updated September 2008

History
In 2003, the TBA decided that only the Toronto METS could classify as a AAA team.  All the other Midget teams would have to be a lower classification (AA or A).  The METS are designed to be a representative team of the best Midget-aged players in Toronto.  The theory was that since the best players join the METS, the other Midget teams would not be strong enough to compete at the AAA level.

The METS program has been incredibly successful - with the 18u team boasting back-to-back Canadian Championships.

Recently, at the younger age groups, the TBA created regional AAA centres around the city.  The regional teams are made up of the following local teams:

Scarborough Stingers - West Hill, Agincourt-Wexford, Birchmount
North York Blues - North York, Sentinel, North Toronto
Etobicoke Rangers - Royal York, Martingrove, Bloordale
East York Bulldogs - East York, Leaside, Greenwood
West Toronto Wildcats - York, Toronto Playgrounds, High Park

There are about 12 players on each regional team - which means that 60 players are being built as AAA-calibre players. 

In theory, when these players reach Midget-age, the best ones are chosen by the METS AAA and the rest play for their local AA teams.  However, the METS only take 20 players - which leaves 40 AAA-calibre players playing with AA teams.

Current Ruling
As a temporary solution to this disconnect, the TBA has decided to allow regional Midget teams to classify as AAA.

2008 season
In 2008, the Etobicoke Rangers decided to classify as AAA.  They indicated their classification by entering into the Eliminations tournament (decision deadline - May 30th).  The winner of the Eliminations goes to the Midget National Championships.  There is a $600 fee for this double-knockout tournament.

Etobicoke played a full complement of season games within the TBA - finishing in 2nd place in the Midget standings.  Etobicoke did not participate in the TBA Midget AA or A playoffs (they were ineligible because they classified as AAA).

Etobicoke lost both games in the Eliminations tournament in June, which was won by the Toronto METS 18u.  Since the METS 18u won the Eliminations tournament, they received a bye into the Midget AAA OBA provincial tournament in August. 

There are Midget OBA provincial tournaments for each classification level - A, AA, and AAA.

Etobicoke, being the only other Midget AAA team in the TBA, gained automatic free entry into the Midget AAA OBAs.

2009 season
Etobicoke has indicated they will declare as AAA again.  We (North York) are considering declaring as AAA as well.  We will make this decision near the declaration deadline.

Positives of classifying AAA
- attend Eliminations
- eligible for tournaments exclusive to AAA teams (e.g. London)
- possibly easier to qualify to attend an OBA tournament (if METS win a bye)

Negatives of classifying AAA
- do not participate in TBA playoffs
- ineligible for tournaments exclusive to AA teams (e.g. Bolton)
- registration cost is more expensive (must pay for Eliminations)
- if qualify, success in the AAA OBA tournament would be more difficult than success in the AA OBA tournament

Similarities between AAA and AA teams
- play in same season loop, against same teams, with same number of games
- same opportunities to attend USA tournaments
- can compete against Ontario teams at any level
- many AAA-calibre players play with AA teams - and many AA-calibre players play with AAA teams


Other Considerations and Future Directions
In 2008, the TBA held two sets of Midget playoffs - A and AA.  The winner of each playoffs qualified for their respective OBA tournament. 

The TBA decided not to hold playoffs for the METS and Etobicoke - so no AAA playoff winner was determined.  If the METS 18u did not win the Eliminations in 2008 - Etobicoke would not have automatically qualified for the Midget AAA OBAs. 

In 2009, the TBA may again decide not to hold Midget AAA playoffs and simply send the METS 18u as Toronto's lone representative to the AAA OBAs - regardless of their success at the Eliminations.  Other solutions and scenarios are still to be discussed.

One scenario (proposed by North York) is that the TBA should hold OBA qualifiers and TBA playoffs separately.  Each level (AAA, AA and A) would have their own qualifiers against all teams at their level (including the METS).  The TBA playoffs would then be held separately and with all regional and local teams (this time excluding the METS) mixed from all levels.


These and other decisions by the TBA, which impact Midget teams and classifications, may be decided at the AGM in November 2008 and at the Midget league meetings in February 2009.

There is also discussion that high-level representative teams (like the Toronto METS, London Badgers, Ottawa Canadians, and Hamilton Thunderbirds) should become quad-A (AAAA) teams.  These discussions would take place at the OBA level and they are a few years away.