The hockey committee met at the Denver Coliseum on Friday. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER — Hockey’s Frozen Four begins at the Denver Coliseum on Friday night. This time next year, might the state have two Frozen Fours?
It’s very possible, but there are hurdles yet to clear.
At its annual meeting at the Coliseum on Friday morning, the hockey committee voted to split the sport into two classifications — 5A and 4A.
The prevailing thought among committee members was that a second classification will make games more competitive, help the sport grow, and could potentially save programs with dwindling numbers.
“When the committee looked at competitive balance, they realized that changes had to be made,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Bud Ozzello, who oversees hockey. “Having one classification made it more difficult for smaller schools to complete. After much discussion, they voted in favor of making two classifications to help not only grow the sport but hopefully help maintain the competitive balance.”
The classes would be determined based upon the enrollment number splits used in other sports, and would result in 16 teams in 5A and 13 in 4A. Those numbers could change based upon playdown requests that would need to be approved.
Committee chair Chad Broer, athletic director at Chatfield high school, will present the committee’s report — including the classification split — to the Legislative Council in April. That Council would then need to approve the change.
Hockey has had one classification since it was first sanctioned in 1976.
A split into 5A and 4A would give each class eight-team playoff brackets. Playoff seeding would continue to be determined by conference finish. First-round and semifinal games would likely be hosted at home sites, with both championship games at one venue.
A survey went out to hockey athletic directors this week, with 27 of 29 responding. According to that survey, 59 percent are in favor of a split, with 41 percent against it.