Minor hockey associations looking to merge
Call it a sign of the times: Fewer parents are registering their kids in Canada’s favourite pastime.
While the population is increasing, the number of kids playing has dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We might be big associations for this area but not in the grand scheme of things,” said Doug Tellerd, vice president of travel for Windsor Minor Hockey.
His group is working on a merger with LaSalle Minor Hockey for the 2025-26 season.
Tellerd said the association is rebounding from the pandemic but not quickly.
“We're not failing by any means as an association,” Tellerd pointed out. “We could definitely survive for a long time the way we are but we'll be stronger together.”
Windsor Minor Hockey has more than 700 players while LaSalle is close to 900. President Mike Seguin said enrollment and mergers are happening across the province including the recent amalgamation of South Point and Essex.
“They've had a lot of success with it but I can tell you there's other ones going on right now in Bluewater that you'll find out eventually,” said Seguin, who feels more opportunities are being created for players to be competitive.
“U15 might have three teams and that's not meaningful hockey,” Seguin said. “We've already worked with Windsor to combine some of those house leagues so that they get more teams.”
Some, like Shaher Batroukh, like the merger.
“I think the benefit of this merger would be more opportunities for the kids and ice time,” said Batroukh. “They need the experience, the challenges and that's what makes them better hockey players.”
Hockey mom Kelly Blanchard however has concerns.
“Windsor teams have the opportunity to try out and in the event that they're better than our regular AA or AAA players then will those players lose the position and now they have to go back to house league?” she said.
That is one of the questions that can be addressed at a second public meeting March 20 at the Vollmer Complex.
Both associations will move from there for a vote in early April.
Seguin said if the vote for a merger is yes the associations will await approval by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
“As far as the naming of a new organization, because it would be a new entity, that would be consultation again with our memberships,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.