WSHL Moves to Tier II AAU Status

[sbkbghockey]

http://www.wshl.pointstreaksites.com/view/westernstateshockeyleague/news-851/news_302715

So the WSHL Board of Governors voted to move to Tier II and create a new Tier III league known as the Western Prospects League (WPL) for the 2015-2016 season.

This is an interesting development the WSHL has been growing in caliber of play and also size and has real battle USA Hockey for jr hockey in the western US. It's the one bright light in the whole AAU-United Hockey Union (since the other leagues folded and others left for USA Hockey.)

If the WSHL actually moves from the tier III pay-to-play model to a true tier II league such as the NAHL, it would be a very interesting development. If not, this is a scummy marketing technique.

Click to read more...

 

[alko]

What does it mean, when they move to tier II?

And also this - ..moves from the tier III pay-to-play model to a true tier II league such as the NAHL...?

 

[ThisYearsModel]

Hard to believe they could really be successful without being part of USA Hockey.

 

[doncherrysgrill]

From what I've been told this is more of a marketing technique than anything else. Players will still pay, just less than it has been in the past, and the new Tier III league is there to help cover costs a little bit. Won't be like the NAHL, but closer.

AAU/UHU hockey is successful enough for what it is, but the issue with this league calling itself Tier II in my eyes is really that it doesn't produce a ton of talent. Not a single NCAA DI commitment this year, and 15 commitments in total means the league had less than 1 player per team move on to college hockey.