ALL PEACE MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION SPRING WIND-UP MEETING MINUTES 12:00 p.m. APRIL 15, 2012 SPIRIT RIVER ARENA
1. Welcome by President Ralph. Congratulations to all of the Banner winners.
2. Attendance - please fill in all information for the new season - this is to ensure meeting notification etc. go to the right representative in September 2012.
ASSOCIATION NAME PRESENT ASSOCIATION NAME PRESENT Beaverlodge X Horse Lake X Chetwynd X Hythe Absent Clairmont X LaCrete Absent Dawson Creek X Manning X East Smoky X McLennan (Inactive) Excused Fairview X Peace River X Fort St. John X Rycroft (inactive) Excused Grande Cache Absent Savanna X Grande Prairie X Sexsmith X Grimshaw Absent Smoky River X Grovedale (In-active) X Spirit River X High Level X Valleyview X High Prairie Absent Wembley X
3. Approval of the last meeting minutes. Motion: Beaverlodge moved, Spirit River seconded to approve the minutes of January 8, 2012. Carried. 4. Additions to the Agenda: Membership requests – brought to this meeting, then again at Kickoff meeting – none.
5. Interim Financial Statement –
6. Probationary Associations – need to vote on at the Wind Up meeting to determine continued probationary status or denial from the league. Probationary status continues for 3 years. Clearview year 2 of 3 LaGlace year 2 of 3
7. In-active associations update –Grovedale: bond to be refunded in Sept 2012 McLennan – bond to be refunded in Sept 2012. Rycroft – Savanna -
13 8. Executive for 2012-2013: (names needed by August 1, 2012 President – Clairmont – Ambrose Ralph on behalf of Clairmont Vice President – Atom, Female, Midget - Fort St John, Trudy Alexandre Vice President – PeeWee, Bantam – Beaverlodge, Andrew Lojcyc Secretary – East Smoky – Lorna LeBlanc on behalf of East Smoky Treasurer– Smoky River Scheduling Meeting Director - Spirit River – Jeremy Gades Past - President – Wembley
YEAR ASSOCIATION YEAR ASSOCIATION YEAR ASSOCIATION 05/06 Manning 10/11 High Prairie 12/13 Smoky River 06/07 Dawson Creek 10/11 LaCrete 12/13 Fort St. John 07/08 Grande Prairie 11/12 Rycroft 12/13 Spirit River 08/09 Peace River 11/12 Savanna 12/13 Clairmont 09/10 Sexsmith 11/12 Wembley 12/13 East Smoky 10/11 Grimshaw 11/12 Hythe 13/14 Horse Lake 10/11 Fairview inact Grovedale 13/14 Clearview inact McLennan 11/12 Grande Cache 13/14 LaGlace 10/11 Chetwynd 11/12 Valleyview 10/11 High Level 12/13 Beaverlodge
9. Commissioners & Statistician for 2012-2013 (names of commissioners and division they will be taking should be announced at this meeting if possible - division for sure): Commissioners were assigned to Associations as follows: Valleyview Division Atom Laura Spenst. Beaverlodge Division PeeWee Chas Walker. East Smoky Division Bantam Danny Jung will do for them. Clairmont Division Midget Peter Burletoff will do for them. Horse Lake Division Female Lucy Redfearn will do for them.
Statistician – Incoming President to appoint.
10. Team Scheduling order for 2012-2013: 1st – PeeWees 2nd – Bantams 3rd – Midgets 4th - Atoms 5th – Females
11. Suggested meeting dates for 2012-2013: Fall Kick-off Meeting – 12:00 pm – Sunday, September 16, 2012 (Hockey Alberta 10:00) AGM – 12:00 pm – Sunday, October 21, 2012 Scheduling – 9:00 am – Saturday, October 27, 2012. Playoff – 12:00 pm – Sunday, January ______(Hockey Alberta 10:00 am) Spring Windup – 12:00 pm – Sunday, ______(Hockey Alberta 10:00 am)
12. Honorarium distribution to Commissioners and Statistician in attendance - all others will be mailed. A big thank you to all our commissioners and statistician for a job well done this year! Commissioner’s reports are attached. Commissioner’s Reports are attached. 13 13. Overview of the season – League President – Ambrose Ralph, report is attached. There was a lot of discussion on the Alberta and Arctic Winter Games.
14. Suggested changes to either the constitution or rules for next season: Some suggestions:
President’s Recommendations:
1. Playoff extensions for Arctic winter games players. 2. Three referee system for playoffs. 3. Suspension appeals. Posting a bond. 4. Pre season games / Tiering. 5. Non contact hockey for lower tiers. 6. Body checking skills. 7. New constitution format. ( Table of contents). 8. Arena security. 9. Pee wee prospect game.
Other Recommendations: Acceptance of the below into the Constitution would eliminate the need for the January Playoff Meeting.
All series to be two game, total point. In Divisions Series Round 1 – two weeks Round 2 – one week With 3 teams 1 Top team has a bye Top team plays winner. 2 2nd plays 3rd 4 teams 1 1st plays 4th Winner of 1 plays Winner of 2. 2 2nd plays 3rd 5 teams Bottom team is dropped, revert to 4 team playoff 6 teams Top 3 teams become A division, revert to 3 team playoff Bottom 3 teams become B division, revert to 3 team playoff 7 teams Top 4 teams become A division, revert to 4 team playoff Bottom 3 teams become B division, revert to 3 team playoff 8 teams Top 4 teams become A division, revert to 4 team playoff Bottom 4 teams become B division, revert to 4 team playoff 9 teams Bottom team is dropped, revert to 8 team playoff 10 teams Bottom 2 teams are dropped, revert to 8 team playoff
Change of minimum number of league games to 8 or 10 depending upon circumstances. Rules 1.b.
REMINDER – any changes can only be made at the AGM in October and proposed motions must be in to the President 2 weeks in advance.
15. Carry Over Suspensions from 2011 – 2012 All Peace League - attached
Players and Coaches who have carry over suspensions, must prove to next season’s All Peace Commissioners that they have sat the games served, prior to being allowed to play. Correspondence
13 from the Zone Manager of Operations regarding 13.2.26, 27 and 28 must be forwarded to next season’s All Peace Commissioners as well.
Hockey Alberta Bylaws and Regulations
13.2.26 Early Seasons-End Suspensions Any player who has not served a suspension from the current playing season my request in writing through their LMHA to the Hockey Alberta Zone Discipline Coordinator to have that suspension served in an exhibition game(s) which it cannot be served in league, tournament or provincial play at seasons end.
13.2.27 Carry-Over Suspensions Any player who has not served a suspension from the previous season may request in writing through their LMHA to the Hockey Alberta Zone Discipline Coordinator to have that suspension deferred until the try-out portion of the Hockey Season is complete. Any suspension subsequently deferred by the Hockey Alberta Zone Discipline Coordinator will be reported to Hockey Alberta for review after the one year period.
13.2.28 Pre-Season Suspensions Any Player, who received a suspension in a Pre-Season Game, may request in writing through their LMHA to the Hockey Alberta Zone Discipline Coordinator, to have such suspension(s) served in the next Pre-Season game(s). The Hockey Alberta Zone Discipline Coordinator may approve or deny such requests.
16. Fines for 2010 – 2011 All Peace League – As far as we know there were only two, one to Grande Prairie and one to High Prairie.
18. Meeting adjournment Motion: Beaverlodge moved, Spirit River seconded to adjourn the meeting at 1:00 pm.
Attachments: 2011– 2012 Carry Over Suspensions 2011– 2012 President’s Report 2011 - 2012 Commissioner’s Reports 2010 – 2011 Interim Financial Report
Kick Off AGM Scheduling League start League end AWG Games AB Games 09.16.12 10.21.12 10.27.12 09.18.11 10.16.11 10.22.11 10.28.11 02.19.12 Mar 4-10 Feb 9-12 09.19.10 10.17.10 10.23.10 10.29.10 02.20.11 09.13.09 10.18.09 10.24.09 10.30.09 02.14.10 Mar 6-13 09.14.08 10.19.08 10.25.08 10.31.08 02.22.09 09.16.07 10.20.07 10.27.07 11.02.07 02.24.08 Mar 9-15 Feb 14-17
13 ALL PEACE HOCKEY LEAGUE 2011 - 2012 CARRY OVER SUSPENSIONS
Atoms Name Town # of games Left to serve Comments
PeeWees Name Town # of games Left to serve Comments Tier 1 Harris, Lane Fort St John 1 1 has quit hockey after suspension was given Tier 2 Kokesch, Dawson Sexsmith 1 1
Bantam Name Town # of games Left to serve Comments Tier 1 Buchelio, Jesse Fairview 1 1 has quit hockey after suspension was given Tier 2 Uhlitz, Ethan Valleyview 3 3 Tier 3 Ghostkeeper, Tristan High Level 1 1 Tier 4 Daly, Lane Dawson Creek 2 2 Tier 4 Atkinson, Kolton Peace River Indefinate 30-Apr-12 Tier 4 Woolridge, Bob (assistant coach) Peace River 1 1
Midget Name Town # of games Left to serve Comments Tier 1 Rose, Davis High Prairie 2 2 6.7 last 10 March 3 Tier 1 Sutherland, Evan High Prairie 2 2 9.2 March 3 Tier 1 Schofield, Zach Peace River 2 1 GM last 10, 2nd susp Feb 17 Tier 2 Schlichter, Myles Fairview 3 2 5 min major last 10, 3rd susp. March 9 Tier 2 Sunshine, Jaquar East Smoky 2 2 9.2 b Feb 25 Tier 2 Campbell, Trenton Wembley 7 5 6.7 2nd, aggressor 2nd, 6.1 2nd Feb 15 Tier 2 Gagon, Logan Wembley 2 2 6.7 last 10 March 3 Tier 3 Connellan, James (Coach) High Level indefinate to be ruled on playing ineligible player Tier 3 Riva, David High Level indefinate 31-Oct-12 9.6 match on official Tier 3 Wishak, Glark High Level 2 2 6.7 + playing under suspension March 3 Tier 3 Wishak, Glark High Level 2 2 5 min major last 10, March 3 Tier 3 Rain, Dakota Hythe 3 1 4.7 Gross and GM last 10 March 1 Tier 3 Tofteland, Brody Hythe 1 1 GM last 10
Female Name Town # of games Left to serve Comments Tier 1 Hunt, Lee (Coach) High Prairie 4 4 2 Gross + 2 9.2 Tier 1 Gauchier, Laurel High Prairie 1 1 Boarding Tier 1 McAteer, Tasha Manning 2 2 5 min major last 10
Players and Coaches who have carry over suspensions, must prove to next season’s All Peace Commissioners that they have sat the games served, prior to being allowed to tryout and/or play.
Zone Manager of Operations will send any correspondence regarding 13.2.26, 27 and 28 to next season’s All Peace Commissioners as well.
Hockey Alberta Bylaws and Regulations 13.2.26 Early Seasons-End Suspensions Any player who has not served a suspension from the current playing season my request in writing through their LMHA to the Zone Manager of Operations to have that suspension served in an exhibition game(s) which it cannot be served in league, tournament or provincial play at seasons end.
13.2.27 Carry-Over Suspensions Any player who has not served a suspension from the previous season may request in writing through their LMHA to the Zone Manager of Operations to have that suspension deferred until the try-out portion of the Hockey Season is complete. Any suspension subsequently deferred by the Manager of Operations will be reported to Hockey Alberta for review after the one year period.
13.2.28 Pre-Season Suspensions Any Player, who received a suspension in a Pre-Season Game, may request in writing through their LMHA to the Zone Manager of Operations, to have such suspension(s) served in the next Pre-Season game(s). The Zone Manager of Operations may approve or deny requests.
13 Presidents Report 2011-2012 Season Page 1 of 2 Ambrose Ralph APHL Presidents Report 2011 - 2012 Season
The season was a success. The league played thousands of games, millions of kilometers traveled with no major incidents. There were a multitude of suspensions for various Hockey Canada rule infractions that seem to be consistent with previous seasons. I took in about fifty games throughout the area at various levels and I am very pleased to report that hockey in the north is very competitive, highly skilled and the people in our associations are very proud and passionate about the game of hockey. I chaired 17 appeals during the season and mediated over and ruled on 30 incidents. Most of these were complaints about refereeing, overly aggressive teams / players, security issues or associations that could not agree. Out of the 17 appeals, 15 were upheld, one was reduced and one was overturned. It’s very rare to see any suspensions overturned but this one came with a supporting letter from the opposing coach. I ruled on 24 overage applications and only one was denied. A large portion of these applications were sent back to the associations because they were not complete and were missing data. To speed up the process in the future associations should ensure they are complete when they are sent in the first time. It literally slows down the process by weeks if the application isn’t complete due to the layers of approval it has to pass thru. Some of the past president’s recommendations that proved to be very helpful were; Having the commissioners enter the scores on the website.
Having the first round of playoffs run for 2 weeks rather than just 1.
Set some concrete times and circumstances around reasonable ice time. Example: no games to start before X and no games to start after X.
All of these recommendations were helpful in particular having the commissioners enter the scores onto the web page. I suggest that moving forward this should be league policy.
With the season over there are some recommendations that I would like the Associations to look at to have things run smoother. Look at how we can organize the female division to keep it competitive and reduce the possibility of injuries. While some towns are large enough to ice pure peewee or bantam aged teams other associations can only ice a mix of peewee, bantam, midget and sometimes even atom girls just to have enough numbers to have a team. While the league is open to any suggestions and options, these is a situation where associations may have to accept the fact that their peewees may play against midgets just so we can have a league. While female hockey is growing, this seems to be the theme across Canada until towns have enough kids of the same age to support a team that is tiered by age like the males. This may never be possible in the north.
Playoff format. I believe the playoff format should be decided either at the fall AGM or a permanent format should be chosen and entered into the constitution. Either way the playoff format should be decided before the season begins. We would then be able to eliminate the playoff format meeting. This meeting has traditionally drawn low attendance because the people that are usually at the table are with their respective teams.
13 Tournament and travel freeze for all teams in the playoffs. This can be coordinated with Hockey Alberta or a fine can be issued to teams who violate the policy.
With Calgary voting on eliminating body checking from all levels of peewee and Bantam by 2014. I think the APHL needs to have the discussion. While I don’t support Calgary’s direction, this is something membership needs to discuss. I do support more checking skills clinics and preparing our kids and coaches for body checking better verses eliminating it.
Given how clear Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Canada rule book is there is often very little grounds for appeals, so I think to reduce the executitves work load we should implement a fee for an appeal. If the appeal is won the bond would be returned otherwise it would go to the league.
This season there was no midget prospect game and there doesn’t seem to be much interest to have one in the future. I think this should be changed to a 2nd year peewee prospect game. This could attract more scouts and teams that could be interested in these players for the bantam draft.
The league should look at implementing security at our rinks. The time of the game and the level of play should be considered. Each association would be responsible for providing security for their home games.
Three referee system for all levels of play in the playoffs as a minimum. It seems that the quality of the refereeing is directly related to security issues off the ice.
Constitution needs formatting and a table of contents added.
Letters of complaint that are sent to the league should be cleared and authorized by the association president, not just cc’ ed in an email.
The season was a pleasurable learning experience for me on the administration and operations side of competitive minor hockey. There is a lot that has to happen before a game starts and unfortunately, sometimes a lot that has to happen once the game ends. Researching rules and getting assistance from Hockey Alberta on interpretation and advice on direction was a positive learning experience. Although we have at times struggled with many emails and phone calls, I feel we have made decisions that have benefitted the entire League. I would like to thank the executive and commissionaires for an outstanding job during the season.
Ambrose Ralph APHL President 2011 – 2012 Season
Atom Commissioners Report 2011-12
This year there were three incidents that lead to suspensions, one was a checking from behind penalty, one incident resulted in fighting majors being assessed and one player from each team being suspended and the last one involved a coach being suspended for verbal harassment of an official.
Game sheets are always a concern, and this year there were a lot that were filled out correctly and to many that were not. I know it is an ongoing education process, however we still need to continue communicating at the league meetings the importance of properly fill out game sheets.
13 My last comment is on schedule changes, some weeks I had to enter as many schedule changes as game sheets and maybe this is unique to Atoms, I am not sure, but it does create a lot of extra unnecessary work at the commissioner level. Teams need to be better prepared for the scheduling meeting so these changes are not necessary later in the season.
There is one carry over suspension - Murray Toews, Coach, Wembley, 2 games
Ken Vreeling
Atom Commissioner 2011-2012
Peewee Commissioners Report 2011-2012
Well I must say that it has been another interesting year. We had 5 less peewee teams in the All Peace than last year, and we had some tight races for division winners. I would like to thank Michelle Malbuef - Hockey Alberta Disciplinarian, Travis Peterson – peewee VP, and Ambrose Ralph – President. Throughout the year, the lines of communication were always open, and we had some pretty interesting conversations.
This was my second year as the peewee commish, and the two biggest problems last year was the game sheets not being filled out correctly and the ref write-ups not getting sent. Unfortunately, this year was no different. The main issues with the game sheets were; no game number, no penalty lengths (2 or 5 min), or you couldn’t read the writing. These problems, and not getting ref write-ups, lead to a lot of back and forth phone calls or emails that could have been avoided.
As for suspensions :( 43 total suspensions, 3 more than last year with 5 less teams)
12 - CFB
7 - 5 min CFB
11 - 5 min check to the head
3 - 5 min major in the last 10 min
2 - GM in the last 10 min (one was a coach)
2 - Match penalties
4 - Abuse of an official (all coaches)
2 - Gross misconducts towards officials (both are coaches)
Outstanding Suspensions:
Nathan Kobe - Valleyview - 1 game CFB
Dawson Kokesch - Sexsmith - 1 game CFB
Lane Harris - Fort St John - 1 game CTH
Once again, thanks for the opportunity to be a commissioner, thanks to all the team managers for their help, and thanks to all the Zamboni drivers who provided the kids with clean ice all year. 13 Jeremy Gades
Peewee Commissioner 2011-2012
BANTAM COMMISSIONER
It was a very good experience being the Bantam Commissioner for the 2011/2012 hockey season. It gave me the opportunity to actually go through the All-Peace Hockey League Constitution and Rules to see how it applies to all the different situations that can occur. This also provided me the chance to fully understand (and memorize certain sections) of the Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada rule book. It is good to see all the work that is required behind the scenes throughout the season to ensure that the year is successful for all the associations.
Thank you must go out to Ambrose Ralph, Travis Peterson, Michelle Malbeuf and Lorna LeBlanc for all your help and guidance throughout the year
The suspension summary for the year: 44 suspensions totalling 78 games and an indefinite suspension
o Tier 1 had 1 suspension for 1 game Tier 2 had 12 suspensions for 26 games
o Tier 3 had 8 suspensions for 14 games Tier 4 had 23 suspensions for 37 games and the indefinite suspension
Of the 44 suspensions, 5 were assessed to coaches for Playing Ineligible Players (2) and Game Misconduct in the Last 10-minutes (3)
Therefore, the 39 suspensions to the players are as follows
o Match, Physical Abuse of Officials (1) Match, Kicking (3)
o Match, Use of Blocker (3) Game Misconduct in Last 10-minutes (9)
o 2 Misconducts in Same Game (1) Fighting (9)
o Major, Hit to the Head (4) Major, Check From Behind (6)
o Verbal Abuse of Officials (3) Game summary:
3 forfeited games (2 for ineligible players and 1 for no referees)
1 fine issued for not having referees
13 1 game was played for 4 points due to scheduling issues for Arctic Winter Games
1 playoff series was played as a 1 game winner take all due to Arctic Winter Games and Provincials
1 playoff series was extended to accommodate Arctic Winter Games
Things to consider for upcoming year: Associations and team officials need to ensure that people know how to fill in score sheets correctly, associations should consider holding a session at the beginning of the year to educate the teams.
Referees need to ensure reports are filled out when required and filled out properly with the infraction rule stated (this will help in determining suspensions).
A form similar to what Grande Prairie Minor Hockey uses for showing the suspension served was helpful and should be used in the APHL, would make things easier for the Commissioners to track the suspension served especially if they are served at a sanctioned tournament.
Look at improving communications between APHL and Hockey Alberta regarding suspensions, there were times where game sheets showed players serving suspensions that were assessed by Hockey Alberta that I did not know about.
Constitution should address the Arctic Winter Games that occur every 2 years, this was the main issue for rescheduling games and playoffs.
Several teams inquired about entering stats on the website, should give team access to do this but no access to entering scores (a few teams entered game scores throughout the year).
There were 175 4-minute Hit to the Head penalties where in some instances players received t 2 or more in the same game. In the past with the old rule of a 2-minute and 10-minute misconduct, the player would have received a 1 game suspension for getting two of these penalties in the same game as the player would have received 2 10-minute misconducts. Now the player can receive 2 or more Hit to the Head penalties in the same game with no repercussions. The league may want to consider some sort of implications for multiple 4-minute Hit to the Head penalties in the same game or for a player that receives more than say 5 of these throughout the season.
Do not mind getting calls or emails from the manager regarding possible suspensions, but that should be it. Team officials and parents should not be calling or emailing to complain and voice their views of how things should be done. Yes the Constitution and decisions made at the meetings are how things are to happen for the APHL but there are instances where things occur and must be dealt with as adults and both parties need to work things out as adults. Everyone needs to keep in mind this is for the players.
Consider developing a form for teams when they require the Commissioner to mediate disputes regarding game rescheduling where they can summarize what was offered and what the reasons are for the rescheduling. This would be easier to go over the several back and forth emails between the various parties involved. Perhaps a form also for complaints or suggestions.
13 Thank you.
Danny Jung Bantam Commissioner
2011-2012 Midget commissioners review:
This year ran very smooth.
Very few phone calls from coach’s or managers this year.
Game sheets where awesome. 99% of the time they were emailed or faxed in by the deadline. For the most part the game sheets where completed properly. Penalized two team this year for late game sheets resulted in zero points awarded.
Suspension where down this year compared to last year. Total of 95 suspensions which equals 187 games lost due to suspension. In addition to these there where two indefinite suspensions handed out by Hockey Alberta as well two still pending. (Last year there were a total of 128 suspensions handed out which equaled 227 lost games)
I would like to recommend to the league that we take a stronger stance on players/coaching staff that abuse officials. I would like to see the All Peace League have a minimum 5 games above the 2 games handed out by Hockey Canada for a 9.2 Harassment of officials. This needs to stop of we will be in a serious problem like the rest of Canada on trying to find officials in years to come.
We need to remind all teams about having proper security at the arenas during games for the players/coaching staff and hockey fans safety.
I would like to congratulate Lacrete in tier 2 for having very few minor penalties and went without any suspensions for the 2011-2012 season.
Congratulations to all banner winning teams this season.
I will stay on for a third season as the midget commissioner for the 2012-2013 season.
Enjoy the summer and see you next year!
Regards,
Peter Burletoff
13 FEMALE COMMISSIONER
This year has been a huge learning experience for me. I would like to thank everyone for being so patient and helping me along the way, especially Peter and Laura who received many emails, texts and phone calls. I would have liked to see a job description of list of duties for the position. Coming into a job it would make it much easier to know what you need to do and how to do it. Just so we don’t forget or overlook things.
Some of the issues I encountered this year were:
- I spent more time sending emails requesting teams to send in the game sheets which was lucky that it didn’t impact suspensions as seriously as it could have. If someone is a team manager, they best be computer “savvy” or have knowledge about emailing or faxing. It’s difficult to chase everyone down.
- Appropriate game times. There was some disagreement on how late games should be able to start. I think a decision should be made by the executive and written in the bylaws so teams don’t have to dispute how late is too late, instead of a year by year president decision.
- In regards to Arctic Winter games, teams need to better plan their team availability if any of their players might make it, which would interfere with playoffs. It is that team’s responsibility to make sure they have enough players to play during playoff time.
- I know we have issues as to the Female division and its organization. I know several associations were frustrated with the Tiers and ended up forfeiting games because it wasn’t a benefit for their girls to play and be beat so badly. I don’t know what if anything we can do to change it, I just wanted to acknowledge some of the frustration out there.
The following is a summary of the 2011-12 seasons’ suspensions for the Female teams:
Fighting - 1 game Gross Misconduct -2 games Abuse of Official - 2 games Check to Head - 1 game Slashing - 1 game 10 minute misconducts – 3 games Boarding -1game
It was a good year Lucy Redfearn Chetwynd Minor Hockey Female Commissioner 2011-12
13 13