Guilty as charged

There are too many cases of trusting minor hockey executives and parents being victimized by volunteer treasurers. The most recent case to work its way through the court system involved the girls' hockey organization in Woodstock, Ont., which lost about $50,000. They realized the fraud when ice rental bills went unpaid.
To their credit, the former treasurer and family members have repaid the organization, Sun Media's London Free Press reports.

NHL prospect victim of hit to head

Just when you thought hockey was through with headshots, along comes this hit in the Ontario Hockey League.
Let's hope Murphy recovers well and goes on to enjoy the career that's waiting for him in the NHL.

How to organize house league teams

No.1 question for adults organizing house league hockey teams: How would the kids themselves organize a neighbourhood road hockey game?
Methinks they'd make the teams even to have a good game and adjust it on the fly if things were lopsided.

Major midget binges

Another minor hockey season and a new story about drinking games involving midget hockey players - this one a major midget team in LaSalle, Ont.
It's alleged a hazing game involved players, none of whom are of legal drinking age in Ontario, drinking until they passed out. The event was at the home of a player.
Last year, an Ontario midget team was folded for the season due to drinking.
And on the hazing front, a team in Manitoba got into trouble for an incident involving trying water bottles to players' genitals.
The Montreal Gazette has the story.

Perry honoured

How much does playing major junior hockey mean to a teenager?
Ask NHL superstar Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks, who cried Friday night at the John Labatt Centre when his number 94 was retired and raised to the rafters.
Perry, for my money the best Knight ever, couldn't contain his emotions as he recalled arriving in London as a 16-year-old, armed with dreams and desire but uncertain of where hockey would take him.
Turns out it took him to a Canadian major junior Memorial Cup, Stanley Cup and Olympic gold medal.
Not to shabby.
By the way, Corey makes his off-season home in London. Just a two-hour drive to Toronto and the Maple Leafs.

Hockey moms with a Cherry on top

London, Ont., hockey moms and Don Cherry meet at centre ice in this London Free Press tale.

Oops, you're not my teammate

Ever celebrate a goal with a player from the opposing team? It happens. Also produces jabs - verbal and physical.

Minor hockey's slide ...

If enrolment in minor hockey in Canada continues to slide, will that mean municipalities will shift money to other youth sports? Will it mean a drop in interest in the NHL and major junior games?
It's been suggested in this letter published in The London Free Press by an astute observer - and dedicated  hockey dad and hopeless Leafs fan.
Don't ask me how I know those last two things.

Knights honour Perry

Corey Perry, the best player to lace up for the major junior London Knights in the past decade, will have his No. 94 retired on Friday. His jersey joins those of successful NHLers such as Darryl Sittler (9), Rob Ramage (5), Dino Ciccarelli (9) and Brendan Shanahan (19). Oh yeah, Brad Marsh (22).
Ceremonies like this are fun, but largely overdone. I prefer the Toronto Maple Leafs system of honouring, but not retiring, numbers. Otherwise, it gets silly as is the case with the Montreal Canadiens, who have no cool numbers left after retiring so many numbers of so many great players.
Details about the Perry event are here.

Concussion prevention

Scientists think they have a solution to prevent concussions in hockey. the Toronto Star reports.
It's a ring device which holds promise to be both effective and inexpensive - unless there's a Nike swoosh on it.