The Aurora Tigers are searching for new volunteers in Aurora, Ontario, after a series of major youth hockey tournaments left the team short-staffed for home games. Throughout January 2026, the Aurora Minor Hockey Association hosted three consecutive weekend tournaments, bringing more than 80 visiting teams to the community in the last 14 days. That busy schedule has tapped out the local volunteer pool, leaving the Junior A team with a skeleton crew for essential game-day tasks.
The shortage is affecting roles such as scoreboard operation, timekeeping, parking management and concessions at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex (SARC) and the Aurora Community Centre (ACC). Many regular volunteers are parents who have been helping with youth events, including International Silver Stick qualifiers. Without more help, the team may face fines from the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) for failing to meet league standards or be forced to pay for professional staffing at a financial loss.
Team management says the busy rinks are good for the town, but Junior A games require a level of organization that is currently under pressure. The Tigers have seen a decline in long-term “legacy” volunteers over the last few years, shifting more responsibility onto local high school students who are already pressed for time. Local reporting in NewmarketToday has documented the high volume of visiting teams during Silver Stick and related tournaments; such large events commonly put pressure on parking and logistics at local rinks.
The Tigers are now asking community members to step in for the remainder of the 2025–26 season to help maintain the game-day experience for fans. New volunteers are needed to help meet the league’s increased game-presentation requirements — including digital media and statistics tracking. The recruitment drive aims to find new help to support the franchise as it moves toward the end of its winter schedule.
