Canada vs America 2009
Many of us wanted this discussion to begin ASAP after numerous discussions from the past and during recent Saturday games.
Because of the results of the last two CanAM games USA needs to change the way we have been doing business in order to win against "Canada/World" team.
It is important for anyone who has played in the past 2 games to post their opinions about the future of these events as well as players who plan on playing this year.
Questions For Discussion:
Should/is the CanAm game a "come one/come all game"?
My Answer; No! If we divert from "throw your stick in the middle" way of fate selecting teams then we have already began the "picking teams or have begun a segregation approach" to the whole SSH concept of throw your stick in the middle mentality.
Should we limit the number of players?
My Answer; Yes. Last year was a total clusterF@$! that killed us by having 30 people on the bench and the worst players that day taking the most amount of shift time. Lots of mismatches , infighting etc, etc. Nothing more than an unorganized mob! There were and still are a lot of players that don't have a clue about the etiquette of make line changes and are often too stubborn or clueless to rotate out with the other players on the bench. I'm personally not a fan of the worst player taking the most amount of playing time. We need to be more organized and get away from the "USA Mob Team" approach to be competitive.
If so, how do we select a team?
My Answer; I think we should have players play in weekly games and "earn" a spot on the USA team. Everyone who wants to play on the USA team should put their names on the roster. Over the next few (2-3 weeks) we should have the USA players have 15 votes (one for each player to represent USA) and vote for players who they would want to represent USA. The number of votes is dependent on the total number of players we decide to field for the game 15-20. That way if there is a player that is "good" but doesn't act as a team player I.E double half ass shifts,cherry picking and not playing D, or someone who doesn't hustle etc. This gives an equal chance to the players who are not as "good" as others but have the team player and hard working qualities that will be noticed and voted upon respectively. Those players that are selected by the USA roster will play and represent the USA appropriately.
If not, should we have a separate game for the players that want to play as a "select team" or a competitive USA vs. Canada game? Canada; What say you?
My Answer; I'm open to a rec team and a competitive team. Maybe a simple tournament style approach at the Can Am game???
If we have two divisions should we have a recreational game before 2pm and a competitive game after the recreational "come one/come all" game? Or select another date for the real game USA say in another challenge event?
My Answer; My vote would be to categorize the CanAm game as a real representation of the USA vs. Canada/World players. Recreational division game to be played at 12pm come one/come all. The real game to start at 2pm. Otherwise the CanAm Mob type game will mean as much as a "Lefties vs. Righties" game in my book.
Should we bring in a Ref and have a penility box to keep the game cleaner?
My answer; Yes, we could have one Canadian ref and one American ref. These people could be injured regular players or outsiders who know the game of hockey.
Lets all discuss these topic's until June 1st and then let's make a finial decision as to what the game plan will be. I'll talk to the COMMISH and see if we can somehow send or host a voting system and we can vote in the 3rd of June after that Saturdays game as to the meaning and format of this years CanAm game.
We have the blessing of the Canadian/World team coaches and management to make this a "bring your best team" event. Now let put it to a discussion and vote!
If you don't participate in the discussion or the vote you haven't earned the right to complain about this years event!
Because of the results of the last two CanAM games USA needs to change the way we have been doing business in order to win against "Canada/World" team.
It is important for anyone who has played in the past 2 games to post their opinions about the future of these events as well as players who plan on playing this year.
Questions For Discussion:
Should/is the CanAm game a "come one/come all game"?
My Answer; No! If we divert from "throw your stick in the middle" way of fate selecting teams then we have already began the "picking teams or have begun a segregation approach" to the whole SSH concept of throw your stick in the middle mentality.
Should we limit the number of players?
My Answer; Yes. Last year was a total clusterF@$! that killed us by having 30 people on the bench and the worst players that day taking the most amount of shift time. Lots of mismatches , infighting etc, etc. Nothing more than an unorganized mob! There were and still are a lot of players that don't have a clue about the etiquette of make line changes and are often too stubborn or clueless to rotate out with the other players on the bench. I'm personally not a fan of the worst player taking the most amount of playing time. We need to be more organized and get away from the "USA Mob Team" approach to be competitive.
If so, how do we select a team?
My Answer; I think we should have players play in weekly games and "earn" a spot on the USA team. Everyone who wants to play on the USA team should put their names on the roster. Over the next few (2-3 weeks) we should have the USA players have 15 votes (one for each player to represent USA) and vote for players who they would want to represent USA. The number of votes is dependent on the total number of players we decide to field for the game 15-20. That way if there is a player that is "good" but doesn't act as a team player I.E double half ass shifts,cherry picking and not playing D, or someone who doesn't hustle etc. This gives an equal chance to the players who are not as "good" as others but have the team player and hard working qualities that will be noticed and voted upon respectively. Those players that are selected by the USA roster will play and represent the USA appropriately.
If not, should we have a separate game for the players that want to play as a "select team" or a competitive USA vs. Canada game? Canada; What say you?
My Answer; I'm open to a rec team and a competitive team. Maybe a simple tournament style approach at the Can Am game???
If we have two divisions should we have a recreational game before 2pm and a competitive game after the recreational "come one/come all" game? Or select another date for the real game USA say in another challenge event?
My Answer; My vote would be to categorize the CanAm game as a real representation of the USA vs. Canada/World players. Recreational division game to be played at 12pm come one/come all. The real game to start at 2pm. Otherwise the CanAm Mob type game will mean as much as a "Lefties vs. Righties" game in my book.
Should we bring in a Ref and have a penility box to keep the game cleaner?
My answer; Yes, we could have one Canadian ref and one American ref. These people could be injured regular players or outsiders who know the game of hockey.
Lets all discuss these topic's until June 1st and then let's make a finial decision as to what the game plan will be. I'll talk to the COMMISH and see if we can somehow send or host a voting system and we can vote in the 3rd of June after that Saturdays game as to the meaning and format of this years CanAm game.
We have the blessing of the Canadian/World team coaches and management to make this a "bring your best team" event. Now let put it to a discussion and vote!
If you don't participate in the discussion or the vote you haven't earned the right to complain about this years event!
Views: 37
Comment
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Comment by vp on May 4, 2009 at 5:33pm
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My eyes are bleeding reading all this drivel. People, the Can v. USA game is our yearly meetup where everyone shows up for beers and laugh and there's a hockey game somewhere in there. I agree with Werbi and Bubs, let's keep it freestyle, maybe start earlier so that everyone gets some ice time, split into 4 teams etc... Overcomplicating things will kill the event.
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Comment by Brad Marsh on April 27, 2009 at 8:44pm
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hahaha ya i agree with you adam..go caps, ovechkin better tear it up. and ya go USA, good luck with that one. haha, and go wings too.
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Comment by Adam on April 27, 2009 at 4:32pm
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GG: I agree with your agreement with Geoff. I agree to disagreee or agree with everyone. Agreed? Or egregious? Either way, GO CAPS! (In seven, I bet.)
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Comment by GG on April 27, 2009 at 2:59pm
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Geoff: I agree.
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Comment by gw on April 27, 2009 at 12:57pm
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Everyone should just show up, get drunk and have fun. Isn't this all about tying one on anyway? I mean, we all know that despite how hard the USA tries, they're still going to get worked, so why not focus on getting together for a few beers, some hockey and some laughs? ;-)
By the way, I'm planning on getting some games in soon... my wife's work schedule has changed, and we're still adjusting to things a little. I hope to be out in the next few weeks, in case anyone misses me. ha.
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Idea on how to keep a limited roster, while incorporating both the "old timers" and the "newbies" who are adding value to the group:
1) Captain & Co-Caption - get that set up right away to make the hard decisions.
2) Decide how many on the team.
3) Instead of waiting to see who signs up, approach those you want on the team (obviously dicey, but you'll end up asking those same people who didn't sign up to begin with). No "maybes", only those who will make it on that date - commitment needed.
3a) Ask only the number of people you want on the team.
3b) If you want to ask more people than what will be on the team, make it clear that all the names will be put into a hat and only x-number of players drawn from it. (I think this route sucks.)
4) Fill roster.
Will feelings be hurt? Maybe, but anyone with maturity, common sense, and simple experience with Seattle Street Hockey will know our concern and difficulty with accomodating too many faces at one event. Certainly those you wish to play that day can come out later for our treasured "throw your stick in the middle".
Good luck with figuring this out.
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Comment by benny d on April 26, 2009 at 2:05pm
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i definitely favor a limited roster situation for Team USA and think breaking things down by position might be effective in terms of coming up with the right mix of players. ron, you make some good suggestions as how to do that but i'm not sure how to figure certain guys into the mix that perhaps should be included even though they have not be out as much lately: chuck (think he would be good at center), greg schneuer (assuming that he still plans on coming), and carlo (lives in oregon now) are three people who come to mind in this situation. maybe USA should pick a captain (and two alternates?) soon and let that person(s) do a little legwork on roster and strategy. then the captain could bring that info to the table to be fine-tuned by the rest of the group.
perhaps a blog post can be started to allow people who would like to be considered for the USA roster, and who will be in town, to throw their name in for consideration. if we select captains soon (by next weekend or first weekend in may?) then the process can begin.
i have to say this year's series provides us (assuming that i make the team) with some players who were not available last year (i didn't play 2 years ago) who can really make a difference. i'm sorry that i am terrible with names and can't reference everyone i'm thinking of but, jason, plus erik and katherine will be a big plus to team USA.
this is a once-a-year event and i see no problem what-so-ever in limiting participation for one week. if anything we start earlier (1pm maybe?) and then once the 7 game series plays out it is open to everyone for sticks in the middle and the usual come one, come all style of play.
just my .02
benny d
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Comment by Scott O on April 25, 2009 at 5:14pm
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Do you guys have any opinion on eligibility for Olympia players? Would we even be considered for Team USA? What could we do to be considered?
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Comment by Erik on April 25, 2009 at 11:28am
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I know the game is on the 27th. You and someone else mentioned "and we can vote in the 3rd of June after that Saturdays game". Unless you meant the 3rd week of June.
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Comment by ML on April 25, 2009 at 11:25am
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Erik - the game is on June 27th, not June 6th. See: http://www.seattlestreethockey.com/profiles/blogs/canada-vs-usa-gamebbq
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