Registration is open and as tryouts draw closer for the 2010-11 season it is important to make everyone aware of a few new opportunities, take care of some overdue acknowledgements, and identify some league/divisional changes. For additional information please go to the website www.wi-ehl.net.

The WEHL has been granted 2 openings in the North American Prospects Tournament for the fall - 2010. With the backing of our advocates in the Janesville Jets, Commissioner Denny Scanlon has provided an exemption for our Before and After teams to compete in this highly scouted event. We suspect this is due in part to our quickly formed U14 All-Star team finishing so well last year, 2nd or 3rd depending on who you talk to, and Bill McCoshen’s comments. In an email to the commissioner Bill said,” Denny -These kids can play. The WEHL sent two teams to Tier II nationals last season and the 16s made it to the championship game.” Teams will be formed from both the U16 and U18 divisions, details forth coming, and will give more WEHL players an additional chance to be seen by Junior and College scouts. The coaches from the Bantam team who traveled to the event last year said they had never seen so many scouts at a youth hockey event!

Congratulations to The Madison Elite 16U and Madison Elite 18U for such outstanding play at the Tier II USA Hockey National Tournaments. The 16’s finished 2nd to a team they beat in the round robin and the 18's went 3-0 before losing in the quarter finals to the eventual National Runner ups.

A big nod goes out to the 5 players who were tendered or drafted who participated in the WEHL this past season. The list includes Pavek, Tesensky, Chapin, Larson, and Strasser. All three TW players drafted in the USHL this spring had all played at least 1 year in the WEHL. To date the WEHL has seen 24 players move on to TW. This is the best we can confirm at this point but there might be more!

Gary Shuchuk, Madison WEHL Board Member and former U16 Elite and TW Coach, has accepted a coaching position with the UW Men’s Badgers hockey team. After having several conversations with Gary he is convinced that he can continue his WEHL duties without interfering with his responsibilities with the Badgers. This means that we have a NA Junior team owner and UW Badger Coach involved in our decision making in the board and are convinced this cannot be a bad thing. Way to go Gary!

WIAA state tournament factoids - all 8 teams that made the trip to Madison this past March had players from the WEHL on their rosters. Current season WEHL participants were responsible for 24 or the 40 goals and 37 of the 58 assists awarded. Mitch Boreman, Wausau West/WEHL West U18, and Alex Tesenski, USM/Milwaukee U18, were number 1 and tied for number 2 in points respectively during the tournament.

WEHL 2010 League Changes – for the first time ever we will have to increase the league fees to off-set several factors. Additionally the Elite Divisions will have to play 3 more games in the fall to meet USA Hockey team requirements. The new fees will be an increase of $50 in each division or $450 for Girls, U14, U16 Selects and $600 for U16 and U18 Elite. We debated this decision a lot but in the end felt this is a value when considering it to other programs or a summer camp. Players receive a uniform, 13 hours of practice, independent coaching, 14 to 24 games respectively, a tournament in the U14 and 2 in the Elite division and a chance to go to nationals. Now additional players will have the opportunity to exhibit their skills during the NA Prospects tournament!

Tryout times and coaches are currently being put on the WEHL website. Please check for updates.

Divisional updates – for division specific questions please check out the website and direct any additional questions to your Divisional Coordinators

Bantams – after successfully completing its second season and putting together an all-star team from the league to compete in the North American leagues prospect tournament last season it was agreed that a U14 Team Wisconsin should be formed. Due to roster limitations only bantam eligible HS Freshman can be considered for this team and therefore it was suggested that it have some affiliation with the WEHL. The WEHL expects to continue the Bantam Division in all regions again.

Doug Coleman has assumed responsibilities as the U14 WEHL Division Supervisor. With this appointment Doug will use his organizational skills to help find coaches, ensure league information is accurately distributed to the teams, work on behalf of the Division at the WEHL board meetings.

Corey McCracken - leads the NEW TW 14 at an administrative level.

Girls – Entering its second season we expect this division to stabilize considerably and are forming a team in the North West area of the state. Mary Ann Robinson from WAHA has stepped in as the Divisional Coordinator to help grow the division, manage both the reformed TW Girls U19 and U16 teams as well as the regional WEHL teams. TW players will be given the same opportunity to practice with their local WEHL teams as the Boys TW players currently have.

16U Selects – as our direct feeder for the Elite the select program was given its own Supervisor this year. Rob Perry has taken on the roll and will report directly to Paul Caufield the U16E Supervisor.

16U Elite – Aside for the All Star team being placed in the NAHL prospects tournament and having to complete 20 games in the fall this division remains mostly unchanged. Again congratulations to the Madison team which was ranked #1 in the country for most of the year and finished 2nd at the USA Hockey Nationals. Paul Caufield is the Division Supervisor and will be coaching the All Star U16 team for the Prospects tournament.

18U Elite – This Division follows the same changes at the 16U Elite. Congratulations to Madison White on winning the State Tournament and advancing at nationals. Bob Schroeder is the Division Supervisor and will be coaching the All Star U18 team for the Prospects tournament.

More information will be sent directly to player pertinent to their divisions. We are looking forward to the season!

See you at the rink!