Rinks in Saskatchewan would suffer if Hockey Canada ceases operations

The hits keep coming for Hockey Canada in its recent hearings on Parliament Hill and the investigation into the organization’s handling of alleged sexual assaults.

Earlier this week, interim Hockey Canada board chair Andrea Skinner defended the organization and its leadership by saying if they were removed, she wouldn’t know if the lights would stay on at rinks across the country.

That comment was criticized by people online along with Skinner’s support of the organization’s executives and refusal to change leaders.

So would it have a big effect on rinks if there was turnover at the top of Hockey Canada?

It depends if there was no hockey being played, according to Coralie Bueckert, programs and events supervisor at Warman’s Legends Centre.

“If minor hockey were to cease operations, there are approximately 55 minor hockey teams with Warman Minor Hockey that do use our facility. So yes, it would affect our facility, but we also have ringette and a skating club that would still be able to go should those hockey programs cease to exist,” Bueckert said.

But she says if any decisions are made with Hockey Canada, there is hope the message is clear to those involved.

“Any change, I think, is important to make sure that it’s filtered to players and parents and that people are aware of what’s going on. And I mean those changes are always put into place for the betterment of children,” Bueckert said.

But as of now, the hockey season is moving ahead as planned after she had a conversation with Hockey Saskatchewan.

“I wanted to have a discussion with (Hockey Saskatchewan officials) regarding any concerns they have and they do not at this point seem overly concerned that operations will cease, at least not immediately anyways,” she added.

Hockey Saskatchewan put out a memo on Wednesday about the Participants Legacy Trust Fund and how it was used for injury lawsuits.

650 CKOM has reached out to Hockey Saskatchewan to see if there were discussions about reviewing or ending sending registration fees to Hockey Canada. The organization declined to comment.

Hockey Canada has been losing sponsorship agreements in the past few days, with companies like Tim Hortons and Canadian Tire vowing not to support hockey’s governing body unless changes are made.