Elite levels seeing good numbers

By Lethbridge Herald on September 20, 2024.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Elite AAA and AA hockey teams are winding down their try-out/exhibition period  and have had positives to build off of in the last number of weeks leading into a new season.

“We had good turnouts,” Sean Gillam, Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association’s elite programs representative, on the try-out process.

“With  the numbers  that we did have, it looks like all (of) our programs within AA and AAA should be able to field competitive teams. At the end of the day ,we want to be competitive and we want to be able to give our kids the chance to play at a high level and be competitive.”

The elites made some tough decisions due to good numbers.

There are good numbers at U13, U15 and U18AA levels.

“We’re getting back to where we want to be as (an) association where we have (good) numbers and we’re going to continue to develop them and try and field competitive teams,” said Gillam.

Gilliam’s goal is to see the elite teams be competitive.

“I don’t like to put a results based thing on it,” said Gillam.

“Our main focus is on developing our players  and our coaches so they have an opportunity to continue not only in hockey but in life as well. So we’re trying to develop good young men too.”

LMHA wants to continue develop across the association.

“It’s a little bit more unique at the elite level or AAA level where we have a little bit more supports for them there,” said Gillam.

“We just focus on what we can do as an association and that’s continue to support our coaches, support our players and give them the environment to succeed.”

The AAA and AA seasons get underway next weekend.