Exciting Season Ahead for St. Thomas Minor Hockey – Competing in Alliance AA/A League, News (St. Thomas Minor Hockey)

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Apr 25, 2025 | Joe Doyle | 10766 views
Exciting Season Ahead for St. Thomas Minor Hockey – Competing in Alliance AA/A League
Dear St. Thomas Minor Hockey Families,

With our top tiered tryouts just around the corner, we are thrilled to announce that all our teams will be competing fully in the Alliance AA/A Seeded League this season, marking a return to familiar territory after last year’s placement in the omha Shamrock A league.

This transition reflects the strength and competitiveness our teams have historically demonstrated, and we are very eager to get back on the ice at the highest levels.

Season Structure & Competitiveness

The season format in Alliance ensures a competitive environment:

  • First two months: Each team will play every team in the Alliance once.
  • Re-seeding process: The top-performing teams in Alliance will be placed in the Constellation AA loop where they will compete against the teams who qualified for the Constellation AA the remainder of the season and into playoffs. 
  • The others will be placed in the Bristol A loop.   Teams placed in the A loop will then participate against other A level placement teams, and will have additional interlock games from either the Shamrock or Southern Counties teams (omha).

With the OHF’s open border policy in place, we anticipate even greater competition in the AA loop, making this season one of the most exciting yet.   St. Thomas teams have historically been strong contenders in the AA loop, and we look forward to continuing that tradition next season.


Benefits for Players & Families

The Alliance league offers a much more predictable schedule, with games primarily on the weekends. This change from the previous season's schedule in Shamrock, which featured many weeknight games, brings several advantages:

  • Consistent practice times throughout the week, making it easier for families to plan their schedules.
  • Weekend games, reducing the challenge of travelling from your home center midweek and playing after a long school day.  The consistent weekend games promotes better performance on the ice.


Excited for a Competitive Season

For players aspiring to compete at the highest levels, this will be an exciting year in St. Thomas Minor Hockey, where dedicated athletes can be in an environment designed for growth, development, and competition.

Thank you for your continued support - we look forward to a fantastic season ahead! 


PS: Don't forget to sign up for tryouts!!



Thanks and see you on the ice soon!!

St. Thomas Minor Hockey Association

 
Sponsors
True Sport
The True Sport Principles are a rallying point for True Sport members — they are universal. The principles can be brought to life in any sport at any level, from playground to podium. An Olympic rowing squad can embrace these principles with the same sense of pride and purpose as an elementary school, an old-timers' league, or a community hockey arena. For sport to be truly good and have the opportunity to make the greatest difference, all seven of these principles need to be in play at all times, working in perfect balance with one another.
Kilbank Metal Forming & Turning Inc.
Kilbank Metal Forming & Turning started operations in St. Thomas in 1979, producing screw machine product for local industry, adding a Transfer Press Division in 1991. Kilbank has expanded our primary facility to 20,000 square feet to accommodate all Screw Machines, Presses (AKA Eyelet Presses), providing better efficiency and material flow. Keeping up with industry and technology, Kilbank added CNC machining and CNC milling capabilities to meet our expanding customer needs.
Doug Tarry Homes
Doug Tarry Homes has been committed to our customers in St. Thomas and the surrounding areas since 1954. In that time we’ve learned a great deal about home building. Our achievements are the culmination of a legacy passed on to us by our father Doug Tarry Sr. From the time our company founder envisioned his first blueprint, Doug Tarry Sr. lived his dream of designing and building homes of superior quality and craftsmanship for the families of St. Thomas and surrounding area.
Elgin Centre
Elgin Centre is located in the east end of St. Thomas at 417 Wellington Street, at the intersection of Wellington Street and Highview Avenue. Easily accessible from Talbot Street/Hwy. #3, Elgin Mall is convenient to nearby lodging, attractions and other amenities. With 32 retailers/services and free parking, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Talbot Trail Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a specialized profession in health care whose primary goal is to assist people with restoring, maintaining and maximizing their strength, function, movement, and overall well-being. They assess and treat all conditions related to bone, muscle and joint problems. At Talbot Trail Physiotherapy all of our physiotherapists are registered which means they are members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. As a condition of membership, individuals agree to adhere to the CPA’s Rules of Professional Conduct, are expected to meet the CPA Standards of Physiotherapy Practice and have to undergo continued professional development the same way as a doctor or nurse.
Mark REID Memorial Fund
Mark participated in minor hockey in St Thomas as a child. His love of the game continued throughout his life. In his memory, a fund has been created, providing annual funding to offset costs to those in need. Those children selected will in turn get an opportunity to participate in minor hockey in St Thomas, and experience the same enjoyment from our great game as Mark did. To apply: speak to Vicki in the STMHA office.