Someone has to chair the meetings.

Someone has the make the difficult decisions.

And someone has to present the championship trophy to the league's best.

For the past five seasons that someone was Brian Callum - until last week when he chaired his final meeting as South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League commissioner.

“When I originally said I would do this job I hoped to get five years in and I got to the five year point,” said Callum. “Because I've got involved with municipal politics here, I'm now the reeve for the R.M. of Thompson, it's taken a lot of my time. I just felt I put my five years in and I've done what I could for the league. It was time for someone else to take charge.”

Wayne Deschouwer, who is the long serving president of the Tiger Hills Hockey League, is also the new commissioner of the SEMHL.

Callum says his five years were very enjoyable.

“It was a learning experience at the start,” Callum said. “There were some ups and downs throughout that five year period. We lost a team (Oakville Seals) after my first year, down to seven. Seven teams doesn't work as well but we fought through it. Good hockey and really pleased with the calibre of play.”

“One of my big pet peeves was to try to make sure the league was safe for players to play in and I think I've done that to a point. I know suspensions were way down in my last couple of years. I hope I've left the league in as good a shape or hopefully better than I started.”

And how much did the outgoing SEMHL commissioner enjoy working with representatives of the Altona Maroons, Winkler Royals, Morden Redskins, Carman Beavers, Notre Dame Hawks, Warren Mercs and Portage Islanders?

“The meetings have been fun,” answered Callum. “I like to make sure our meetings are fun and we do joke and kid around a little bit. Most of the times when teams get together it's a serious situation. It's a game and they're trying to win that game. The conversation between teams is not that great at certain times throughout the year So at our meetings they can actually talk and have some fun.”

“All the teams are great to work with. All the teams deserve credit for all the work they do behind the scenes. All the managers, yes they want what is best for their team, but they're all looking for the best for the league as well.”

Callum was quick to point out that the talent level in the SEMHL is at the top end of the scale.

“Seeing some of the players that we've got - we've got some top calibre players, imports or local players that have come back to play in the league. We like to say we're the best senior league in the province and I think we've backed that up for the most part. The Manitoba Cup, which is the senior championship, we've been very successful at it as a league. As a highlight, it's a proud moment to see our team representing the South Eastern Hockey League in that tournament and for a couple of years we dominated that tournament. It's a proud thing to be part of that.”

Five times Callum has presented the SEMHL championship trophy to the league's top team.

The first two went to the Altona Maroons, the next two to the Morden Redskins and this past season Callum congratulated the Carman Beavers on a job well done.

“It's a great feeling for me,” said Callum. “To see those teams, what they've come through. We play three rounds of playoffs for the most part and some of them are seven-game series, so they're playing as much in the playoffs as they do in the regular season. They put their heart and soul into it. For a team to win, it means everything to them and it's proud for me, to the league, to give them the trophy and show them the respect they deserve.”

“In my five years I've never presented the trophy to a home team,” added Callum. “It's always been won on the road and the fans from the other teams building have been great. They watch the championship trophy be presented. That's what the league is all about – is the fans. Providing enjoyment and entertainment to them through hockey.”