The Good, The Bad, and The Frustrating: MCHL's Thoughts on Beer League Hockey
As beer league players, we all know that the game is supposed to be about having fun and enjoying the camaraderie of our teammates. But let's be honest, there are some frustrating issues that we face on a regular basis that can really take away from the experience. In this post, we're going to talk about a few of these frustrations that many if not all beer leaguers experience.
One of the biggest frustrations is the inconsistency and inaccuracy of player stats. We all know that stats don't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but let's be real, everyone cares about their own stats. The problem is that many leagues and rinks don't put enough effort into accurately tracking and reporting stats. This can lead to frustration and even arguments between teammates about who has more goals or assists. It would be nice if there was a standardized system for tracking and reporting stats across all beer leagues.
Another issue that many beer leaguers face is the lack of a requirement for jersey numbers. Without jersey numbers, it's impossible to accurately report players that don't belong in a certain level for parity purposes. Many rinks claim to value parity, but without the ability to identify players, it's impossible to maintain a fair and balanced league. Requiring jersey numbers would make it much easier to enforce parity and ensure that players are playing at the appropriate level.
Another frustration that many beer leaguers face is the lack of follow-up on suspensions for penalties that deserve consequences. We've all seen players take cheap shots or engage in dangerous play that results in penalties, but then they're back on the ice the next game as if nothing happened. We are not saying MCHL is exempt from this. This sends the message that there are no real consequences for dangerous play, which can lead to even more dangerous behavior on the ice. If leagues and rinks were to take a stronger stance on suspensions and follow through with them consistently, it would help to promote safer play and a more positive environment for everyone.
MCHL has a set of internal rules and punishments that we enforce within our organization, even if the league doesn't always take action. However, it can be challenging to hold players accountable when they don't face consequences from the league. We believe in promoting fair play and sportsmanship, and we expect all members of our organization to abide by our standards, regardless of the league's enforcement. Our goal is to maintain a positive and respectful environment for everyone in the league, and we take our responsibility to uphold that standard seriously.
At the end of the day, we all just want to have fun playing hockey with our friends. But these frustrations can really take away from the experience. By addressing these issues and taking steps to improve the overall beer league experience, we can ensure that everyone is having a good time on the ice.
