Findlay Men's Hockey League

Proposed changes to the Findlay Men’s Hockey League

The Findlay Men’s Hockey League has been providing an organized league for both men and women to play the sport of ice hockey for over 20 years.   Throughout these past years, the league has often been marked with periods of change.  From the original 4 team league to the peak of 24 teams in the recent past, the overall goal of the league has always been to provide friendly, yet competitive, games with players of evenly matched skill levels on the ice.  With that goal in mind, it is time for the league to begin the process of making some changes that will help it to continue to grow as the premier league in Northwest Ohio .

Starting with the Fall Season of 2008 the league would like to require all of its participants to be registered with USA Hockey.   Prior to registering for the Findlay Men’s Hockey League, all players will first be required to show proof that they have registered with USA Hockey.  Your USA Hockey confirmation page and/or player registration number will be required as part of the documentation to be registered with the Findlay Men’s Hockey League.  The USA Hockey registration process is a SEPARATE process from the Findlay Men's Hockey League registration.  If you are not registered with USA Hockey, you will not be allowed on the ice.

Starting with the Fall Season of 2008 we would like to perform a realignment of the rating levels of each league.   The “C” league would be for those players that are what we consider the beginner level of hockey.   Based on the existing ratings system the new “C” League would contain only those players rated 2.5 or LOWER.   A newly formed “B2” League would be for those players rated 3.0 to 4.5   A “B1” League would be for those players rated 5.0 thru 7.5.  An “A” league will still exist for those players who are rated higher than 7.5   In the event that we do not get the minimum of 44 “A” level players, we will work out a solution that allows as many players as possible the option of playing in our league.

C League = 2.5 and Lower (About 100 players in 2007-08 fit this category)

B2 League = 4.5 to 3.0 (About 100 players in 2007-08 fit this category)

B1 League = 7.5 to 5.0 (About 70 players in 2007-08 fit this category)

A  League = Open to anyone 5.0 and higher that wants to play.  (2007-08 we had 90 players who would be available for this league)

Review the policy of allowing players to play “Down” a league.  Yes it is fun to play with your buddies, but quite frankly this leads to players who are quite often “big fish in the little pond”.   This policy was put in place years ago to allow player/coaches to help out on lower level teams, its time has come and gone.  Playing down will no longer be an option.

Put a limit on the players who wish to play “Up” a league.  Once again, friends are great, but the league does not want players who are clearly not capable of playing at the pace of the league being mixed in with those who are capable.   We still want to give players the chance to try playing “up” a level, but it needs to be within reason.  Just because you have always played on a certain team does not mean that you should automatically play on that team.  These changes will result in many of our established teams that have the same players year in and year out having to separate due to the new league levels.  We understand that this may be an issue for some players, but we really need to focus on a return to parity and growth within our league.

Simplify the payment structure.  Unfortunately a few bad apples have spoiled the option of making individually worked out payments.  A new payment structure will be put into place.  There will no longer be an option to “work it out on an individual basis”.   Fees will be due on set dates and if not received in time, the player will not be allowed on the ice.  Discounts will be given to those players who pay the full league fee up front.

The Sub process will be reviewed and modified to make sure that subs are playing at the proper level.  All subs will be required to show proof of USA Hockey registration. (Player Card)  The process of requesting a sub, and participating in a game as a sub will be reviewed for possible improvements.   The league will begin to move toward having the web site be the tool that is used to request a sub, and to fill a sub spot.  Subs will be required to be of a relatively equal skill level.

Jerseys :  Subs will be required to leave their drivers license or car keys with the scorekeeper in order to secure a sub jersey.  This will prevent jerseys from walking away after each game.

Jerseys II:  The jerseys and jersey deposit have always been a high maintenance part of running the league.  The entire process of purchasing, screening, storing and maintaining jerseys needs to be reviewed.  We currently charge a jersey deposit that does not cover the actual cost of the individual jersey, therefore we end up with jerseys that disappear over time.  An increase in the amount of the jersey deposit, or simply requiring the players to purchase a league jersey may be solutions to this issue.

Player Ratings:  This is a process that is always undergoing change to find the best way to handle it.  We have over 1000 players in our database so it is not an easy thing to complete in an accurate and timely fashion.  We are always open to suggestion, but please try to be realistic, we have built these ratings over the course of many seasons, yet people seem to think that we can just bring in a person and they can simply watch a few games and get everyone properly rated.  We have tried this several times in the past, it does not work.  We will continue to listen to any and all suggestions on this issue.

Players Association:  Chris Taber is in the process of attempting to put together a players association that would supposedly work for what is in the best interest of ALL OF the players in our league.  If you have concerns about our league going forward, I suggest that you work with Chris to attempt to get your concerns draw up and voiced to the league.  If we get enough interest in a players association (a minimum of 75 active players would probably be needed, that is about 25% representation) then the league will set up regularly scheduled League and Association meetings to provide an open forum for the players to be heard.

These are only “proposed” changes to the league.  As we get feedback some items will be implemented, while others may stay on the drawing board. 

Your feedback on these issues is vital.  Please click below to send an e-mail to the FMHL Board with your opinions on the proposed changes.

Provide Feedback