Hockey is Canada’s undisputed number one national passion and there is no other activity, sport or pastime that can even come close to challenging the position of this beloved addiction.
Although it is by no means inexpensive or easy to get involved in the sport, an overwhelming majority of Canadians take pride in being part of it in one role or another, as player, coach, referee or volunteer.
Minor hockey associations throughout the country play a very important part in the continuation of dedication to the sport and Stettler Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) is certainly among those that do it very effectively.
“We have reached an all time high of approximately 330 registrants or 230 families, says Veronica Anderson, the new president of the SMHA in reference to their expanded roster for 2009/2010 season.
Run for many years by the Stettler Recreation Board, it was not until a few years ago that a group of families took the initiative to create the association as we know it today.
The association is a non-profit organization operated exclusively by volunteers.
With the intense interest on the part of registrants, the association is now the coordinating body for 15 teams from the atom to midget level in the 2009/10 season.
In addition, there is also a novice and mites program run by the association.
“SMHA promotes teaching skill development and fundamentals to these young players, but keeping it fun at the same time,” says Anderson.
Atom, peewee, bantam and midget, whether male of female, all teams of all tiers travel to compete against other teams in the same tier, with each team playing an average of 20 games in regular season, plus exhibition, playoffs, tournaments and provincials if they advance to that level.
Mites and novice play in the Stettler and District Minor Hockey House League, but may travel from time to time to neighboring towns for exhibition games or a fun tournament.
The association is also in charge of coordination of regular training activities for volunteer coaches.
“All coaches approved by associations province wide, are required to attend coaching clinics mandated by Hockey Alberta,” says Anderson.
“These clinics not only pertain to teaching skills and fundamentals to the age level which they are coaching, but also teach Safety and Speak Out, which touches on keeping the players safe and educate them in how to deal with special circumstances that may arise. Because all coaches are taking these courses, this helps all players to develop at a consistent level province wide.”
Anderson says the association has now taken a major step to the unification of jerseys used by all Stettler minor hockey teams.
“We hope that all teams will have new unified jerseys by the beginning of next season. Our association’s logo is referred to as Stettler Storm, kind of a branch off from Stettler Lightning. It is most befitting.”
The association can keep registration fees significantly lower than similar organizations in other communities, thanks to generous support from sponsors and the success of a wide range of fundraising events, including the annual Red Deer Rebels games.
Anderson says they could still use a lot of support from all those interested in the form of donations, in kind support or time as volunteers.
Anybody willing to lend a hand to the effort is welcome to join the regular meetings of the association on every second Thursday of each month at the Stettler Recreation Centre.