TEMPE, Ariz. – While everyone is waiting on the outcome of the CHL/IHL league meetings which took place this weekend in Chandler, Arizona and scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada two weeks from now, those who stand to be affected most by the decisions being made are the men who will take the ice in 2010-11.
Not unlike the media and the fans, players are just as much in the dark as anyone else as to what the “new” Central Hockey League will look like. Questions as to the final number of teams that will participate, divisional/conference alignments, roster size, salary cap, vet rules, schedules – not to mention what will be proposed in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Professional Hockey Players Association are all on their minds.
But despite the lack of information available, the overall reaction has been very positive from players from both CHL and IHL teams.
Chad Woollard. Photo Credit: Robert Keith
“I think it’s great for minor pro hockey; instead of losing all six teams up there, you create the biggest AA hockey league,” he said.
Woollard, who will be entering his 12th professional season in 2010-11, played for the IHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2008-09 and the IHL predecessor United Hockey League’s Quad City Mallards from 2005-2007. He’s spent half of his career playing in the CHL and thinks that despite some differences, there is parity in the level of play between the two leagues.
“You really can’t compare the two leagues because the rules are so different. There they had eight vets and here four; that in itself is big. But as for the level, it’s not much different.”
Missouri Mavericks team captain Carlyle Lewis will also be entering his 12th pro season in the fall. Lewis also played in the UHL, for the Danbury Trashers and the Roanoke Valley Vipers in 2005-06. He is looking forward to seeing some new teams come into the CHL.
“I think its going to be a good thing for both leagues…for the Mavericks, it’ll mean some shorter road trips for us,” Lewis said. “It’ll bring some new blood into the league and create new rivalries, and let us and the fans see some different faces every week.”
Despite all the issues to be worked out, Lewis believes the affiliation will make for a better league overall.
“It’s worked in the past, like when the ECHL merged with the WCHL. Overall I think it’ll be a big success for players and fans…sure, there is a lot of stuff to be worked out such as the salary cap and how many veterans teams will be able to have, but I can only see it turning into a success for everyone.”
Allen Americans goalie Chris Whitley agreed.
“I think it is a good thing for the CHL to expand the league and have a few more teams. With Amarillo and Corpus folding, the league needed to add teams to make up for their loss so again this is a good idea. I also think it will make it more competitive and a stronger league with this amalgamation,” Whitley said.
Defenseman Bobby Phillips just completed his rookie year with the IHL’s Fort Wayne Komets and helped the team earn its third consecutive Turner Cup championship. He believes the affiliation was necessary.
“ I’m excited about the affiliation. I think most people would agree that it had to happen…everyone can agree that three “AA” leagues are too many. I believe that this will promote better competition throughout the “AA” level. It’s a chance to spark new rivalries and I certainly think it will help get more fans in the stands. I am eager to see what the schedule will be, and anxiously await the start of the season.”
The Bloomington Prairie Thunder’s Matt McIlvane, who earned an eight-game call up to the American Hockey League’s Peoria Rivermen last season, had this to say:
“I think it’s a great move for the team to join the Central League. I think it definitely provides more stability for the organization and hopefully there will be more teams to play against. I heard there was a push for the E ast Coast league which would have been great for the organization, but the Central League is also very solid.”
Justin Sawyer takes on Dayton%27s Derek Parker. Photo Credit: Butch Tetzlaff/Bloomington Prairie Thunder
“I think it is a great change for the team, the city and the league. With six or seven teams, it would be tough if the IHL lost a team or two. This will bring a lot more teams which means the fans get to see a lot more players and a lot more rivalries. I was happy to hear the news.”
Tim Hartung, who tallied 37 points (13 G, 24 A) and 37 penalty minutes in his first pro season with the Dayton Gems is also looking forward to seeing some new teams.
“ It’s exciting…its two good leagues coming together. Playing 76 games against the same six teams gets a little monotonous, so it will be nice playing some different teams for a change.”
Fellow Gems forward Jonathan Ornelas who will be entering his third pro season this fall. Ornelas thinks the consolidation of teams will improve the status of the combined league.
“From what I’ve heard, it definitely looks like it’ll better both leagues…now, with both of them coming together, it might give them both more recognition than they already had and be that much better at developing talent and helping players move onto higher levels.
Goalie Jerad Kaufmann spent his rookie season between the pipes for the Quad City Mallards, finishing third in the league with a .917 save percentage. He also stands behind the move to join forces with the CHL.
“The affiliation is a great thing for minor pro hockey. It would have been a shame to see the IHL fold, leaving less jobs for players. Now we have a bigger, stronger and more competitive league which is a great thing for players as well as fans…overall, I see only good things coming out of this affiliation between two great leagues.”
Mallards center Mike Zbriger agrees and wonders how the impending changes will affect some of the other IHL franchises.
“It’s nice that the strong existing IHL franchises are able to combine with the CHL. The on-ice product should be a great one for the AA level of hockey. It will be interesting to see how some franchises (for example Fort Wayne) will adjust to playing in a new league with new rules, especially a lower vet rule, which in effect will make it much tougher for the older, more experienced players to find a job.”
It’s almost impossible not to speculate on that and the many unanswered questions left by Tuesday’s joint press release. In the meantime, players will join the rest of us in doing just that; but it’s safe to say that overall, they’re looking forward to the prospect of a more stable league going forward.
Carissa Fatheree contributed to this article.
Contact the author at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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