Guest wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:39 pm
While everyone is trying to figure out what the shuffling of the deck chairs is going to look like come April 20 (and worrying about so-and-so's hairline, or a supposed daddy fist fight at practice) nobody is talking about the open borders and player movement that is inevitable.
The current G teams draw from approx 4 million residents to fill a total of 12 AAA teams.
4 of which are good,
4 of which are mediocre,
4 of which are not good,
give or take.
All rosters totalling approx 180 players.
After the OHF weekend the G will see a significant impact by the simple fact that families and players from surrounding cities and centres will be making their way to the G. For context, at quick glance there are approx 20 AAA teams/centres right next door (easily within a 60 minute drive of a G team, many much closer than that). Each of those teams have 17 players. So approx 350 players in this age group will be thinking about joining this league - because it's the best after all, isn't it... Those teams/centres draw from an additional 5 million residents - approx. (see breakdown below)
Now of course most will stay in their home centres or perhaps may only look to change jerseys with their closest neighbouring centre, but to think that 10-20% of the player talent in the surrounding centres won't find their way to the G would be silly. 2-3 players coming in per team (on average) shouldn't be surprising, sould it?
You atleast can't ignore the math, the potential impact may not be as fun, but it will be more shocking than so-and-so's dad hooking up with so-and-so's mom in the parking lot at Westwood...
If this does happen (which it will), then the G gets much better top to bottom, over time, and a true meritocracy it will be.
The Simple Math:
Ajax‑Pickering Raiders – 228,000 residents
Barrie Colts – 255,000 residents
Brantford 99ers – 97,000 residents
Burlington Eagles – 186,000 residents
Cambridge Hawks – 138,000 residents
Central Ontario Wolves – 75,000 residents
Credit River Capitals – 750,000 residents
Guelph Gryphons – 143,000 residents
Hamilton Steel – 750,000 residents
Halton Hurricanes – 170,000 residents
Kitchener Jr. Rangers – 256,000 residents
Markham Waxers – 340,000 residents
North Shore Whitecaps – 265,000 residents
Niagara North Starts – 133,000 residents
Oakville Rangers – 213,000 residents
Peterborough Petes – 83,000 residents
Quinte Red Devils – 180,000 residents
Southern Tier Admirals – 120,000 residents
Waterloo Wolves – 137,000 residents
Whitby Wildcats – 130,000 residents
York Simcoe Express – 200,000 residents