winterhawks.com: WAHA

The Portland Winterhawks launched the Winterhawks Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) in the summer of 2009. WAHA is a comprehensive amateur hockey program designed to increase participation in the sport. In addition to the Winterhawks, WAHA includes the Junior Hawks program, Mountain View Ice Arena, Sherwood Ice Arena, Valley Ice Arena, and the Lloyd Center Ice Rink.

In its first summer of operation, WAHA got underway with dozens of youth hockey camps with the goals of introducing kids to the game, improving the skills of kids who already play, and keeping kids active during summer months.

Through WAHA, the Winterhawks run a series of both ice hockey and floor hockey camps throughout the summer in a fun, supportive environment while keeping kids active in an attempt to help combat childhood obesity.

“Because of costs and the scarcity of ice rinks, hockey hasn’t always been an accessible sport, but we believe we can change that through WAHA,” says Portland Winterhawks President Doug Piper. “In addition, childhood diabetes and obesity have become epidemics in this country, and by getting kids off the couch and keeping them active during the summer, we can help build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

For kids who have never had any exposure to hockey, WAHA hosts free floor hockey/introduction to skating camps. They focus on basic hockey rules and skills and are geared towards kids who are interested in learning the game for the first time. Included in many of the floor hockey programs is an introduction to ice skating, which is also of no charge.

In addition to the introductory floor hockey camps, WAHA also hosts a series of ice hockey camps at the three local ice arenas for kids with previous experience on ice. In 2008 the Winterhawks had just one ice hockey camp; in WAHA’s inaugural year, that number jumped to eight.

While many of WAHA’s programs are geared towards youth, the organization encompasses all levels of amateur hockey.

WAHA is a registered charity with a mission to recognize, respect and continue to build on the strong heritage of hockey in the Northwest.

WAHA Management:

Mark Ertle, Executive Director
Ertle is responsible for business and administrative functions to support hockey operations, while setting objectives and priorities to grow all aspects of hockey participation in Portland and Southwest Washington. Ertle, who also spent two seasons as the team’s radio color analyst, also oversees WAHA’s marketing, communications and fundraising activities.

Ben Stadey, Director of Hockey Operations
Stadey played hockey at the NCAA level with Providence College, and has served as a hockey coach in the Portland area for nearly a decade. Stadey is responsible for overseeing WAHA’s coaching and player development, and will work closely with the Mountain View, Sherwood and Valley Ice Arenas to set standardized WAHA Learn to Skate and Learn To Play programs. Stadey will also create a comprehensive coaching program for kids exposed to the game for the first time through WAHA’s floor hockey programs.

Paul Gaustad, Spokesman
Gaustad played youth hockey in the Junior Hawks program, and spent three seasons with the Winterhawks from 1999-2002. He currently plays for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, where he set a career-high with 12 goals last season, and has amassed 111 points in 277 career games through the 2008-09 campaign. Gaustad is as a spokesman for WAHA, and coaches at select camps during the NHL’s offseason.