Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

Just out of curiosity, why is the Richmond Hill hockey program quite simply put one of the worst, if not the worst in Ontario?

There is an unusually large number of youths playing hockey that are from RH (most don't play in RH because of how bad it is). They have one of the most rinks per capita. They have a history of premier players that are from RH (McDavid, Binnington, Cammalleri, Cassie Campbell, Curtis Joseph, etc. etc.)

But... why the hell are they so bad in every single age category? What is the reason?

Because everyone who is good used to fake their address to play in the G

Guest wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 4:33 pm Because everyone who is good used to fake their address to play in the G

that doesn't explain why a lot of other OMHA orgs are still good or at least decent. RH is bottom 3 in literally every age category in every division in every year.

Money

Guest wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 4:36 pm

Guest wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 4:33 pm Because everyone who is good used to fake their address to play in the G

that doesn't explain why a lot of other OMHA orgs are still good or at least decent. RH is bottom 3 in literally every age category in every division in every year.

The teams that are "close" to Toronto all suffer big time. Also, its a population of wealthy people who can spend the money to move to toronto, have the free time to drive around, etc.

Even in AAA hockey, Markham Waxers are the team its most difficult to attract good players, and almost all of them come from outside of markham (further from Toronto, not closer)

Guest wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 4:08 pm Just out of curiosity, why is the Richmond Hill hockey program quite simply put one of the worst, if not the worst in Ontario?

There is an unusually large number of youths playing hockey that are from RH (most don't play in RH because of how bad it is). They have one of the most rinks per capita. They have a history of premier players that are from RH (McDavid, Binnington, Cammalleri, Cassie Campbell, Curtis Joseph, etc. etc.)

But... why the hell are they so bad in every single age category? What is the reason?

Please don't just look at wins and loses. That's not the true identity of the association.

There are so many factors that go in to why a whole association is bad or why only certain teams are good.

First is location, as pointed out location is a big deal. Being close to the GTHL, you will lose your top players and dreamers to the GTHL. Now with open borders, you will have more in this area looking to go to the GTHL.

Second is prestige, before this thread, I have honestly never heard of this association. (No offense, and to be fair, I'm sure you have probably never have heard of my association) Do you have people wanting to play for you organization by reputation alone?

Third is the board/coaches/parents. Is it well run? Does it have a good reputation? Bad reputation? I don't see any mention of a bad board or coaches or crazy parents. Are there any issues where families are driven away.

Fourth is record. Are kids trying out elsewhere because they are so bad? Is there no competition during tryouts that you are getting house league kids playing rep? My biggest pet peeve is kids not being slotted correctly. What is the true reason for the bad records?

I think the biggest is geography. Sandwiched between GTHL and Markham they get squeezed out. You're seeing the same thing happen to King City's association, relatively small and surrounded by larger, more established/known organizations.

Curtis Joseph is East Gwillimbury, McDavid is Newmarket