* This article was taken from the April 13th, 2010 edition of the Omaha World-Herald newspaper.

By: Marjie Ducey
World-Herald Staff Writer

Omaha Youth Clubs May Join Forces

Two youth hockey clubs in Omaha will vote on a merger Wednesday night that they’re hoping would strengthen the future of the sport in this area.

O.M.A.H.A. and the Omaha Gladiators are holding meetings for their members from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Omaha Metropolitan Amateur Hockey Association will vote at the Tim Moylan Tranquility Iceplex. Gladiators will meet at the Motto McLean Ice Arena.

A merger into the Omaha Hockey Club would bring together about 800 players who compete in the organizations.

“Ten years ago, we had twice as many players play hockey as today and the city has grown three times (in size),’’ said Neal Krauss, the O.M.A.H.A. president. “We’ve just seen a huge decline.’’

Fees, competition from other sports, the specialization that forces athletes to choose just one sport and the lack of recognition for high school hockey athletes have hurt numbers, Krauss and Gladiator President Aimee Guzman-Jones said.

Hard feelings between the organizations, which has stretched back to when the clubs split apart about 26 years ago, also hasn’t helped.

“Unfortunately, the bad blood is all based on rumors,’’ Guzman-Jones said. “If the current membership knew the history of O.M.A.H.A. and the Gladiators, people would realize, ‘Holy buckets, we’ve been fighting for no reason.’

“You know how rumors escalate. In reality, I think it’s just a few who have been perpetuating the problem. There are a number of good people out there who do it for the kids and not themselves. We need to put out the best program, so these kids can just play hockey.’’

Krauss said officials from the clubs hope that as one organization, corporations willing to help support hockey would no longer be forced to choose between one or the other, thus causing hard feelings. Fund-raising and strong coaching would be united under one umbrella.

The groups would like the club to foster a love of hockey that would continue into adulthood, Guzman-Jones said.

“We have to build our foundation, our base,’’ said the mother of four boys, who play in both clubs. “Together we can do that efficiently, and it will help us reduce costs on both sides.’’

More corporate sponsorships would allow the one club to trim costs for parents. In O.M.A.H.A., in-house fees are $685, with an additional $750 to $2,000 for traveling teams for travel costs and extra ice time, depending on age.

Talks between the clubs have been ongoing for a few years but started to heat up in November. Officials met formally for the first time in January.

If the merger would pass, a 12-person board, of which Krauss would be president, would preside over the new club. It likely would begin officially in August, when tryouts are scheduled.

Six of the transition board appointees would be voted on after one year, with another six the following year.

The merger has drawn the support of several prominent hockey people in Omaha, including O.M.A.H.A. founding father Motto McLean; Ben Robert, president and managing partner of the Omaha Lancers; and Mike Kemp, the associate athletic director and former hockey coach at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Kemp said there was just one organization in Duluth, Minn., where he played as a youngster.

“From a standpoint of community and a standpoint of the economy, it seems sensible to all be working toward one ultimate goal,’’ he said. “Coordinating our coaching, coordinating our fund-raising effort.

“Working as one to develop an outreach to grow the game at the youngest levels of competition.’’

Brian Hickey, whose son Dane plays for the Gladiators, said it’s time to support one strong program and ride the momentum from the success of the Lancers, the Mavs and the United States hockey team, which recently won the silver medal at the Winter Olympics.

“I think it’s the best thing for hockey in Omaha,’’ he said. “If my kid doesn’t make the travel team, so be it.’’