You make an excellent point.

"In a few years" maybe NCDC will be a better product. Doubtful it lasts that long because there is no real value proposition for the NCDC. But for the sake of argument, why is NCDC claiming to be tier 2 NOW?

Why doesn't NCDC wait a few years and IF, and only if, (a) it still exists; AND (b) it has genuinely improved to something comparable to tier 2, THEN, and only then, call it tier 2.

USHL is the gold standard (tier 1) and most NAHL teams (tier 2) have affiliations with USHL teams.

Where does the NCDC refer to itself as Tier 2? As they are not a member of USA Hockey, it does not matter what they call themselves. You maybe correct but the Tier system is something that was devised by USA Hockey. Nothing wrong with that at all. My point is, who cares if it is 1, 2 or 3? If it is my son, I care about the level of play, the exposure, the cost ( bottom line) and how it will help him develop and reach his goals. If my son was a little older, it would be USHL, NAHL, BCHL, AJHL, CCHL then NCDC. Does not take anything away from them and in a few years they may surpass all except USHL. If that is the case, I still don't care what Tier they are, only the parameters previously laid down.

It seems like there are too many people that get caught up in the verbiage and semantics and take exception to it. If the lower leagues continue improving than they will have the traction to create divisions below u14 and people will continue paying which will supplement the NCDC. As long as there is a clear path (Not Guarantees) , people will pay!

Why. Do. You. Care?

There is absolutely zero downside to you or your kid that Gallant and the USPHL have decided to go this route. NCDC v1.0 says it waters Tier 2 down. That isn't a bad thing to any dad, since if your kid has game he should be able to be more dominant.

Junior Hockey News recognizes them as Tier 2. In fact, four of the 11 NCDC teams are in their Top 20. Only five of the 23 NAHL teams are. By that standard one could very legitimately claim the NCDC has already moved ahead of the NAHL, in terms of quality of play night in and night out.

And, Elite Prospects has no problem with recognizing them as Tier 2. Because they understand it doesn't ****ing matter.

But, NCDC Sux, whether v1.0 or v2.0 knows better.

Call it EJHL. Call it USPHL Premier. Call it NCDC. Whatever letters you give it, it's third-tier hockey. The EHL was ranked higher the last two years than the USPHL Premier, so don't even think of saying the NCDC is Tier II.

Go to an NCDC game and go to an NAHL game. The NAHL knows how to make their games real events. They make it special for the players. The USPHLNCHDDSJC or whatever is like a mite game, only with less people in the stands.

Junior Hockey News doesn't commit players. It sells advertising. Elite prospects merely repeats what it is told.

If labels don't matter, why was NCDC so hell bent on being called Tier 2?

What matters is D1 commits. Most NCDC teams don't have many, if any. Are NCDC players good and no body knows it? Is NCDC just ineffective at getting good players committed? What is the value in that?

Labels do matter. If you payed for 10 gallons of 94 octane at the gas pump only to find out later you actually got 3 gallons of 86 octane, you would be first to scream, and for good reason.

There are 40+ former USPHL players on Hockey East Rosters and another 5+ from the EHL. I am sure the numbers are higher in the Atlantic, ECAC, etc. Tier 3 is relevant. Go look at the top D3 teams and there are many former Tier 3 players. These are all very good hockey players. Are they as good as the majority of the kids in the USHL? No! They are certainly as good as many of the NAHL kids and kids in other similar leagues.

USA hockey calls all pay to play leagues Tier 3. Those leagues (NAHL) that are Tier 2 are structured similarly ( in many ways, mostly Free) to that of the NCDC. Because NCDC does not fall under the USA hockey umbrella, they are free to call it whatever they want. No TM on Tier 2. They are certainly not misleading anybody!! Everybody in the game knows what it is from what it ain't. Call it the Super Duper Tier 1 supreme league! Does not matter. Besides, I believe they call it "Free" not Tier 2.

At the end of the day, they are what they are. Which is pretty good. Probably gonna get better too.

Put the IHC, JR Bruins, Hitmen, SSK and some of the better teams up against the NE Generals ( Best record in the NAHL). You don"t think they would compete? Absolutely yes!

Unless you're the one buying the gas, Why. Do. You. Care?

My kid is playing USPHL Elite. He's young, still growing. I am very happy with the program. I still think the NAHL is a superior product. But I have zero reason to hate on NCDC. May he'll play there, maybe he won't. It's nice to have a choice.

Exactly.

"The NAHL is a superior product."

In a nutshell, that's what I'm talking about.