Mat-Su Hockey parents plea for preference

Parents of the Valley's youth hockey players voiced suggestions on how the ice time at the Multi-Use Sports Complex will be allocated at last week's Wasilla City Council meeting.

Parents representatives of Boys and Girls Club Youth Hockey, Alaska USA Hockey Association and Valley Blades requested that the city give preference to local hockey teams when allocating ice time, citing worries larger hockey associations from Eagle River or Anchorage may otherwise take the preferred ice times.

"We need to have some type of preference," said Richard Kellerman of Valley Blades. "I'm hoping the local hockey teams will have some more ice time."

Parents referred to their children having morning practices as early as 7 a.m. - something they say they hope will not be so normal now that the Valley has another ice

arena.

"We have waited so long for additional ice," said Chip Conroy, who has been a hockey parent for six years.

While the parents said they hope for the best ice times, they realize that with teams such as the Eagle River Mustangs looking at the MUSC for possible ice time, they may not be able to avoid all odd-hour practices. But those at the council meeting said that they at least want the city to consider some sort of policy that would help increase the number of prime-time practices for the Valley's youth.

"We would like preference, we would like that consideration," said Lynda Haines.

Wasilla Mayor Dianne Keller responded, saying she would have the matter of preference looked at from a legal standpoint in the near future.

"I don't have a problem giving Valley kids preference as long as we are not breaking the law by doing that," said Keller.

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com