Windsor Tomcats

This past Tuesday, the BoD of the Tomcats (along with other Tomcats keenly interested in the future of the organization) met at Rocky’s house to discuss the previous year and to make decisions about next season and beyond.  Like any Tomcat gathering, lots of drinks and good food was shared over some funny stories and laughs.  Those in attendance included Rocky, Hollywood, Sparky, Sunny, Snowpants, Doc, Beep and Soupy.  The meeting did cover off on official Tomcat business and below include highlights of what was discussed and decided.  NOTE:  If you disagree with any decisions, rather than complain, show up to this meeting next year and have your voice heard.

• Finances – Lots of money in the Tomcat slush fund.  We ended the season with the second highest total in recorded history.  This is despite 3 cancelled nights, less mini tournaments (more guys), etc.  Very good year from that perspective and see below for how we plan to use some of these funds.
• Start of next Season – September 19, 2017
• Start of Year Gift – A special gift is being looked at that will cost substantially more than the typical beginning of the year gift.  With lots of money in the coffers, and with a slight increase in the initial season cost ($50 rather than $40), the BoD think they can make this happen.  Final prices are being looked into.  Just be prepared for a very nice gift come September.
• Goalies – 2016/2017 was often a struggle to make sure we had enough goalies each night.  Several items led to this including the year-long injury to Razor, Hollywood now on swing shifts, Chico busy with his kid’s sports the first half of the season, Skippy very limited in the amount of nights he could play due to work, etc.  We were fortunate enough to find The Terror and Scuz.  As well, Danish was able to sub-in often, and we also can occasionally look to Stevo, Hurricane and Matador in a pinch.  We are hoping Razor will be able to come back into the fold next season and the Terror was also a very consistent goalie for us so hoping for more of that next season.  Tied to this was the next item of discussion
• Cancellations – There will always be cancellations that Rocky has to deal with come Tuesday afternoon.  The BoD discussed how to minimize this but ultimately decided it is unavoidable.  It is imperative guys give as much notice as possible, and lack of communication will be dealt with 12 pack fines.  Since we will often find ourselves in a situation where we think a mini will occur (thus 3 goalies), but the numbers dwindle meaning we only need two goalies, having one goalie able to play out is key.  That means guys like Chico, Scuz, Hollywood, Stevo, Hurricane and Matador are ideal third goalies.  We also discussed how we could have 3 goalies rotate across 2 teams, or 2 goalies rotate through 3 mini tournament teams if really in a pinch.  We would like feedback from the goalies on that.
• Recruiting – To help when there are cancellations, the BoD discussed finding a few more guys to have as spares for next year.  We brought out Ricki on a few nights this year and he fits in well.  Beep and Sunny are reaching out to a couple of guys that will hopefully be showcased in the fall and could be potentially are next batch of full timers.  If you have a friend that would be a good fit for the Tomcats (meaning he fits in on stage after the games – and isn’t a hot head on the floor), then let one of the BoD members know and we will make sure to have them come out in the fall.  We also discussed if previous players who have left or have been injured will be back…Razor, Jingles, Spinner, Junior, etc.  We will reach out to these guys to see their status next year.
• Tournament – This past year, we intended to go with the longer format for the second year (play each other twice).  However, due tot he mix up at the hall, we reverted back to standard format.  The BoD discussed and decided the original format (play each team once) is better, and will be the direction next year.  However, since we won’t be under a time deadline like we had this year, the periods will be 10 minutes.  So 20 minutes of play per game, each team playing each team once, with the 1st and 2nd place team going into the championship.  3 minutes will be given between games to keep the day from running too long.

  We also discussed the festivities afterwards.  This year was the first time we stayed at the Kapusta for pizza and drinks (Purples closed).  The Bod decided they like that better, so we will do the same next year.  However, we will look to see if the hall will let us use the bar downstairs, like they do for the Christmas year-end night.

  Captains were selected and for next year they are:  Rocky, Cribzie, LaBamba and Chevy.

  Doc and Kamikaze will continue to run the tournament as they did a bang-up job this year.  The teams were smaller this year so having extra players identified and showcased for the tournament will be critical.  No other planned changes to the tournament format were discussed.

• Christmas (Last night of Hockey) – No Change…pizza and drinks supplied by the Tomcats and celebrate down in the bar after the last Tuesday of 2017.
• Rock Bottoms Christmas Party – The BoD members love this event and it will be a go again for this season.  It will be earlier (likely the Saturday of the weekend of American Thanksgiving in late November).  Sunny, Chevy and Snowpants to plan per usual.  No full meal like last year, but different snacking foods will be brought out during the evening.  If you have never attended this event, you are missing one of the best nights the Tomcats have each year!
• Rough Play – Overall, the BoD thought this year was pretty well played with only minor incidents here and there.  Self policing is still the solution.  Guys need to call themselves or their teams out when this occurs.  The BoD members will always have immediate and final say for any infraction and will pull guys aside to discuss.  So that means, if there is a questionable call, and a BoD member makes the call, the call stands and it is expected all players accept the call.  So if Rocky, Hollywood, Sparky, Sunny, Doc or Snowpants say contact was made and the other team gets the ball, then the other team gets the ball in the corner and play resumes.  There will be no arguing.  Nuff said!
• New Business – No other official events planned besides the Patelone de Neige Golf Tournament and what is mentioned above.  The BoD are open to ideas however.  A Tomcat Golf league was floated and may be of interest to some Tomcats.  Speak to Sparky if interested.  Also, the idea of allowing goalies to use actual floor hockey or junior goalie sticks (not player sticks) was floated and the BoD seemed open to trying it out on a trial basis in the fall to see the ramifications.  Goalies should discuss with Hollywood.  We will likely bring out some sample sticks in the fall and let the goalies try it for a night and see the impact to the game.  The Tomcats are a progressive organization!

That about sums it up.  if you have any questions, let Rocky or a BoD member know.

Tomcats forever!

Management