ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 Player Information Booklet Edition 11 ALL OHA PLAYERS: Players should sign the player sign off sheet provided by their team’s Prevention Services Officer indicating that the player has read the content of this Player Information Booklet and agrees to adhere to the Rules, Regulations and Policies within the booklet. ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 PLAYER INFORMATION BOOKLET IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION My Team Prevention Service Co-ordinator Name: Phone #: POLICE Local Police: KIDS HELP Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868 E-mail: [email protected] ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Glenn Crichton OHA Development Coordinator Toll Free Phone: 1-800-463-7962 ext. 3 Email: [email protected] O.H.A. PREVENTION SERVICES COMMITTEE MEMBERS John Kopinak: (519)-354-2212 Kathryn Mifflin: (905)-640-0655 Tim Doherty: (519)-271-6103 2 | P a g e ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 PLAYER INFORMATION BOOKLET TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPIC PAGE PREVENTION SERVICE CO-ORDINATOR 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 4 O.H.A. PURPOSE & PHILOSOPHY 5 MISSION STATEMENT 5 CODE OF CONDUCT 6 HAZING 7 POLICY ON ALCOHOL 7 DRUG POLICY 9 TOBACCO POLICY 9 INTERNET POLICY 10 HOCKEY AND ITS PEOPLE 10 DUTY OF CARE 10 O.H.A. PLAYER EQUIPMENT POLICIES 11 O.H.A. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 12-18 DUTY TO REPORT 18 BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING 18 CONCUSSIONS 19-20 THE STRUCTURE OF HOCKEY 21 OHA HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM 22 PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE 23 HOCKEY CANADA INSURANCE PROGRAM 24 NEGLIGENCE 24 WHAT IS JUNIOR HOCKEY? 25 FINANCIAL COMPENSATION 26 DATES TO NOTE AND REMEMBER 26 TRY-OUTS 27 RESIDENCE RULES/IMPORTS 28 HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY 28 EDUCATION & HOCKEY 29-33 OFFICIATING PROGRAM 34 QUESTIONS PLAYERS MIGHT ASK (FAQS) 35 QUESTIONS PARENTS SHOULD ASK (FAQS). 36 PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 37 3 | P a g e ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 PLAYER INFORMATION BOOKLET A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT… Welcome to the Ontario Hockey Association. You are now entering into a very important phase in your hockey career. Hopefully, with hard work and dedication your skills will improve and you will enjoy the game and achieve your goals. The perspective of playing Junior hockey can be an exciting one. It can also be disappointing if decisions are made without having the proper information, or not surrounding yourself with people who can become a positive influence in your hockey decisions. The purpose of this Player Information Booklet is to assist parents and players to make an informed decision as to when and where to play Junior hockey and how to recognize good organizations and proper role models. While this Player Information Booklet may not include an answer to every question you may have about playing Junior hockey, we have attempted to answer the more popular questions people have and to provide you with information on where to source out answers to other questions you may have about playing Junior hockey. We have a tremendous group of volunteers within the OHA who work hard to ensure your experience in Junior hockey is both a quality and affordable experience. You may contact us for further information through our web site at www.ohahockey.org. Take it from us, it’s a great way to avoid disappointment! Sincerely, Brent Ladds President 4 | P a g e ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 PLAYER INFORMATION BOOKLET THE ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY The Ontario Hockey Association is a member of Hockey Canada, the governing body of amateur hockey in Canada, which is affiliated with the International Ice Hockey Federation. The O.H.A. is a member of the Ontario Hockey Federation. The O.H.A. governs Senior and Junior Hockey in that part of Ontario not covered by the Hockey Northwestern Ontario and the Ottawa District Hockey Association and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Its objectives are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey within the territory under its control. The Association conducts competition in the various categories established from time to time, and provides for affiliations of other hockey organizations within its territory. MISSION STATEMENT The Ontario Hockey Association is an organization of volunteers that fosters, promotes, and administers the sport of amateur ice hockey. The O.H.A. is committed to a leadership role in providing an environment that allows everyone to safely enjoy the game at their level of interest and ability. The Association encourages the values of fair play, fun, and respect for all participants. 5 | P a g e ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 PLAYER INFORMATION BOOKLET CODE OF CONDUCT ARTICLES PURPOSE AND EXPECTATIONS: The Code of Conduct identifies the standard of behaviour which is expected of all O.H.A. members and participants, which includes all players, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, directors, officers, committee members, convenors, team managers, trainers, administrators and employees involved in O.H.A. activities and events. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Discipline Policy of the O.H.A. Such action may result in the member losing the privileges which come with membership in the O.H.A., including the opportunity to participate in O.H.A. activities and events, both present and future. 1. The OHA is committed to providing a sport environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. 2. During the course of all OHA activities, athletes, coaches, parents, directors, volunteers, staff, chaperones and others within each of the OHF Member Partners: a) Shall conduct themselves, at all times, in a fair and responsible manner and refrain from comments or behaviours that are disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist or sexist. In particular, the OHA will not tolerate behaviour that constitutes harassment or abuse or bullying, and; b) Shall avoid behaviour which brings the OHA and/or it’s Member Partners, or the sport of hockey into disrepute, including but not limited to the abusive use of alcohol and/or non- medical use of drugs, and; c) Shall not use unlawful performance enhancing drugs or methods, nor shall they engage in activity or behaviour that endangers the safety of others, and; d) Shall at all times adhere to Hockey Canada, OHA and OHF Member Partner’s operational policies, procedures and any rules governing any competition in which they participate on behalf of the OHA and/or OHF Member Partner. 3. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, the loss or suspension of certain or all privileges connected with the respective Member Partner and/or OHA including the opportunity to participate in OHA and it’s Member Partner activities. Such discipline may include the removal or ban from an arena, games, practices and other team activities. 6 | P a g e ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 PLAYER INFORMATION BOOKLET HAZING AND POLICY ON ALCOHOL HAZING The Association takes a strong stand as it relates to initiations and hazing of players, including rookie haircuts. Any player, team official, executive member of a team, club or association having been party to or having had knowledge of any degrading Hazing or Initiation rite shall be automatically suspended for a period of not less than one year from playing or holding office with any team, club or association affiliated with the O.H.A./Hockey Canada POLICY ON ALCOHOL The Ontario Hockey Association supports the Laws of Ontario as they pertain to the control, consumption and distribution of alcoholic beverages. The law is clear that it is contrary to the laws of the Province of Ontario, to consume alcohol at games or practices, in or about dressing rooms or team buses, or anywhere that is not a private residence or licenced establishment. Teams need to be reminded of their exposure to liability and prosecution where issues of procurement of alcohol by minors, or the negligent supervision of alcohol product distribution are involved. All members of the Association must respect the laws regarding the consumption of alcohol in their jurisdiction. Underage drinking will not be tolerated. Team officials, administrators, coaches, volunteers and parents are discouraged from consuming alcohol during any hockey event. If alcohol is legally and responsibly consumed during the event, the individual must ensure that this consumption does not interfere with their ability to perform their duties, or to be involved in the event as a volunteer or a spectator. No team member, team official or team parent shall be intoxicated at any time while participating in a hockey event. Alcohol is not appropriate: • In arena dressing rooms • In team settings where minors are attending • In hotel rooms when young players are left unsupervised while the team’s adults attend hospitality type setting in guestrooms or meeting rooms • In hospitality situations where minors are present and alcohol is not controlled by a server therefore becoming available to minors • Open in buses or cars when travelling to or from an event • If being made available to minors in public facilities • In a team environment while travelling without parents to tournaments, championships, etc. 7 | P a g e ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2010-2011 PLAYER INFORMATION BOOKLET POLICY ON ALCOHOL CONT... • At team player parties hosted by other players, parents or team officials, regardless ofthe age of players. • If forced on another person • If used for “chugging” contests or as a form of hazing or initiation for rookies Any formal complaints received by the OHA regarding these issues will be referred to the local police authority. Follow-up may include: • Police investigation and charges relative to the appropriate statutes being violated. • Upon findings of the police investigation, appropriate disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the OHA Policy on Drugs, Alcohol, Abuse and Harassment.