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.

                       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.