanced throughout the city this isn't always true).

Downsides are that if you don't like your local club for some reason you're out of luck. There's also a side disadvantage that if you love you are forced to register with a new club for the next year.

But now Hockey Alberta is proposing getting rid of that requirement. You can sign up with any club. This does open up the advantage that clubs can now compete - maybe one offers better ice times, or more ice times, or more predictable ice times - or who knows.

Downside though is - how do you ensure competitive balance in such an environment?

Interestingly though is elite hockey (your AA/AAA teams) will sort-of stay in place (you can only try out for a team based on what minor hockey club you're a member of). It's also a one-time only choice - you can't switch year-by-year.

I have to say the fact that they're proposing a kid is "locked in" once they first register kind of defeats a lot of the purpose of the change. As a hockey parent what I'm looking for in a hockey program for a 5 year old is very different than for a 12 year old.

I don't want to focus just on Alberta though, as that's a topic only a couple people (if that) would care about). What more general experience do people have with open versus closed registration for minor hockey?

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[Slats432]

This is a precarious topic with no right answer.

https://e1.envoke.com/m/eaa58ec595914df7af464ad829ea9b41/m/ee7627235b078bf78db6759d97c8e6eb/

I know for the AA/AAA stream there is resistance from some clubs that it would reduce the amount of kids trying out for their associations when kids opt for the stronger clubs.

The only new thing is that if you were from SE Edmonton, but decided to play NWZ in your MHA, if you decided to tryout for AA/AAA you would be in CAC drawzone and not MLAC or SSAC.

I don't see how this accomplishes anything.

 

[jetsmooseice]

I have no issue with geographic restrictions. In my neck of the woods there is a pretty good balance that has been achieved among MHAs and I'm not sure what moving to this model would really accomplish. What problem is Hockey Alberta trying to fix here?

 

[Slats432]

I have no issue with geographic restrictions. In my neck of the woods there is a pretty good balance that has been achieved among MHAs and I'm not sure what moving to this model would really accomplish. What problem is Hockey Alberta trying to fix here?

I think by offering more choices and going in that direction they are trying to combat the growth of academies, and I am not sure how this accomplishes anything.

 

[jetsmooseice]

I think by offering more choices and going in that direction they are trying to combat the growth of academies, and I am not sure how this accomplishes anything.

Where I live I am in fairly close proximity to at least 3 other MHAs other than the one in my area. But the thought of having to drive farther for every practice, most games, etc. is unappealing.

And I can see this becoming a winner take all kind of thing where a couple MHAs become the place to be, while others suffer. Not really sure how that helps things.

 

[Buffdog]

Isn't U18 AAA female in Alberta already "play where you want"? I think there are 6 teams and I seem to recall talking to a dad from Alberta who told me that at a large U18/prep tournament here in winnipeg

Minor Soccer has gone away from strict districts here in winnipeg at the Premiere levels... with a couple of restrictions. Players can try out for any club, but clubs can only bring in 5 new players a year (I believe)

I also belive that the GTA did away with districts a while ago, at least at certain levels.