Midget ‘AA’ league being planned

A full-fledged Midget ‘AA’ hockey league based out of Northwestern Ontario and eastern Manitoba could be a reality as soon as this fall.
An organizational meeting will be held later this month but at least seven teams already have expressed interest in the league, said Fort Frances Canadians Midget ‘AA’ head coach Dave Egan.
“Right now, we’re basically playing the same teams quite a bit,” said Egan. “The people from Kenora contacted Manitoba, and they’re saying the same thing.
“To get into a league would provide different competition, and give us playoffs and a championship to shoot for,” he added.
With the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association changing its age classifications prior to this season, the Midget level experienced a large increase in participation with the addition of 15-year-old players.
“The interest is there right now,” said Egan, who feels the league can be up and running by the start of next hockey season. “This certainly would be a bonus for our organization.”
Along with Fort Frances and Kenora, Egan said teams from Dryden and Manitoba-based squads in Portage La Prairie, Steinbach, St. Anne, and La Broquerie already have committed to the league.
Teams from Sioux Lookout and Red Lake also will be asked to join in the near future.
“We expect this will be at least an eight-team league when we get going,” said Egan. “There’s no reason to expect it won’t fly. These are a lot of strong hockey communities that are interested.”