NORCAL going back to 16A & 18A starting 2018-2019 Season

[Hockeykid]

 Interesting -

During the last NORCAL meeting the NORCAL clubs voted to field 16A (2002-2003) & 18A (2000-2001) teams for the 2018-2019 season instead of High School hockey teams. NORCAL replaced 16A & 18A with High School hockey two years ago, and now they are switching back.


I don't see any SCAHA 18A teams happening, but maybe some 16A teams like the 2017-2018 season?
 
 

[Nowhearthis]

The question would be are they trying to see if they can get traction back at that level or doing it because the high school league is not functioning?   In So Cal the 2 high school systems continue to blossom and, from what I hear, the increased level of play (and perks and convenience etc.) will be bringing over significantly more tier level players next year.

[Hockeykid]

 Not sure why the change…
A few things I suspect will happen:


AA players will no longer be allowed to double roster. NORCAL allowed double rostering of AA players on High School teams. 

Birth Year 2000 players who graduate HS in 2018 can now play NORCAL hockey on 18A teams. With NORCAL HS hockey, they’d be ineligible.

Players are no longer subjected to territorial boundaries like they were with HS hockey, so they may play for any club. Not sure about PDR?



 

[JakesDad01]

Hopefully the change will make NorCal HS hockey less convoluted. They have NorCal HS hockey where most clubs have a team.  On those teams are tier players (including AAA from what I was told). The San Jose has their own HS leagues including JV, Varsity, and pure HS.  I'm not sure if any boundaries are enforced except for the pure HS league.


I see this as a positive for most kids.  Additionally if a NorCal AA Midget team is unworthy in CAHA eyes, then they can move to A level.