2. General Overview

Seven Oaks Minor Hockey Association (S.O.M.H.A.) is responsible for coordinating the hockey program for our area association, which consists of West Kildonan, Vince Leah, Red River, West St. Paul, Garden City and Maples community clubs. There are between 650 and 700 hockey players in our area association, of which a dozen (or so) play in the AAA  (13 – 17) league for the Hawks (North West quadrant of the City) approximately 100 play for the AA Northwest Stars (11- 17),  approximately 50 play female hockey, approximately 150 play 5&6 and 7&8 house league, and the balance of approximately 375 players participate in the “A” hockey program.

This document will concentrate on the issues involved in organizing and operating the “A” hockey program.

The AAA, AA and female hockey programs have their own organizations, with S.O.M.H.A. participation as required by the Winnipeg Minor Hockey Association (W.M.H.A.), to manage their affairs. The 5&6 and 7&8 house leagues are operated by the community clubs, who are responsible for assigning convenors to coordinate their activities. That leaves the “A” hockey program, which consists of boys and girls aged 8-17 playing on Al, A2 and A3 teams for S.O.M.H.A. to manage directly.

The 8 to 12 A1 to A3 teams play in the Winnipeg East Hockey League against teams from S.O.M.H.A., Midlands, North Winnipeg, Lord Selkirk, River East, Transcona and St. Boniface area associations. There is also a Winnipeg West Hockey League comprised of St. Vital, St. James-Assiniboia, Assiniboine Park and Fort Garry/Fort Rouge, but other than exhibition games or tournaments, the East League teams do not play the West League teams until the City playoffs. The 13 to 17 A1 to A3 teams, also known as Direct Entry teams, play i n a city-wide league organized directly by the W.M.H.A.

Each year, at the S.O.M.H.A. annual meeting in May, a Vice President in charge of the “A” hockey program is elected. He/she is assisted by the S.O.M.H.A. 3rd Vice President plus Age Convenors for 8A1 , 9- 10 and 11-12 age groups. This is the S.O.M.H.A. coordinating group. However, the community club hockey convenors and their coaches are the key components to establishing and operating a successful hockey program. This document will describe the process and responsibilities involved in making the system work.