Team News Archives 8-16 to 8-22
The opening skate on Thursday night was a success, as the new recruits basically mopped the floor with the jaded veterans in an intersquad scrimmage. Hopefully all of you at the practice will decide to sign on to the team, we're looking forward to the season. I had intended to take some photos for the website but between the overspeed drills and the fact that most of us were ready to pass out by the end, I didn't think many people would want to do it. Next time I'll take the photos before practice starts. No word on our next practice date, by the way. Probably after Labor Day. I'll update the schedule as soon as I know.
I also want to officially welcome Paul Muellner and Chris White to the team!
Training camp begins tonight! Returning Bats, remember to bring your jersey along so we can take a few pictures for the website. Our ice time starts at 9:15, but it might be smart to get there a little earlier if possible to talk about things, make decisions, and answer any questions that people might have.
Also, how many of you were selected to skate at the Xcel on Saturday? I got in and I forgot to E-mail the AHA until Monday. Just curious.
That should be it for today. Remember to bring along anyone you know who might have an interest in joining the team.
Captain's Meeting Report (courtesy of Brad):
New Players: Any new player needs to pay $20 evaluation fee and complete AHA application and write a check for $365 fee (prior to 9/30). The new player is then assigned an eval date which will be one of three Saturday evenings from 8:15-9:30 between now and 9/15. AHA will be flexible on the assigned dates to accomodate schedules. If player doesn't make their team or decides not to play, either check is not cashed or AHA refunds the $365 fee. Of the 200 new players evaluated last year only 10-15 did not make the team they wanted to play for. Rosters need to be firmed up by October 15th with new players and with draft choices from free agent evals.
Team Signup: If we want to register as a team, the deadline is 9/15 and the cost is $6100. Otherwise, we can do individual registrations (prices and deadlines can be found at AHA website).
Game Schedule: Games will rune from November 1 to March 31 with a week off between Xmas and New Years and with holidays scheduled around. There will be 2 games a week for most weeks. Two-thirds of the games are likely to be on a weekend night. Weekday games will be scheduled primarily on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It is likely that there will only be one late, late game (e.g. 10:00 or later) for each team for the season.
Tournament: The tournament at the end of the season is scheduled as such: The top 4 teams in each division will play in a round robin playoff (3 games). Details of how scoring would be done to determine champion of round robin were not discussed @ the meeting.
Practices: Both Jay (Muskies) and John (Spartans) have some ice time between now and NOvember and talked a little about sharing a sheet of ice for drills and scrimmages. We can talk more about this on Thursday.
There are 60 teams in the AHA this year so it was a fairly large get together of even just the captains.
Brad
PS - For those who tried to sign up for the Xcel skate on Saturday, contrary to the "bounced" message that you got if you tried to sign up in the first hour, the AHA did receive your E-mails and will be calling players who won the "lottery" on Wednesday to let them know the details.
Not much news to report other than the first practice is coming up on Thursday. As you all know, we're short on skaters for the upcoming season. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining the Ice Bats, bring them along to the practice. If you're just browsing this page and you aren't personally acquainted with any of the current players, E-mail me and I'll give you more information. We need skaters!!
8-9-04 to 8-15-04
