ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 ABOUT THE ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) is the largest member of Hockey Canada operating along side Hock- ey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) as governing bodies for amateur hock- ey in Ontario. Recognized as the Provincial Sport Organization for the sport of Hockey, the OHF operates within a structure that is comprised of seven member partners: the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE), Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), Northern Ontario Hockey As- sociation (NOHA), Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), and Ontario Women’s Hockey As- sociation (OWHA). From season to season the OHF provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and the Members. Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION ANNUAL REPORT 14 6 18 CONTENTS 4 Ontario Hockey Federation Messages 6 Year in Review 8 National and International Events 9 Regional Championships 10 OHF Championships 12 Programs and Development 14 Officiating in the Ontario Hockey Federation 15 Coach Development 16 Registration by Member 18 Ontario Hockey Federation Member Partners 24 Communications Breakdown 25 OHF Scholarship Program 26 Ontario Hockey Federation Award Recipients 29 Honour Roll Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION MESSAGES CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE On behalf of your Board of Directors, thank all of you and your organizations for making our tasks and responsibilities a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Nothing occurs in our Hockey world without the support and dedication of the numerous volun- teers within our various Members, Associations and programs, always being cognizant of the most import- ant component of our game, the Participant. You are encouraged to be proud of who we rep- resent and what we stand for. Let us strive to give back all the enjoyment and pleasure this game gives to us. Bringing another Hockey season to a conclu- sion with this weekend’s meeting, reflecting on your year of commitment and dedication, we all are entitled to a break, even though a short one, to recharge and energize our internal batteries in order to prepare to deliver continued positive experiences for all those who participate in Hockey within our jurisdiction. TONY FORESI At the close of another year we are here to celebrate and commemorate all that we have achieved together this past hockey season. OHF BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMITTEE & COUNCIL CHAIRS Tony Foresi, Chairman Jeff Turner, Minor John Kastner, Director Geoff Shaw, Junior John Jamieson, Director John Jamieson, Minor-Junior Hugh Riddle, Director John Neville, Governance Nomination Jeffrey Turner, Director Kevin Burkett, Ad Hoc Constitution Geoffrey Shaw, Director Rob Mazzuca, Competitions Harry Blinkhorn, Director John Kastner, LOR Review Kevin Burkett, Director Harry Blinkhorn, Risk Management Alf Johnston, Registration Rick Morphew, Referee in Chief Hugh Riddle, Scholarship 6 Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE With that, the future of hockey has a lot to look forward to because of the collaborative approach that the OHF and its Members have taken in 2018-2019 season. The conclusion of a season brings the oppor- tunity to look back on another successful year for our Teams, personnel and organizations and to reflect, honour and re-evaluate why we participate in the game of hockey as a Player, Official, parent, grand- parent, volunteer or many other roles that keep us involved in this great game. It may be the friendships, the life lessons, the love of the game, an obligation to those who influenced you, an ability to give back to a community or be part of a community that keeps you involved. Whatever your reason for being in the game, take a moment to reflect on the impact that you have on the people you are involved with. The impact is probably greater then you ever imagined and the people you impact the most may not be the ones you expected to. PHILLIP MCKEE I would also like to personally congratulate and thank our award winners, who, through their outstand- ing contribution, service and leadership have molded The 2018-19 season was a year of transition our Branch into one we are extremely proud to serve. and change, that hated word and concept that sends Enjoy your time among friends new and old and take a shivers up people’s backs. Well this year’s change was moment to reflect on your contributions to this great made in a collaborative approach with relative ease. game over the past year – they are greatly appreciated. OHF STAFF Phillip McKee, Executive Director Jeff Stewart, Technical Director Will Metske, Director of Operations Scott Carlow, Manager, Development Programs Kimberely Willms, Manager, Finance Sue Campbell, Manager, Risk Management and Insurance Ali Wilson, Manager, Communications, Content and Registration Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report 7 YEAR IN REVIEW 2018-19 SEASON 44 players from the OHF were invited by Hockey Cana- da to participate in Canada’s national under-17 devel- opment camp in Calgary. The National Under-18 Men’s Hockey Team won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, defeating Sweden 6-2 to take the medal. Among the Gold Medalists were the Ontario Hockey League’s Graeme Clarke, Jamieson Rees, Ryan Suzuki and Michael Vukojevic. The 2018-19 season kicked off across the Region, wel- coming near 250,000 members in the OHF. World Girls Hockey Weekend happened Oct 5-7 across the globe. The event aims to celebrate and grow the Female Game from coast to coast and unite Canadians through grassroots programming that is led by local communities, MHAs and families. Canada hosted the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in New Brunswick this past year, of the 66 players se- lected to represent their country in three national teams, 27 were from the OHF. London, Ont. hosted the 2018 Canadian Tire Para Hock- ey Cup. Team Canada fought hard, but fell short to Team USA in the finals – taking home the silver medal. The National Women’s Under-18 Team took home the Gold Medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Ja- pan. Of the gold medalists there were eleven OWHA alumni. The OHF administered “Try Hockey” a free event aimed to introduce children to the sport of hockey to 3600 students in schools, and 450 students on ice! 8 Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report 9 s 2018-19 SEASON In the 2019 Canada Winter Games, Team Ontario won the silver medal in Men’s Hockey, while the Women’s team placed fourth overall in a very competitive field. The OHF granted Shane Wright “exceptional player” sta- tus making him eligible for the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The historic decision makes Wright just the fifth player to be granted this status following John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and de- fenceman Sean Day. He was ultimately selected by the Kingston Frontenacs where he will make his OHL debut next season. During the 2018-19 season, hosts from across the OHF welcomed players to compete in ten OHF Champion- ships, the All-Ontario Bantam AAA Championship and the Central Region Midget AAA Championships. The GTHL’s Toronto Young Nationals went on from the Central Region Midget AAA Championships to win the TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, 2-1 in double overtime. Sudbury hosted the 2019 ESSO Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, that saw hosts, the Sud- bury Lady Wolves take the silver medal. In collaboration with the Minor Hockey ALLIANCE of Ontario, the OHF hosted their 7th annual OHL Gold Cup which saw the top 120 under-16 players from across the province enter into the first step of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. The OHF Scholarship was awarded to 30 individuals who are enrolled in post-secondary full-time studies in Canada for the first time. Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report 9 s CHAMPIONSHIPS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS SUDBURY HOSTS THE 2019 ESSO CUP Sudbury hosted the 2019 ESSO Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, April 21-27 at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury. The Esso Cup brings together the top five female Midget hockey teams from across the country (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, West and Pacific) plus the host team, the Sudbury Lady Wolves, for seven days of exciting hockey action. While the Cup inevitably went to the St. Albert Slash, host team Sudbury Lady Wolves took home silver while the Ontario Region’s representative the Stoney Creek Sabres won the bronze medal in a shoot out. ed States edged out Canada in a 5-4 gold medal game win. As with other Hockey Canada events, London benefits from the net profits of all ticket sales, which will remain in the community as part of the event lega- cy to help grow the game. TEAM ONTARIO WINS SILVER AT CANADA WINTER GAMES Team Ontario brought the Canada Winter Games men’s hockey silver medal home from Red Deer this past Feb- ruary, falling in overtime to Team Quebec. Held every four years, the Canada Winter Games LONDON HOSTS THE CANADIAN TIRE PARA showcases the top under-16 hockey talent in the coun- HOCKEY CUP try that sees one province or territory emerge as the best in the Nation. The top para hockey nations headed to London, Ont to compete in the Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup from While the gold medal game was a close one, December 1-8. Team Quebec finished up the Games undefeated scor- ing the game winner in overtime over Team Ontario. While it was a close fought tournament, the Unit- 10 Ontario Hockey Federation Annual Report REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Senators went on to win the All-Ontario Peewee AAA Championships, hosted in Ottawa by Hockey Eastern Ontario.