The Town of Macklin had a very successful year of hockey. The senior team took home the SWHL championship trophy, the minor hockey program won a pair of provincials, alongside a few other big wins to end the year from the future of Mohawks hockey. A few from town are even on the currently undefeated in playoffs U18 AA West Central Wheat Kings, who can take a title themselves this weekend on the road in Regina.
Macklin Minor Hockey President Chris Barr has enjoyed it all.
"It was a great season, you know, I think the community really came together on all these games and stuff like that and the provincial runs. (All minor levels) had a successful season, and then also the seniors, so it's nice to have teams going that late into the season," he said, "You know it's a good problem to have when you're struggling for ice time, you know, come the middle of March or closer to the end of the March. To see the rink parking lot full and lots of people at the games is nice to see."
Now set to step down from his role as president, Barr couldn't have picked a better year of success. The entire program seems to be in good hands, as he noted a few of the connections between levels of Mohawks hockey.
"You definitely see lots of support. I guess the assistant coach to the senior team coaches one of the initiation teams you've seen, and also some senior players helping out with practices and helping out with other teams you know. Guys like Tyler Baier and Cody McKinnon helping out with some of the minor hockey teams," said Barr, "There's support for both and you know that helps with both of them. Coaching and playing."
Because the ice was in so late in Macklin this year thanks to the success seen, the rink crew only took it out just a few weeks back following the final league game. Other communities in a similar position used that extra ice time to host a recreation tournament of sorts, but residents of Macklin were alright seeing the ice surface go after already having a few extra weeks.
Perhaps the decision to move away from his role with Macklin Minor Hockey was a few years in the making, but finally getting through a full hockey season after these past few pandemic years has to be a major feather in the cap for Barr. Not only did a majority of the blue teams make a run, and win a championship this year, but everyone had fun doing it in the first full season of hockey back in west central Saskatchewan.
Barr noted that Curtis Gette will be his replacement.
Tue, Apr 23, 7:00 PM
