Minor Hockey president deems season a success in New Waterford

Minor Hockey president deems season a success in New Waterford

By Jeremy Fraser
April 17, 2015

There may not have been any provincial titles in New Waterford this season, but that doesn't mean the New Waterford Minor Hockey Association didn't have an overall successful year.

Although the players didn't hit the ice until October, preparation for the season started much earlier with the hockey-a-thon gear drive and player registration in September.

This year, the New Waterford Minor Hockey Association saw its player registration numbers remain consistent from previous years with approximately 215 players registered.

The player enrollment numbers show positives for the association, said Edward Turner, minor hockey president.

"I believe the association is doing great things to bring exposure to our community about our association."

"Through our many off season activities, the local children can become engaged with our current members and learn about our association and how much fun it can be playing hockey for your home community."

Among the activities the association does during the off-season is participate in the parade and Plummer Avenue Day during the town's annual Coal Dust Days festival, something Turner hopes continues in the future.

"I can only hope the new executive will continue to promote our association moving forward with these activities as well as any new ideas that may be brought forth."

In November, the association hosted its second annual female development weekend, an event which also featured the Cape Breton University women's hockey team host the UNB Varsity Reds at the New Waterford & District Community Centre.

Among the events during the weekend were on-ice session for all female tots and novice players in CBRM. Close to 35 players registered for the event. The New Waterford association alone had 29 female players registered this season.

Having the female development weekend helps promote the female side of hockey, said Turner.

"There are a lot of females who are unsure about hockey.

"Having these girls come to our association to play a couple of games as well as our local girls getting involved, it helps show that there is a place to play."

During the Christmas holiday, the association hosted two tournaments, one in peewee and one in midget.

In the peewee 'A' tournament, New Waterford was defeated by North Sydney in the championship game, while in the midget 'A' tournament, the Sharks were also beat by North Sydney in the championship game.

Tony Nemis coached the peewee 'A' team this year. He said the club had a tough time against North Sydney all season.

"When we played in tournaments with them, it always came down to us and them in the championship game. Unfortunately, they always played a stronger game."

Nemis said he can see next year's peewee rep team playing in the Day of Champions, the new format of provincials, introduced by Hockey Nova Scotia this year.

"They will only be losing four players who move up to bantam, so they will still have a fast, smart group of players who can make it to the end."

Jim "Fred" Head coached the midget 'A' team for the second straight season.

Although the team didn't win the tournament they hosted in December, they were able to capture the Antigonish Automobile Dealership tournament championship in January in Antigonish.

The team was successful in the tournament, but the club's overall goal was to make it to the Day of Champions event in Halifax, said Head.

"We were lead by some great offensive players and great goaltending, but the main thing is we had fun this year."

The team competed in the Cape Breton Cup, the island championship, in Baddeck last month. The team wasn't successful in winning the title, but it gained experience for the younger players on the team, said Head.

"This is their first year of three in the midget program and the experience will help them for their remaining years."

Head believes the midget program will continue to produce good hockey players in the future.

"The incoming players from bantam 'AA' should make the midget program just as good or better for next year and years to come."

Robert MacKenzie has been the association's Referee-in-Chief for the past six years. It was another busy season for his crew.

"We had a couple of new officials that started at the lower levels and progressively worked up through the levels."

He was confident in all the officials.

"They all handled games in a very professional manner."

Overall, Turner thinks the association had a successful season.

"My goal as a president was to work for each and every player in the association so that they had a place to play and have fun with their friends.

"This does pose difficulty at times due to our low numbers and variety of talent, but at the end of the day, as long as the players get to play and have fun, then I deem it a very successful season."

Next on the scheduled for the New Waterford Minor Hockey Association is the annual general meeting, scheduled for Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at the New Waterford & District Community Centre.

Watch next week's New Waterford Community Press for more information on the annual general meeting.