Team Scheduling Update
Hello Twister Families,
It is great to be back on our home ice in Grand Valley! The beginning of a new hockey year is an exciting time. Some families that have been with Grand Valley Minor Hockey for a few years may notice that the schedule looks a little different this year compared to the past.
We are working with the Arena to maximize our ice use/rental while minimizing the return of unusable ice times to the Arena (typically due to conflicts with away games). This is financially beneficial for both Grand Valley Minor hockey and the Arena, as both organizations need to be financially responsible to their members. This new approach to the scheduling system is successful at returning very little ice to the arena compared to previous years, when we were returning on average four hours per week. However, scheduling each team to have a reserved day and time is not conducive to minimizing returns, therefore we ask that our families be flexible and patient with the new system as we strive to reach a balance that is best for everyone.
Another exciting new initiative for Grand Valley Minor Hockey this year is our Novice Select Team. Otherwise known as a “Rostered Select Team”, it is comprised of players from more than one team in the same division. Since Grand Valley Minor Hockey is fortunate enough to have two Local League Novice Teams (Novice Green & Novice White), with the help of some dedicated coaches and parents, we were also able to roster a Novice Select team this year consisting of players from both Local League Teams. Novice Select players prioritize their Local League team schedule, while playing some additional exhibition games and tournaments against other Rostered Select, Additional Entry, or Rep teams. Novice Select players pay an additional registration fee for this Rep hockey experience without the extraordinary costs of playing on a typical rep team outside of Grand Valley.
The executive team is a dedicated group of volunteers who are working very hard to ensure Grand Valley Minor Hockey provides a fun small-town hockey experience for our local families. We are thrilled that our membership is growing, and we ask that you be patient with us as we work through the challenges that come with change.
I urge you to continue to regularly check the GVMH website for updates on team schedules. Please feel to reach out to me at any time at [email protected] and enjoy the start of another great season of hockey!
Brett Lyons