Beer league team issue

[fawn111 0]

I have been captain and "GM" since my teams inception nearly 3 years ago.

Originally we were a team pieced together with an odd assortment of mostly guys in their 30's and 40's that had not too much experience with the game. We were terrible first few seasons then we picked up some decent players and got better and they brought along a friend here and there and now we are among the top teams in our league.... Mind you it is the lowest tier, but still we are one of the better teams.

Here is my problem and any advice is appreciated. I am under pressure form the better players to drop a few of the original players who are far behind in skill level than the rest of the group. These few guys ahve been with the team since it started and, while not clsoe friends, I do consider them to be friends and are both good guys. They are good teammates and take short shifts and always skate hard.

We don't have plans to move up to the next division, and made it to the championship game this season.... so it is not liek these guys are really draggin us down. But I think that with about 15 players, we ahve too many on the bench and guys want a littel more ice time and want the team to be better. undrsratndable. Like I said these two guys are far below the skill level of the resty and can't really compete with most others in the league.

So..... do I drop them or keep them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[bandits_5 18]

I have been captain and "GM" since my teams inception nearly 3 years ago.

Originally we were a team pieced together with an odd assortment of mostly guys in their 30's and 40's that had not too much experience with the game. We were terrible first few seasons then we picked up some decent players and got better and they brought along a friend here and there and now we are among the top teams in our league.... Mind you it is the lowest tier, but still we are one of the better teams.

Here is my problem and any advice is appreciated. I am under pressure form the better players to drop a few of the original players who are far behind in skill level than the rest of the group. These few guys ahve been with the team since it started and, while not clsoe friends, I do consider them to be friends and are both good guys. They are good teammates and take short shifts and always skate hard.

We don't have plans to move up to the next division, and made it to the championship game this season.... so it is not liek these guys are really draggin us down. But I think that with about 15 players, we ahve too many on the bench and guys want a littel more ice time and want the team to be better. undrsratndable. Like I said these two guys are far below the skill level of the resty and can't really compete with most others in the league.

So..... do I drop them or keep them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Ive always thought beer leagues were for fun , and guys who in most cases, arent very good to get a chance to skate and have some fun. So if the "better" guys want to dump the lesserlites. I say dump the better guys , because they just dont get it.

[bigdmac 12]

There's no way you can let them go. Its just a beer league, and your already in the lowest divison, so there's really no where else for those players to go. Win or lose they work their ass off, those are the kind of people i want on my team. You have to have a heart and keep the guys.

[althoma1 574]

I have been captain and "GM" since my teams inception nearly 3 years ago.

Originally we were a team pieced together with an odd assortment of mostly guys in their 30's and 40's that had not too much experience with the game. We were terrible first few seasons then we picked up some decent players and got better and they brought along a friend here and there and now we are among the top teams in our league.... Mind you it is the lowest tier, but still we are one of the better teams.

Here is my problem and any advice is appreciated. I am under pressure form the better players to drop a few of the original players who are far behind in skill level than the rest of the group. These few guys ahve been with the team since it started and, while not clsoe friends, I do consider them to be friends and are both good guys. They are good teammates and take short shifts and always skate hard.

We don't have plans to move up to the next division, and made it to the championship game this season.... so it is not liek these guys are really draggin us down. But I think that with about 15 players, we ahve too many on the bench and guys want a littel more ice time and want the team to be better. undrsratndable. Like I said these two guys are far below the skill level of the resty and can't really compete with most others in the league.

So..... do I drop them or keep them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

I think the part I bolded is key. If it's the lowest division, they skate hard, try, pay on time and don't bitch and complain it would be really unfair to drop them. If you were a couple divisions up and they were playing way over their heads you could talk to them, but in this case it's entirely unwarranted. Personally, if I was in your position and had to cut players I would rather cut players that had negative attitudes, didn't provide notice if they weren't going to show or didn't pay on time (even if they were some of the more skilled players). If you don't have any of those type of players you could just keep the 13 longest tenured players and drop the newer two - you can thank the newer guys and just tell them it was your mistake taking on too many players and if a spot opens up in the future you can let them know. No one's feelings should be hurt that way.

[shotty 7]

this happens on every team. firstly, you have to decide whether it is a team that votes by committee or if you are the sole decision maker.

aside from that, what is the benefit of dropping two or three guys if you are not interested in moving into a division of higher skill? you've made it to the championship with these guys, so as you said, they obviously aren't dragging the team down too badly. i could understand if you were getting pressure from the league or your team to move up a division, because then their inexperience or lack of skill would be exposed even more... but if you've no plans to leave your current division, the proposal makes no sense.

i have a few players on my team that could barely hang in Div 2... when we moved up to Div 1 half way through the season, it was literally like we were on a PK every time they were on the ice and because of it, we have suffered. the only time i consider shuffling the roster or making moves is when the team collectively stops having fun -- whether that be through losing, or negative attitudes in the room or on the bench... if you are all having a good time, winning and getting along, leave it alone... building the best team you possibly can isnt the name of the game, especially in beginner/intermediate beer league.

[xrickyb86x 1]

Whoa... are you the captain of my beer league team? LOL. We have a similar problem I guess but only one guy is complaining. Our captain wont budge though. You shouldn't either.

[shotty 7]

i have one guy that complains about everything, i'd rather have HIM off the team than the worst player.

[fawn111 0]

Great replies all....

We have a great team. Every one pays on time, there are no loudmouths... and we are all friendly with each other. The social dynamic is as such... there are three groups on the team,,,,, 2 sets of friends that grew up with each other and then the remainder is aout 6 guys lkeft form the original squad. The 2 sets of friends are the ones who are initiating the talk. They are also the better players. It is not heavy pressure, but I really want to try and keep everyone on the team happy. But I realize that is impossible.

I was leaning towards keeping the team intact as is. The points several have made are the ones that are strongest in my mind as well. And I just needed to hear some reassurance from others on the matter.

Thanks very much!

[coryroth24 15]

i have one guy that complains about everything, i'd rather have HIM off the team than the worst player.

We threw off one of our top 5 scorers because of that. We're there to have fun. Not be the team that's known for having the agitator of every game...

[tareatingrat 4]

I'm gonna probably get flack for this, but we recently just kicked two of our worst players off of our team. And we are literally in the same situation you are.

But, it was a decision based on everybody on the team not wanting to be frustrated every shift.

I know everybody says that you should keep the guys on the team, but when after every game everybody complains about the fact that there are a couple of guys who are just pylons out there, you really have to take into consideration the fact that everybody is paying to play. The needs of the many, and all of that.

So I'd say go with what the majority thinks.

We looked at the fact that we have a good group of guys who tend to not only play on the team, but go to regular pick-up games together, get together after games and whatnot. Everybody else on the team had been getting better and these two guys were doing nothing and weren't particularly skating hard when on the ice. One of them even had the gall to criticize other players.

That said, it was one of the worst things I've ever had to be a part of and you really, really have to look at your team dynamic before you make a decision.

We also still have very weak players, but they give so much to the team, and try to improve or at least listen to advice from the better players. I'd never kick someone who was trying their damnedest off of a team, but I also don't think it's fair to the other 12 or 13 guys who have to carry around dead weight.

[Tondog 12]

Why are you even asking this as a question??? They're you're original core teammates aren't they? Tell the one loudmouth trying to kick guys to the curb to take a hike.

Is winning a beer league hockey game "winning"? What have we become if the answer to this is yes?

[wrangler 157]

It's really about your priorities. Winning more games, or heart and loyalty.

And, as others have said, whether it's the captain or the team that sets these priorities.

As I understand it, the team was not started with a plan to work toward winning a championship at all costs. Going along with newer members to kick off original members, based on ability, would be a change in philosophy from the team those newer members joined. You should probably get everyone on board to make that big a change; they all knew what the team was about when they joined.

[Joshison 1]

Why drop the lower skilled guys if your already the top team in a lower tiered league. No need to be demolishing every team in your league.

[goblue9280 33]

No brainer... go back to the guys making the request and let them know that you've thought about it and decided that because it is the lowest tier beer league, you're not going to kick anyone off because of ability. Be nice about it and let them know you understand if they want to look for another team in a higher division. They will either be appeased, or find a new team... better that than being the cause of a couple of good guys giving up the sport (which is probably what would happen).

[Axxion89 32]

I'm gonna probably get flack for this, but we recently just kicked two of our worst players off of our team. And we are literally in the same situation you are.

But, it was a decision based on everybody on the team not wanting to be frustrated every shift.

I know everybody says that you should keep the guys on the team, but when after every game everybody complains about the fact that there are a couple of guys who are just pylons out there, you really have to take into consideration the fact that everybody is paying to play. The needs of the many, and all of that.

So I'd say go with what the majority thinks.

We looked at the fact that we have a good group of guys who tend to not only play on the team, but go to regular pick-up games together, get together after games and whatnot. Everybody else on the team had been getting better and these two guys were doing nothing and weren't particularly skating hard when on the ice. One of them even had the gall to criticize other players.

That said, it was one of the worst things I've ever had to be a part of and you really, really have to look at your team dynamic before you make a decision.

We also still have very weak players, but they give so much to the team, and try to improve or at least listen to advice from the better players. I'd never kick someone who was trying their damnedest off of a team, but I also don't think it's fair to the other 12 or 13 guys who have to carry around dead weight.

I bolded the main part, IMO, that would make a difference for me. If I was in the OP's shoes, I'd keep the team together and tell the other guys "hey they were here first and we are in the lowest division so they stay". However, if say what i bolded above were true, i would probably sit them down and give them a heads up because i have people of both molds on my team, those who try and are nice and those who coast and complain about everything. My mantra is if you are trying, friendly, and have fun, you're cool with me win or lose.

In short, if they aren't bad guys, keep em'

[MatthewRoach7 130]

I would say keep them on the team. I think that everyone has one or two players that aren't the perfect "fit". Beer league is fun and thats what it should be. Stop bitching about ice time in a beer league. You guys did well and you said that they are not holding you back so whats the harm? If you give in to this then who is next? When will they stop asking you to cut the bottom two guys? What if you become one of the "less skilled" players on the team? I'm not saying it should be like AYSO but at the lowest level you need to have some understanding with kill level. More fun, less competition.

[sickwilly 37]

That's a dick move on their part. Perhaps they could work on forming their own team or look into moving up. Maybe you could ask the guys who are pressuring you if they'd consider moving up a division (since they feel like they're better than parts of the rest of the team). If they go, fine, less drama for the rest of you. If they decide to stay, they have chosen to accept to continue to be a part of the team - including the weaker players.

[fatwabbit 93]

Those guys have been on the team from the very beginning, and while not being the best they have stuck around and I would assume its not just because of hockey but because of the group of buddies you have. If you drop them, whats going to happen? Are they going to another team? Would they even talk to you after that? Will they still want to play hockey after being dropped?

Same thing happened to a team I used to play with. Captain dropped this guy who wasnt the best player, but he was super enthusiastic about it. I didnt know that he got dropped until after we've played a few games and we were all asking "where is X?"... later we found out that he turned up at the first game with his family coming to watch him play, only to have the Captain tell him he was dropped. Needless to say we never saw or heard from him again even though we tried to call him after the few games. The Captain got hell from the rest of us for that stunt.

[Race4LastPlace 31]

Say you do decide to drop the 2 players, is there another team that will pick them up? Since it is the lowest division in your league, where do you want these guys to go instead? Im just curious if your/your teammates proposal would drop these guys out of the league entirely, forcing them out of beer league hockey...

[SouthpawTRK 1]

I would keep the two guys that have been with the team since day one; they got the heart and soul to stay with the team for the long term. Beer league should be about having fun, getting some exercise and having a few cold ones after the game.

The guys on your team that feel like the two other players are holding the team back, should make the move up to the next division to give themselves a challenge. The guys on any team that are always bitching/complaining are usually the biggest hypocrites. They complain about other players hogging the puck, taking shift that are too long, playing out of position; yet when they do any of the aforementioned "mistakes", they either deny it or are not willing to take criticism.

It saddens me that some beer league teams are taking things too seriously; all about winning, uniforms that cost half the price of the individual league fees, players playing down (and destroying opponents), guys that play like there are actually NHL scouts in the stands; what in the hell happened to just having fun?

[nickerjones 8]

It saddens me that some beer league teams are taking things too seriously; all about winning, uniforms that cost half the price of the individual league fees, players playing down (and destroying opponents), guys that play like there are actually NHL scouts in the stands; what in the hell happened to just having fun?

First let me respond to this quote. I am still relatively new to the game. I have been the captain/manager of my team since I started is last summer season. We just got our asses kicked the first year. We weren't having fun ... Winning , not necessarily all the games but winning is important to a lot of people. There is no beginners league here and we were playing against guys who had played for a while. My team was made of all beginners and 2 players with some skill but not crazy good. We would get pissed at teams beating us by 7 or 8 goals all the time. I dont care if we win the league or not but I want to be competitive. We had to get rid of a couple guys who didnt fit at all , they never tried , never wanted to get better and I wanted to move forward and get better. I picked up a few different guys who played in our division ( not ringers) but its nice to have a sponsorship that can help you pick up better players. These guys not only made us a better team but they also worked with the guys who were not progressing to help them get better. This past winter we went to an almost .500 team. We were 2-16 the previous season and only beat the team that was 0-18.

I still have the core group minus the 2 I let go and 3 guys who moved on to pursue other hobbies. I just wanted to point out , as athletes or people playing any competitive sport, that winning is an integral part of anything. You dont have to be a dick , or win every game but winning makes the games more fun...... oh and I also like expensive uniforms HAHA!

The original OP . If these guys are trying , wanting to play , and arent being a huge detriment to the team you should keep them. Letting players go is tough and it weighed on my mind heavily when I had to decide what to do in my situation. When it comes down to it , you created the team and are the captain so it is whatever you say that goes. If the new guys dont like your decision tell them to hit the road. I would caution you to not kick them off just because you think it would bring you a championship at the lowest level. It seems like your playing well with them anyway .... Is it really worth the trouble just to be King Shit on turd Island ?

[Joshison 1]

Where I'm from we pay upfront so I don't understand how you drop a guy that has already paid to play.

[team50 20]

Where I'm from we pay upfront so I don't understand how you drop a guy that has already paid to play.

One year we brought aboard a player who turned out to be a complete douche and the entire team voted to give him the boot, even the guy who invited him. We simply refunded his money and the rest of the team absorbed the cost.

[nickerjones 8]

Where I'm from we pay upfront so I don't understand how you drop a guy that has already paid to play.

I believe they were meaning in between the season bud..

[fawn111 0]

Did not realize I'd get as many responses....

Yeah we are midseason...

I've decided to keep the two guys. They are good guys and the others will jsut ahve to deal with the fact that they were on the team before them and they can move on if they are really that unhappy. My story is very much like yours NickerJones///// We scored all of 19 goals total our first two seasons....

Anyway, thanks for the responses.

Team will be intact.