After being asked to leave a portion of an SEMHL league meeting, President of the Ste. Anne Aces, Kevin Lansard, didn't think much of it, he went and grabbed a bite to eat and waited, but when he was called back in, he would be informed his team would no longer be welcomed in the league.
The South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League is now made up of Morden, Notre Dame, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, Warren, Carman, Ile des Chenes, Springfield and Red River.
The Decision
"We were voted out of the league this weekend," Lansard says, still trying to process the situation. "There was a special Saturday morning meeting and I guess the intent of the meeting was to try and find parity in the league, so they extended the AGM for that. I went there knowing that they wanted to put some restrictions on our team and so forth, we were not against that process but it never really came to any of those things. We were informed we were removed from the league."
Detailing The Day
Lansard details the time leading up to being told they'd be out. "The meeting was at 9:00 a.m. in Carman, we were only allowed one person per team, so obviously I ended up attending the meeting. When I got there, they wanted to have just a meeting with the original six (Morden, Notre Dame, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, Warren and Carman) that allowed us in the league. Should be noted our probation was over, we were on a two-year probation when we entered the league. There's a bit of information on that, they think it's different time but it was never put in the minutes, so technically it's zero and Springfield was given two, just like we were. Anyways, I was asked to leave the meeting, all the teams that were new to the league and I was enjoying my breakfast, came down and within 15 or 20 seconds, a motion had come down and I was asked to leave."
On top of getting that information, Lansard says it all happened so quickly, it was hard to process. "Quickly, all of a sudden, it's not even 10:00 a.m., I've been in the meeting for a minute before then 20 seconds there and I was totally caught off guard. I knew there were some concerns in a sense from prior meetings about the league being competitive and they said a lot of comments about us and Springfield being in the finals potentially for a long time and that might not be good for the league. We really were not arguing any of those things. We also feel like we were tying to make our team the best possible and instead of thinking that we would be cut down, we felt like how could we find ways for other teams to find an advantage to help, seeing whatever challenges teams faced, that was my mindset. We never really got to that."
While Ste. Anne was voted out, Lansard did learn another team was also given some information during that meeting. "I found out after that Springfield was reduced to the 30 km radius (the distance a player would be deemed eligible to play for a team without being classified as an 'import'), like I thought we were going to. The league has a 50 km radius on all teams and Springfield is down to 30 km and they still have one year left of their two-year probation. That's really what I thought would be happening to us. There were a lot of motions by teams suggesting other possibilities and it was a little confusing, that's why I included the itinerary (photos included at the end of the story). I just really thought I'd get some questions asked or concerns thrown my way, but our team was never asked anything of any kind. To be thrown out, I was not expecting it."
Always On The Up and Up
The reasoning is still unclear, according to Lansard, but he says it can't have anything to do with the way the team has been run as they've made sure to do things the right way. "Going back to another meeting, there was things thrown at the wall where some would suggest 'maybe their doing this' or different sorts of things. We've always had a good team and we've always been getting checked for having illegal players, which we never did, not once. We knew we were under the microscope, we knew we had a good roster and we knew everyone was checking. Even though people complained, the league verified over and over that we never broke single rule when it came to that. What was tough for us during the years, we knew that other teams were doing that, false addresses and those things, but they looked the other way. We understand that winning comes with that kind of stuff, we've experienced that and sometimes it's fun and sometimes it's difficult from that perspective. No warning, no information ask, we couldn't ask if we're not doing something right, we're not breaking any rules. That's why the meeting was about changing some of the rules, just because to try and help the league. We were not against any of those things, but we were also never asked or approached."
Suspicious Feelings
Something didn't sit right with Lansard even leading up to the meeting, he had a strange feeling something was going on that he couldn't quite put his finger on. "I could tell going in something was up a little bit, because no one was talking to us or anything like that. There was some traction from other teams talking. I assumed they were going to make it very difficult for us and in fairness, we've been up to the challenge every year so far and things like that. We would find a way, if we had to. It's just disappointing we were not even given a chance. I found out from someone after the meeting it was asked if it's because we were winning and the response was no, so they asked again why and no answer was given. I guess adding to the meeting, the whole meeting was all about trying to find a better scenario for the league. There was one motion about removing us and adding Steinbach, you can see in the document (attached below in photos), which doesn't make any sense. There were some teams leading the way in trying to do this and we were up for it, we just wanted to play hockey. If they felt restriction was better for the league for us, we would abide by those rules, we had no issues with that, we worked really hard with whatever rules were given so we could have the best club both on and off the ice. It's all a little shocking."
In the wake of the decision, Lansard says there has been limited communication. "Some of the teams, I don't want to say who, have reached out to us after. Two or three, because some of these people I've know very well for many years. They were shocked, to say the least they were shocked. Kind of said jokingly how well I handled my exit, my walk of shame part a little bit. I think everyone was in shock. The only thing I guess I can say is that I was given a chance to speak after being removed, they said that when they asked me to leave, if I wanted to address anybody. I thanked them for letting us play in the league and made a note that the Morden series during Kraft Hockeyville three years ago, it was exciting for the club to be a part of that, helping in any way we could to save the Ste. Anne arena. I shared that and then off I went."
Feeling The Community Love
Seeing the outpouring of support from the community, players both present and past, as well as from hockey lovers across the province, has left Lansard overwhelmed and speechless. "It's makes me pretty emotional, to be honest," Lansard says with a heart warming tone. "I put 10 years into this team. A lot of people, players have come and gone that I've made friends with. To think I started this journey, I started coaching by myself and then through all the coaches that joined, I never had to ask anyone, people just saw the vision and the goal, then wanted to be a part of it. When you're doing that, you know you're doing something right. The fans and the sponsorships, it's amazing. We have minor hockey coaches playing and all of a sudden, we have three minor hockey teams coming to watch. That's our biggest thing, our fan support has been outstanding. It's overwhelming to think we're not (allowed to play) when you look at the support we just had during one of the best finals in the leagues history with us and Springfield, winning in game 7. Going back to the reverse sweep against Morden during Hockeyville, that fan support is overwhelming. People are frustrated, I've been getting a lot of texts and I haven't responded to everybody because I'm still trying to grasp the reality here."
Lansard says they won't be taking this laying down, he's going to do whatever he can to keep the Ste. Anne Sr. Aces alive. "I can tell you, I'm the type to flip every stone possible to everything, so I do know legally I will be looking at if there are any options because how it was voted on and done wasn't done correctly. I will pursue everything. I'm going to reach out to Hockey Manitoba to see if there is any recourse there, because I don't know my options or if there are any. I owe that to the community and to the team that I don't just walk away without a fight if there is something I can do. I haven't reached out to the commissioner but maybe that is something I will do, but right now that is not at the forefront for me at this moment."
Players Willing To Wait, Want To Be Aces
His message to the Aces players is to give him a little time, but he knows that certain teams are already circling. "Let's face it, our players are already being approached, guys' phones are ringing off the hook from teams looking to grab them. But, our players know, I've asked to give us some time to try and find other avenues before they start committing. But, it's just one of those things that can be overwhelming and I get it."
Mr. Nice Guy Has Some Questions
Being calm and composed throughout most of the process, Lansard's frustration levels did rise a bit as he pointed out a strange fact when it comes to the league awards. "I would like to add, we're supposedly these really good teams, but you take Springfield and Ste. Anne and we didn't win a single award this year that was voted on by the league. No MVP, top forward, goalie, defensemen or rookie. We're supposed to be these big powerhouses, yet we can't win a single award. It's just one of those mixed emotions things, confusion a little bit from that perspective. We'll see here in the next week or so, we're going to look at all our options, I feel like I owe that to the community and the fans, all the people that have followed us throughout the years. I want to make sure I thank everyone who jumped on and helped us through this journey over the past 10 years. I hope we can keep going."
At the time of publishing, the commissioner of the SEMHL has been asked to comment but has not yet responded.