OPINION: VOTE TO MERGE WITH WATERTOWN
moundhockey.com is NOT associated with the Youth Hockey Association.
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A letter went out to Mound-Westonka Hockey Association parents recently, asking them to share their input on the merger of Watertown-Mayer with the Mound program.
VOTE TO APPROVE THIS MERGER. THIS IS A NO-BRAINER.
The issue came about as a result of the Minnesota State High School League’s review of coop programs to determine the size of each program (A, AA, AAA, etc.) The coop team of Delano/Rockford/Watertown-Mayer would need to move to Class ‘AA’. Rather than move up to Class ‘AA’, administrators at Delano are opting to drop Watertown-Mayer from their program and remain a Class ‘A’ school.
Mound has been approached about merging high school programs with Watertown-Mayer, so these students can participate in a hockey program next year. Mound is making the choice contingent on the acceptance by the Mound-Westonka Hockey Association the entire Watertown-Mayer program. Many parents of Watertown-Mayer skaters support the idea.
The Crow River association wants to maintain the Watertown-Mayer Youth program, and is petitioning the MSHL to reverse or delay the decision.
IT MAKES SENSE TO MERGE BOTH PROGRAMS OR MERGE NONE. MOUND WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT FROM THIS ASSOCIATION. ADDING PLAYERS TO THE TALENT POOL WILL ONLY MAKE THE PROGRAM STRONGER.
Every year, Mound SENDS AWAY players from the Bantam level, because they have too many for one Bantam team, and not enough for another. Some of those players leave hockey altogether. The Mound girls program is too small. Similar problems occur from time to time at the PeeWee level.
After the Youth Association sends away their handful of players, there is further attrition — to Breck, Blake, Benilde, Shattuck, etc., and the High School is left with enough for half a JV team.
IF MOUND IS INTERESTED IN WATERTOWN-MAYER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND BUILD THOSE SKATERS AT THE YOUTH LEVEL, SO THEY ARE PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN THE MOUND HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY PROGRAM.
We should work for a Mound program so strong, kids from Breck and Blake OPEN ENROLL HERE.
