An apparent power struggle is threatening to break in two the relatively fledgling Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association.
Born out of the merger of rival youth hockey clubs Richmond Minor and Richmond Seafair, the Jets are but a year old, having kicked off their inaugural season in the fall of 2018.
But already a crack has appeared in the foundations of the new organization, with the board of directors calling last Friday for the removal of club’s president, Carolyn Hart.
In an email sent out to the parent members of the Jets’ 1,100 plus players, the board has hastily arranged a special general meeting (SGM) for Oct. 17, stating that it has “lost confidence” in Hart and has asked her to resign.
According to the board, Hart has refused to resign – something that Hart, herself, has confirmed on social media.
When contacted by the Richmond News on Monday, Hart – the long-time president of Richmond Minor before being voted in this year as the Jets’ first president – deferred all questions to BC Hockey, which is understood to be investigating a complaint lodged by Hart in August.
However, in a statement posted publicly on Facebook on Saturday, Hart scoffed at rumours circulating that she had stolen money from the club and gambled it away, offering documentation to back her up.
“I have made this post public so anyone who wants to see the truth for themselves can do so,” Hart said in the post.
“I can assure you that I have not stolen anything and if you hear either of these claims (or any other claims of this sort), please contact BC Hockey…”
The News reached out to BC Hockey and the Jets’ board of directors for comment and clarification on why the board wants Hart removed.
One of the directors, Eric Schroter, contacted the News, to say that the Jets board is meeting tonight (Monday) to decide how to respond to Hart’s statement, which claims she’s being forced out and that some board members are out to ruin her reputation.
“This matter is of a sensitive nature, of course, and (the board) didn’t want to comment on social media,” said Schroter.
“We have received lots of questions from our membership about this and we will likely distribute a fact sheet as soon as possible that will hopefully address most of those questions.”
The News understands that a major part of the rift originated when the board was unable to see the finances for three tournaments being run last season on behalf of the Jets by former members of the Richmond Minor organization.
And when they were finally disclosed in the spring or summer of 2019, the board was made aware by the same people of a previously undisclosed, Richmond Minor account worth $147,000.
With Hart having been president of Richmond Minor when it merged with Seafair to form the Jets in 2017, some members of the board are understood to have asked questions of their president’s knowledge of the account.
When the two rival hockey associations merged, it was agreed that all finances be poured, if you will, into the one pot.
The News believes that an independent accountant has been hired to review the aforementioned tournament finances.
Addressing the Jets’ parent group in her Facebook statement, Hart said, “Like you, I am extremely disappointed that a chain of actions and events has resulted in attention being drawn away from the mission and purpose of our organization.
“I have served Richmond hockey families for more than eight years and I can assure you that I am doing my utmost to continue to serve you to the very best of my ability despite what has been happening ‘behind the scenes’ until today's email was sent.”
She said that, on Tuesday, Sept. 17th, Barry Petrachenko (BC Hockey’s CEO) informed the Richmond Jets Board of Directors that BC Hockey is in receipt of complaints regarding our organization.
“In his email, the CEO…explained that they have launched two separate investigations and thanked our Board for their anticipated cooperation with both.
“Despite knowing that the BC Hockey investigations are underway, on Wednesday night, Sept. 18, the Richmond Jets Board of Directors voted on presenting a Special Resolution to remove me as President. A majority of Directors voted to proceed.”
Hart added that “sometimes leadership is about speaking out on difficult topics,” and accused several board directors doing their “very best to hinder my ability to lead and to fulfil my responsibilities as a director since you elected me.”
Hart said in her statement that, apart from one or two occasions, she hasn’t been invited to a single Jets committee meeting since Feb. 5.
“This is in direct contravention of the Richmond Jets' constitution,” she added.
Hart went on to accuse the board of withholding financial information she requested on behalf of concerned parents with regard to spring programs and payments made to a rep coach who didn’t turn up for playoff games.
She further questioned the Jets’ cheque-signing policy, stating that, “despite my request for a policy to be put in place, there is no Richmond Jets policy regarding approval of expense reimbursements.”
After last year’s merger, the Jets is now the largest minor hockey association in the Pacific Coast region and second in B.C.
