OPEN BORDERS - The Ontario Hockey Federation, of which OMHA (and us) are members, have announced that there will be open borders next year. We are taking a few weeks to assess the intended and unintended effects. If you review social media there is tremendous debate over the pros/cons. We will have an info session early in 2025 with our families.
We want to re-assure our families that as an Assn our mission will continue to be providing outstanding and affordable youth hockey programming to our community. Here is the info we have to date:
https://www.ohf.on.ca/news/2024/key-changes-to-player-movement-regulations/
COACH & PARENT CONDUCT - Coach and Parent conduct continues to be an issue. Unfortunately, the actions of a few paint all of us with a broad brush. For example:
1 - Parents yelling at refs and kids from the stands
2 - Coaches arguing with (and sometimes swearing at) refs when they disagree with calls
3 - Parents ignoring the 24hr rule
4 - Parents attempting to go into the ref room immediately following a game
This is a real issue. Already we have had a referee resign because of conduct related issues. I have also had to cancel games because of a lack of refs. Please remember that this is just a game. We play for fun. Everyone makes mistakes. We will continue to deal with issues on a case-by-case basis. We will ask people to leave the arena if required. Please do not put our volunteer coaches and board members in this situation
LL HOCKEY WINTER SCHEDULING - In January, similar to previous years, LL divisions will be broken into pools based on standings. This will ensure your remaining games are played against similar teams. The championship days are currently scheduled for 1-2 March.
REP HOCKEY WINTER SCHEDULING - Since COVID, Frontenac has been very vocal attempting to change the play-off format back to pre-covid days where teams played down based on centre size. This has been repeatedly rejected. This year we sat on the EOMHL playoff committee in an attempt to improve the playoff format. In cooperations with some like-minded Assns we have moved some yardsticks. While the Tiering system remains, there will be more games and there will be SF and F play downs. Coaches have been briefed on the playoff format and can pass on the specifics
RAFFLE - When you registered, each family paid a $100 fundraising fee. This entitled you to 5 x $20 raffle tickets. These should have been distributed by your team managers. You can either sell them, or put you own name on them. Once complete, please put the tickets in the raffle box affixed to our equipment room door. The draw will take place 18 Jan @ 5pm. Five lucky people will win $1000
SELECT HOCKEY - This is our first year running Select Hockey post covid. There has been a learning curve, but we are generally getting positive feedback. Always happy to get feedback on how we can improve the program next year.
I want to stress that LL hockey takes priority over Select Hockey. OMHA rules prevent players from participating in Select if there is a competing LL game