As the Yorkton Minor Hockey Association (YMH) approaches the midpoint of the current season, president Kelly Madden reports things are humming along well. Teams are doing very well and youngsters are having lots of fun, Madden says. Board members have dealt with very few issues this year, he adds. It's all systems 'go' as teams get ready for league playoffs and provincial playoffs.
"It's an exciting time right now," he suggests. This year numbers, which have remained consistent for the past several years, show some 300 youngsters enrolled in YMH programs right from the four-year-old Tim-Bits mini-stars up through the midget level with players as old as 18 and 19-year-olds. Youngsters are able to progress from the Tim-Bits to the Initiation Program, Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam and Midget levels, Madden lists.
There was good support from parents this year. All teams were able to fill their slate of coaches, assistants, team managers, secretaries, treasurers quite expediently, Madden says. A lot of the Yorkton tournaments have already run with tournament committees doing an excellent job of staging the events, he reports. "So far we've had zero issues with people stepping up and wanting to volunteer. It's been an excellent year so far this year," he declares.
The YMH executive this year includes president Kelly Madden, vice-president Noel Budz, hockey development directors Tricia Korczak and Kerri Kawchuk, referee division director Mark Dubriel, Treasurer Ron Risling, IP director Ryan Hoffman, equipment director Ed Zawatsky, Tier 1 division director Jeff Sperling, and secretary Trevor Shea. The board is working well with addition of an another member in the position of hockey development director. Both Korczak and Kawchuk are working hard with coach and player development. Presently they're focusing on midterm coaches' evaluation which is kind of like a Term 1 report card. "It will be a document, filled out by parents and players, our coaches can look at and implement whatever changes they deem necessary to see an improvement in their coaching," Madden explains.
While everything seems to be going well, one concern over the past few years has been not enough ice time, Madden points out. "A third ice surface is always at the back of our minds. We've gone to the city with that idea. We're hoping something will come our way. We're overdue for it," he states.
Part of the problem has been the expansion of YMH and its programs. "At one time there were three atom teams. Now we're up to five," Madden notes. In addition roster sizes have become smaller. Where in the past there were three teams of 16 players, now there are five teams of 12, he adds. "Having the smaller roster enables kids to have more ice time allowing them to develop their skills a lot more quickly," Madden suggests.
He wishes all teams, provincial teams and carded teams, luck in their playoffs. "Let's hang some more banners in the Kinsmen this year," Madden closes.
