Merging minor hockey associations put out call for new logo, name
By Fred Groves
When the puck drops next fall on the 2025-26 hockey season, it will be with a new look.
Back in May, the Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association (AMHA), whose nickname is the Stars, and the Erie North Shore Minor Hockey Association (ENSMHA), known as the Storm, opted to merge their two new groups.
Moving forward, they are seeking out the public’s assistance for a new identity by holding a contest to name the new hockey organization and to come up with a logo.
“We thought from the beginning that the membership should be as engaged and excited as we are,” said AMHA president Wes Ewer.
The deadline to submit logs and names for the new minor hockey association is Feb. 15 at 11:59 p.m.
More details and where to send the entries can be found on both organizations’ websites.
Ewer noted the importance of having all teams, whether they be travel or local league, come under one brand.
“We don’t believe in leaving players out. We want our local league players to strive to play travel.”
When the vote was held back in the spring, 91 per cent of those from Amherstburg hockey and 81 per cent from Erie North Shore, which combines Kingsville and Harrow, opted for the amalgamation.
The AMHA website describes the merger as, “the amalgamation of the two minor hockey associations will support player development allowing players to play at a level that meets their needs.”
“The vote to do it spoke volumes,” said Ewer.
Ewer said that the Ontario Minor Hockey Association were scheduled to make the final decision on the merger Jan. 28 (after the paper goes to press), but does not see any hinderance in holding the deal back.
In the past, Ewer said that the OMHA is striving for hockey associations to take more of a zone approach.
Recently the OMHA posted that the Western Ontario Athletic Association is creating the zone concept and said on its website - “by bringing multiple associations together in zones, this pilot project will aim to strengthen both representative and local league programming.”
Ewer said that the new merged minor hockey organization will continue to play in the Bluewater League. Merging minor hockey associations put out call for new logo, name
By Fred Groves
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