Coaching / Managers

Coaching Applications

June 15, 2011 is the final date to receive applications for Competitive Coaching positions. If you are interested in volunteering but do not currently hold the required certificates, your application may still be considered if you are able to provide evidence to the MMHA Registrar or your qualifications by August 31, 2011. Coaching Applications Forms can be found on our Forms page.

All Bench personnel and On-Ice Helpers must have Speak Out. Coaches and Trainers must hold certification appropriate to the level they are coaching/training.

Team Manager

The Team Manager is a central figure in creating the flow of communication - not only within the team (players, parents and coaches), but between the team and all support systems such as the Minor Hockey Association, Division Managers, League Managers, other teams, referees, officials, etc.

By taking on the operational aspects of the team, the manager enables the coach to focus on player development and on-ice instruction to provide the players with rewarding hockey experiences.

Dressing Room Policy

Memorandum of Understanding Co-Ed Dressing Room Policy

In response to a recent complaint, the ODHA and Hockey Canada participated in a mediation session with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Results of the mediation session proved to be very positive and assisted in direction for our membership in working this policy.

At the Atom level and below, mixed genders may change in the same room at the same time with the presence of two adults. Teams at the Pee Wee level and higher are to utilize the following procedures.

1. When separate change areas or facilities exist for both male and females participants, males and females shall make use of these separate facilities.  It is the responsibility of the coach to ensure all players are involved in both the pre-game and post-game activities.

2. If the facility does not have separate change areas available, teams shall address the issue by having the players dress, undress and shower in shifts.  It is the responsibility of the team to ensure the safety of individual players when they are dressing, undressing and showering.

3. If options 1 and 2 are unavailable, not possible or unmanageable, than individual teams shall be free to relax these rules/guidelines to address the needs of all participants if the team agrees with an alternate plan.

4. For a co-ed dressing room arrangement to exist at the Pee Wee Level or higher, teams may identify an alternate arrangement provided:

• it provides a safe and manageable sporting environment; and

• there is acceptance of the arrangement and signed consent by ALL parties involved including coaches, team officials, players, parents/guardians and the association/league; and

• a copy of the alternate arrangement along with all supporting Documentation be forwarded to the ODMHA and ODHA Director’s of Risk and Safety Management for review. 

Mouth Guard Policy

Effective date: 2004/2005 - Present

Policy Statement: All registered players within the ODMHA boundaries must wear a mouth guard during all sanctioned activities including the following:

- Conditioning camps
- Selection / Evaluations
- Pre-season, league, play off and tournament games
- Practices

Player Definition: Will include all of the following:
- IP to Juvenile players
- All goal tenders
- All genders

Exceptions: Any players (i.e. mouth breathers, braces etc) who cannot conform to this policy must provide a letter from their dentist or doctor specifying the rational for not abiding by this policy. Both the player and his/her legal guardian(s) will be required to sign a release/waiver acknowledging that they understand the risk of not complying with this mouth guard policy. These two (2) documents must be completed before a player engages in any on ice activities. Team officials will be required to manage this documentation and to have both available for review as required by on ice officials. Exceptions to this policy must be highlighted on the game sheet.

VIsit our Forms page to download a Mouth Guard Exemption Form.

Recommendation: Any player IP to Atom may use either a custom fitted intra oral mouth guard or a boil and bite model. All players Peewee to juvenile should wear a custom fitted intra oral mouth guard. Although there are no requirements of colour, it is recommended that it not be red, translucent or clear in color. Mouth guards should provide not less than two (2) millimeters of shock absorbent thickness between the rear teeth of the upper and lower jaw of a player. Mouth guards do not need to be tethered to the facemask. Maintenance: Because a player’s mouth will grow over the course of a season, it is imperative that mouth guards be checked to ensure the fit correctly. Mouth guards that can no longer protect the player should be replaced. A mouth guard may need to be replaced every three months.

Enforcement: Any infractions will be dealt with as illegal equipment by on ice officials.