With tournament season rapidly approaching, the MIAA’s ice hockey committee reconvened Tuesday morning to go over some anticipated housekeeping. The hope? To make upcoming installments better than ever before.
During the meeting’s opening statements, MIAA Executive Director Richard Pearson introduced Bob Ware as its newest Ice Hockey Tournament Director. Currently a Dean at Westford Academy and a Tewksbury hockey legend, Ware takes over for Scott Paine, who recently stepped down. Duxbury boys hockey coach Mike Flaherty was also introduced as a new committee member.
“I’m just privileged to still be involved,” said Ware. “I take a lot of pride in being on the ice hockey committee. Now, being able to be part of the tournament is something that I’m looking forward to.”
Among the changes Ware will bring is a return to historic playoff sites. Example: the Chelmsford Forum, which will serve as a tournament venue.
The gathering was brief, with the committee focusing on one point specifically: the Super 8. The topic is a divisive one. When the Tournament Management Committee brought the concept back up for debate, a few questions were asked for its sports committees to answer. Is there value in having such a showcase, and is there a pattern of “dominance?”
What does dominance refer to, exactly?
It still hasn’t been clarified. In reality, it is a flexible definition depending on which sport you’re referring to. Each committee seems to have a different philosophy.
When it comes to hockey, most local boys and girls coaches are in agreement that a possible Div. 1A tournament should be revisited, with the committee voting 16-0 in favor of further discussions. After Wellesley athletic director John Brown pitched the same idea that the boys lacrosse committee had put forth — giving an approval with acknowledgement of past dominance, his fellow members were quick to agree.
“I think based on the vote that was proposed both with lacrosse and hockey, the members of the committee are making a statement that there could be a pattern of dominance,” said Pearson. “However they’re defining that or whatever they’re seeing is kind of in the committee’s minds. I think what they both did, and you know from the motion there, is that they believe that right now, as we sit here today, that they believe there is a pattern of dominance in their mind about whatever they’re looking (at). We haven’t defined it really, but that’s in their mind, and that they want to continue the open dialogue about the opportunity (with a Super 8).”
The committee’s thoughts will be passed back to the TMC, another proverbial step toward the return of the Div. 1A tournament within the sport. It is not clear how soon one would be implemented if approved.
The ice hockey committee also approved its format for the 2026 season with a unanimous vote.
“With the Super 8, let the TMC look at the data,” said Ware. “Let them bring to us what they think is the best move, and we will look at it. Either way, it’s exciting when you’re playing through February and March.”