Post by bigcoach on May 6, 2008 10:06:50 GMT -5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ------- May 4, 2008
PR Director - Paul Maciejewski (pmach10@aol.com)
MET LEAGUE LOOKS TO THE SOUTH
League to consider several teams in Florida, Atlanta, and North Carolina
McAFEE, NJ - MET League officials have met with several southern Junior team operators from Florida, Atlanta and North Carolina to consider a Southern MET League division. That meeting occurred last week and the results appear to be very positive.
"This is a unique opportunity for our League as well as the teams and locations we are considering" stated League President, Glenn Hefferan.
While there are still a few issues to be determined and the move will need the approval of the MET League's Board of Governors, there are at least eight teams and locations in consideration. Many MET League Club President's have already expressed a positive response to the addition of a Southern Division.
"The most important thing to understand is this isn't expansion. This is getting existing Junior operators to raise the bar and to help unify the Junior efforts for the entire eastern seaboard, as well as create critical mass for marketing efforts, which will hopefully reduce or stabilize costs", stated Bob Crawford, owner of the Connecticut Clipper & Junior Wolf Pack. Mr. Crawford also serves on the USA Hockey Board of Directors for the New England District.
"We are very proud that the MET League and its 41 years of history continue to attract the attention of Junior operators from Maine to Miami" added Hefferan. "The request for new membership is a not only testament to the quality of our League operation, but most importantly, to quality of our teams and their dedication to the player's advancement in the sport of ice hockey. We continue to enjoy terrific college placement, exposure and player development. Just watching the Flyers / Canadians series in the NHL with three former MET League'ers in that series alone (MTL: Komisarec & Higgins / FLY: Dowd) is a great reminder of our player's accomplishments and the role the MET League played in their development to the NHL."
Most locations and operators are presently operating in the South East Junior Hockey League, a USA Hockey sanctioned Tier III Junior C League, which is entering its 5th season.
"Joining the MET League will allow us the opportunity to learn and take advantage of the years of experience the MET brings to the table. The depth and experience of AMHL infrastructure will help the SEJHL franchises operate at a higher level both on and off the ice. Ultimately this will benefit the players," remarked Rick Ninko, owner of the Space Coast Hurricanes and Member of the USA Hockey Junior Council.
“The expansion of the MET League footprint to cover the whole Atlantic sea board will benefit all involved for years to come. This expansion will first and fore most stabilizes the growth of junior hockey in the non traditional markets. It will set a higher standard of operation which will fend off operators who enter junior hockey for the wrong reasons. It will open countless doors for players whose options were limited in the past. The long term establishment of these relationships between organizations from the north and south working together and creating the avenues that can help get players on to college is priceless”, added Ninko.
The League expects to make a decision within the coming days, as it must conduct its due diligence process. "I am hopeful to have a positive announcement very shortly, but our process needs to be followed for all parties concerned", stated Hefferan.
For more information, please contact the League Office at (973) 823-8147, or email at mhgh@aol.com.
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