The Official Newsletter of the Hockey Association July 2007

IN THIS ISSUE … Increased rule enforcement , one year later, big item at OHA annual meeting OHA AGM REPORT

2007-2008 OHA COLLINGWOOD, Ont. — The Ontario Hockey Association held its 118th Annual Board of Directors General Meeting Saturday June 16 at the Mountain Springs Lodge and Resort in Collingwood. Membership Fee Increase Of particular interest to team officials was a review of the first year of increased rule enforcement in the Ontario Hockey Association. That increased rule Amendments Results enforcement, legislated by Hockey as it followed the lead of the , was initiated by the OHA this season.

OHA OFFICE CLOSURE Referee in chief Gary Moroney praised officials, coaches and managers for the Summer Hours outstanding success of the increased rule enforcement. Game speed was up, skill levels were raised and players, fans and team officials embraced “the new game.” OHA AWARDS Also of note, the OHA struck an internal Canadian Development Model review task force to examine the stipulations of Hockey Canada's national policy on player MEMBERSHIP development. Hockey Canada instituted the Canadian Development Model in 2004 as UPDATES a template to govern the upward movement through the hockey system and at what ages it was best to do so. New ownership and Name changes The current stipulations allow Junior teams at the "A" and "B" levels to sign two 16 year old players, while limiting "C" and "D" clubs to one.

OHA DEVELOPMENT The 07-08 season represents the third and final year of the current program. Hockey NEWS Canada may continue with the CDM, alter the strategy or abandon it totally.

OHA Coach Seminar The OHA task force will examine the effects the CDM has had on player development in the OHA as well as the economic and historical impact on Junior OHA Trainers Clinic teams and make recommendations to Hockey Canada. The OHA’s decision to strike a task force to examine the impact of the Canadian Development Model received OHA High Performance unanimous approval from the membership. Program

In other news, the OHA awarded Bill Stobbs of Chatham the 2007 Gold GENERAL Stick award. The award is given to an individual who provides in INFORMATION excess of 10 years of continual positive service to the game. Mr. Stobbs served the Association as its Chairman from 1996 to1998. He also has served on numerous Summer Player Provincial and National Committes for both the OHF and Hockey Canada leading Recruiting senior and adult recreational hockey committees.

SJHL applauds tax For any further information regarding the OHA annual meeting, contact break president Brent Ladds at 519-622-2402 or by email at [email protected]

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2007-2008 OHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karen Phibbs, Chair Dick Woods, Vice Chairman John Simmons, Director Bob Haley, Junior Chairman Paul Lake, Advisory Board Brad Grant, Finance Chair Bill Billington, Advisory Board John Kopinak, Senior Chair Bill Stobbs, Advisory Board Rick Richardson, Immediate Past Chair Tony Bloomfield, Life Member John Kastner, Director Larry Clark, Life Member Leo Lostracco, Director Pat Doherty, Life Member Bill Markle, Director Larry Bellisle, Past Chairman Trevor Tinney, Director Al Morris, Past Chairman Don Yeck, Director Lloyd Parkhouse, Past Chairman

OHA MEMBERSHIP FEE - INCREASES

At the recent OHA Annual General Meeting a review of the budget was brought forward by Finance Chair, Brad Grant. Please be advised that the increases in fees for the 2007/08 season will be as follows:

Junior A - $6,890.00 Junior B - $5,518.36 Junior C - $4,624.76 Junior D - $3,905.04 Senior - $3,180.00

The teams will be invoiced accordingly for the increase.

AMENDMENT VOTING RESULTS

1.Submitted by: Little Britain Junior C Hockey Club, Art Field

DEFEATED

Issue: Letter of Permission to Skate

Current wording: Junior players trying out for Junior teams at a higher level of competition than played in the previous season do not require this form.

Proposed Wording: Add: All Junior players trying out for higher level of competition need a letter of permission to skate from their last registered team

Rationale: So his junior team from the previous season knows where their players are going to protect your team.

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AMENDMENT VOTING RESULTS Continued…

2.Submitted by: Lucan Irish, Wayne Hall

DEFEATED

Issue: Overage Rule

Proposed: No player will be eligible to participate as an overage player in the 2007/08 season, unless he is on the protected list on January 10th, 2007 in his final year of eligibility of Junior hockey.

3.Submitted by Essex 73’s Junior C, Kris Wojnarowski

CARRIED

Issue: OHA Regulation J-19

Add: If the Chairman of the Board of Officer or Director of the OHA deems it necessary to assess additional penalties to the published “Chairman’s Suspension List”, the OHA must notify the suspended player and or team official verbally and in writing within 14 days of the original incident. If such further action is taken, the suspended party can and must appeal within 48 hours of receipt of the oral notice. Such appeal is subject to the appeal process as outlined in the OHA constitution.

4.Submitted by Board of Directors

CARRIED a) OHA Regulation E5 (Playoff Regulations)

Change to read: All playoff games, when tied at the end of regulation, shall have the winner determined by overtime. Overtime shall be played on the basis of a flood and 20 minute sudden victory periods, unless otherwise approved by the President of the Association.

b)OHA Regulation G9

DEFERRED TO 2008 ANNUAL MEETING

5. OHA Regulation I-18

CARRIED

Change to read: The December lst and January 10th lists must be in the hands of the President or forwarded by fax, “email” or registered mail postmarked no later than midnight December lst and or January 10th (whichever date applies)

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AMENDMENT VOTING RESULTS Continued…

6. OHA Regulation I-26

DEFEATED

Change to: Junior – not more than thirty 30 certificates

7. OHA Regulation I-28

DEFEATED

Change to read: A team which has 21 (25 in the case of Senior AAA,AA) registered players listed with the President on January 10th shall not be permitted to register any further players during the current season.

8. OHA Regulation I-29

DEFEATED

Change to read: Any player released under Regulations (N) must be signed by his new team before the final registration date, which is February 10th in any season.

Any player released under this Regulation may, if eligible, be signed and registered by his new team only if such new team did not have 21 (25 in the case of Senior AAA,AA) players already registered as of January 10th.

9. OHA Regulation D-14

DEFEATED

Change to read: In all categories of OHA competition, teams may be allowed to play up to eighteen (18) players in uniform, which must include two (2) goalkeepers, all of whom shall be registered in accordance with Association regulations.

10. OHA Regulations J-19 (b)

CARRIED

Proposed: Any appeal must be registered with the Association prior to the expiry of thirty days of the infraction and any such appeal must be accompanied by the fee of $300.00. The appeal fee is refundable if the appeal is upheld.

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AMENDMENT VOTING RESULTS Continued…

11. OHA Regulation P-3 (a)

CARRIED

Proposed: Prepare the protest in writing. It is to specify the reasons for the protest, and present the facts supporting the protest. It is to be concise and contain numbered paragraphs. The protest shall be filed with the OHA President and be accompanied by a $300.00 protest fee. The protest is to be filed by letter, fax, or email, directly to the OHA office (within 48 hours of the starting time for the game). Sundays and holidays included.

12. OHA REGULATION Q-8

CARRIED

Proposed: To appeal, a team, group, or individual must: Prepare the appeal in writing. The submission is to specify the decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal and the facts supporting the appeal. It is to be concise and contain numbered paragraphs. The appeal shall be filed with the OHA President and be accompanied by a $300.00 appeal fee.

13. New I-16

CARRIED

No member team of the Association will be permitted to charge player registration fee, in order for the player to participate with the team, either directly, or in any other form of levy.

14. OHA Regulation B-49 (new Paragraph b) and current paragraphs become (a) and (c)

CARRIED

In doing so, the Board may consider the actions of any team or individual, whose actions it is felt, fall outside the best interests of the Association, with the result that the individual or team membership may be suspended.

15. OHA Regulation C-4

Current paragraph becomes (a)

CARRIED

Add: (b) It shall be the responsibility of the team through it’s President and/or Secretary to ensure the Association is in possession of all current documentation pertaining to the operation of the team, including the team incorporation, ownership, officers, or any assignment thereof.

The responsibility for full disclosure of the above requirements rests solely with the President and Secretary of the team, and must be provided to the OHA in a timely fashion.

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OHA AWARDS

The Ontario Hockey Association hosted the annual awards presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in , Friday June 8th, 2007. This was the first time the OHA has held the awards at the HHOF and it was a special event for this year’s award winners and their guests.

OHA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SENIOR - Jason Polera,Petrolia Squires JUNIOR A - Cameron Talbot, Hamilton Red Wings JUNIOR B - Max Campbell, Strathroy Rockets JUNIOR C - Jim Barlow,Fergus Devils JUNIOR D - Joe Voll, Tavistock Braves

B.J. MONRO MEMORIAL TROPHY

Scott Freeman,

OHA TOP PROSPECTS Dan Dunn, , Brendan Smith, Defence, St. Michaels Buzzers Alain Goulet, Defence, Max Campbell, Forward, Strathroy Rockets Louie Caporusso, Forward, St. Michaels Buzzers 2006 -2007 OHA Player Award Winners Spencer Anderson, Forward, Capitols

OFFICIATING AWARDS Hugh McLean Award -Joe Monette, Belle River Ivan Locke Award - Kendrick Nicholson, Sauble Beach John Blackwell Award - Steve Gould, London Jack Clancy Award - Steve Stasiuk Stoney Creek OHA Officiating Honour Roll - Stephen Walkom, North Bay

OHA COACH OF THE YEAR - Greg Bignell, Cambridge Winterhawks

OHA TRAINER OF THE YEAR - Mike Attridge, Tillsonburg Vipers

OHA MEMEBERSHIP UPDATE – New Ownership and Team Name Changes

The OHA has had a few changes in team ownership, which has resulted in some name changes. The OHA welcomes back the from a one-year leave of absence.

• Junior A, formerly Oswego Admirals • Quinte West Junior A, formerly Trenton Sting • Villanova College Knights, formerly Toronto Thunderbirds • Bancroft Hawks will be taking a leave of absence during the 2007/08 season • have applied for a change of ownership

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OHA DEVELOPMENT NEWS

2007 OHA COACH SEMINAR

The OHA hosted the annual Coaches Seminar at Wilfrid Laurier University June 8-10 th . Over 50 coaches from all levels of hockey participated at the seminar, took advantage of the fantastic guest speakers and instructors including key note speaker Adam Graves from the New York Rangers. The OHA would like to thank the all the coaches for attending and the guest speakers for their time. A special thanks goes out to Steve Spott, Troy Smith, and Peter DeBoer for their hard work in facilitating the seminar.

OHA TRAINERS’ CLINIC

The OHA Level 3 Trainers Clinic was a tremendous success. ’ own Dan Lebold instructed the clinic with over 40 in attendance. The two-day clinic was a great place for all trainers participating to learn from each other. A special thanks to Dan Lebold, and Lisa Spott for their time and commitment to the OHA trainers program.

OHA HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM – July 6-8, 2007, London, ON

The OHA High Performance Program is quickly approaching and there are few spots left. With the late edition of Easton Hockey as the Title sponsor the camp is sure to be a great success. The OHA is extremely excited about the edition, and is looking forward to the program.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SUMMER CLOSURE – OHA OFFICE

Office Closure: July 23 rd , returning August 7 th

SUMMER PLAYER RECRUITING

During the off-season, we receive numerous calls from teams and parents inquiring on the procedure for player movement.

In many cases, they are general inquires, and in others, it is evident that conflict has already began to develop.

Too often, comments get made that are difficult for us to defend, no matter how “right” you are.

We are fully aware that some people can become unreasonable, and push you to the line. DEAL WITH THE ISSUE, RATHER THAN THE PERSONALITY!

Resist the temptation, make sure through an email or phone call, that Betty or Brent is aware of your situation, in case we get a call (which normally happens), so we can instruct the parents or the players on the regulations governing player movement.

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SUMMER PLAYER RECRUITING Continued… By doing so, we avoid unnecessary backwash that can be raised at subsequent appeal hearings if necessary.

In addition, be mindful of what you promise players, and it is advisable that all commitments be in writing, signed by the player and/or parent, so all parties understand and agree, in regards to billeting, reimbursements, etc. A case in point would be the recent award by judge to a player from Quebec.

We strongly recommend when inviting a player from a lower category team to your training camp, that you call and advise the previous team that an invitation has been extended to them. WE REGARD THIS AS A COMMON COURTESY.

SJHL APPLAUDS TAX BREAK - Kevin Mitchell, The Star Phoenix The following article was forwarded from Hockey Canada, to advise of a breakthrough in player recruitment costs. Published: Thursday, June 14, 2007

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is receiving a break in the cost of doing business. SJHL president Laury Ryan, whose league has long sought a tax-free allowance for boarding and lodging players, said Wednesday he was happy to see Bill C-294 pass third reading in the Senate. The private members' bill, brought forward by Prince Albert Conservative MP Brian Fitzpatrick, provides a $300 per month allowance for boarding amateur athletes playing with not-for-profit organizations.

"This bill is a small piece of it, but it does give us and the player a little bit of tax relief," Ryan said.

"It helps. It's small. You'd like to get bigger stuff, but it's a small victory." Billet services provided to players are currently considered taxable income. Once Bill C-294 receives royal assent, $300 per month will be tax exempt. Ryan said billet payments in the SJHL usually range from $300 to $400 per month.

The league president was in Ottawa in February lobbying to have the bill passed, and he said he was glad to see it wrapped up this month.

"It's a nice surprise -- a nice way to start the summer," Ryan said.

"Not many private members' bills see the light of day. We're very pleased (Fitzpatrick) was able to push it through."

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007

Blueline Update is a Publication of the Ontario Hockey Association.

Ontario Hockey Association 1425 Bishop St. Unit #2 Cambridge, ON N1R 6J9 Phone: (519) 622-2402 Toll Free: (800) 463-7962 Fax: (519) 622-3550 Website: www.ohahockey.org Email: [email protected]

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