Media Release For Immediate Release April, 5 2016

ESSEX MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION SET TO HOST OHF CHAMPIONSHIPS (ATOM A) APRIL 8-10, 2016

Essex Minor Hockey Association (EMHA) is all set to host the 2016 OHF Championships Atom A at the Essex Centre Sports Complex in Essex, ON.

The Hockey Federation (OHF) Championships are comprised of ten minor hockey events where 50 teams compete annually on the second weekend in April for the right to be called OHF Champion. Hundreds of teams battle all season to make it to this coveted event where high caliber young athletes compete and showcase their skills. This 3 day event will include teams from the 4 Minor Hockey Member Partners (ALLIANCE, GTHL, NOHA, and OMHA) and the host team, our very own Essex Ravens.

A welcome banquet for all teams involved will take place on Thursday April 7 and will feature guest speakers including the OHF Governing Chair and other attending dignitaries. The Championships will start on Friday April 8 with games beginning at 10:00am. The opening ceremonies take place later that evening at 6:45 followed by a 7:30 game featuring the host Essex Ravens.

“We are extremely honored and excited to be hosting this prestigious event” said Nick Diniro, Host Committee Chair. “Being selected to host this event is a fantastic opportunity that allows us to showcase EMHA as a first class organization and provides these players with an environment where they can compete at the highest possible level in their division”. EMHA estimates that the OHF Championships will draw over a 1000 visitors to the Town of Essex over the three days that the event is held.

Tickets for the games will be available at the Essex Centre Sports Complex box office located at 60 Fairview Ave West in Essex beginning on April 8, 2016. Single-day tickets are $5 a person, or $25 for a family weekend pass which includes 2 Adults and 2 Youth (ages 13 – 17). Children 12 and under are FREE. For those interested in getting involved (volunteers/sponsorship) or to find out more about the event, please visit us at www.essexhockey.ca or contact Nick Diniro at: 519.796.2729 or by email at: [email protected]. ABOUT EMHA The Essex Minor Hockey Association (EMHA) is the governing body for amateur hockey within the Township of Essex, Ontario. Organized hockey began in Essex in the fall of 1961 and the EMHA has been a proud member of the OMHA for over 54 years. The Association currently boasts a membership of approximately 500 players that compete on 20 House League Teams and 8 Travel Teams. For the past 38 years, EMHA has successfully hosted its annual tournament, the Essex Earlybird. They are also proud of the many EMHA graduates who went on to have careers in the NHL – (, Pittsburgh Penguins), Keith Crowder (Boston Bruins, ), Rick Heinz (St. Louis Blues and ), Danny Newman (, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers), (), (, Vancouver Canucks, Atlant Moscow Oblast (KHL), , , EV Zug (NLA)), and Dan O'Halloran (NHL Referee / Olympics' Referee).

ABOUT OMHA The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) is a major governing body at the minor level. OMHA was founded in 1935, is the largest minor hockey association in the world and oversees a participant base of 300,000 consisting of players, coaches, trainers, officials, hockey volunteers and parents across the province. The OMHA is empowered by the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey . The OMHA oversees minor hockey from Initiation to Juvenile. The OMHA has 230 active member minor hockey associations and annually coordinates 31 leagues and approximately 600 development clinics throughout Ontario.

ABOUT OHF The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) has been in existence since 1989 and is the largest Branch of Hockey Canada. Hockey Canada is the national governing body for amateur hockey in Canada and is made up of thirteen provincial and regional Branches. The OHF is one of three Branches operating in the Province of Ontario. The OHF operates within a structure that is comprised of seven Member Partners: Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE), Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), (OHL), Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), and Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA). Each operates specific programs to their area or jurisdiction, following Hockey Canada and OHF Regulations, Rules and Policies.

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Event Contact(s):

Sumar Clarke Host Committee Media Contact Tel: 416.888.7758 Email: [email protected]

Or

Nick Diniro Host Committee Chair Tel: 519.796.2729 Email: [email protected]