I can only speak for my self
A note of caution to all parents/kids tempted by joining a new Junior league.
In 2014, we were approached during the Chowder Cup of Boston by the owner of a team in the defunct CIHL. Lots of attention towards our son, promises on development and all that a good junior team would normally offer (sticks, equipment, track suits, daily practices when no games etc..). Coming back from Boston the pressure mounted every day from phone calls, emails pressing on a commitment. Our son was of course very happy about all this stuff which of course added to making a decision although he was invited to a few CJHL camps; coming out of Minor Midget AAA he was also guarantee a spot at Major Midget if he wanted it. He liked the idea of playing with older players and being away from home. We finally agreed to join that league and early August he moved out accompanied by a fat cheque.
Long story short, early November the owners started cancelling games to which we found out lead to a split of teams, our joining the WUHL (or something like that).
New start, lasted about a month to then find out our team was now cancelling practices, the owner didn't respond to our emails. We drove down, could not find the owner, found out the head coach had just quit and some young man was now running the whole show but didn't know where the owner was. Third week of December; kids are told to leave all team gear in the locker room but take their own personal stuff; next thing we know, the team has folded. Ouch......
About 8K gone, 21 kids from Canada, US and Europe left to themselves and not knowing what to do next.
Above is simply to send a warning to all those parents and kids about new Junior leagues; we never thought it would happen to us but it did.
I am not saying this new league will be the same. Take my word of advice though; make sure you do not pay the full amount in advance. Ensure you ask lots of questions and ask to see proof (what brand of sticks, hours of practice, etc..) just be very cautious.
To finish, I certainly wish the best of success to this new league and players/parents that will be joining. There is a majority of good people in hockey and it is too bad a very few tarnish the sport by greed and deceit as it hurts those honest people that work so hard at it. Hockey (Minor or Junior) has become a business and where there is money, there is always an opportunity for crooks to pounce on innocent people for their own benefits.
First on puck.....
Could I ask which team your son played on, the reason I ask is a lot of bogus stories have been popping up lately from people trying to discourage options in hockey.
I am really sorry that happened to you if it is true.
I totally agree with you, parents should do their homework.
let me state how I am a little different.
1\ I do not do this to take advantage of kids, never have and never will. you will notice by the price I will be charging. 8k is extremely far from what I will be charging
2:\besides us being in the Cpjhl we will be in 2-3 American junior hockey showcases
3:\ I have a track record with my minor hockey programs.
4:\the cpjhl is built on cost effective rules, we do not want to see happen, what is happening everywhere else, whith outrageous league fees, and money just going to the top, having nothing to do with the efficient running of the league.
5:\equipment package, will be directly done by the players, through the sherwood website. you will see that equipement package price is below what other leagues are charging.
6:\As for it becoming a business, I do not disagree with you, but I am trying to do everything I can to slow it down from becoming a cuthroat business.
7:/I always protect my family, in the event something HAPPENS like what happened in the CIHL, I have made arrangementS to be in more showcases,
CPJHL is REALLY DOing A GREAT JOB OF CREATING A LEAGUE THAT IS FINANCIALLY SOUND. NOT BUILT ON MONEY FIRST. i HAVE TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN WHAT MR.Elliott and his staff are doing. As I said before I had 4 options on the table.
I chose this one because the numbers make sense and the talks I have had with CJPHL STAFF, have reinforced my belief that we can build something special.
8:\this will be a drug free environment,
because you do not know me, I understand your heed of caution, but only time will tell, if I am A liar or not.
thank you
Angelo