Hockey players hurt by board’s decision

I am writing this letter in response to a recent decision made by the Maine Amateur Hockey Association Board members. On Feb. 11, it was decided by the board, that three Bangor Youth Hockey players would not be allowed to participate and compete in the MeAHA state tournament.

The reason for this decision was based on a transfer policy. The transfer policy states “A player changes organizations by completing the Transfer Form before he or she skates with the new organization. The player cannot skate in a MeAHA tournament the year they transfer. They cannot play travel for the new organization for a year.”

The reason for this transfer policy, as stated by the MeAHA, “is to clearly define when a player may and may not transfer to another program. It also clarifies the procedure should a person need to transfer.” Because these three athletes came from different hockey programs the year before and transferred into the Bangor Youth Hockey program, they were required to sign the transfer policy paper. The only way that they would be able to participate in the MeAHA tournament was if the MeAHA board granted them exemptions to the waiver. I naively believed that this group of adults would come together, and vote yes. Sadly, they didn’t.

When these three individuals heard the news that their season was over while their yearlong teammates were to continue, they were devastated. And rightfully so. They began a season with a group of their peers and are now told by a board of adults that they can’t play.

The reasoning behind this transfer policy is to avoid and prohibit coaches from recruiting and stacking their team with high-caliber players. I understand the problem. But in this case, with these athletes, it was a transportation and timing issue. I do question the ethics of some of the board members who, although might not have been allowed to vote, made their opinions perfectly clear. I further question the rationale of those individuals on the board who voted against giving these players exemptions.

I am extremely disheartened at the politics of youth hockey. It has directly and negatively affected the lives of three dedicated individuals to play and participate in a sport designed for camaraderie and competition. The Mission of USA Hockey Inc. “is to promote the growth of hockey in America and to provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing and administering the sport.”

This ruling by the Maine Amateur Hockey Association Board does none of the things that USA Hockey claims as their mission. Are these three athletes having the best possible experience? Absolutely not. As a volunteer coach and as a professional educator, I am astonished that the game that I grew up playing and loving has turned into a game not for the players that play the game, but for the adults who run the game.

If the game were truly player motivated, then all participants would be allowed to play regardless of where they have played before. This is the worst possible experience for me and for those three players. They wanted to be and were a piece of something special.

I would like to believe that MeAHA board members are unaware of the long-term consequences of their actions but I question MeAHA’s desire to make the game of hockey the best possible experience for all participants. If the game of hockey were truly player motivated then all participants would be allowed to play regardless of where they played the year before.

These three hockey players, their coaches and their teammates have been given the worst possible experience that hockey has to offer. I do believe that MeAHA is genuine in their pursuits, but they need to know that they have failed miserably.

As board members, you have changed the game of hockey into another political machine for adults and have forgotten about the kids who play the game.

Andrew Bayer

Volunteer coach, Bangor Travel Bantams

Sportsmen keep paying

In reference to John Holyoke’s article about price increases on hunting licenses: It states that any deer application will cost $5. I can remember very clearly when the any- deer permit program started about 20 years ago. It was said a doe permit would never cost more than a dollar. Someone needs to check this. The hunters and fisherman lose again.

Eugene Cramer

Lee

Proud of swimmers

A source of great pride came in “under the radar” last Tuesday, as the Old Town boys swimming and diving team quietly, but deliberately, reclaimed the state Class B title, and a decent crowd of supporters, not so quietly raised the roof at the Wallace Pool at the University of Maine in Orono.

Swimming may not be one of the “Premiere Sports,” but there is nothing that requires more in terms of dedication, training and conditioning. And if you’ve never witnessed an underdog relay team put it together to knock the “goggles” off a favorite, let’s just say you have unfinished business. This swim team took care of business in grand style, of which the sportsmanship banner is a testament. They did it for Steve Gomm, for their coaches, and not for themselves, but each other.

We are proud of every one of you fine young men, from the seniors, to that relay team, to all of you, on the team. Someone mentioned to my son, “you have nothing left to strive for” to which he replied, “state records.” They will be back!

Orrie P. Perkins

Old Town