Innovative idea may spark debate

 Mario Prusina

Times Editor
 
In an attempt to lower fees and promote less travel, Strathmore Minor Hockey (SMH) will present an innovative concept at their Annual General Meeting on April 20 at the Strathmore Family Centre.
The board will offer the idea of starting a house league with Okotoks, Airdire and Cochrane for those who do not want to continue playing in the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL).
According to SMH President Wayne Hansen, players and parents will be able to choose which league they want to take part in.
“This could happen if we want it to, but now it is up to our membership to make that decision,” said Hansen. “It’s not a decision for the board to make, it’s a decision for the membership to make. That is why it is very important for our members get out to the AGM and tell us what they think. We need to know what they think, whether it’s good or whether it’s bad, or whether they’re indifferent.
“They are the ones who control the direction we take minor hockey.”
According to Hansen, the proposed house league would offer a cheaper alternative to players, as the fees would be much lower and travel would be within the hour range. The proposed league would practice once a week, rather than the current twice-a-week schedule with CAHL. 
“One of my biggest things since I got on the board was the cost of hockey being very expensive,” said Hansen. “To some (parents), that might not matter … but some parents don’t have that luxury. So if we have even one kid who is not playing hockey because it’s too expensive and we have this ability to make it more affordable for them and we get them involved, then I think we’ve done our job.”
SMH will also use the AGM to field questions from members and recognize the accomplishments of this past season.
Eighteen of the 20 minor hockey teams made the playoffs and six of those went on to win a banner.
“It equates to the best year Strathmore Minor Hockey had,” said Hansen. “Then you look at the double-A program, which is carded by SMH. The peewee team made the playoffs for the first time in a while with a lot of local Strathmore kids on the team. The bantam team won the North Division and lost in Game 5 of the league championship final. Our midget team won the league championship for the second year in a row. 
“It was a fantastic year for Strathmore Minor Hockey.”