Boards' problems resolved

It has been a bumpy ride, especially in the last two weeks, in the relationship between the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association and the Battlefords Midget Stars board of directors.

Several meetings were held in recent weeks with the most recent being Thursday. The two boards have been involved in a process aimed at reviewing the structure and working agreement between the two boards and the operation of the Battlefords Midget Stars hockey club.

When contacted early last week, Lloyd Friesen, president of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League said the league was aware of the situation, but hadn't weighed in because it ultimately wasn't something the league would involve itself in.

Friesen explained that all AAA midget teams, whether they have their own board or not, have to answer to the local minor hockey board and that is typically who they deal with from a league stand point.

Friesen said several teams around the league are operated by their minor hockey board while some have a separate AAA board like the Battlefords Midget Stars are operating under.

The result of the most recent meeting between BMHA and the Stars' board of directors achieved what both believe is an improved working model. Although the proceedings were not without trials and tribulations, both boards have reached common understandings and say the end result has been positive and productive.

Moving forward, both boards want to ensure the midget AAA team remains in the Battlefords and they elevated the profile of the team in the community and throughout the province. The other new focus is that there will be improved communication and a strengthened working relationship between the Midget Stars board and BMHA.

At the end of the day, the Battlefords Midget AAA board stays intact and the lines of communication are now open between the two sides, as they move into an off-season with possibly more questions than answers. The Stars' board of eight members has one current open position, that being a BMHA representative.

The BMHA annual general meeting will be held April 25, as that is where the vacnt positions will be filled. The Battlefords Midget Stars' annual general meeting will be in May.

Also coming from the recent meetings was the decision that, as with all tiered BMHA teams, the coaching position will be posted after each season. That job, which was held by Lorne Nielsen for the 2011-12 season, will once again be open to qualified applicants.

The position of head coach will be posted this week.

The Battlefords Midget Stars' spring identification camp will run as scheduled April 14 and 15 at the North Battleford Civic Centre and is open to all players wanting to play at the midget AAA level.

Camp information and registration forms can be found at: www.aaastars.ca.