by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
BEACHBURG — Muskrat Minor Hockey has always been the umbrella organization for the three house league hockey clubs operating in Whitewater Region – Cobden Cobras, Beachburg Bulls and Westmeath Warriors.
However, with dwindling numbers of participants in minor hockey, change is being suggested. This past season, there were just over 200 participants in house league, which also included a few skaters from out of the area so teams could be filled.
An information session was held at the Beachburg Community Hall Wednesday evening with about 20 people attending and 12 from the hockey executive.
Brent Gould, president of Muskrat Minor Hockey, said there have been changes the last two to three years. But the days of full house league programs at all three arenas in Whitewater Region is a thing of the past.
Looking at the number of hockey players, Mr. Gould said “realistically” they are looking at two teams combined, for each division, spread out between the three arenas. The teams will be called Muskrat 1 and Muskrat 2 for each division. Once the teams are formed, they can give themselves a nickname, such as Muskrat 1 becoming Muskrat Warriors and Muskrat 2 becoming Muskrat Bulls, or whatever they choose, he said. Each year the nicknames would change depending on what the team players decide on, he added.
This decision is not coming without controversy, he said. It’s been evolving over the last 10 to 15 years, where it was made up of four associations: Cobden Minor Hockey, Westmeath Minor Hockey, Beachburg Minor Hockey and the Muskrat Voyageurs (competitive branch). He noted in many other hockey associations, the idea of different associations under the main name just didn’t happen – it was a unique situation in Whitewater Region.
Hockey Eastern Ontario and the district hockey association said they were to combine into one and just be Muskrat Minor Hockey. And while this was done behind closed doors, there were still the four separate associations.
But, the dwindling numbers show that in a year or two, there could be a chance an arena could close because there just aren’t the numbers for each arena to have hockey teams, Mr. Gould said. By combining the teams under just one umbrella called Muskrat, that will solve a problem. The teams would then be split the same way they are now, based on location and skill levels, he said, but could operate out of the arena where there are the most players.
Mr. Gould said two surveys were conducted to get parents’ input. The first survey was to ask if teams should be balanced throughout the association and the response was 65 percent yes. The second survey was to ask if the name would be Muskrat or Whitewater, and it was evenly split and the executive chose Muskrat.
During the information session, Mr. Gould explained the situation to those in attendance, ending with, “This is the road we’re heading down. It’s not something I like to see, but it’s reality.”
Two new sets of jerseys will be purchased for each division, however the style and emblem have not yet been finalized.
Parents will have the opportunity to choose the arena they want their child to play out of, but, depending on how many hockey players are in the same division, that may not happen, he said. While the registration forms have been created, he said parents can register with the opportunity to write down the arenas as first, second and third choices.
Answering a question from the audience, Mr. Gould said there will be some consideration regarding the location, such as travelling from Westmeath to Cobden, but there may some players who will have to do that.
If there is no change, Mr. Gould said it could be that teams won’t be fielded, which means some children won’t get the opportunity to play hockey.
Executive member Wayne Ready said this decision is based on what’s best for the kids.
“They just want to play hockey,” he said.
Executive member Derek McLaughlin said the numbers just aren’t there to have three teams at each arena. Kids don’t care how far they live from an arena, they just want to play hockey.
“We’re all here because we care for the kids,” he said.
While he realizes, as do other executive members, many parents are feeling the town pride and don’t want to change their hockey team names, he said it’s unavoidable.
Mr. Gould provided numbers for the various hockey divisions, including 12 for IP; 34 for Novice; 44 for Atom; 13 for Peewee; 37 for Bantam and 44 Midget. These numbers do include some rep and Aces players, he said.
While it was suggested there be a phase-in, whereby the bantam and midget teams get to remain as they are for the next two years, which is when they will be out of house league. However, Mr. Gould said in two years, those who are going into those divisions will want to play out their seasons as well. It’s best if it happens now, he said.
Mr. Gould said the idea is to keep the rinks full.
“The executive has done a good job of putting teams at all three arenas,” he said. “We want to fill the rinks. We don’t want to see the township close the doors. And, as the numbers dwindle, if we stay with the Cobden, Westmeath and Beachburg model, there will be no teams in Westmeath.”
He said it’s great if a hockey player can wear the same jersey throughout their hockey life, but as adults, and the rink closes, that’s much tougher.
“I don’t want to see that happen in Cobden, Westmeath or Beachburg,” he said, noting the rink he played at, which was the outdoor rink on Queens Line, has been shut down for a few years now.
Another concern was for the six girls who play on the Westmeath midget team. Parent Anne Bromley noted, “They have their strengths and weaknesses, but they have bonded and played well together. What happens to them?”
It was suggested that there’s a good possibility they could remain playing in Westmeath.
Executive member Blair Dick said there had been some discussion about creating a third midget team because of the high numbers on the two midget teams, but with players having to be absent for one reason or another, it was agreed just to have two teams.
Parent Melissa White said that was a wise choice, noting the players are quite tired at the end of the game. If there were less players, they would run out of stamina before the game is over.
“I caution you, if you do a third team, that wouldn’t be wise,” she said. “I’ve seen the kids at the end of the game, they are physically done.”
The most passionate concerns came from Westmeath hockey players, who didn’t want to give up their jerseys, especially with just two years left in hockey.
When questioned what would happen if they refused to wear the new jersey, the answer was they wouldn’t be able to play hockey.
But, it was pointed out that they should be playing hockey as a team, with their friends, with the opportunity to meet new people.
“Change is okay,” said Joanne Bryden, the equipment manager. “It’s called being resilient, and that’s a good thing. It’s a great life skill to have.”
Mr. Gould said there’s an opportunity to keep all three arenas open or having one of them close in a couple of years because of the dwindling numbers.
“Help us move forward,” he said.
At meeting’s end, Mr. Gould said there were many good opinions and passion.
“Hopefully we can make it work for everybody,” he said.
It was noted that a final decision will be voted on at the annual general meeting on Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Westmeath community hall, which is the upstairs of the arena.
The vote will be on a motion, the words yet to be finalized, that could read, the individual associations – Cobden, Westmeath and Beachburg – will be abolished and the teams will be called Muskrat 1 and Muskrat 2.
