Joe McGrath reported today that the Hellcats are down-sizing to four competing teams for the Winter 2017-2018 season. “In the four weeks that we collected Winter season sign-ups we saw a dramatic drop-off in Gold A and Gold B sign-ups. We saw Players not returning, players moving to half-time, players changing teams, players not responding. Each of those two teams is five full-time skaters from being even. Its frustrating but we are doing what we can to field the most competitive teams in the new divisional format.”
Since The Hellcats can only field four teams (in the old Gold A, Gold C, Gold D and Over 40A), SharksIce management had to fold the Gold B division. The Kingfish will be joining Gold A (now playing on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the Hansons 2 and the Nighthawks joining Gold C (playing Tuesdays).
McGrath continued, “We have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. We need to move quite a few players around between the teams to make it work. This won’t be easy for anybody.”
The league announced their new Division format:
Winter 2017-2018 Over 40 A Division plays Sunday
Blues
Golden Bears
Hellcats Sunday
Mariners
Oakland Seals A
Taleo
Gold A (was Gold A and Gold B) plays Mondays and Wednesdays
Grey Bears
Hellcats Monday
Kingfish
The Hansons 1
The Saints
Torpedoes
Gold B (was Gold C) plays Tuesdays
Cross Czechs 1
Hellcats Tuesday
Hitmen
Honey Badgers
Mavericks 1
Nighthawks
The Hansons 2
Gold C (was Gold D) plays Thursday
Black Dogs
Cross Czechs 2
Flying Squids
Hellcats Thursday
Kool Aid
Light Sabres
SFFD
Stick Men