The future of minor hockey for the upcoming season is on thin ice. A lack of coaching staff may see a number of teams cut from Maple Creek Minor Hockey for the year.
“There’s not a whole lot of people knocking down the door to coach hockey,” said Sean Chapman, vice-president of Maple Creek Minor Sports.
Coaches have been found for the atom, female atom and novice teams, but are still required for beginners, initiation, peewee, bantam and midget teams.
“If we can’t get somebody to coach these hockey teams, then we won’t have teams,” Chapman stated.
He said the reduction in coaching staff could be because parents no longer have a child on a team or simply don’t want the responsibility.
“If they want the teams, somebody’s got to step up,” Chapman said.
“The leagues don’t start until November, so the panic’s not on. But in October we have to have all of our teams’ games scheduled, so  that’s why we like to have a coach or a manager at least in place – even a parent that wants to step up and do that until there is a coach.”
Player numbers are also down this year for several teams.
So far, only six girls have registered for the female peewee team, while seven players have signed up for bantam. Nine players are registered for the midget team.
“That's not enough and there’s no goalies, so that group could be in trouble,” Chapman said.
Anyone interested in volunteering as a coach for a team can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .