Hockey Canada going to say NO to outlaws!

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

Making it!

Do you plan on making the NHL? It is good to see that you have aspirations in hockey, don’t let anybody deture you from your dreams. However, making the NHL is no easy task. In fact, it is proably one of the most gruelling and painful endevors an athelet can make. If you were to think about making the NHL as a triathalon, your minor hockey career would probaly account for about the part where you wade into the lake to begin your swimming. Players who were selected high in the OHL Priority Seleciton are off to a bit of a better start however, they are still within reach. If you have any hope of catching you will have to start training immediatly! Check yourself into the nearest gym and contact a professional to start a training regiment. Now, you are going to have to play your heart out. Play hard, shift in shift out. Finally and most imporantly make sure you have a good attitude. Some of those that were selected higher and are off at the beginnging of the pac could drop beacuse of a bad attitude.  For those of you at the front of the pac keep going, people are behind you trying to catch up, and believe me they will. Your attitude will hinder you in your progression to the next level.

If you fail to make the NHL remember you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did your best and couldn’t cut it. You will have no regrets.

Canada loses one of its Hockey’s Sons, Luc Bourdon passed away on May 29,2008

The Hockey community has been struck with tragedy again. Luc Bourdon a defenseman with the Manitoba Moose, and top draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks was sadly killed in a motorcycle accident. A truely unfortunate event. Luc represented Canada in the world juniors, winning 2 goad medals for Canada. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Luc.

A moment of silence will be observed at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

84 Players are fighting for a chance to play for Team Ontario

The Hockey Development Center of Ontario, a agency of the Ontario government announced the 84 players who will be participating in the final selection camp.The camp will take place in Thunder Bay.

See who the players are(.pdf)

Don’t forget to enter!

Back by popular demand, the Pepsi®, Lay’s® and Gatorade® brands are giving Canadian hockey fans the opportunity for a chance to win the ultimate prize – the Stanley Cup™ delivered to their home for a NHL playoff party by six-time Stanley Cup champion, Mark Messier!

To enter the Bring Home the Stanley Cup contest, fans must submit a video that shows their NHL Playoff viewing rituals. One passionate Canadian hockey fan will win:

• The Ultimate Hockey Playoff Party for him/her and 19 of his/her closest friends/family with Pepsi and Gatorade refreshments and Lay’s snacks.
• A special visit from six-time Stanley Cup champion, Mark Messier – who will personally deliver the official Stanley Cup to the winner’s home!
• Selected captions of the party will be broadcast during this years Stanley Cup Playoffs on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada during the week of June 8.

To enter the Bring Home the Stanley Cup contest, Canadian hockey fans can go to www.cbcsports.ca/bringhomethecup from March 23 to April 30, 2008, where they must submit a video of their NHL Playoff viewing rituals and complete the online entry form.

Cost of Doing Business

Many of you probably already know. But other may just be entering into the hockey realm and realizing that to be successful in the sport you need a heck of a lot of money. There are rumours that some minor midget coaches could be making upward of $150,000. This probably represents one of the higher paid coaches, however it marks a fundamental shift in the minor hockey structure. Minor hockey coaching as been mainly volunteer work for the most part. Now coaches are getting paid, some even receiving bonuses based on their (team’s) performance. While this may not seem like a problem for most, look at it from the view of league administrators. Games are now beginning to mean more and more. One game could very well determine if the coach is paid and additional $20,000. Parents now see their child and an investment, hoping that investing the large amount of money will pay off in an NHL (professional) contract. Referees are now dealing with more hostel coaches who blame the referees for their lack of performance, and ultimately possible taking money out of their pockets. This all has to end. Hockey is a game, not a business, the money that is flooding the sport/game is starting to make it less and less enjoyable. Parents now guarentee their child’s junior career by buying a team for them. What a shame a sport that has become a business venture. For those parents that are worried about their child getting an education out of the game, save up the $3,000 or more a year and you’ll have enough for your child’s education.

March 9/08-Sault Ste. Marie at Sarnia

This probably won’t mean much for anybody but this game will mark the end of the neckguardless OHL. The OHL recently announced that their players were going to be forced to wear neckguards as a result of a meeting where the issue was voted on. The neckguard debate was sparked by the Richard Zednik incident (which can be seen below).

In response to the news OHL players on facebook have been communicating their discontentment with the change in OHL’s equipment policy. This change makes an odd situation arise. Currently the requirement for wearing neckguards is as follows (if you live in Ontario):

NHL-not required
Major Junior-required
Teir II Junior A-not required
Junior B-not required
Junior C-not required
Junior D-not required
Development-not required
Minor Hockey (Houseleague,Rep, A,AA,AAA)-required

This move by the Ontario Hockey League will contribute to increased player safety, however the move sparks infuriation with the players in the league. The players are angered by the fact that they were not consulted with. Many are advocating playing other leagues. The OHL advertises the best of both worlds to all its prospects, however the players feel it is turning into the NCAA, and pretty soon full cages will be mandatory. It is important to note that the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has always had neck guards mandatory.

 

 

IIHF World Junior Championship

Hockey Canada, the managing body of hockey in Canada is now beginning the quest to search for host for the IIHF World Junior Championship for 2010 and 2012. While Switzerland was originally given the opportunity to host the 2010 championships, they decline as they feared they were being relegated at the home team. This means that Canada will be hosting 2009 (in Ottawa) 2010 and 2012.

Currently, the following cities have submitted letter of intent:

Bid Group	Bid Years
Calgary/ Edmonton, AB	2012
Halifax, NS	2010, 2012
London/ Windsor, ON	2012
Saskatoon, SK	2010, 2012
Toronto, ON	2012
Winnipeg, MB	2010, 2012

USHL Draft List Release

The USHL draft lists have been released. They are posted on the USHL website (www.ushl.com) as well as on Canadian Hockey News. Feel free to browse through them. However, should you reach the bottom of the list and not see your name, don’t be alarmed! Keep working hard, playing your best, and you will get noticed. . On the other hand, if you do see your name , you haven’t made it quite yet. As an old ACDC song goes “its a long way to the top”

NCAA Developments

The NCAA has approved the ability of Canadian schools to apply for membership within the NCAA Division II. It is unclear what this means for University Sports in Canada, specifically hockey because of the different eligibility rules.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — NCAA Division II delegates approved a program Monday allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership as soon as June 1, which could lead to Canadians competing in some Division I sports.

The program was approved by a vote of 258-9 on the final day of the NCAA convention and takes effect immediately.

Details still must be worked out, but the concept is designed to allow Canadian schools to enter into the pilot program and explore membership. Schools that meet the June 1 application deadline could start the process of joining Division II as soon as the 2008-2009 academic year.

The program allows the NCAA to study any logistical challenges from competing outside the United States.

The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University are among six Canadian schools that have discussed NCAA membership. Simon Fraser belonged to the NAIA for more than 30 years before its American competitors moved to NCAA’s Division II.

Some Canadian schools want to be able to award full athletic scholarships, which aren’t allowed at Canadian universities.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press