September 2011 Page 1 of 10 In this Issue…. Hockey Canada Introduces New Head Contact Rule Dallas Stars Visit Coach Clinic Follow us! Players Prepare for ACC 2011 Hockey PEI is pleased to announce that you can Hockey Canada Set Priorities for 2011-2012 Season keep up to date on all the recent hockey news on PEI. Come join us and follow us on Facebook and Nutrition Tips – How Much Protein Do you Really Need? Twitter for great stories, media releases, updates etc. Development Corner ….much more Welcome From the President Hockey PEI would like to welcome all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and parents to the 2011-2012 hockey season. On behalf of the board of directors of Hockey PEI, I send forth a message of deep appreciation to all the hockey volunteers across the province that act in a variety of capacities. Your contribution and commitment to the game is to be commended and applauded. Without Eugene Power you, the game cannot happen. To all the players of the game. Work hard, respect your teammates, opposition, officials and coaches and most importantly have fun! The upcoming season is an exciting one for Hockey PEI. We are proud to host the nation in February as PEI hosts CBCs production of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. Then in April we are pleased to be the host branch of the 2012 Esso Midget Female National Championships. We hope that this season is one that is filled with lasting memories. This is your game. Best wishes for a highly successful and enjoyable hockey season. Yours in hockey, Eugene Power President Hockey PEI Hockey PEI – 40 Enman Crescent, PO Box 302 Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7K7 Ph: 902-368-4334 Fax: 902-368-4337 www.hockeypei.com In the Crease September 2011 Page 2 of 10 New Head Contact Rule to be opponent in the head, face or neck with his stick or any part of the player‟s body or equipment. Implemented for 2011-2012 Season (b) In minor hockey and female hockey, a double minor penalty or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee and based on the degree of violence of impact shall be assessed to any player who intentionally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with her stick or any part of the player‟s body or equipment. (c) In junior hockey and senior hockey, a minor and a misconduct penalty, or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of violence of impact, shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent in the head in any manner. (d) A major and a game misconduct penalty, or a match penalty shall be assessed any player who injures an opponent under this rule. The game of amateur hockey will see some significant changes this coming season. At the recent Hockey Canada Annual General (e) A match penalty shall be assessed any player who Meeting in Calgary, the membership adopted a new rule for head deliberately attempts to injure or deliberately injures an checking. Hockey Canada has called for rule changes to protect opponent under this rule. players from any contact to the head, both accidental and intentional. Note: All contact above the shoulders (neck, face and head) is to be "In minor and female hockey, a minor penalty will be assessed to any called Head Contact under one of the above (In minor hockey and player who accidentally contacts an opponent in the head, face or female hockey). neck with their stick or any part of the player‟s body or equipment. If the contact is intentional then it‟s a double minor. A match penalty will Clarifications on Head Contact for junior hockey and senior be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to injure or hockey only deliberately injures an opponent under this rule," stated Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson. Referees should be aware of the tragic consequences of head injuries and concussions and strictly enforce the rule. It is the responsibility of Hockey Canada first implemented a head-checking rule in 2004-05 players, team officials and referees to make every attempt possible to but is asking for clearer, more defined guidelines in time for the 2011- reduce the incident of this frightful injury. Team officials can teach 2012 season. The adopted changes have been a result of a more players legitimate methods of checking an opponent, while players concentrated focus on head injuries and concussions in the game. It can be educated to the dangers of checks to the head. The referee is believed that reducing the direct and indirect blows to a players has the responsibility to penalize players who contact an opponent in head will help reduce the number of head injuries and concussions in the head. If the referees are consistent and strict in calling infractions the game. that may lead to concussions, then along with the cooperation of players and team officials, these type of fouls and the chances of a “Instituting such a change will not reduce head injuries in its entirety,” player suffering such injuries can be significantly reduced. The Head stated Hockey PEI President Gene Power. “However, this new rule Contact penalty is based on the “degree of violence of impact” and emphasis should certainly help reduce the number of instances in our can be defined in three categories: minimal, moderate and severe. game and provide a much safer and enjoyable environment for our players. We anticipate the full support of our members and ask for Minimal impact would be called under other appropriate rules – their patience as we introduce this new playing rule.” elbowing, high-sticking, roughing, roughing after the whistle, etc. A glancing blow or minimal impact to the head where a penalty is Hockey Canada has launched an awareness campaign for players warranted. and coaches and has produced videos to help educate people on how to reduce head contact. Moderate impact would be a more significant degree of violence without injury that warrants a minor and misconduct penalty under the More information can be found at Head Contact rule. www.hockeycanada.ca/HeadContactRule Severe impact would be a high degree of violence, with or without Below is the wording included in the Hockey Canada Rule Book, injury, which warrants a major and game misconduct or a match outlining when the penalty is to be called and what penalty is to be penalty, at the discretion of the referee under the Head Contact rule. assessed. What previously may have been considered a legal check with a Rule 6.5 – Head Contact shoulder check to the head shall now be penalized as Head Contact if moderate or severe impact is made. These Head Contact infractions (a) In minor hockey and female hockey, a minor penalty shall be can occur anywhere on the playing surface as a result of the initial assessed to any player who accidentally contacts an contact to the head. Head Contact could also be the result of an open Hockey PEI – 40 Enman Crescent, PO Box 302 Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7K7 Ph: 902-368-4334 Fax: 902-368-4337 www.hockeypei.com In the Crease September 2011 Page 3 of 10 ice hit, with or without the fouled player‟s head being down. Body Minor Council Approves Dates checking has not be been removed from the game, but high hits or targeting the head shall be penalized. A fight is still to be called a for Provincial Championships fight, not Head Contact. Referees are to strictly enforce penalties that call for infractions as a result of low hits as these types of infractions Provincial Championship Dates set by Minor Council may increase. The penalty signal for Head Contact will be patting flat (open palm) of the non-whistle hand on the side of the head. Hockey PEI Minor Council recently adopted the dates for the 2011- 2012 Provincial Championships. There will be 17 championships Island Players Attend contested for in March throughout the province. The Bantam and Midget AAA leagues follow a round by round elimination process. National Team Camps There are no provincial championships for the Novice and IP level. The dates for the provincials are as follows: Two PEI players recently had the opportunity to attend a Hockey Canada 2011-2012 Provincial Championships national team camps. March 9-11 Pee Wee „AAA‟ Provincials Shannon MacAulay of Mt. Hebert March 16-18 'A' Provincials recently attended the National Women‟s March 16-18 'AA' Midget Male Wildcard Tournament Under-18 Team selection camp held March 16-18 Atom 'AAA' Provincials August 7-14 at the Canadian March 16-18 Midget „AA‟ Female Provincials International Hockey Academy. March 23-25 'AA' Provincials MacAulay was then named to Hockey March 23-25 Atom Female Provincials Canada‟s Under-18 training team. The team of 22 players played in a three- game exhibition series against the Team PEI Prepares for United States‟ Women‟s Under-18 Select Team in Rockland, Ontario. Shannon MacAulay Atlantic Challenge Cup MacAulay who is a graduate of the Pownal Minor Hockey system, currently plays at Warner Hockey Academy in Alberta. She was a member of Team PEI at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax and has been a member of the Hockey PEI Program of Excellence. Hockey PEI will be well represented at the 16th Annual Atlantic Following this exhibition series, Hockey Canada scouts, along with the th team‟s coaching staff, will continue to evaluate players with their club Challenge Cup on October 7-10 in Moncton NB.