The Woodstock Minor Hockey Association (WMHA) is all about getting kids on the ice playing the great game of hockey. To that aim, the Association keeps costs as affordable as possible and ensures that the product on the ice provides kids with a lot of fun and the opportunity to get better and advance in their hockey endeavours.
And a lot of kids are benefiting. This year the WMHA features 36 teams and roughly 760 players overall. And thanks to major sponsor Shaw Direct (and the help of Scotiabank), the Association offers a ‘Just Try It’ program in March for kids who just want to try the sport of hockey. There’s also a ‘Just Try It’ goalie program as well. And what else has the WMHA been up to in recent years?
“We’ve hosted OHF Championships as well as the Alliance House League Championships over the past few years,” said Mike Collins, WMHA president. “We were the first organization to host two OHF Championships at the same time for two different age groups.”
Collins, who has been president of the Association for just over five years, has been involved in hockey for 15 years overall. When NHLer Jake Muzzin, the Los Angeles Kings defenceman, brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of Woodstock this past year, it was Collins and his staff who worked out the logistics.
Besides Muzzin’s triumphant appearance with the Cup, there have been highlights on the ice for WMHA teams, as more than one team made it to the finals for the Silver Stick, with one team capturing the title. And what’s coming up?
“We’re holding a food drive and an unwrapped toy drive on November 26 from 11am to 3pm,” said Collins. “There will be a short speaking session and then a draw for a door prize, donated by Shaw Direct.”
Story by SportsXpress team, contributions by Mike Collins. Proudly Sponsored by Crabby Joe’s.
