Welcome to BSH Fantasy Hockey for 2011-12. This year we begin our "Champions League" format, in which those in this league have the opportunity to move up to the BSH Champions League, which consists of the top 20 players from each of our two leagues a year ago.

So, that sucks. If you're in this league, you're in Tier 2. But you also have the chance to move up next year, so that's what the fight is for. Here's a look at how the whole format works:

-- We have three separate leagues of 20 teams = 60 total teams. The top league is the "Champions League," and this year it consists of the top 10 teams from BSH League #1 and BSH League #2 a year ago.

-- The other two leagues are both on the same Tier 2 level. The top five from this league (Black Division) and the top five from the other league (Orange Division) at the end of the year will move up to the Champions League next season. The bottom 10 teams from the Champions League will move down to Tier 2 -- five to the Orange Division, five to the Black Division.

-- The bottom 15 spots in each Tier 2 league will re-open next year and become first come/first serve. This is intended to weed out those who sign up and wind up never playing. Nothing is stopping you from signing up again next year, however, if you get one of those bottom 15 spots.

-- As for this year in Tier 2, the bottom 10 spots in the Orange Division were filled by the BSH community, as will be the case with all 20 spots in this Black Division. Ten of the 40 Tier 2 teams will move up to the Champions League next season, so it's not going to be easy.... but that's just more incentive to try and win.

-- The winner of the Champions League gets some sort of prize (probably a tshirt from the BSH Store), but the winners of the Tier 2 leagues just get bragging rights (I guess) and the honor of moving up to the Champions League.

The draft time will be officially determined when we fill the league. Obviously, it'll be at some point in the next two weeks. We'll finalize all the rules before the draft, in sync with the other two leagues. All three leagues will be viewable by all of us, so we'll be able to see how we stack up against the others.

Also, WE NEED A COMMISSIONER to handle duties in this Black Division -- somebody who's a trusted member of the BSH community. If you're interested in such a thing (it's not really a hard job since all the details will be set before hand), shoot us an email at broadstreethockey@gmail.com.

So, welcome. And good luck.