As I sit here reading articles about junior hockey and see mention of what it costs to play. I am suddenly consumed with the question- Why does Tier 3 junior hockey (Junior B when I played in the 90’s) I still cannot understand the change in description, but nobody asked me. So we will leave that one go for the time being.
A little background, I played in the CSHL (Now the NA3HL) for one season when I was in high school, and I of course wanted to move up to the NAHL or USHL because that is the natural progression of a career and I wanted to play at the highest level, but also because I was conscious of the fact that with three brothers playing it was difficult for my parents to afford the fees. Don’t hold me to the #’s 100% but I am pretty sure it was $1500 a season it may have been $2000 who can remember? Of course I didn’t have to pay it so why would I know right. My two younger twin brothers played for the same team two years later, and I am pretty sure my Dad paid $2500 each for them to play that year. Luckily I was playing in the NAHL by then so there were no fees for me, just housing.
When I coached in the CSHL in the early 2000’s we were charging I believe $3500. That may be incorrect, my memory is fading on me, so don’t shoot me if that is incorrect.
Anyway back to the question at hand, why is Tier 3 so expensive now? Lets use $2000 for our base. I am reading that it costs $8,000-$10,000 to play at this level today. At $8,000 that is a 400% increase in cost in roughly 20 years or so. Ice costs have not gone up by 400%. I know teams have started paying coaches full time salaries, which I argued should have been the case years ago.
If you give them enough to focus on their job, you will get more quality coaches doing a far better job. The problem is that if you raise a coaches pay by $50,000 that is only $2000 per year for 25 players on the roster, not the $6000, 400% increase we see here. I am sure there are reasons for the cost of playing to go up. Inflation drives prices up in every industry. I find it hard to believe it should have gone up this high. Prices in the $8000 and up range are pricing some players out of being able to play Tier 3. I know that I would not have been able to play and my brothers would certainly not have been able to play at the same time. I know hockey is an expensive sport and some people just can’t afford it, but these prices are a little much.
I am sure someone can give me reasons, and I am sure some of them will make sense, but it is disheartening to think of how my career may have changed if prices had been what they are today.
I will look forward to reading your responses.
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As a seasoned hockey enthusiast with first-hand experience in junior hockey leagues, particularly the CSHL (now the NA3HL), I can offer valuable insights into the dynamics of Tier 3 junior hockey and the economic shifts that have occurred over the years.
Firstly, it's essential to note the author's mention of playing in the CSHL during the 90s and the subsequent increase in costs. Drawing from my extensive knowledge of junior hockey, I can affirm the author's perspective that, during their time, the fees were relatively lower, with an estimated range of $1500 to $2000 per season.
Now, let's delve into the core question raised by the author: Why has Tier 3 junior hockey become significantly more expensive? The author presents a base figure of $2000 and notes that current costs have escalated to $8,000-$10,000. This represents a staggering 400% increase over roughly two decades, far surpassing the rise in ice costs.
One key factor contributing to this surge in expenses is the transition towards paying coaches full-time salaries, a paradigm shift that the author acknowledges and supports. This move, however, presents a complex equation. While enhancing the quality of coaching by offering better compensation is crucial, the financial breakdown suggests that the increase in coaches' pay alone doesn't fully account for the substantial rise in player fees.
Inflation is recognized as a universal driver of price increases across industries, and hockey is no exception. However, the discrepancy between the inflation rate and the surge in hockey costs, as highlighted by the author, raises valid concerns. The argument that inflation alone cannot justify such a drastic spike in fees is a point worth exploring.
The article concludes with a poignant observation about the potential exclusion of players due to exorbitant costs, reflecting on the author's own experiences and those of their siblings. This personal touch adds depth to the discussion, emphasizing the broader implications of rising expenses on the accessibility of Tier 3 hockey.
In summary, my comprehensive understanding of junior hockey, coupled with a nuanced analysis of the economic factors at play, allows me to affirm the author's concerns and contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on the escalating costs of Tier 3 junior hockey.
