I'm assuming all the charter teams are protected and wouldn't allow it. Although, in the end, I'm sure the kids would have a more enjoyable, beneficial season playing competitive hockey and a .500 or better record in tier 1 vs going 0-30 in the Elite division.

Why not ask the question? What could it hurt?

Jack Sweeney - Director of Hockey Operations - jack@fedhockey.com

It would be interesting to hear if they have a plan for it.

Did anyone ever get the answer to this one? It seems like it would make sense for all involved but there are always other agendas.

They did it 2 years ago and proved that they didn't belong in elite. All teams got beat by the last place elite teams.

Hardly seems like it would be the case every year. Any harm in making teams earn it each year? Any idea if it may be an option again?

Looks like a few teams from Northstars, Vipers, MMF select and Islanders select among others would be able to provide some better competition in the Elite division.

Did original poster or anyone else hear if the EHF is considering this play in for the elite division?

Follow the $$$$$..Programs can charge top dollar for the Elite tag, if it was year to year organizations would fall apart.

And potentially make other organizations stronger or at least selling the idea that they don't have a ceiling? stronger league in the long run.

In the E9 both the VJW 02 and VJW 03 made the jump to the top (elite) division over there, they are the only (2nd teams) I'm aware of that have had enough depth to make the jump...what teams/years in the EHF would have a shot? IM ASSUMING not many

Look at the standings. At most age groups there are teams with 80 - 90+% winning percentages in tier 1 and a couple teams at 0 - 15% winning in the elite division. Have the non-playoff ehf teams (outside the top 8) have a play-in tournament with either top 2 or top 4 from tier 1. Would create better competition and parity in both divisions. In the E9 you're ignoring the 3 BHL teams that have to play-in at every level, not just the VJW 02 and 03 select teams. I'm sure the Minutemen, Islanders and Terriers could get at least 1 of there select teams moved up as well as the Vipers, Northstars, Bulldogs, etc.

EHF is not considering this. They said that they would do this a few years back when the Northeast Hockey League folded and the teams all went to EHF but they basically made it impossible to get into the elite level. Since then they don't even pretend to do it. You are either one of the "Elite" programs or the best you can get into is the top tier 1 division. I guess they think the system works and are sticking with it because they let all those HNE teams walk and didn't budge.

Would EHF care if all organizations that are excluded from the elite division banded together, however unlikely, and left for the BHL so they at least had the opportunity to play into the E9? Why would stronger EHF programs let their product not be the best it can be, so that it could remain the best? Wouldn't elite organizations that had select teams that could potentially move up, be up for the change?