Probably some kind of market for it; lots of kids, too old for Midget, and can't find a Junior team, not ready to pack it in yet, need a place to play. And, probably some decent guys getting squeezed out of AAA by the double birth year thing in Midget, who can't stomach going down to AA.
So, are leagues like this & the GMHL a reasonable alternative for those kids? Or, are they sellimg false hopes to kids who just can't let go of the dream??? Are they filling a gap for kids that Hockey Canada has missed, or are they just preying on kids who aren't ready to accept that they may not be able to make a team at the next level, who don't want to admit that their progress in hockey may be at an end?
Where can this really go? Are scouts from NCAA / OHL teams really going to pay any attention to this?
Aren't there like 30 teams in the OPJHL now? And how many Junior B or C teams in south west ontario? Are NCAA / OHL scouts going to keep tabs on those kids, and Midget AAA, and Minor Midget AAA too? In addition to whoever ends up in the CJEHL and the GMHL?
The CJEHL web site says they'll play a 60 game sched, be on the ice 5 days a week... but if no one is watching, isn't that just a whole lot of recreational hockey? Kind of like Midget AA, or Juvenile AAA, just a heck of a lot more games???
The CJEHL web site says they are having tryouts in Las Vegas? And St Louis? To come and play in Canada, in this new league??? Who are they going to get out of that???? I feel really sorry for those kids. Are they going to sell this as a Canadian Junior hockey opportunity to a bunch of kids who can't make it through the US hockey system? Come live in Canada, and play in the CJEHL???
Does anyone know who is really behind this league. The web site list teams, coaches / managers... but who's running the show??