Hockey Manitoba ices longtime executive director

Hockey Manitoba has iced its highest-ranking member after more than two decades at the helm — but isn’t publicly disclosing the reason for the sudden move.

In a brief email to media Thursday, the organization announced only that “the employment of our executive director has been terminated effective August 15, 2025.”

The statement did not name Peter Woods, who has led the provincial governing body since 2001.

“We wish him the best in his future endeavours. Hockey Manitoba remains committed to serving our members and ensuring continuity during this transition. The Board of Directors will provide our membership with an update on the path forward in the coming weeks,” the release concluded.

The Free Press asked for further details about the situation.

“We aren’t releasing any further comment at this time,” a spokesman replied.

Woods couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. He has been the face and voice of the province’s largest amateur sport organization for nearly a quarter-century, overseeing more than 35,000 members annually.

A University of Manitoba graduate, Woods previously worked as an instructor in the faculty of physical education from 1985 to 1993. Outside of hockey, he has served on the St. James–Assiniboia school board since 2016, sits on its education committee, and is vice-president of the Sturgeon Heights Community Centre.