Millbrook Minor Hockey is gearing up for the 2024-24 season which begins next month.
The club boasts approximately 300 players ages four to eighteen. Recreational teams account for the bulk of the players, with rep teams for players ten years old and higher representing about 30% of the total. Each team has a minimum of twelve players in order to cover the ice costs.
The club’s mission is to provide and encourage hockey for all youth in the area while stressing the fundamentals of good citizenship and competitive sportsmanship. There is flexibility regarding who can join the recreational league, but for the rep teams, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) established boundaries for players to avoid recruitments that could affect the competitive level of these teams.
Teams in the recreational, or local league, play against other teams in a Three County Hockey League, which includes centres such as Omemee, Fenelon Falls, Manvers and Lindsay. Rep teams may travel a bit further for games, meeting teams in Sunderland, Newcastle and Orono.
The club welcomes new players at all age groups, even those with no hockey experience. They suggest that even if the player has ‘missed’ the first few years when kids typically start playing, it is not too late to get them involved in the game. Every year, new players at almost all age groups start to play. Kids learn fast and given the right opportunity and encouragement, they quickly develop their hockey skills. Players who are new to the area and have previous experience in organized hockey usually have to file paperwork to transfer to the Millbrook club.
A club of this magnitude relies on a large pool of volunteers to run smoothly and it has no paid staff. The organization is managed by a board of volunteers with subcommittees for coaches, trainers, fundraising, ice scheduling, equipment, tournament convenors and timekeepers, to name a few. Some positions such as coaches and trainers require certification. The costs for training courses to meet these requirements are reimbursed by the club.
There are many ways to volunteer and not all of them require skates. The club hosts a variety of fundraising activities to reduce registration costs for players, including tournaments which feature more than just hockey. There is a lot of administration behind the scenes where the club would also welcome some support.
The hockey season begins in September and runs until March, with the season for successful rep teams extending into April. Registration closes on August 15th after which a late penalty will apply to any returning player. This deadline allows the club to secure ice bookings at the CMCC.
For more information about the club, visit their website at www.millbrookhockey.com, and to learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Bree Pearce via email at president@millbrookhockey.com. KG