Re: imports

Why would anyone wish to restrict the movement of players. The freedom of choice is a wonderful thing for girls hockey at all levels.

If players are leaving your centre to go elsewhere simply ask yourself what you should be doing in your area to keep them from moving. Experience tells us that players generally don't move to find weaker teams and coaching. If your centre offers good coaching as a general rule the players will stay/come.

If your daughter didn't make the AA team "because of the imports" ask yourself what you need to do to make her a better hockey player. Perhaps, just perhaps, seeing that the team found 15 skaters within driving distance that are stronger than your daughter, she isn't at that level.

Having imports allows centres to better field teams where all the players are at the same level rather than having 6 AA, 5 A and 6 BB players together. Doesn't mean this won't happen but it at least allows players of the same level to group together. This benefits all the players on the team by having practices and the game played at the same level as all the players.

If I live in a small town and all we have is a Lada dealership I don't want to be forced to drive a Lada, especially if the Lada costs about the same as the Lexus in the next town. I will travel to find what is best for us. Why wouldn't we want that same benefit for our daughters. Choice is good.