There was an interesting piece that popped up over the weekend regarding the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and residency.
In a nutshell, the O.M.H.A. passed a motion, which, if ratified next Spring, would allow players from smaller centres, in the Peewee Divisions and older, to play in ” A ” and ” AA ” centres.
The initiative, according to O.M.H.A. Executive Director Richard Ropchan, would allow players to play to their potential.
Let’s say there was a very good Pewee player from….Meaford.
The player tried out for the Grey Bruce Highlanders, but just missed making the ” AAA ” team
As it stands now, that player is legislated to return to his ” home ” centre, Meaford in this case, and play for the Meaford Mustang Peewees.
The new motion, would allow the Meaford lad, to try ” AA “, maybe at Barrie, or ” A ” in Owen Sound, giving him the chance to play at the highest graded level.
Richard Ropchan says the initial response to the motion is mostly positive, and I don’t doubt that.
But there will be opposition from start to finish.
Let’s say the Meaford Mustang player comes to Owen Sound and makes the Peewee Attack.
One, that will bump an Owen Sound boy off the roster, or down the ladder, or keep him from playing with his friends.
And two, the Meaford Mustangs will be without a key member and a small association will become that much smaller.
I understand the concept, but there’s no doubt there will be much wrangling before the motion is ratified next Spring.
I’m Fred Wallace