The main reason is the consistency of London. Their consistency drives the competition in the West. Kitchener, historically, has always been on a relatively good cycle. They've had a lot of strong coaching and management teams. Their building and the number of people coinsistently in it has helped. Sault has had a reall strong and sustained run. Since Dubas had taken over that team, they've been relatively strong. Erie pops their head out every few years on cycle. Owen Sound always manages to be competitive. The west has a strong nucleus foundation from which to propell the conference.
The West also has a collection of relatively strong buildings and revenues. It allows them to spend on management and development.
The East has had its struggles in the GTA. Brampton, Mississauga, St Mike's. Up North, North Bay and Sudbury have struggled with attendance. Plus they have the higher travel costs. The Pete's have struggled a lot since the new major junior hockey model of bigger spending has come into play. Their building cannot generate the revenue required to really compete year after year. At best they can do a one in four cycle.
The East lives pretty much on the wrong side of the tracks so to speak. Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa, and Niagara are the only Eastern teams that can financially sustain themselves at a high competitive level based on the buildings and general fan support. It is really hard for the other teams to generate the types of revenue required to invest in the higher end management and coaching as well as high performance training teams. We won't even get into inducements like scholarships etc.
There is not much the East can do with respect to the depth of the conference. Because it is generally weaker, there is less of a need to pump tires at the deadline because of the level of their direct competition combined with overall resources.
It will continue to stay this way. I don't see any massive shifts. Sudbury would need to find the success with the same formula as Sault. The Pete's would need to match Owen Sound. Kingston needs an ownership change and some serious fresh air. Hamilton needs a new rink. If all of these were to happen, I could start to see some financial balance which leads to better staffing and higher performance. But these things are a long shot in my mind....each and every one of them.
