Planning for the 2012-13 season is well under way for Yorkton Minor Hockey (YMH), and they find themselves with one vacant AA coaching position. YMH has been working to fill the Midget AA vacancy, but to date, it has not found one.

“It can be a tough level to find a parent coach, as often kids at the Midget level have aspirations of playing Midget AAA.  As a result, it is hard to get a commitment from a parent as they await the fate of their son at the AAA level”, said Jeff Sperling, Tier 1 representative of the YMH board. “Sometimes, they don’t know their AAA status until well into September, and the Midget AA season is already underway.”

As a result Sperling says, YMH is trying a different approach.

“We are proposing that for the 2012-13 season, the Midget AA coach will receive an honorarium, similar to how the Midget AAA Harvest club operates,” stated Sperling.  “We are hoping that this might create some interest in the position, and lead to finding a suitable candidate.”

Midget AA level are critical developmental years for Midget aged players. The division consists of 15 year olds entering Midget from Bantam, who may aspire to develop and move on to the Midget AAA level; some of them may be WHL draftees. There are 16 year olds who may want  to make the jump to Midget AAA the next fall as well, and there are 17 year olds who aspire to play Junior hockey after they graduate.

Sperling noted that it is a good opportunity for coaches to learn and develop as well. Past Midget AA Coaches that moved on to the AAA Midget ranks include Al Harrison, Scott Musqua and Dan Cross.  

“It’s a competitive level of hockey and we just want to provide the best direction possible for this group of kids,” adds Sperling.

Anyone interested in more information about the position, or how to apply can contact Jeff Sperling at 621-7383.