In a community where the provincial border is often viewed as a hindrance, the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association sees potential benefits.
While no decision has been made, the FFMHA is studying the possibility of switching governing bodies from Hockey Manitoba to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association.
FFMHA president Scott Eastman said there are concerns about the large percentage of Hockey Manitoba training events for coaches and players that take place in or near Winnipeg.
“We understand they do get a bigger bang for their buck – more people attend in Winnipeg than would in Flin Flon or The Pas,” he said. “But the fact is we need this, too. We pay the same amount of money as everybody else does.”
Eastman said it is difficult to send FFMHA coaches to development camps in southern Manitoba, for instance, because those volunteers cannot be expected to forfeit wages to make the trip.
A key question for FFMHA members is whether the Saskatchewan Hockey Association would offer more training opportunities closer to Flin Flon.
There may be other advantages to switching to Saskatchewan. Eastman said more communities are accessible within a four-hour radius in that province than in Manitoba, which could make it easier to compete in regional matchups.
And moving under Saskatchewan jurisdiction might help the FFMHA potentially join one of the Saskatchewan-based leagues, he said.
The possibility of joining the Saskatchewan Hockey Association figured prominently at the FFMHA’s latest annual general meeting, held May 4.
Eastman said a strong majority of members voted to grant the board permission to continue studying the merits of a switch.
The FFMHA board is to report on its findings at next year’s annual general meeting.
At the same time, Eastman said the FFMHA has voiced its concerns to Hockey Manitoba and hopes to see changes implemented in the coming season.
This past season, 35 per cent of FFMHA players lived in Saskatchewan, including more than a dozen who regularly travelled in from Pelican Narrows, he said.
The FFMHA is coming off a year that saw 222 children and youth, ranging in age from 5 to 18, participate in organized hockey.
“That number every year is steadily climbing and I’m hoping that will not change for this season,” said Eastman, adding that equipment-lending programs and a program for female players have helped boost numbers.
“Our goal is now to try to make sure these kids stick around and continue to play.”
Included in FFMHA totals are members of the Flin Flon and Creighton teams that compete in the Greenstone High School Hockey League.
Registering allows those players to access insurance through the FFMHA and helps ensure they remain with the sport.
“It’s great because it’s keeping kids playing hockey,” Eastman said of the Greenstone league. “We had kids that quit in novice or atom that came back in high school because they’re playing with their buddies and they’re having a good time.”
Officials from Hockey Manitoba and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association could not be reached for comment as of press time.
FFMHA Executive 2016-17
President: Scott Eastman
Vice-president: Tim Smith
Past-president: Travis Rideout
Treasurer: Susanne Playford
Secretary: Tammy Slugoski
Registrar: Amber Mucha
Fundraising coordinator: Kayla Reeves
Volunteer coordinator: Carrie Stinton
Ice scheduler: Travis Rideout
Referee in chief: Todd Simms, Harvey Bolton
Coach coordinator: Tyler Stinton
Hockey D coordinator: Vacant
Novice coordinator: Cory Thompson
Atom coordinator: Vacant
Peewee coordinator: Kari McLean
Bantam coordinator: In process of being filled
Midget coordinator: Vacant
Female coordinator: Michelle Schwartz
Special events / tournament coordinator: In process of being filled
Equipment manager: Pat McKenzie
Communications director: Tauvia Alexander
Anyone interested in filling a vacancy may email [email protected] for information.
