The Weyburn Red Wings entered a ‘new era’ for the Junior Hockey club, as they updated their bylaws and elected a new executive during their annual general meeting. There was a good-sized crowd who attended the meeting, held at the Ramada on June 13.
“The Red Wings are taking steps to progress the team, not only on the ice, but also off the ice. The board has been working to make sure that we are fiscally responsible and that nothing sneaks up on us,” said Brent Stephanson, who was re-elected as president after the meeting.
“The financial success of the team is one of the most important things. When you are facing financial problems, you just can’t put the product on the ice,” said Stephanson.
During the meeting, one of the items of discussion was how ‘Pay to Play’ was discussed during the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League annual meeting.
Stephanson noted that the SJHL made the right decision, by not implementing a ‘Pay to Play’ program in the league.
“I think that the SJHL has a huge advantage for the players and their families,” said Stephanson. “By not having to ‘Pay to Play’, that is basically university money that they would be saving, instead the player having to pay to play in the league.”
Another advantage for the different teams who compete in the SJHL is that they can create a ‘protected list’, where local players are protected during the SJHL draft.
“By protecting the local players at the midget or bantam levels, they already are part of the organization,” said Stephanson.
While introducing new and updated bylaws, it was explained that since the Red Wings Junior Hockey Club is now registered as a not-for-profit organization, that there will no longer be stakeholders of the club. Instead, memberships to the club will be sold. Memberships cost $200 for the initial set-up, and then $20 every year to keep the membership active.
Once the bylaws were changed, a completely new executive had to be elected for the Red Wings. “You need new blood on any organization,” said Stephanson. “These new people will bring new ideas and suggestions for our club.”
“It will also get more people involved in the team, since you do not have to be a director to help out with any of the committees or the fundraising events that help support our club,” said Stephanson.
Anyone who wants to see the approved bylaws, or the financial audit, can stop in at the Weyburn Red Wings office, located in Crescent Point Place. Memberships will also be sold from the office.
Interviews with Red Wings’ head coach Wes Rudy and general manager Tanner McCall will be in the June 24th edition of the Weyburn Review.
