Check You Head

For the hockey community and proponents of physical hockey, the 2009-2010 season has been a tough one. First we start with the Liambias hit on Ben Fanelli, a hit which everyone agrees was dangerous, however, some argue that the year long (OHL career ending) suspension handed down to Liambas was too much, others thought it was just right .

 Then fast forward to Jan 14,2010 Zack Kassian‘s debute for the Windsor Spirfires following being traded from the Peteobrough Petes on Jan 10,2010. Zack Zassian a Buffalo Sabres prospect, selected 1st round, 13th overall, layed a rather ‘dirty’ hit on Matt Kennedy, where he clearly left his feet to lay the hit on the unsuspecting Matt Kennedy skating up-ice. Matt Kennedy is a Carolina Hurricanes prospect selected in the 5th round (131st overall). Currently Zack Kassian sits suspended indefinitely pending an investigation by the Ontario Hockey League’s commissioner David E. Branch.

On January 17,2010, Patrice Cormier who was Team Canada’s Captain in the recent World Juniors Tournament during the Christmas break, layed a dirty hit on Mikael Tam. Currently, Cormier sits suspended indefintly pending a review by the commissioner, as well the Quebec provincial police are investigate to determine whether charges will be layed. This is not the first elbow Cormier has delivered of this sort, at the World Juniors he layed one against Anton Rodin of Sweden in a  6-2 victory by Team Canada. Cormier is a prospect of the New Jersey Devils selected in the 2nd round, 54th overall in 2008.

These three incidents are leaving a lot of people wondering, when the leagues are going to ‘step up’. The WHL, OHL, and QMJHL all have penalties for checking to the head. The question is, are these penalties working? Based on these incidents many say, NO. Others are calling for the NHL to step up and introduce a checking to the head rule to protect the players. Whatever happens, these incidents leave a scar on the sport.

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)

Canadian Development Model and YOU!

Hockey Canada has created a manual to educate you about the Canadian Development Model and how it affects you. The link below will provide you with the opportunity to download the manual.

Download

Link URL:http://www.box.net/shared/k2k2fiig7v

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.

Who is going No. 1 in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection?

Think you know who is going No 1. in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection? We wanna know! Click the link below to vote:

I know who is going No. 1 in the OHL Priority Selection and I wanna Vote!

Poll URL:http://www.polldaddy.com/p/551468/

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.

Hockey Canada Announces U18 Team Coaches

Hockey Canada announced that Pat Quinn will be coaching Team Canada at the U18 World Championships in Kazan Russia on April 13-23 . He will be joined by Jesse Wallin who was recently appointed as head coach of the Red Deer Rebels, and is a former defenseman of the Red Deer Rebels. As well as the Equiptment Manager of the Red Deer Rebel, Radar Horning. These men will be joined by Guy Boucher of the Drummonville Voyagers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Pat Quinn is member of an ownership group that owns the Vancouver Giant, who were memorial cup winners in 2007.