The Facts about Tier I Hockey in Central Pennsylvania
The Atlantic District (AAHA), one of 11 USA Hockey affiliates, recently lifted its moratorium on Tier I expansion. Following that decision, the only sanctioned Tier I league within the Atlantic District, the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL), voted on March 12, 2007 NOT to allow any expansion for the 2007-08 season. The leadership of the AAHA and AYHL further agreed to limit any expansion beyond the 2007-08 season to two or fewer new franchises. The AYHL Board also re-affirmed its commitment to protect the 50-mile exclusivity radius of its current members and indicated its intention to seek limited expansion (two or fewer new franchises) only in those areas not currently served by a franchised member.
The philosophy of USA Hockey is to encourage the advancement of players to compete at the level most appropriate to fostering their development and realizing their potential. To this end, USA Hockey has a structure in place (Tier I, Tier II, and Recreational) to meet the developmental needs of all youth hockey players. Tier I hockey is at the top of the pyramid and is aimed at the player who possesses above average skill and motivation and aspires to play at higher levels of hockey. However, this developmental model only works if each succeeding level of hockey is actively working to identify and encourage its best players to advance to the next level. Member clubs that do not encourage their better players to challenge themselves at the next level are doing a disservice not only to their players but to the philosophy of USA Hockey in general.
Based on the recent decisions of the AAHA and AYHL outlined above, the Central Penn Panthers will be the only Tier I hockey club in Central Pennsylvania for the 2007-08 season and will be the only Tier I hockey club within a 50-mile radius of Lancaster, PA for the foreseeable future. Our priority has always been to try to develop and advance our players to successive levels of hockey. As an example this year’s successful junior B team was primarily made up of players who came through our youth system. Most of those players will now move on with our help and support to college and junior A hockey.
If you believe you have the potential to play Tier I hockey, the Central Penn Panthers encourage you to pursue your goal at our or another legitimate Tier I organization’s tryouts in the next few weeks. Your current club should be encouraging you to do the same thing! For a complete list of legitimate Tier I hockey clubs, visit the AYHL website at http://www.atlantichockey.org.