Hello Coyotes Family,
As we approach the holiday break and just past the half way mark of the hockey season, I wanted to take this time to update you on a few things happening at EMHA as well some reminders for the second half of the season.
OMHA Message
Every once and a while, the OMHA President sends Associations information, and recently they sent the following that I wanted share with you.
Message from the President -
Behaviour Reminders
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a few important reminders as we head into the second half of the season. At the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, our main goal is simple. We want every player to feel safe, supported, and excited to come to the rink. No matter a child’s age, skill level, or goals, hockey should be a place where they can learn, grow, and have fun.
For the rest of the season we’re putting a bit more focus on a few areas that affect the experience for everyone. By paying closer attention to these things, we can help make sure our players enjoy the game and continue developing in a positive environment.
Conduct of Teams at Tournaments & Hotels
Tournaments are always a highlight each season, with new rinks, great competition, team bonding, and memories that stick with families for years. But they’re also a privilege. When we travel to other towns and cities, we represent our sport, our team, our community, ourselves and our family.
If teams don’t meet expected behaviour standards at tournaments or hotels, there is a chance future travel permits could be affected. In more serious or repeated cases, Associations may also lose the ability to send teams to tournaments. The goal isn’t to take away opportunities, it’s to make sure these experiences stay positive for everyone involved.
BB Hockey
BB hockey was created because families asked for a competitive Rep option without body-checking. It’s meant to run alongside A hockey as the same level of play, just without the checking.
The program has grown quickly since it started in the 2022-23 season, keeping more players in the game and giving them a level that fits their skillset. But we’ve also seen a jump in penalties and suspensions, which goes against what this program was designed for.
So this season, there will be more attention on gameplay in BB, and in some cases suspensions may go beyond the minimums to help get things back on track.
U18 & U21
These older age groups have grown a ton in recent years, and that’s something we’re really proud of as keeping teens and young adults playing minor hockey is a huge priority for the OMHA.
However, we’ve seen more concerns pop up around conduct and behaviour in these divisions. It’s affecting safety, enjoyment, and the overall experience. The OMHA will be taking a closer look here as well, and you may see the bar raised when it comes to standards of play and suspensions.
At the end of the day, we all have a part to play whether we are players, parents, bench staff, officials or volunteers. When everyone respects the rules and the spirit of the game, we create the kind of hockey environment that keeps kids coming back year after year.
Peter Harmsen
President, Ontario Minor Hockey Association
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EMHA Message
Power Play Pay Day Tickets
Power Play Payday Lottery is officially up and running! Coaches and managers have received an email with all the details regarding your tickets. Please see them for full information. Tickets were already purchased at the time of registration so you have the option of filling in your name to win the big prizes, or can sell them for face value to friends and family. This is EMHA’s second-largest fundraiser, and its success depends on the incredible support of our families. In addition, you’ll start to see ticket tables set up at home games, and if you’d like additional tickets to take to work or sell elsewhere, please reach out to Jenn at
[email protected] EMHA thanks you for your continued support!
Volunteer Hours
Volunteers are the backbone of EMHA, whether that be our membership who commit to helping with fundraising events, spending time in the skate sharpening room, assisting with tournaments, committing to being on the executive, coaching staff and many other initiatives that help keep registration costs down and a hockey program vibrant. EMHA does expect all members to either “buy-out” of doing volunteer hours or commit to the initiatives mentioned above. If you have not yet completed your volunteer hours for this season, please reach out to Candace at
[email protected] to co-ordinate potential remaining opportunities.
Finally, on behalf of everyone on the Elmvale Minor Hockey Association Executive, we would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year. Hopefully you get to enjoy some downtime with family and friends and again, thank you for making Elmvale Minor Hockey your association.
John Seney
President, Elmvale Minor Hockey Association