Hockey Canada has passed what many will say is the most aggressive policy in years. This policy is aimed at non-aligned “outlaw” hockey league. In the Action Bulletin released on July 5,2008 this bulletin send some jabs at these outlaw league. Canadian Hockey News believe that the three leagues in question are the CYO Polar Bears ( a member of the Canadian Parents Hockey Association), the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League ( a member of the National Junior Hockey Alliance), and WHA Junior Hockey League (also a member of the National Junior Hockey Alliance).
Hockey Canada points out that these leagues:
They profess to have a better program yet often operate without a constitution, by-laws, create their own rule book and do not provide adequate insurance for their participants. Further, they offer the lure of “Rep” or “Junior” level competition when this is clearly not the case.
In addition Hockey Canada provide clear and distinct guidelines for suspension, and ineligibility of people participating in these organization. Hockey Canada went even further to not allow municipalities/arenas who endorse/support these leagues to host National, Regional, or affiliated leagues’ championships, which includes the Canadian Hockey League (major junior). Additionally, they will no longer sanction tournaments being held in arena/municipalities that support these organizations.For example, in the Greater Toronto Hockey League no teams will be permitted to use, or hold tournaments in Thornhill Community Center because the Toronto Canada Moose of the GMHL operates out of there.
It is clear that Hockey Canada wants nothing to do with these leagues, and dispises of their existence. Some question if these tactics are legal, others question based on who exactly is affected. Some also think that this will just go to drive more houseleagues to these outlaw leagues due to the lack of governance, what many at the houseleague level have called for.
For more information regarding this policy click here.
URL Link:http://www.ohf.on.ca/web_pages/headlines_news.php?ID=181