Youth hockey: Too much time on the ice?

Is there such a thing as too much youth hockey in Minnesota? Or is an Edina business that has groomed kids who became hockey stars being wrongfully squeezed out of a chance to develop them?

Those questions factor prominently in a federal court faceoff between Minnesota youth hockey powers over a new rule that limits winter league play for thousands of young players in southern and western Twin Cities suburbs.

The legal battle pits the statewide governing body of amateur hockey against an Edina business that runs youth hockey leagues, tournaments and clinics and whose former students include several National Hockey League players.

That business, Minnesota Made Hockey Inc. (MMHI), has sued the state amateur hockey association, a nonprofit called Minnesota Hockey Inc., and its District 6 member group.

The business argues that a new District 6 restriction on league play violates federal anti-trust laws by unlawfully restraining free competition. MMHI owner Bernie McBain alleges in court papers that 40 to 50 percent of his customers come from District 6 and that he has already lost clients because of the new rule.

"Kids are afraid to sign up for the program because they're afraid they'll be kicked off the [District 6] teams where their friends are," said Michael Glover, MMHI's attorney. Glover said his client was concerned that the rule could spread statewide.

Dave Margenau, president of Minnesota Hockey, confirmed that the amateur hockey association is considering a similar rule that would cover the whole state. "The Minnesota State High School League has a similar rule," he said.

In court documents, the amateur group argues that competing in two tough leagues at the same time could physically hurt young players and that the rule helps to prevent that.

Rule applies to league play

Thousands of Minnesota boys and girls play in amateur leagues governed by Minnesota Hockey, which is the state affiliate of USA Hockey. District 6, one of the 16 area associations affiliated with the statewide governing body, is made up of 13 hockey associations in Bloomington, Burnsville, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, New Prague, Prior Lake/Savage, Richfield, Shakopee and Waconia. They run hockey programs mostly for kids ages 5 to 19.

According to the court file, the new rule says that a registered player "may not register or play hockey with any other organization, association or team during the winter hockey season, including playoffs." The district later clarified that the rule applied only to league play. Possible penalties included suspension for the rest of the season.

Brad Hewitt, District 6 director, said the new rule was passed to protect the roughly 5,800 girls and boys who play hockey in his district's program.

From Minnesota Made to pros

McBain, whose business operates two rinks in Edina and runs programs year-round, was out of town and could not be reached for comment. Minnesota players who have participated in its summer league include National Hockey League players like Kyle Okposo and Peter Mueller. McBain's son Jamie also plays in the NHL.

In an affadavit, McBain said his 16-year-old business trains and manages 34 AAA youth hockey clubs that compete with teams in Minnesota and from around the United States and Canada. McBain said he doubted the new rule was passed to protect players.

"District 6 views MMHI's growing success as a threat to Minnesota Hockey and District 6's financial well-being and control over the youth hockey market," he said in his affidavit. "I consequently believe that District 6 implemented the [rule] out of personal animosity toward me, MMHI and the success of its programs."

But DeMay said, "This is a rule intended to address a set of circumstances, not a specific organization." He said the amateur group was trying to support its mission "as a community-based, team-focused nonprofit."

He said the rule fits with amateur hockey association policies regarding minimum rest between activities.

One parent's 8-year-old

While the rule does not bar players from seeking skills coaching or other services from McBain's company, Glover said preventing players from playing in McBain's winter leagues weakens his whole business.

"Hockey is a year-round sport now," he said. "He runs leagues in hockey season to introduce families and players to other programs he offers. If they have a good experience during the season, people tend to come back. But without being exposed to that in the regular hockey season, they're less likely to sign on later."

This summer, parent Dan Bandt of Edina protested the rule in an e-mail exchange with Hewitt. His 8-year-old son had signed up with McBain's program but also wanted to play in Edina's youth league. He was told the boy could not play for both. The dispute was resolved when District 6 decided the new rule did not apply to the youngest players, the mites.

"I think parents know their kids," he said. "They should be able to make these decisions on their own."

No trial date has been set.