An Interview with the Atlantic Metropolitan Hockey League President
Member Organizations Look to Future
Sept. 2, 2010

by Phil Brand

AMHL President, Glenn Hefferan

Glenn Hefferan President of the Atlantic Metropolitan Hockey League the umbrella organization for teams skating in four leagues (Atlantic Junior Hockey League, Metropolitan Junior Hockey League, the Atlantic Youth Hockey League and the Atlantic Sled Hockey League) was attending an officiating clinic in Cromwell, CT. In a sit down interview he discussed the state of the AMHL and outlined some of the opportunities and challenges currently affecting the members.

AMHL Member Clubs, with the 2010-11 season rapidly approaching are obviously are dealing with the short-term implications of that fact. In addition however the league is also focusing on some of the longer-term strategic issues and opportunities that they have collectively identified.

In the discussion in Cromwell Hefferan outlined the major initiatives, opportunities and challenges that the league and teams are collectively considering and grappling with as he enters his 20thseason in the role of AMHL President.

Before he outlined the AMHL strategies Hefferan was very vocal on one point. “The volunteers who work on the league staff and throughout the league member clubs are the strength of the AMHL. I cannot emphasize enough how blessed the league is with the staff and organizational volunteers. Our volunteers keep our league office and the various organizations running.”

League leadership has identified five areas are currently on the combined agenda.

1) Strategy around the implementation of USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) for players in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League;
2) Ensuring that the level of competition is consistent with other Tier I programs throughout the country, providing an elite experience for our players and that all organizations and teams maintain competitive balance;
3) Expanding the use of USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program model into the Atlantic Youth Hockey League upper age groups;
4) Considering junior expansion in geographical areas that complement our current footprint for the AJHL and the MJHL and contraction where there is saturation or lack of support for junior hockey; and
5) Maintaining support and encouragement for community outreach and involvement to foster the growth of sled hockey within USA Hockey.

“Each of these areas has the usual double sided coin of opportunity and the need to manage the risk involved in all opportunities. We value consensus and broad agreement at each level of our organizations as we develop and execute strategies or implement USA Hockey directives that affect our players and organizations” said Hefferan.” He then went on to speak a more in-depth about the five he outlined.

American Development Model
USA Hockey is rolling out a patterned approach to development that will eventually phase in over several seasons to cover players from Mites through Midgets. In one area the ADM recommends more emphasis on practice and skills development and less time devoted to games and travel. USA Hockey sees the program as a tool that will ensure that more players have the chance to succeed. While not a mandate it is clearly a national direction by the governing body. Hefferan commented that “we are looking at implementation and will be measuring the impact of the changes. There are a lot of great concepts that can be readily embraced but we also need to ensure that playing hockey remains fun and attracts new players. The AMHL leadership is working hard to keep a balance and understand the impact of implementation so we don’t experience unintended consequences.”

Maintaining Competition
This is a multifaceted issue starting by ensuring that AMHL member teams remain competitive on the ice. This also extends to the management, coaching, administrative support and off-ice programs. “Keeping our leagues and teams balanced and competitive within the elite competitive range is the goal. We are working hard to ensure stability in today’s economic environment and ensure we make cost effective decisions that first of all contribute to the development of our players.Hefferan indicated that The AMHL competition committee is a useful tool that is helping our members maintain or improve their competitive edge.

Junior Expansion & Contraction
The various leagues making up the AMHL cover an area on the US eastern shore from Portland, ME to Tampa, Florida. Travel costs are a constant factor as the AMHL looks to expand yet maintain a geographic footprint that encourages competition and is economically smart. “We are looking at the Mid-Atlantic area from Washington DC and southward to place teams near existing MJHL South Division teams and also looking at a strategy around “A” teams in the area. Our goal is to fill in some of the areas to complement existing franchises.” Hefferan was clear that any expansion will come as part of a thoughtful deliberate approach that adds to the strength of our current member teams. Contraction is also on the table, "its often said that you can add, by subtracting" stated Hefferan.

Broadening the Use of the ODP ApproachUSA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program has been used the past six seasons as the source for most assignments for officials throughout the junior leagues. The ODP primarily focuses officials working junior level and above. Participants are competitively selected for the program and given training, supervision and on-going evaluations plus opportunities to develop. Also for those who wish to do so they are given the chance to working collegiate and professional hockey. The nation-wide program has 400 participants and has a large cadre of available officials for the AMHL. “We are now looking at how the league might expand the development concept to our Atlantic Youth Hockey League programs. The ADM in addition to focusing on players also has initiatives around the development of younger officials in the first few years of their officiating activity. We are supportive of the program and want to ensure our youth league officials continue to get development and support" said Hefferan.

Maintaining Support for Sled Hockey
The AMHL member leagues include the only sled hockey league in the US, The Atlantic Sled Hockey League. The league going into its 11th season boasts seven teams located from central New Jersey into Maryland. “This is a labor of love for our organization and numerous volunteers.” Our strategic goal is grow the sport both in our area and nationally. We intend to be an advocate within USA Hockey so more opportunities are created for potential players. We hope that our families and clubs will donate generously to this worthy program," remarked Hefferan.

The AMHL continues to be an innovator in Youth, Sled and Junior Hockey. If you have any comments or suggestions for the League, please send them to mhgh@aol.com.