HOCKEY MANITOBA ACTIVATES AN EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP GROUP

WINNIPEG, MB - Hockey Manitoba is pleased to announce the leadership group of the organization for 2011-12, which includes Brian Franklin (Deloraine) being re-elected as President for his 5th term.  The 97th Hockey Manitoba Annual General Meeting was held May 6-8, 2011 at the Radisson Downtown Hotel in Winnipeg.  President Franklin comments on his reappointment, "I am pleased to have the support of a committed Executive Committee and Board of Directors, we look forward to some major changes coming up this season and the opportunity to continue working hard to serve our membership from across the province.  We're also pleased to introduce our new logo and branding package and as well to have the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and 2012 Midget AAA (TELUS Cup) West Regional hosted back in Manitoba."

Bill Whitehead (Roland) has also been re-elected as Vice President of Hockey Manitoba and will continue to oversee the development and technical components of the organization's programs.  Whitehead notes, "as a Hockey Canada Branch that puts forth a very proud commitment to developing our players, coaches, and officials I am very pleased to continue to be a part of the progress in serving our members.  Next season will see to be another busy one as we have major changes in the structure of our officials program which includes a new referee-in-chief.  I'm excited to see the progress in our Female Bantam and Midget programs as well as the Male Bantam program which will take place this upcoming season."   

Also returning to the leadership group is Don McIntosh (Winnipeg) who was re-elected by Hockey Winnipeg as their President and representative on the Hockey Manitoba Executive Committee.  Kim Davis (Winnipeg) will return as the Chair of Junior A, representing the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.  The remaining Hockey Manitoba Executive were re-elected to additional one-year terms; Dale Fossay (Winnipeg) Chair of Finance, Kirk Kuppers (Winnipeg) Chair of Junior/Senior Female, Rick Olson (Selkirk) Chair of Junior B, Ken Gladden (Gillam) Chair of Rural Minor West, Bert Dow (Morden) Chair of Rural Minor West, and Ray Brethour (Hamiota) Chair of Senior/Adult Rec.

Highlights of the 2011 Annual General Meeting:

• Unveiling of new Hockey Manitoba logo and branding package
• Hockey Manitoba Awards Luncheon held to honour officials, coaches, scholarship recipients, players, teams, and volunteers.
• Approval of membership fee increase of $3.00 per member effective for the 2011-12 season
• Approval of pilot project for Rural Bantam AAA program (Male)
• Approval of pilot project for Rural Bantam Regional (Female)
• Female Midget AA Provencal tournament replaced by establishment of Provincial Female Midget League with champion advancing to Esso Cup West Regional playoff 
• Approval of regulation that in addition to team coaches, managers & safety personnel must also obtain Respect In Sport certification  

The membership increase is the first in 6 years which is a response to increasing frequency of programming and events, compounded by general inflation costs associated with operating.  Executive Director, Peter Woods, comments “it is encouraging that our membership has supported the continuation and growth of our programs for the benefit of the membership by approving a minimal increase in registration." Including the new registration increase Hockey Manitoba fees will still remain as the lowest in Western Canada, as well Hockey Manitoba is still one of the only provincial Branches to offer coaching certification for free for members.