While every effort is made to ensure that the teams selected are of relatively equal strength, the league deals with the issue in most divisions every season as we note on the player registration form: “Once the teams have been selected some players may be traded in an attempt to equalize team strength. Team equalization will be done at the discretion of the Division Convener and head Coaches.”

 

Ideally, we would like all games in every division to be close. We would like every team to have realistic chance of beating the other teams in its division. If after the season has started it is apparent that one (or more) teams are markedly stronger or weaker, equalization is the process we go through to try to rebalance the team.

 

The Barrie Wild Ball Hockey League is a house league program. For the stronger players in the league, we will supply time for tryouts for our provincial teams to attend our minor provincial’s championships each year. We hope the kids enjoy their experience and want to return (and look forward to return) the following season, and the season after that. Let’s face it, winning and or loosing games by large margins is no fun for anybody, and one of the leagues central tenets is         

 “Fun”. Player movement between teams is in no way intend to punish anyone, these moves are done for the betterment of the division, so that as many kids as possible enjoy the season.

 

Prior to the season commencing, each Division Convener assigns registered players to the teams in that division. After the season starts, he/she keeps tabs on the games and scores. If after the third game it is apparent that there is an imbalance that needs to be corrected, the convener will consult with the coaches to determine a plan of action. After an agreed plan of action is settled, which children will be moved, the parents of the players involved are contacted. The conveners, coaches and the league executives have children playing in the league, and are fully appreciate that moving kids around can be difficult and sensitive issue.

 

As noted above, equalization typically takes place after the third game of the season ( i.e., after each team in the division in question has played 3 games).

 

 

We are actively taking steps to try to minimize equalization. This year we are instituting player evaluations, with the league executive and coaches required to grade each of their players. We intend to make that a more rigorous exercise this year.

 

Frankly, selecting teams of equal strength is more art than science. Kids mature at different rates and every season sees the dynamics of a division change as half the kids move up to the next division and an influx of kids from the division below or who are new to the league. Kids with great ice hockey skills are sometimes at a disadvantage because they lack speed and fast kids with limited hockey skills can be impact players. In the end, we try to use all the tools at our disposal to try to achieve team parity.