Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Giroux and Derrik Dyka. They and their team shared their story with us below:
When Derrik and Don founded Hockey Finder in 2008, they had no idea it would evolve into the thriving organization it is today. Initially started as a means of organizing pickup games among friends, the duo launched their very first Hockey Finder division for adults in 2010.
While there are an abundance of hockey-playing opportunities available in Minnesota, Hockey Finder set out to build a player community that was less competitive and centered around a fun and friendly culture.
Thirteen years later, Hockey Finder now supports divisions throughout the Midwest, boasting nearly 5,000 players. In 2022 alone, the organization hosted over 5,000 games and facilitated an additional 2,000 games for pickup organizers.
Tell us about Hockey Finder.
Hockey Finder is a premier sports organization that specializes in online tools to make organizing and finding hockey easy. Our main offering is our own league, which includes Co-ed Adult, Women Only, College, High School & Youth divisions. Our league is designed for individual registration, meaning you can sign up on your own or with a friend to join a team. Our foundation is built on the values of FUN, FRIENDLY, and SOCIAL play, ensuring that all players feel welcome and can enjoy the game.
In addition to our league, we also provide a comprehensive online pickup hockey tool for organizers to manage and promote their games. Pickup hockey games are perfect for players who want to play a casual game without the commitment of a league. We also have one of the largest tournament directories, which is free to post so that teams and players can find them. We will be adding more tools for a range of hockey events, such as hockey clinics, camps, and training programs to help players of all ages and skill levels improve their game.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As with many small businesses, we deal with many obstacles and challenges. One of the biggest challenges is securing ice time at facilities. Ice time is often limited, and youth groups take up most of the earlier times, especially in the fall/winter seasons. In addition, scheduling games for hundreds of teams at dozens of locations has introduced added layers of logistics and communications that have pushed us to adapt operationally.
Hockey Finder only allows individual player registrations and creates teams based on players’ estimated skill levels to achieve team balance. This presents an additional challenge to running the league. Some players may be very experienced, while others may be new to the game. We are implementing new tools to ensure players are placed in a division that matches their skill level. Ensuring that all players follow the rules and play safely is vital for the success of the league. The league relies heavily on each division’s volunteer leadership group and referees to enforce the rules and ensure player safety.
Running a league can be expensive, with costs including ice time, equipment, and league fees. We have established policies and procedures for resolving conflicts and maintaining a positive environment for all players.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know?
At Hockey Finder, we are committed to connecting organizers and players so that getting into the game is as easy as possible. We believe that hockey is a sport for everyone, and we strive to make it accessible to everyone regardless of gender, age, or skill level. So join our community today and experience the joy of playing hockey in a fun, friendly, and social setting!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hockeyfinder.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=voyageminnesota&utm_content=link
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hockeyfinder/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hockeyfinder
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hockey-finder-llc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hockeyfinder
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hockeyfinder
