Have a great Season!

As President of the Okotoks Minor Hockey Association, it is my pleasure to welcome all of our players, families, coaches, managers, volunteers, and supporters to the 2026-2027 hockey season.

To our returning OMHA players and families, welcome back. Thank you for continuing to be part of our association and for the commitment you make each year to minor hockey in our community. To those joining OMHA for the first time, whether you are new to Okotoks, new to our association, or experiencing minor hockey for the first time, we are excited to welcome you to the OMHA family.

Before the season gets underway, I want to recognize the tremendous amount of work that happens behind the scenes to make minor hockey possible.

First, I would like to thank the OMHA Board of Directors. Our Board is made up of volunteers who dedicate countless hours throughout the year to our association. Much of their work happens away from the rink and often goes unseen. Their commitment, passion, and willingness to give their time are essential to the success of OMHA.

I also want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our past, present, and future volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, managers, and parent volunteers.

Simply put, OMHA does not exist without you.

Every practice that is planned, every bench that is staffed, every tournament that is organized, every team event, fundraiser, email, schedule change and countless other responsibilities are handled by people who volunteer their time for our kids.

Many of our volunteer’s balance hockey with careers, families, and other commitments, yet continue to give evenings, weekends, and countless hours throughout the season to provide our players with the best experience possible.

To everyone who has volunteered in the past, thank you for helping build OMHA into what it is today. To those volunteering again this season, thank you for continuing to give back. And to those considering stepping forward for the first time, I strongly encourage you to get involved. Minor hockey is at its best when our community works together.

On that note, I would also ask everyone to remember that most people working within OMHA are volunteers. There will inevitably be difficult decisions, disagreements, and moments of frustration throughout a hockey season. Evaluations and team selection can be stressful for players and families. We understand that parents care a lot about their children and want the best possible experience for them.

However, that care and passion has to come with respect.

OMHA has zero tolerance for verbal abuse, bullying, harassment, threats, or intimidating behaviour directed toward our Board members, division directors, coaches, managers, officials, volunteers, players, or other members of our hockey community.

When concerns arise during evaluations, we ask families to respect OMHA's communication processes, including the “24 hour” rule and direct any concerns to evaluations@okotokshockey.com.

Above everything else, minor hockey belongs to the kids.

Wins and losses will eventually be forgotten. The standings will disappear. Most players will not remember the score of a game years from now.

What they will remember are their teammates, their coaches, the tournaments, the bus rides, the dressing room laughs, scoring their first goal, making a big save, overcoming adversity, and having their family in the stands supporting them.

As adults, we have a responsibility to protect that experience.

Players play. Coaches coach. Parents support.

If we can keep that perspective throughout the season, we will continue to provide an environment where our young athletes can develop as hockey players while also growing into confident, respectful, resilient young people.

I am proud to be a part of the hockey community we have built in Okotoks, and I am excited about what lies ahead for OMHA in 2026-2027.

On behalf of the entire OMHA Board of Directors, thank you for your continued commitment to our players, our volunteers, and our association.

Have a great season, and we'll see you at the rink.

Geoff Rollins

OMHA President