Warman Minor Hockey Association Task Force Fact Sheet
Information Sask Valley Minor Hockey Association Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association
(SVMHA) (SMHA)
League Warman has “Franchise” status that Warman Minor Hockey would be
Membership allows us to enter teams in all considered an “Interlocking Centre” and
divisions of the SVMHA. would submit an application to enter
Franchise status is permanent Saskatoon Minor Hockey on an annual
Warman can draw players from Non- basis.
Centre’s such as Osler Annual application would allow both
Warman and Saskatoon Hockey
Association’s the option to evaluate
partnership every season.
Warman can draw players from Non-
Centre’s such as Osler
Divisions Novice and Atom – Only one division Novice/Atom: Senior (Tier I), Intermediate
per age group (Tier II), Junior (Tier III), Recreation.
Initiation – No league available Initiation: Part of League, 12 games
o Each Warman team is scheduled. Beginner (4* and 5 yrs) and
responsible for finding teams Advanced (5 and 6 yrs) Divisions.
to play and scheduling
games. Note: Saskatoon teams only allow 5 and 6 year olds
to play Initiation. However Interlocking Centre’s such
as WMHA have the discretion to allow 4 year olds to
play in League.
League Teams (Novice and Atom): Teams (Novice/Atom/Initiation)
Teams and o Cudworth, Wakaw, Beardy’s, o Majority are Saskatoon teams that
Travel SVP, Aberdeen, Rosthern, play in city or surrounding arena’s
Distance Waldheim, Langham, o Interlocking Centre’s include
Dalmeny, Hague, Hepburn Martensville, Clavet, Deslisle, and
Travel Distance Dundurn
o Up to 103 km radius. Travel Distance
o Up to 63 km radius
League Number of games (last season’s Number of games:
Schedule statistics): o Novice/Atom - 20 regular season
o Novice: 12 games + Playoffs games
o Atom: 16 games + Playoffs o Initiation – 12 regular season
Standings and League championship games
Weekdays No standings or League Championship
o Note: Last month of schedule is revised to
ensure competitive games (ie. teams with
similar records play each other)
Weekdays and weekends
Game Time Home Games: Home Games:
Length o Warman Minor Hockey o Warman Minor Hockey determines
determines ice time length. ice time length.
Away Games: Away Games:
o ~ 90 Min. time slots* o Novice – 60 min*
* Time for flood incorporated o Atom – 75 min*
into ice slot. * Time for flood not incorporated
into ice slot.
Information Sask Valley Minor Hockey Association Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association
(SVMHA) (SMHA)
Game Start Weekdays Weekdays and Weekends
Times Typically 6-7pm See below for representative examples of
2008/09 start times in each age division of
various Interlocking Centre’s.
SMHA informed the Task Force that have
a policy to try and accommodate out of
town teams by getting later start times in
arena’s closest to Interlocking Centre.
Practice Location: Location:
Times and o In Warman o In Warman
Location Times: Times:
o At discretion of Warman o At discretion of Warman Minor
Minor Hockey Hockey
Note: SMHA provides Interlocking Centre’s with the option
of incorporating practice ice slots into League scheduling.
Some interlocking centre’s decide to utilize this option.
Warman Minor Hockey Association would not.
Cost WMHA determines registration fees WMHA determines registration fees
Ice times and insurance are separate Ice times and insurance are separate from
from league league
League Administration Fee per team League Administration Fee per team is
is $65 $675
o Note: This would work out to an
approximately $44 per player increase in
minor hockey fees ($610 difference/14
players per team = $44).
Skill Level Drafted process Tiered process
within Each Players in Warman are evaluated, Players in Warman would be evaluated,
team ranked and drafted uniformly ranked and selected uniformly within each
amongst the teams team.
Various skill set of players on each Similar skill set of players on each team.
team
Carded program - one team made of
top skilled players towards the end of
the year (Novice – made from
Warman teams, Atom – league wide
team).
Information Sask Valley Minor Hockey Association Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association
(SVMHA) (SMHA)
League Lacked competiveness: “…fun and enjoyment in the context of
Competition o Two Warman Atom teams good competition by encouraging players
were 28-2-3 against other to play with other players of similar skills,
SVMHL teams. Silver and abilities and desires. In addition, by
Bronze in playoffs. ensuring that there is an equal distribution
o Four Warman Novice teams of player talent amongst the teams within
were 40-0 against other the divisions, players are encouraged to
SVMHL teams and outscored compete against other players of similar
their opposition 398 to 92. caliber.” – SMHA website
th
Gold, Silver, Bronze, and 4 Within each league the schedule is
place in playoffs revised towards the end of the year to
Initiation teams were also very strong provide competitive games (teams with
and had difficulty finding teams that similar win-loss records will play each
wanted to play games. other).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Warman Minor Hockey Association investigating involvement in other hockey
leagues?
Warman Minor Hockey must continually evaluate and investigate opportunities that will benefit all
members of the Warman Minor Hockey Association. During the last Annual General Meeting, the
Executive requested that a Task Force be developed based on concerns that our Association has
become too large, strong and competitive for the SVMHL. (2008/2009 Season: Atom and Novice Warman
teams had a combined record of 68 wins, 2 Losses and 3 ties against other SVMHL teams). The Task
Force was given the purpose of gathering information regarding Saskatoon Minor Hockey and possible
involvement for the 2009-10 season. The Task force was asked to meet with Saskatoon Minor Hockey
and Interlocking Centre such as Delisle, Martensville and Clavet to gather information on league
operations and requirements and report back to Warman Minor Hockey Executive and parents of players
within WMHA. Information being gathered is only for the Initiation, Novice and Atom age groups as we
are estimating team totals for the upcoming season to include 4 Initiation, 5 Novice and 3 Atom teams
based on last year’s figures.
If we joined Saskatoon Minor Hockey would the Warman Minor Hockey Association still exist?
Yes. WMHA would be considered an “Interlocking Centre” with Saskatoon Minor Hockey. WMHA would
still function as autonomous association and would still have an Executive that would be in place to look
after the best interests of Warman Minor Hockey. In addition, WMHA would still retain a franchise
membership and have teams competing in the Sask Valley Minor Hockey League.
If we join Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association could we be excluded from returning to the Valley
League?
No, Warman Minor Hockey has a franchise in the Sask Valley Minor Hockey League and currently has
teams competing in age groups ranging from Novice to Midget. Warman will continue to have teams
playing in various age groups in the Valley league. It appears that WMHA may have the fortunate luxury
that would allow us to keep our SVMHL franchise while also investigate alternative leagues for our lower
age divisions (Atom, Novice and Initiation).
WMHA would be considered an “interlocking Centre” with Saskatoon Minor Hockey and every season an
application would be submitted to enter teams as an Interlocking Centre. In essence this is one year
agreement between both Minor Hockey Associations which allows both the Warman Hockey Association
and Saskatoon Minor Hockey to evaluate the partnership and either association would have the option to
renew or not renew interlocking centre status.
Is there an option to have teams in both the Valley and Saskatoon leagues?
Yes, there would be a possibility to have teams entered in both leagues as long as the Saskatoon Minor
Hockey “Grid” was used for teams that enter the SMHA. The grid system basically is a template where
25% of kids play Senior (Tier I), 50% play Intermediate (Tier II), and 25% play Junior (Tier III). This is
done to promote fairness and equal competition within the Tiered divisions. The decision on the number
of teams in each league would be at the discretion of the Warman Minor Hockey Association.
Is there a concern of Warman Minor Hockey losing their identity if they join Saskatoon Minor
Hockey League?
No, our Warman Minor Hockey Asociation remains autonomous and any Warman team that enters the
Saskatoon league will wear the Warman Wildcat jerseys with logo. This also applies to Initiation hockey.
However, if Initiation continues to grow at a rapid pace and jerseys were not available, there would be the
option is to receive Timbits jerseys with Warman colours free of charge. This decision would be at the
discretion of Warman Minor Hockey.
Will joining Saskatoon Minor Hockey cause registration fees to increase dramatically?
No, Warman Minor Hockey would continue to set their own registration fees. While the cost will not be
exorbitant, there would be a slight increase. Initial analysis shows that there would be an increase of
approximately $44 per player. Ice time and insurance costs are external to the league so this will not
change from previous seasons.
Would we have control of our ice time or would be forced to practice in the city while Saskatoon
teams used our ice?
Practices would be located in Warman for Warman teams only. Practice schedule times would be
determined by Warman Minor Hockey.
Note: Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association provides Interlocking Centres with the option of incorporating
practice ice slots into league scheduling. Some interlocking centres such as Martensville decide to utilize
this option; other interlocking centres such as Deslisle do not. A condition of Warman Minor Hockey
Association entering the Saskatoon Minor Hockley League would be that Warman would control their own
practice locations and ice time.
Will game times be very early ?
SMHA have a policy to try and accommodate out of town teams by getting later start times in arena’s
closest to Interlocking Centre. However, there may be a few game times per season as early as 4:45
pm. However, the majority of game times for interlocking centres were between 5:45-7:00 pm. See page
two for representative start times for Interlocking Centre’s. All schedules for Interlocking Centres can be
viewed on Saskatoon Minor Hockey Associations website.
Will Four Year olds be allowed to play in Initiation if we enter teams in Saskatoon?
Warman Minor Hockey currently allows four year old’s to play Initiation hockey. While Saskatoon teams
within SMHA do not allow 4 year olds to play Initiation (due to high numbers of players), interlocking
centre’s such as Warman Minor Hockey would have the option to include four year olds.
Is there any options for players to participate in other hockey programs?
Yes, there is a recreation league that provides the option for hockey players who would not like the
commitment of a regular league but still enjoy the game of hockey. Recreation teams skate once per
week. Teams could be entered from single or joined interlock centres, or individual players could be put
on list to play on a Saskatoon team if there is space available. Cost for Recreational Hockey - Last year
Saskatoon registration fees were approximately $320 for Novice and $350-$400 for Atom.
Coaches - If one or more teams join the Saskatoon League, will we have enough coaches for
teams in the Valley League?
Yes. WMHA will continue to have an annual application process in place for determining coaching
positions and encourages anyone who has an interest in becoming a Head Coach or Assistant Coach to
apply at time of registration. Regardless of experience, all coaches will have taken required courses
mandated by Hockey Canada.
Are there any other benefits for players and coaches when entering teams in the Saskatoon Minor
Hockey Association?
Yes, SMHA has various player and development programs as well as fun events to participate in. A few
programs include:
Blades Novice Program
– complimentary tickets to a Blades game,
– Blades attend at least one novice practice,
– Coaching clinics with Blades coaching staff.
Initiation
– Timbits Initiation Program,
– Tim Horton’s day at Credit Union Centre,
– Jersey program
Where can I provide feedback?
Parents are encouraged to complete the feedback form located on the Warman Minor Hockey
Association website. These comments will be viewed by the WMHA and will be used to gauge potential
interest in becoming involved with the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association for the upcoming season in
the Atom, Novice and Initiation age groups. The website is located at http://www.warmanwildcats.ca