Introducing the IEPL

frederick61 · Post by **frederick61** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:00 pm

Just posted a story on another approach to fall hockey for high school players called the IEPL. The organizers behind this have come up with an innovative approach to offer (in this case high school players) who want to play fall hockey. The post can be read at:

http://www.youthhockeyhub.com/introducing-the-iepl/

buttend · Post by **buttend** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:22 pm

From the article

"The Upper Midwest High School Elite League and the Elite Player Development Leagues are part of that and they usually get the stronger players trying out. They will usually roster 250 or so players for an 8-10 week season. But with a 150+ high school teams and another 100 bantam teams, these two leagues only tap into the potential pool of talented hockey players. That leaves 4000 thousand or so players searching for spots to play in those two months before high school tryouts."
"Then they went further and eliminated the hard checks along the board or in center ice. No hard checks, only “rub outs".Their initial goal was to eliminate injuries just prior to high school tryouts, but with “rub outs” only, but it has resulted in league play that emphasizes stick handling, puck movement and puck possession."

I'm sure the guys over at the Elite and D League do not want to see ANY competition. I think because of the format and because there are so many HS kids looking to get Fall games this league will become very popular. Minnesota kids getting more options and a place to play is a good thing. Congrats to the group putting this together.

pioneers · Post by **pioneers** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:50 am

Recognizing the need, the AAA organization took a chance and started their own league focusing on “bubble players”, players under the radar of the Minnesota hockey

I am not sure that this league would totally compete with the Elite League. As stated, they look like they are focusing on the players that don't make the elite league.

preferhockey · Post by **preferhockey** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:56 am

This is a good thing if provides players options. The Elite D and Elite have become a business and as MOST of us know a who's who leagues.

Up North there is a NPHL for HS players in the fall. Cost is reasonable and competition is good.

Mite-dad · Post by **Mite-dad** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 7:56 am

My oldest kid played in one of these leagues last summer where there was no checking. It was supposed to result in play that emphasizes stick handling, puck movement and puck possession. It didn't really encourage puck movement at all. There was a lot of end to end skating with the puck and individual play. I think checking does a better job of encouraging puck movement.