Setting the record straight
President and founder Tim Clayden wants to set the record straight regarding players who choose to play in the new, eight-team, Ontario-based, junior-level, Canadian International Hockey League.
The CIHL — which is sanctioned by the United Hockey Union under the auspices of the Amateur Athletic Union — will begin its inaugural season in October and is open to student-athlete players from North America and Europe between the ages of 15-20 who are looking to achieve their own personal goals.
This, according to Clayden, could result in players eventually moving on and up to the Ontario Hockey League, United States Hockey League and North American Hockey League, for example.
Or, said Clayden, the CIHL can be used as a stepping stone for players seeking National Collegiate Athletic Association or American Collegiate Hockey Association commitments.
As far as eligibility for any CIHL player who may wish to return to the Hockey Canada system after this season, Clayden had this to say.
“Every participating CIHL student-athlete who plays with us this season is eligible to play or return to wherever they wish within the Hockey Canada system come June 1, 2015, should they decide to pursue another junior hockey opportunity. Players are free to come and go as they wish.
“The scare tactics that some organizations continue to put kids and their parents through is a sin, and at the very least a forum of bullying, and is quite simply not true.
“We still live in a free country and keeping kids out of hockey and or punishing them for playing hockey in a league outside of Hockey Canada is against our inherited human rights in this country and frankly throughout North America,” Clayden said evenly.
“Some of these so-called adults need to get over themselves and stop misleading players and their parents. Should they choose to leave the CIHL, all of our players become eligible for Hockey Canada programs next season as of June 1, 2015, end of story,” Clayden added.
As a sidebar, Clayden noted that the CIHL has aligned itself with reputable coaches and managers who have played in the OHL, at the Division 1 NCAA level and in the National Hockey League — and who have coached in the OHL, the Ontario Jr. Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Clayden cited names such as Denny Lambert, Dennis Maruk, Tom McCarthy, Rico Fata, Brian Drumm, Dennis Bolton, David Maciuk, Trevor Blanchard and Scott Ginson.
“We have so many great people involved in CIHL hockey, of which many have played in the NHL and or participated within the OHL and NCAA,” said Clayden. “We all grew up in Hockey Canada programs, some with more than 30 years of experience at all levels of, and perhaps one of the best amateur hockey programs in the world. This is not a contest, we all have some very good friends at all levels of junior hockey throughout North America.
“The CIHL is simply providing a different junior hockey opportunity without borders that invites world-wide student-athletes to participate in with an understanding that our league has been structured on a like-minded vision of putting our players first in both development and promotion,” Clayden concluded.
MEMBER TEAMS
The CIHL will begin its first season in 2014-2015 with eight Ontario-based teams — four in the north and four in the south.
Making up the North Division will be Batchewana Attack, Espanola Rivermen, St. Charles Spirit and Sudbury Royals.
Making up the South Division will be Colborne Cramahe Hawks, Collingwood Ice, Milton Battle Arts Cobras and Toronto Junior Hockey Academy.
PHOTO: CIHL president and founder Tim Clayden with Batchewana Attack president and director of hockey operations David Maciuk. (Photo by Theresa DeSimone Leask.)
This should negate all the BULL SHIT that Mazooka & the NOJHL are putting out there.
It is good to read about this because there have been N.O.J.H.L. Coach’s and GM’s that been lying thru teeth to kid’s and there parents so I am glad to see we get to read the truth about eligibilaty. Even some Media have told the same lyes.
It is because of the Lies and the B.S. that I will no longer support the NOJHL or the Nickel Barons for that matter. My $upport will be directed to the Greater Sudbury Royals & the St. Charles Spirits. I have lost all respect for the Commissioner and he damm well knows why.
Thanks for second the record strait as NOJL defanitly has been using scare tactics. They should be frigging ashamed of themselvs for mis-leading both players and parents a-like.
Players and parents should also know that any player that plays in the CIHL can leave at anytime and go play for any USAH registered team at any time during the season as USAH does not have any sanctions against AAU teams. If a player plays in a HC program he is pretty much stuck there for the year as they ask for money in return for their release. CIHL is a good option for players as it makes it easy for them to move to any USAH team if they choose to.
great article as usual R.R. All this B.S. talk towards this new league from certain individuals has to stop. It shows nothing but immaturity and jealousy. They may not realize it,but they are making my decision(and im sure many others as well) very easy as to where I will spend my dollars watching hockey. Glad to see Tim put the facts on the table. Cheers!!!
Guys not sure if the Nojhl is B.S. Guys (not connected. To Nojhl) but if it doesn’t work out for some players options are not there to return or join a hockey Canada club …….. I am excited to catch a game or 3 in Collingwood this season.
How refreshing to read a statement from a hockey administrator (Mr. Clayden) that does not attack other organizations.
Since our son has signed on with CIHL; we have been fed so many horror stories and untrue threats of sanctions from many misinformed people that it is a wonder CIHL can do any recruiting. I have no doubts that the CIHL primary mission is to give all kids of this playing level an opportunity to experience the Junior adventure and also the opportunity to develop to higher levels where possible.
Hockey Canada should embrace leagues that have such a mission as they provide a stepping stone for the many 16/17 years old forgotten through the draft and restricted playing rights (16) at the Junior level.
To the CIHL: Well done guys, and all the best for the upcoming season.
John Bantten: Huh? What are you trying to say?? Your post is hard to follow.