The Estevan Minor Hockey Association (EMHA) reflected on the 2016-17 season during their annual general meeting on April 25 at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club’s clubhouse.
In his year-end report, president Kraig Wanner said the past year presented some challenges, especially since they only had two ice surfaces, Affinity Place and the Civic Auditorium, from October to December. The Power Dodge Ice Centre (PDIC) opened in January, once repairs to the Affinity Place ice plant were complete.
The PDIC ice plant was used for the ice at Affinity Place while the Affinity Place ice plant was being repaired.
Wanner said they pulled through thanks to the surrounding communities and the co-operation of the City of Estevan’s leisure services division.
The EMHA was able to reduce fees in some age groups this past season, and keep them stable in others. They were also able to spend some money to replenish some of their old equipment for their teams to use during practices, subsidize some clinics and camps in the EMHA, and replace jerseys for some of the house league teams.
Wanner applauded the board for the many hours they dedicated throughout the past season. Board members balanced their duties with their jobs and driving their children to games and practices. In some cases, they also served as minor hockey coaches, officials and mentors.
In addition to Wanner, their board members for next season will include treasurer Christine McNabb, equipment manager Adrian Fraser, ways and means director Scott Stein, initiation director Nathan Hunt, learn to skate director Chris Hammett, female director Chad Farr, secretary Kristy Phillips, referee-in-chief Matt Kuntz, novice director Sean Orsted, atom director Darren Pushie, peewee director Brandi Gardiner and AA team director Braden Lonsberry.
They are still seeking a bantam director, a midget director and an operation director for their board.
Wanner saluted the work of their administrator for taking calls, lining up ice time, and handling other duties.
Local minor hockey teams had a successful season, he said. The three- and four-year-old division had another great year for registration, and he was pleased with the past season for initiation and novice teams.
The EMHA had three house league teams for the atom, peewee and bantam divisions, and two midget house league squads. They also had one age rep. team in each of those age groups.
They also had female age rep. teams in atom, peewee, bantam and midget divisions.
The meeting was also an opportunity for minor hockey to present the Kim Anderson Award for the top junior official to Brady Blondeau.
Referee-in-chief Matt Kuntz said the EMHA has been presenting the award since 1994 to a young official whose performance, on and off the ice, stood out above the rest.
“This year we are recognizing an official who has shown significant improvement from the previous season,” Kuntz said. “He conducted himself in a professional manner throughout the season, and was an excellent example of what we look for from our local referees.”
The confidence and consistency Blondeau demonstrated with each game made him a go-to guy for the EMHA this past season, Kuntz said, and he was chosen as one of a few local junior officials to work in Saskatchewan Hockey Association provincial games in Estevan.
