SCAHA MEETING

JANUARY 14, 2004

GLACIAL GARDENS - LAKEWOOD 

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESENT

Commissioner – Tony Romo, Deputy Commissioner - Sandy Blumberg, Associate Director – Jerry Wilhite, Associate Director – Larry Brislin, Treasurer – Curt Castagna, Financial Secretary – Lori Boaz, Ace Coaching Coordinator – Larry Bruyere, Director of Communications – Cindi Palomarez, Member Services - Wendy Goldstein, Statistician - Annie Fisher and Secretary - Shari Osborn 
 

MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS PRESENT

Ducks, Red Wings, Lightning, Bears, Senators, Stars, Wave, Riptide, Coyotes, Sun Devils, Jr. Ice Dogs, Jaguars, Jr. Kings, Knights, Panthers, Gulls, Sabers, Express, Mariners, Wolves & Blackhawks 
 

MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS ABSENT

Dragons, Tigers, & Eagles 
 

GUESTS

James Gasseau – LA Hockey

Debbie Calder – Long Beach Ice Dogs 

Commissioner Tony Romo called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. 
 

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Tony introduced James Gasseau of LA Hockey. James was present to petition to allow LA Hockey to join the league. Discussion followed along with questions and answers. Vote was taken to allow LA Hockey into league. Yes – 18, No – 4. Vote did pass and LA Hockey will be a part of the league beginning with the 2004/2005 season on probation status. 

Tony reported that $10,000 was distributed in scholarships. There were 50 players that received $200. each. Would like to request an additional amount of $1,400 so that 7 more players may receive scholarships. The monies were spread out over the league, no one club received more than $1,000. Not all clubs applied for scholarships. Larri Woertler moved to approve an additional $1,400 for scholarships. MOTION WAS SECONDED AND CARRIED. 
 

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Sandy reported that at this time have not been able to get a contract with the San Diego Referee Association. It was agreed during discussions with the association that the 1st priority is safety and 2nd priority is assuring coverage for games. Have another meeting scheduled for January 29th. Most likely will still not be able to get a contract but hope to put together a memorandum of understanding. LAHOA will be assisting with ensuring coverage for games. 
 

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Tony introduced Debbie Calder from Long Beach Ice Dogs. Debbie reported that the Long Beach Ice Dogs would like to again have the SCAHA Championship games held at the Long Beach Ice Arena same as last year. In addition Debbie distributed flyers regarding Amateur Night at the Long Beach Ice Arena. Tony reminded everyone that bids for playoffs are due February 1st. It was asked what the cost variance was to have the Championship games held at the Long Beach Ice Arena versus local ice rinks. Tony replied that it cost less to have the games at the Long Beach Ice Arena. 
 

OLD BUSINESS

Raoul Smyth presented his proposal regarding expanding the playoff slots in the larger divisions. He recommended that in the divisions with 15 plus teams to expand the playoff slots from 8 to 10. The top 2 finishers would have a bye to the final round. It was also suggested that the league should recognize each team who finishes the regular season in 1st place with some type of award. It was recommended that banners could be awarded to these teams. Raoul recommended two motions: Motion #1: For this season expand playoffs slots for the affected divisions. Top 2 teams would receive a bye. Motion #2: Recognize regular season 1st place teams with banners. Both motions were seconded, but neither motion passed. 

MINUTES

The November minutes were distributed for review. Lisa England moved to approved minutes. MOTION WAS SECONDED AND CARRIED. 

NEW BUSINESS

Tony reported that the Executive Board would like to begin the transition to the new board over the next couple months. Nominations are being accepted for both Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. New board should be in place prior to tryouts. Elections will be conducted at the March meeting. Nominations are due by 2/28/04 to Shari Osborn. Must have been a Club President in order to run for Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner. 

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Sandy reported that there has been an increase this year in game misconducts. This year game misconducts are being doubled. If a player receives two majors in a game he receives two game misconducts. One incident in a game can create multiple misconducts. In prior years if a player received three game misconducts they were suspended for thirty days. Last month request was made of the Executive Board for discretion for the review committee to evaluate and to be given discretion to determine if hearing is needed. In addition Sandy reported that the review committee is well aware of the Huntington Beach situation and the review committee is taking steps to make sure that the incident is dealt with. At no time are parents allowed to go onto the ice. CAHA rule this year, any player leaving the bench during any altercation will receive a 30 day penalty; the rule does not specify joining the altercation, just leaving the bench. Would like to implement that at the end of the game would like to have the referee split the kids however they see necessary. Not to go onto the ice until the referee indicates. Will use Executive Board recommendation. 

 TREASURER’S REPORT

Curt distributed for review the current financial reports. Current balance sheet reflects $223,405.33 in three accounts as of today. Profit and Loss is okay in every category. Accounting is 28% over budget. Income is down due to lower interest rates in addition to fine and penalties less this year. Playoff budget based on last years numbers. Deposit detail was also reviewed. Checks from SCAHA precamp have been deposited. Remind members that any checks that do not clear will be put on delinquency list. SCAHA precamp netted $700. after expenses. 136 players are advancing to the CAHA camp. Raoul Smyth moved to ratify the amount. MOTION WAS SECONDED AND CARRIED. 

Curt distributed for review the distribution model due to the excess of funds. The allocation was based on teams; suggest making final decision until after all fees have been finalized. It was suggested that registration fees be waived. Larri Woertler noted that need to know how many midgets will be aging out this year. It was stated that we need to have a cost effective entry level. Raoul Smyth recommended that the proposal be tabled and everyone review prior to next months meeting. It was also stated that before any financial decisions or commitments are made that it needs to be brought before the full board. Any ideas or suggestions for the committee regarding the excess funds should be emailed to Jerry Wilhite.  
 

ICE CONVENOR REPORT

Tony reported that having a committee working on the schedule together was not working. Would like to recommend that Chris Carcerano be hired as the Ice Convernor. Dave Bigelow moved to have SCAHA appoint Chris Carcerano as Ice Convenor. MOTION WAS SECONDED AND CARRIED. 

Chris presented a brief status on the second half of the schedule. There were certain parameters given to Bortz Media to prepare the schedule. 1. Preserve Home & Away Balance; 2. Round Robin format, play all teams; 3. Black out dates; 4. Each team play all teams at least once. Travel distance between games was not considered. The home and away balance was achieved, not at the team level but at the division level. Rec. schedule is in good shape, both home & away and round robin was achieved. Tier, home & away was achieved; round robin was not achieved due to issues with available ice. 100% CAHA rule will be achieved with Midget 17 AA. Number one complaint received is not enough time between double header games. Teams can reschedule these games, if both clubs agree reschedule and let Chris know. Tier round robin was not achieved – bad ice slots, team match-ups difficult at this point, impacts the entire division. Black out weekends is big issue.  
 

Possible solution to think about for next season, change ice slot requirement formula, needs an increase. Teams requesting byes need to provide additional ice. Suggest schedule more double headers earlier in the season. Would like to form a committee to brainstorm suggestions to recommend to Executive Board and Full Board. Chris will chair the committee. 

Discussion followed regarding scheduling issues. It was discussed that in the Midget 17AA division one of the teams ended up scheduling 40% of their games and don’t feel they should pay the entire registration fee that it should be prorated. No motion was made in regards to prorating the fees. Discussion also followed regarding Bantam A teams (clubs with two teams) did not play each other in the first round. How would this be handled? It was stated at this point in the season nothing can be changed with this portion of the schedule. There is not enough ice available to schedule the game earlier. For the teams with odd number of teams, the week number was pulled to see which game would be eliminated. If the number drawn is a bye week, then it will fall on the following week. Jerry & Sandy will hold the week number until the end of the season. 

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS REPORT

Cindi nothing to report at this time.  

 STATISTICIAN REPORT

Annie distributed current team stats. Reports are sorted by penalty minutes. Call Annie and she will email updates. 

NEW BUSINESS

Tony reported that the Yorba Linda Blackhawks are currently on probation until 12/31/04. The board can lift the probation if they have done all that has been required. Larri Woertler moved to lift the Probation Status for the Yorba Linda Blackhawks. MOTION WAS SECONDED AND CARRIED. 

ACE COACHING COORDINATOR REPORT

Larry reported that the pre-select camp next year should probably not start on Friday night in Riverside. Feels this may have affected the low turnout for the camp. Need to budget next year more conservatively.  

NEW BUSINESS

Jerry Wilhite reported that Bay Harbor is currently putting together a PeeWee and Squirt team to go to Calgary. The team will represent Southern California. Currently in the process of selecting coaches. Tryouts will be week before CAHA final. In addition Bay Harbor will be celebrating their 40th anniversary. 

Tony Romo reported that CAHA finals will be 1st and 3rd week of April. Trying to determine if will be done all 1 or 2 weekends. 

Next meeting is February 18th in Lakewood. 
 

Meeting adjourned 10:30 pm.