Minor hockey storming into 2022-23 season

By Lisa Gervais

As the Highland Storm Minor Hockey Association prepares for its 2022-23 season, a rejuvenated executive is looking forward to a number of changes and new initiatives to grow hockey locally.

Cory Valentini is the new association president.

“I am very excited to be part of a team that is committed to the ongoing development of the minor hockey program in Haliburton County,” he said. “We have a lot of great ideas and after a few rough years of COVID, now is a great time to evolve and implement new opportunities for players and families.”

Most of the volunteer crew have been active members of the Storm executive committee for several years. However, there has been some shifting of positions, with Valentini saying, “we retain a vast amount of experience and knowledge in managing a minor hockey association.”

The new president acknowledged that registration was down the last few years, not just for the Storm, but for minor sports across Canada.

“COVID was tough on families for many reasons, and they had to prioritize things other than minor sports. Based on our current registration numbers, we are already up 44 per cent from last year and I am confident that will we reach and surpass pre-COVID registration numbers,” he said.

Sponsorship revenue has been down over the last few years as well, he conceded, although he added, “we did have sponsors step up to support minor hockey during COVID even though we were dealing with many unknowns and could not commit to a specific level of exposure. However, this year we have a robust sponsorship program with clear levels of exposure, and I am confident that the Haliburton County community will stand with us and support the Highland Storm.”

Speaking to some of the new initiatives, Valentini cited local skill development opportunities.

“We are working with Ryan Ramsay and Chris Kerr, who both have a wealth of experience with player development and coaching, to develop clinics that focus on specific skills for goalies, defence, offence, hitting and skating to local league and rep programs,” he said.

While the Storm does not have an official partnership with the Haliburton County Huskies, head coach Ramsay, “has been

Litter Bins

fantastic with positioning his Huskie players as role models for all our Storm players and giving each Storm team the opportunity to have at least one practice with a couple of Huskie players,” the president said.

There is also a new Storm swag merchandise website that will be launched before the start of the season. It will be open to the public. The association has also committed funds for new jerseys for all local league and rep players.

And, there will be a community logo vote.

“As we move into our first full season in many years, it seems like a perfect time to shake things up and do a refresh on our logo, however a decision that big can’t be made by the executive alone,” Valentini said.

They are putting it to a vote, asking people if they should stick with the original logo or do a refresh. “We want to hear from parents, grandparents, alumni but most of all the kids,” he added.

Elected executive members for the 2022/2023 season:

• President – Cory Valentini

• Vice president – Ryan Ramsay

• Treasurer – Kori Consack

• Secretary – Diane Peacock

• Interim ice scheduler

– Darlene Armstrong

• Equipment manager

– Jamie Walker

• OMHA representative

– Jessica Lloyd

• Social media/public relations

– Cheryl Smith

• Fundraising representative

– Nicki Dollo

• Referee-in-chief – Brad Tait

• Tournament convener

– Craig Smith

• Local league representative

– Krysta Sharp

• Local league representative

– Jordan Joanu

• Timekeeper co-ordinator

– Diane Peacock

• Registrar – Nikki Latanville

Go to highlandstorm.org to register for the 2022/2023 hockey season, registration is open until Sept. 1, 2022.

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