How new minor hockey rules will spark major changes for OHF and GTHL players
Any player above the U10 level can now play anywhere within the OHF’s associations -- from Windsor to Wawa
Article content
On Tuesday, the Ontario Hockey Federation announced six changes to its player movement regulations. The most notable of the changes are enhanced player movement and increased penalties for tampering.
The new regulations come into effect for the start of the 2025-26 season.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
How new minor hockey rules will spark major changes for OHF and GTHL players Back to video
What does it mean for players changing associations?
Any player above the U10 level can now play anywhere within the OHF’s associations. From Windsor to Wawa, the door is wide open.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“(We want to) provide choice to players and give them the opportunity to identify programs that best align with their values and what they want out of the game of hockey (in order) to have a fun and positive experience,” OHF executive director Phillip McKee told Postmedia Sports.
The only restriction would be an association putting a limit on the number of players they can accept outside their municipality of geographic boundaries.
“No longer can an association say you have to play here because of where you live,” McKee said. “The (associations) have to provide a program that is enticing and beneficial to the players.”
What is tampering?
From the OHF’s perspective, tampering occurs when a player, coach or parent attempts to influence a player from another team or organization.
“If I ask my assistant coach to go out and talk to a player, invite them to consider being part of our team, that is tampering,” McKee said. “If I ask a parent on my team to go out and ask player ‘X’ to be part of my team for next year, that is tampering. If I run a skate and invite a bunch of kids from other teams, that is potentially tampering.”
What are some of the penalties coaches or parents could face for tampering?
“There are potential suspensions to the coach for their involvement in that violation, a player would be ineligible to participate with that team and there would be a fine to the association,” McKee said. “If it becomes systemic from an association standpoint, then there could be further sanctions put in place.”
Parents are put on warning should they become a little overzealous when crossing the tampering line. McKee says if a parent is found in violation possible sanctions include the revoking of tournament privileges for the team the parent is associated with.
Why make these changes now?
The OHF debated making the changes in the new year, but the associations needed time to implement these changes for next season.
“Originally, we looked at making the decision in February and we had feedback that was way too late for the associations in preparation for the upcoming season,” McKee said.
What are these new rules designed to accomplish?
The player movement regulation was changed to allow for greater freedom of movement and more choice.
“There is opportunity and choice and that is what parents wish to have, and it was clear in our data that parents wanted greater choice and opportunity,” McKee said.
Fines, suspensions and revoking or tournament privileges were designed to keep coaches focused on the current team.
“We want our coaches to refocus on what they have and we don’t want them looking at their team for next year, while they are still providing a positive experience on the ice,” McKee said.
As mentioned in the OHF website, what is the current “culture” around recruiting?
“We are making a cultural shift to say, ‘While you are in our season your focus (should be) entirely on the players on your team’ while making sure they have a great development and a great hockey experience that is fun and positive,” McKee said. “That is the goal, the focus and what we want our coaches to focus on.”
Will everyone be happy with these changes?
Apparently not everyone.
“The new OHF Hockey rules on player movement and tampering are exactly the opposite of what’s needed to grow the sport & keep it local, accessible & cost effective,” Amy Stuart said on X. “It also puts coaches (most parent volunteers like me) in an impossible position. Shame.”
Stuart is a co-author of the Mats Sundin memoir Home and Away.
What impact does this have on girls-only hockey organizations?
These changes will have zero effect on girls’ hockey because the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association has its own player movement regulations.
For more information on the regulation changes click here: https://ohf.on.ca/player-movement/
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.