(Brady Lang/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Brady Lang

Hockey in the Northwest

BMHA discusses future of AA program

Apr 9, 2019 | 2:04 PM

A new name, travelling concerns, competition level and zone sizes are top of discussion when it comes to the future of the AA hockey program for the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association (BMHA).

Roughly 40 representatives from the local area along with Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Edam, Spiritwood and others attended the meeting at the Don Ross Centre last night.

One underlying problem discussed in great detail was the size of the zone which represents AA hockey in the BMHA contains 23 communities. The main issue with that, parents say, is its become a long car ride for many who want to play within that level. Thirty-one players are from North Battleford or Battleford, while the remaining 36 come from outside the area.

“We have kids that belong to us that live two and a half to three hours away from us. That creates challenges for them to commit time, as well as money,” Jenni Wuttunee, the past president of BMHA, said. She highlighted some kids travel up to 12 hours within a week solely for practice.

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Several voiced their agreement to play games at sites around the zone to make it less of a trip for out of towners. Those who opposed the idea said it would be difficult choosing those locations before the team is picked, as everyone could travel to a location where no player was based.

Ideologies also differed on whether the focus should be for players to compete or develop. The AA program filters into the AAA program with the Stars.

When it comes to the possible rebrand, nothing was solidified but initial markups of having the Battlefords Stars AA program were pitched, with different sides offering their opinions. The consensus was to change the name, and go another route with the Barons nickname. Many supported a centralized name for the team, such as ‘northwest’ over ‘Battlefords.’

Regardless of what happens in the future, the AA program is set to continue. There are still many questions that remain, but Wuttunee said the good turnout and strong conversation from last night’s meeting will give them a solid basis moving forward.

“Most people were very engaged with ideas, thoughts, comments (and) concerns,” she said. “I think as a group, we were able to address most of that.”

Moving forward, BMHA administrators hope to look for ideas from SHA, the SAAHL, and other representatives from surrounding hockey associations and the S.T.E.P. league.

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brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangBFN