PO Box 35057
963 Henderson Hwy
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2K 2M3

River East A Hockey

2021-22 Direct Entry Year End Report

Well, we finally were able to play a full the season despite all the COVID challenges. We manage to put together 19 teams in total. This year we had Head Coach Trent Wilks lead his team to U15A2b Championship, congratulations to the coaching staff, players, and the families.

Congratulations to U13A3 Head coach Adam Tabor, staff, and team for making it to the finals.

Congratulations to U13A2 Head coach Wayne Quinn, staff, and team for making it to the finals.

Both a tremendous achievement to build on for next year!

Once again, I would like to give out an Honorable mention to our Development Director Nolan Shortridge, all the countless hours he put in to help provide our players with the indoor and outdoor rinks, so our coaches were able to development sessions.

Registration

Registrations in Direct Entry this season was down due to a number families that didn’t registrar and dropouts because COVID 19. The following chart details registrants per age category for the 2021/22 season within Direct Entry:

Significant Impacts

Unfortunately, aside from all the COVID 19 restrictions the 2020/21 season did have its fair share of negative comments regarding the evaluation process and the ability to find coaching staff.

The evaluation process had a major change to this season’s tryout process. We utilized a new system Team Genius, through an app on tablets. This new process allowed us to see the data as it was happening which in eliminated the numerous hours of paperwork at the end of each session. However, the short fall still is that the process relies on our independent evaluation. We will continue to use independent evaluators from the REMHA tryout process and evolve with it. I was also one of the parents that questioned the system but since this being my first year on the board, this is no easy task. I encourage all parents to get involved as its only a 2-year volunteer commitment to join the board.

Now to echo past VP’s like past years and years to come, coaching positions and lack of goaltenders continue to be a topic of concern. It is, however, very promising in our U13 A division the number goaltender we had available, 17 for 9 teams. we will continue to offer quality lines of development and mentorship with the assistance of the Player Development committee.

As for finding coaches it did not go without its challenges. The single A hockey is a community-based program which relies on parent coaches for each club to ice a team. We never force anyone to coach however, we are consistently put in the position of having to wait for a parent last minute to “step up” to coach. Reality is if we don’t have a coaching staff, we can not ice a team. We do appreciate all the coaches and thank them for this year with all the challenges for a season that never was.

Closing Remarks

I would like to thank all members of the REMHA Executive for their work this season. Volunteering is thankless, and the time and effort put in is countless. Also, thank you to the Community Club Directors, your commitment and hard work does not go unnoticed.

Kevin Hill
Vice President A Hockey
Direct Entry

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