Head Contact Video

In preparation for your upcoming clinic, please watch the new Hockey Canada Head Contact video.

This represents a major change in our game, so please take a moment to understand this rule.

• Hockey Canada Head Contact Video

Sign Up for Recert Clinics

The list of re-cert clinics for the 2011-2012 season has now been posted online at http://www.odharefs.com/clinics/clinic_schedule.jsp

PLEASE signup for the earliest clinic you can attend.  There is a MAJOR rule change this season regarding Head Contact, and games in Nepean and at the AAA Level are already starting.

Registration for 2011-2012 Season

Registration for the upcoming season is now OPEN in OMS.

ONLY officials/timekeepers who worked with the NMHA last year and new officials/timekeepers who have been selected during our new official tryout process are eligible to register.

If you are a currently certified official who has recently moved to the district, please contact Caise Chandlerfor information on transferring to the NMHAOP

Mouthguards

From John Reid, ODMHA RIC:

Once again the issue of players not wearing mouth guards or not properly wearing mouth guards has been brought to my attention by ODMHA Council.

Although this message has been sent out at least twice this year and I address it at every RIC meeting there are concerns that officials are not calling the penalties for this infraction. This is a rule within our Branch and has been passed by Council for the safety of the players.

Please lead by example if you are on the ice and make this call. As well, once again please address this concern with all of your officials within your District. Mouth guards are mandatory and must be properly worn at all times during a game as well as during the warm-up prior to a game. ZERO TOLERANCE is to be followed and upon the first infraction please address the issue as per the rules. This is for the safety of the players.

I have copied the ODMHA and am asking that the Director of Risk and Safety address the issue with all trainers, coaches and managers that they instruct their players accordingly and that they are made aware that once again the officials are being instructed to enforce this important safety rule.

I am fully aware that most players will tell officials that they do not wear mouth guards during practices and hence do not need to do so during warm-ups; however, practices are not our responsibility and we WILL enforce the wearing and proper wearing of mouth guards during warm-ups. All District supervisors should be advised of this message so they can support this policy, as have senior supervisors been advised within the Branch.

Thank you for your co-operation and I trust this will put this issue to rest once and for all.

John Reid

ODMHA RIC

Goalie Masks and CSA Stickers

From John Reid, ODMHA Referee-in Chief:

"Recently a goaler in AA Midget hockey was asked to wear a "dangler/billy-goat/cow catcher" as required by ODMHA policy. His father has asked for clarification to the directive as he felt the helmet in question was acceptable without the additional throat protection.

The rules clearly state the Type 3 helmet that he was wearing must have a blue CSA sticker. The official of the game was correct in asking him to add the throat protection or be replaced in the net as the helmet had a white sticker.

Essentially, through the outstanding efforts of Brent Dick, ODHA Risk and Safety Director, we have learned from Hockey Canada, CSA and Bauer that this helmet is fine. Brent determined the white CSA sticker is Bauer's version of the blue CSA sticker and the helmet still meets the CSA Standard. Given it's the moulded version, with the elongated front offering protection to the throat/neck region, the "dangler/billy-goat/cow catcher" is not required.

Brent wanted to remind all of us the goaltender is still required to wear the BNQ certified neck guard. This message is being sent out Branch wide to all officials that the Bauer white CSA sticker is acceptable in lieu of the required blue sticker on Type 3 helmets. Brent will be revisiting the original directive to amend it and Hockey Canada will have to amend their rule book.

Thank you, John Reid ODMHA RIC"