1995 Hockey Blog

The 2008-09 regular season has come to an end for the Little Caesars Amatuer Hockey League (LCAHL). Here's a few observations of the 1995 Tier II age level.

The LCAHL did a great job of splitting the teams into competitive divisions. They always ask for input and listen which usually leads to getting it right. This is a thankless task and always scrutinized by coaches and parents. Generally both want to play a division higher then they are placed. I suspect because it's hard to objectively rate yourself. It's human nature to overvalue your strengths and undervalue your weaknesses.

There has been a chasm between the Yzerman division teams and the rest of the league. The LCAHL has looked to expand this division, but ultimately can never do it.  This was true again this season, but it looks like there will be more debate next season about who belongs and who doesn't. The Grand Rapids Griffins were the surprise team. Rumored to have lost too many players to stay in the top division. No one taold them and they raced out to a 7-0 start in league play. In fact they pushed the division title to the final weekend before losing to eventual division champ Grosse Pointe. The Flint Icelanders ultimately lost too many players from last season and had a rough go in the division and finished without a win in league play.

LCAHL may get it's wish next season with a few up-and-coming teams that look to be able to compete with the Yzerman teams. They include the Suburban Stars and Oakland Grizzlies with an outside shot of the Troy Sting and Flint Phantoms teams. All have shown at times that they are able to play at a higher level. The future will be brighter for any of these teams if they can add a few more strong players to the roster, spend more time playing at the faster pace and make sure thier systems play is solid. The Michigan Outlaws would have been in this list at the end of last season and showed that the Yzerman division can be cracked.

 The Howe 2 division was a runaway for the Suburban Stars, Oakland Grizzlies and followed up by Holland. The Novi and Redford teams had lower than expected finishes with 9 wins between them in the division. Belle Tire faded after a strong start in exhibition play to start the fall season.

The Flint Phantoms delivered on their early predictions that they should be in a higher division as they almost ran the table in the Howe 3 division. Between them, SCS Saints and USA, the wins were tough to come by for the other teams in the division.

The Howe North division was won by the upstart Livingston Lightning team. The team has a new coach and fresh roster came together just in time to win the division over Lakeland.

We certainly look forward to the playoffs. Stay tuned.