Community
Raffle, volunteers, and community support fuels Steinbach Minor Hockey
The Steinbach Minor Hockey Association’s annual raffle is still underway, helping make hockey more affordable for local families and allowing more children to play the game they love. Making hockey accessible Board member Niki Miller says many kids in the community want to play hockey, and the raffle helps parents make that possible. “It gives almost anyone a chance to put on that Steinbach Miller's jersey, get on the ice, play with their friends, their peers. The raffle has made playing hockey so much more affordable that our U7 program, so our youngest kiddos, we have 50 kids registered this year, which is so awesome. One of my kiddos is in that as well, so he is just pumped to play hockey this year.” Miller says 240 kids registered for hockey this season, with many able to participate thanks to the raffle, including Kourtney Crozier’s children. Crozier says she has twin boys in their second year of U9 and another son in his second year of U7. “It's a big help for my family as both years we've been able to fundraise the full cost of all of our registration for all three boys.” She says her family and friends help sell tickets, but she lets her boys take the lead. “I think it helps them be able to communicate with adults and teaches them how to talk to adults and use their manners, and a little bit more responsibility.” Crozier adds that the community has been very supportive. “Pretty much every house that they've gone to buys a ticket from them.” Miller shares a story of how the raffle helped another family. “A mom who has two boys in hockey, they had fallen on some hard times financially, and their boys just really loved to play hockey. Her husband was out of town a lot, and her boys went in their community around where they live, and they went door to door selling raffle tickets, and they were able to cover the entire cost of registration. So, I love that.” She adds that many businesses stepped up as well with prizes. “It feels amazing. We feel very supported by the community.” Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through participating Steinbach Minor Hockey players or at A&W in Steinbach. The raffle closes on October 30, with the final draw on November 6. The power of volunteers Miller says community members and volunteers play a huge role in keeping the Steinbach Millers running. “Minor hockey could not run without volunteers. I recently joined the Steinbach Minor Hockey Board, and I totally underestimated the amount of work and time that goes into making sure that things run smoothly. We rely on parents to volunteer to coach teams, manage teams, wash jerseys, just to name a few things.” She says she’s gained a deep appreciation for the people behind the scenes. “There's some who've been there for years and the work and the heart that they have for this hockey program and for the kids, and just making it such a good experience for families to play hockey and for the kids to play a sport that they love.” Tournaments return After two years without tournaments, the excitement is building as they return to the community. “Some kids have never even been part of a home tournament, the younger ones who have just started playing. For those who have experienced it, they're just excited to start it again in the new event centre, on the big ice. There's a lot of excitement for sure, and it's starting soon.” Miller says tournaments bring more than just competition — they build connection. “I actually have enjoyed just watching teams face challenges together. I believe it builds character and resiliency, and that shapes our kids and our community members as they grow up into adults, what kind of people they're going to be to shape our community.” She adds that while tournaments are centered around hockey, they create lasting friendships. “It's team bonding. I think of the people when I first started hockey, some of the people who I had never met had no clue and now like are very close friends and just from away tournaments to home tournaments, going out for meals, watching the kids play minis, whatever it may be. Just team bonding is a huge part of tournaments.”