The rep-hockey programs of North Delta and South Delta won't be merging, at least for now.
The hockey associations' executive boards have agreed to postpone moving forward with an expansion of rep boundaries for the 2017-18 season.
Presidents of both organizations (Ken Elmer in South Delta and Stephen VanSpall in North Delta) announced the decision in a joint email sent to members of both associations on Wednesday (Feb. 22).
The plan had been to create a united Delta rep program to make for more competitive teams, in light of some top-level players (in Bantam and above) exiting minor hockey to attend hockey academies or sign up with local winter clubs.
Plans for the possible rep-program merger were detailed by an association committee during a meeting held at a Ladner hotel on Feb. 1, and opinions were sought.
"Over the past few weeks," the association presidents said in their joint email, "the committee has corresponded with the PCAHA and BC Hockey, reviewed the comment cards, meeting attendance and also took into consideration the questions raised, and provided their recommendation to the Executive Board of each association.
"Based on the recommendations from the Committee, the Executive Boards have agreed to postpone moving forward with the Expansion of the Rep Boundaries for the 2017-18 season.
"The committee and Executive Boards of each association will continue to work on providing more detail on the proposal and will look at a possible second information meeting in the fall of 2017. This will allow the committee more time to answer the questions raised, provide further details on the program and see what the registration and team numbers are for the rep programs in 2017."
Now staff