New Head Contact Rule

Hockey Canada has implemented a new rule which is a zero tolerance measure for all head contact in minor, female, junior and senior hockey. The rule is as follows:

Minor and Female Hockey
•    A minor penalty shall be assessed for all accidental hits to the head, while a double minor penalty, or a major and game misconduct at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of violence of impact, shall be assessed for any intentional contact to the head.

Junior and Senior Hockey
•    A minor penalty and misconduct or a major penalty and a game misconduct shall be assessed for all checks to the head, at the discretion of the referee. A major penalty and a game misconduct, or match penalty, shall be assessed to any player who injures an opponent under this rule.

For more information, please click here.

EXCERPT FROM A HOCKEY FORUM:

  "Well all know that hockey is an extremely competitive sport, but that competitiveness occasionally leaves the rink and heads up the stands and will roost itself into, you guessed it, a parent! 

 As parents, we have a responsibility to teach our children good sportsmanship and courtesy. While we do our best to teach our children right from wrong, there are times that, while watching our children play the intense game of hockey, we let “our evil twin” get the better of us.

 The more competitive we as parents become, the likelihood of our children developing the same tactics on and off the ice becomes greater. At a moment when we want to criticize a coach, referee, or another player we need to pause a moment and ask ourselves how we would react if our child did the exact same thing. The answer would probably mean grounding, taking away his Xbox 360 or some form of punishment! Well, you are grounded! Go to your room!

 Wait come back we are not finished! The actions we as parents take greatly affect negatively on the actions and feelings of our child. So consider some guidelines that may provide an excellent hockey experience for everyone involved.

 Firstly, remember you are in the stands as a spectator, NOT on the ice. Let the coaches do their jobs. Whether they are paid or unpaid coaches; they have a job to do. It is up to them to guide their team, any advice you give on plays could confuse your child.

 Allow your child to play the game. Yelling at them from the stands, to do this or that, will be a major distraction. Allow your child to learn from mistakes made on the ice.

 As hard as it may be, do not complain about the teams coach to other parents. If you have issues with the coach talk with him in private about the issues.

 Do not make negative comments about another player. This only brings out the worst in everyone. Not only is it hurtful to the player and their parents (after all this youth sport is supposed to be about fun and learning the game of hockey), it will only make you look like an egotistical jerk.

 If you overhear someone speaking negatively about a player or coach, respond positively with specific qualities the person possesses that strengthens the team.

 ENCOURAGE! ENCOURAGE! ENCOURAGE! The team and players. Positive encouragement leads to extra hustle and effort on the ice. If there is a mistake, you should not ever comment on it, that is what the coach is for after all."

                       News Release

April 8,  2010

CNN SPURS Minor Hockey in Partnership with Hockey Alberta, Launches the Respect in Sport Parent Program

 For Immediate Release

 Gibbons / Bon Accord Alta. – CNN Spurs Minor Hockey in partnership with Hockey Alberta, has launched the Respect in Sport Online Parent Program.

 The Respect in Sport Parent Program is an effective and informative online training program for parents of active children. This 1 hour online certification program reinforces a parents role in a child or youth's activities, encouraging positive sport behaviours, and providing insight into the various roles other individuals (such as coaches and officials) play. This program empowers parents to ensure the safety of their children, encourage positive and effective communication, and to enhance a child's fun and camaraderie of the activity.

 “The program is an effective tool for parents to improve their own experience and the experience of their children in the game.  It also is an efficient method for us to continue to communicate the importance of providing a safe and fun sporting environment to all our members. We look forward to offering this innovative service to hockey parents in Alberta.” said Hockey Alberta General Manager, Rob Litwinski.

 “To this point, there hasn’t been a program designed specifically for parents, especially one that is easily delivered over the internet and can drive accountability on behalf of the sport organization,” said Respect Group Inc. Co-Founder, Wayne McNeil. “The responsibility for becoming educated now lies with each parent, not the coach, organization or a poster or brochure.”

The number one reason cited for coaches, managers and officials of all ages leaving a sport is unacceptable parent behaviour. The Respect in Sport Parent Program helps assert proper parent behaviours to create a more rewarding, safe and respectful environment for all parties involved.

 “As sport administrators, when it comes to dealing with conflict, we spend 90% of our time on 10% of the people,” said Hockey Alberta President, Annie Orton. “We feel the implementation of the Respect in Sport Parent Program is a proactive approach to educate parents on how to react to different situations and teach them how to make the hockey rink a more enjoyable place.”

 The program cost is $12.00 per family and is available through the Hockey Alberta website.

For more information please visit www.hockeyalberta.ca.