You simply would not guess from this week’s paper, but minor hockey in Vauxhall is at a crossroads.
Inside this week’s issue,  readers can find out about the atom Sabres and the gold medal the team brought back from atom “D” provincials.
There is also a story about the novice team that won the Spud League “A” division championship over a Taber team last week.
Another article highlights the midget girls team preparing for another run at provincials.
On the surface, it appears minor hockey is alive and well in Vauxhall.
However, next year may see a decrease in teams in Vauxhall, as our small town is finding it harder and harder to ice teams every year.
For the last few seasons, for example, Vauxhall has not been able to find enough players to put a bantam team together.
Last year, bantam-age kids from town interested in playing hockey had to travel to Taber to play. With no space in Taber this year, bantam players from town joined a team for 2009/2010 based out of Bow Island and Foremost. That bantam “A” team played in a three-team league, which proves Vauxhall is not alone in having a more difficult time attracting players in the older age groups.
Talk has surfaced Vauxhall may have difficulty making a midget team in the near future. With the recent success of the midget teams, who have had great success in Spud league play, losing that age group would indeed be a shame.
Even at the atom level, where this year’s team consisted of only 10 skaters and a goaltender, things could be tight for the 2010/2011 season. It is a shame when a Canadian small town fails to ice a team in any age category, but that is the prospect many small areas face.
Hockey does cost a lot of money, and it is a big commitment for parents. However, having a child in Canada’s most loved sport is certainly worthwhile. The memories built through hockey, and sports in general, last a lifetime.