The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
As another summer comes to a close, it is time to start to think about fall and winter activities. Hockey is one of those activities. Hockey isn't just about getting exercise. It is a fun and exciting team sport. Kids can develop individual skills and learn to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal. They also learn about sportsmanship as they play in hockey games at the local arena or travel to other Northern communities to participate in hockey tournaments. Flin Flon is a hockey town and we need to keep that tradition alive. Unfortunately, as with many smaller communities, as the population declines, so does hockey registration. The Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association is trying to gain the interest of new kids and past players to be a part of the minor hockey experience. Whether they play road hockey, soccer, or maybe their parents played out on the bunk, we would like to see kids playing and learning the game of hockey. There are two programs in place that have been used locally to help families who need assistance to get their kids started in minor hockey. They are Kidsport and Canadian Tire Jump Start, which help with the hockey registration fee and equipment purchases. More information about these programs will be available at the Flin Flon Minor Hockey registration or contact board president Les Vancoughnett at 688-4677. Flin Flon Minor Hockey also has various articles of new hockey equipment that were recently donated and will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis during the year's registration. Norman Regional Hockey and Flin Flon Minor Hockey are organizing a free Esso Fun Day for any females who would like to experience a day of hockey skills, drills and games. Flin Flon Minor Hockey also has some new donated female hockey equipment that will be handed out. More details of this event will be available at a later date to confirm time and location. One of Flin Flon Minor Hockey's goals is to get more girls and boys registered in hockey. We would like to get the girls registration high enough that an all girls team(s) could be formed in Flin Flon. The Pas had a very successful recruitment drive and now has several female teams and they are looking for other teams to play against. Last year several local girls played for the The Pas all girls provincial teams. Flin Flon Minor Hockey also offers the 13-plus age groups the opportunity to earn money by working as timekeepers, linesmen and referees. Certification clinics for minor hockey linesmen, referees and coaches are organized and paid for by the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association. The coaches in minor hockey are not paid to be there, but they donate many valuable hours because they want to share their knowledge and love for the game. Currently Flin Flon has two introductory levels to minor hockey. They are: 1) Hockey Development (Ages 5-6). Registration fees are $150 pre year, approximately 50 hours of ice time = $3 / hour. Hockey Development is run on Saturday mornings and the kids do drills and play games that teach them the basics of hockey and skating skills. Before they move up to Novice, they are taught some of the rules of the game, such as off sides. Players have the opportunity to play in two to three friendship tournaments during the season. 2) Novice House League (Ages 7-8). Registration fees are $350 pre year, approximately 94 hours of ice time = $3.72 / hour. In the Novice House League the kids generally get two games per week plus one player development. The player development is a very important part of Novice, since this is where they gain new skills and work on old ones that they can put into practice in their house league games. Players at this level have the opportunity to participate in two to three house league tournaments. Flin Flon Minor Hockey has many businesses, organizations and individuals who have sponsored the house league teams faithfully over the years. They do this because they want the kids to experience the same things that keep them connected to this sport. Memories of friends, first goals and trips to an arena in another town. Flin Flon Minor Hockey needs that commitment from the parents to get their kids to the rink and let them play hockey. The Flin Flin Minor Hockey board is committed to making it a positive and safe experience for your kids. So come out to the hockey rink and let the kids play and learn to love the game of hockey.
