It's almost late October and it's time for senior hockey.
At the very least, it is time to start questioning when various leagues across the province will start, what teams are fielding squads and what the game schedule will be.
Those are the topics to be discussed once we get by the customary question about whether there will be hockey this winter.
This time every year fans and pundits alike spend more time questioning whether or not there will be a league.
Take this year as an example. There are still questions about the seasons for Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander. The West Coast Senior Hockey League is in a state of flux and even though people say there will be hockey, there is also word the East Coast Hockey League could not play at all.
That's a lot of wondering and logistical information to put into place to get a half-decent schedule set by November.
It seems like this happens every year without fail.
Fact of the matter is, all of those questions beg another question.
Is there any way to fix Newfoundland and Labrador senior hockey or at least speed up the process so fans aren’t left in limbo late in October?
The answer might be as simple as going backwards.
All teams get to pay players, bring in imports and HNL sets up a provincial league like the good ol' days. It could be a west-east conference setup with some interlocking play but not enough that travel, accommodations, meals, etc. could bankrupt teams.
Each conference plays semifinals and finals to determine who plays each other in the Herder finals.
Think of Major League Baseball.
I see a west conference being Port aux Basques, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander. The east would be Clarenville, Harbour Grace, St. John’s and Mount Pearl or Conception Bay South.
Admittedly, this isn’t my idea. I’ve had this exact conversation with a multi-time Herder winner and we agree it makes sense.
Everyone is on a level playing field. It eliminates not paying guys in the East league and expecting them to compete with the more lucrative Grand Falls-Windsor or Gander come Herder time.
I’m not saying blow the bank up. There has to be a level of restraint and a focus on local players. Teams would have to meet a certain local talent/import talent threshold like the Canadian Football League does with Canadian players versus American ones.
I’m not saying it will solve anything or if it is even a step in the right direction. It just seems there is never a plan for senior hockey in this province until the last moment.
Only my opinion.
I think it could work.
