OK, the Toronto Maple Leafs are not a minor hockey team, albeit close. They're auditioning performers for O Canada, including this saw musician reported by the Toronto Star. If you can't win, at least be entertained. TheStar Leaf anthem hopeful is on the cutting edge
Minor Hockey Moments
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Twilight season
Playing his twilight season in minor hockey brings new scheduling issues for my juvenile/hometown university student son.
Keen to play city juvenile, even if it means no body contact and being in a house league instead of a competitive loop, his big issue is the schedule. University classes trump all other activities, and if there are a lot of games on Tuesday nights when he has classes, it's game over.
Always keen to lace 'em up, he's also added to the mix by signing up for the University of Western Ontario intramural league. He's already reconnected with teammates who were with him on teams when he was a tot, or older, to represent Kings University College at UWO, along with new friends from near and far. That league always plays Monday nights and, he says, will trump juvenile commitments.
It's good he's still interested in playing and finds it fun, but we're rapidly moving along to new priorities.
Keeping kids involved in minor hockey through their teens is a challenge, even here in the heartland of minor hockey. For example, our home West London Hawks are unable to field an "A" major midget team this year due to a lack of qualified players born in 1994. This comes on the heels of a remarkably successful run by local boys born in 1993 who fared well in an A-AA league last season.
But back to my main point. We'll see how this season goes - my son might be one of those dreaded part-timers or fade from the scene altogether.
Usually by this time, he's been confirmed as a competitive team member. First sorting skate for juvenile is two weeks from today.
Keen to play city juvenile, even if it means no body contact and being in a house league instead of a competitive loop, his big issue is the schedule. University classes trump all other activities, and if there are a lot of games on Tuesday nights when he has classes, it's game over.
Always keen to lace 'em up, he's also added to the mix by signing up for the University of Western Ontario intramural league. He's already reconnected with teammates who were with him on teams when he was a tot, or older, to represent Kings University College at UWO, along with new friends from near and far. That league always plays Monday nights and, he says, will trump juvenile commitments.
It's good he's still interested in playing and finds it fun, but we're rapidly moving along to new priorities.
Keeping kids involved in minor hockey through their teens is a challenge, even here in the heartland of minor hockey. For example, our home West London Hawks are unable to field an "A" major midget team this year due to a lack of qualified players born in 1994. This comes on the heels of a remarkably successful run by local boys born in 1993 who fared well in an A-AA league last season.
But back to my main point. We'll see how this season goes - my son might be one of those dreaded part-timers or fade from the scene altogether.
Usually by this time, he's been confirmed as a competitive team member. First sorting skate for juvenile is two weeks from today.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Fellow goalie pays tribute to Jenkins
Nice tribute to Ian Jenkins by fellow goalie Brandon Hope of the OHL Sarnia Sting.
Hope's mask this season honours Jenkins, the 15-year-old Michigan goalie who died in an accident before realizing his dream to play in the Ontario Hockey League. Jenkins was a prospect of the London Knights.
Hope and Jenkins were friends whose minor hockey careers intersected.
Hope's mask this season honours Jenkins, the 15-year-old Michigan goalie who died in an accident before realizing his dream to play in the Ontario Hockey League. Jenkins was a prospect of the London Knights.
Hope and Jenkins were friends whose minor hockey careers intersected.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Bank on it
Royal Bank of Canada is providing $1 million to help hockey organizations. Taking a page from America's Got Talent, RBC is having people vote for who gets money through this Facebook page.
All very cool because, as parents and volunteers know, without corporate donations and taxpayer subsidies, there would be no minor hockey in Canada.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Finished at 16
As we ramp up for the minor hockey season, here's an important article published today in The London Free Press about a skilled teen player forced out of the game after suffering six concussions. He's 16.
No Sidney Crosby press conference here, just a kid playing a game.
It's a pre-season reminder that kids need to play the game safely and that it's the responsibility of parents, coaches and referees to make certain they do.
In my son's years in minor hockey, I know of three of his teammates who suffered serious concussions resulting in, obviously, lengthy absences from hockey and, more importantly, school.
The attitude, at least in southern Ontario, is shifting and this upcoming season should see a crackdown against head shots effectively enforced.
No Sidney Crosby press conference here, just a kid playing a game.
It's a pre-season reminder that kids need to play the game safely and that it's the responsibility of parents, coaches and referees to make certain they do.
In my son's years in minor hockey, I know of three of his teammates who suffered serious concussions resulting in, obviously, lengthy absences from hockey and, more importantly, school.
The attitude, at least in southern Ontario, is shifting and this upcoming season should see a crackdown against head shots effectively enforced.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Knights land Max Domi
To no one's great surprise, hot major junior prospect Max Domi has arrived as a member of the London Knights after failing to report to the Kingston Frontenacs, the team that drafted him a few months ago.
Max, a skilled forward and sure bet to have a pro career, postured about playing NCAA in the U.S. But whispers, nods and winks always had it that Doug Gilmour's Frontenacs and Mark Hunter's Knights would swing a deal.
The London Free Press has the story and an official press conference is on at the John Labatt Centre in downtown London as I write this.
Max starred for the Don Mills Flyers midgets and is expected to be a key cog in the offensive wheel of the Knights for three or four years. Landing him creates a team that should contend for the OHL crown a year or two from now - maybe even the Memorial Cup for the first time since Corey Perry led the team.
The next shoe to drop is whether or not Knights owners Mark and Dale Hunter will give Max's dad, Tie, a job with the club. Assistant coach, anyone?
Max, a skilled forward and sure bet to have a pro career, postured about playing NCAA in the U.S. But whispers, nods and winks always had it that Doug Gilmour's Frontenacs and Mark Hunter's Knights would swing a deal.
The London Free Press has the story and an official press conference is on at the John Labatt Centre in downtown London as I write this.
Max starred for the Don Mills Flyers midgets and is expected to be a key cog in the offensive wheel of the Knights for three or four years. Landing him creates a team that should contend for the OHL crown a year or two from now - maybe even the Memorial Cup for the first time since Corey Perry led the team.
The next shoe to drop is whether or not Knights owners Mark and Dale Hunter will give Max's dad, Tie, a job with the club. Assistant coach, anyone?
Monday, August 29, 2011
Gretzky's hometown hockey embraces sportsmanship
Playing in the same league as the Brantford 99ers generated more than its fair share of complaints stories from the stands during the past few seasons. From "line fights" to celebrating injuries of opposing players, Brantford kids gained a reputation as being the misfits of the league.
No longer - hopefully.
With leadership from the top down, Brantford Minor Hockey is initiating a new program that isn't a magic bullet, but should help shift attitudes to the sport.
Although they bury the lead, the Brantford Expositor reports hockey parents will soon be required to take a one-hour online course impressing upon them the influence they have on the kids (on both teams) playing the sport. Calgary already has a program like this in place where kids can't play until parents complete the courset.
In Brantford's case, it's being rolled out with the city's high-skill AAA and A teams first, then to house league. The course is professionally designed by Respect in Sport. Watch for it to be rolled out at other minor sports associations - not just hockey.
It looks like a great season ahead for Brantford, where renovations are complete at the Gretztky Sports Centre, the city's minor hockey palace. The association is also rolling out newly designed jerseys.
By the way, competitive teams in Brantford are nicknamed for Wayne Gretzky - the 99ers.
No longer - hopefully.
With leadership from the top down, Brantford Minor Hockey is initiating a new program that isn't a magic bullet, but should help shift attitudes to the sport.
Although they bury the lead, the Brantford Expositor reports hockey parents will soon be required to take a one-hour online course impressing upon them the influence they have on the kids (on both teams) playing the sport. Calgary already has a program like this in place where kids can't play until parents complete the courset.
In Brantford's case, it's being rolled out with the city's high-skill AAA and A teams first, then to house league. The course is professionally designed by Respect in Sport. Watch for it to be rolled out at other minor sports associations - not just hockey.
It looks like a great season ahead for Brantford, where renovations are complete at the Gretztky Sports Centre, the city's minor hockey palace. The association is also rolling out newly designed jerseys.
By the way, competitive teams in Brantford are nicknamed for Wayne Gretzky - the 99ers.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
GM uses its head
Kudos to General Motors and its new marketing program to provide free helmets to five-year-old hockey players. All the car company asks for in return is that the kids sport the Chevrolet logo on the side - another form of valuable sponsorship that makes minor hockey tick.
A story about the helmet campaign is published today in Merritt, B.C., News. Parents can get a helmet for their entry-level minor hockey kids by going to www.chevrolethockey.ca (I assume the offer is only good in Canada). GM provides a voucher parents can take to any one of several popular sporting goods stores.
It's a timely move in that rookie parents are often reluctant to start their kids in hockey due to the risk of head injuries and the cost. It's also an excellent marketing move by GM to connect child athlete safety with its vehicles.
In the heartland of minor hockey - London, Ont. - city GM dealers have combined forces to sponsor an entire house league division, similar to what Tim Hortons has done for years with pre-novice (aka tyke) hockey.
GM, through its Chevrolet division, has long been a supporter for safe and fun minor hockey. Good on them for making this direct connection with new players.
A story about the helmet campaign is published today in Merritt, B.C., News. Parents can get a helmet for their entry-level minor hockey kids by going to www.chevrolethockey.ca (I assume the offer is only good in Canada). GM provides a voucher parents can take to any one of several popular sporting goods stores.
It's a timely move in that rookie parents are often reluctant to start their kids in hockey due to the risk of head injuries and the cost. It's also an excellent marketing move by GM to connect child athlete safety with its vehicles.
In the heartland of minor hockey - London, Ont. - city GM dealers have combined forces to sponsor an entire house league division, similar to what Tim Hortons has done for years with pre-novice (aka tyke) hockey.
GM, through its Chevrolet division, has long been a supporter for safe and fun minor hockey. Good on them for making this direct connection with new players.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Is Crosby at a crossroads?
Here's why, according to a Toronto Star columnist, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby should retire now, at age 24, rather than risk further brain damage.
He's won the Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal and has enough money to keep himself and his heirs comfortable for lifetimes in Nova Scotia.
He's also had two serious concussions, the second of which is going to keep him from starting the season despite eight months of recovery. Forget that his agent and team are in denial - they have financial interests in making sure Crosby plays.
One more ugly NHL hit and Sidney could be in miserable healthy by middle-age.
If there ever was a siren for hockey at all levels to get hits to the head out of the game, this is it. The world's No. 1 player at a crossroads. Maybe Crosby, if cleared by doctors, should stay out until the league fixes the safety of the game.
Do it to keep the stars healthy and with long-term careers. And do it for the kids who'll never be paid to play the game.
He's won the Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal and has enough money to keep himself and his heirs comfortable for lifetimes in Nova Scotia.
He's also had two serious concussions, the second of which is going to keep him from starting the season despite eight months of recovery. Forget that his agent and team are in denial - they have financial interests in making sure Crosby plays.
One more ugly NHL hit and Sidney could be in miserable healthy by middle-age.
If there ever was a siren for hockey at all levels to get hits to the head out of the game, this is it. The world's No. 1 player at a crossroads. Maybe Crosby, if cleared by doctors, should stay out until the league fixes the safety of the game.
Do it to keep the stars healthy and with long-term careers. And do it for the kids who'll never be paid to play the game.
Monday, August 22, 2011
No fee ride for travel hockey kids from poor families
It's common for minor hockey associations to offer subsidies to players whose families could not otherwise afford to have their son or daughter play.
But should those subsidies be offered for kids who want to play on competitive teams, where upcharges and tournament fees can be double the fee charged for house league players?
Minor hockey officials in St. Thomas, Ont., think not, according to the local Times-Journal, where a columnist declares it smacks of discrimination.
While I empathize with kids who want to play and whose families can't afford it, I understand where St. Thomas hockey people are coming from. If families can find the money or sponsorship for the ride that is travel hockey, then why can't they find it for the basic registration fee?
On the other hand, skilled kids should be playing on the appropriate level of team, no matter what their economic circumstances.
Wonder how other hockey families feel.
In a perfect world, a kid-minded, hockey-minded benefactor would emerge to help players who are truly skilled and have the dedication and desire but not the family financial means move forward in hockey. Wouldn't it be nice, for example, if the greatest athlete ever from St. Thomas, San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton who makes $8 million a year, could quietly help advance the sport in his hometown.
In the shadows, of course, is the enormous economic hardship being experienced by St. Thomas, which is one of the hardest hit cities in Canada in terms of job loss during the recession.
But should those subsidies be offered for kids who want to play on competitive teams, where upcharges and tournament fees can be double the fee charged for house league players?
Minor hockey officials in St. Thomas, Ont., think not, according to the local Times-Journal, where a columnist declares it smacks of discrimination.
While I empathize with kids who want to play and whose families can't afford it, I understand where St. Thomas hockey people are coming from. If families can find the money or sponsorship for the ride that is travel hockey, then why can't they find it for the basic registration fee?
On the other hand, skilled kids should be playing on the appropriate level of team, no matter what their economic circumstances.
Wonder how other hockey families feel.
In a perfect world, a kid-minded, hockey-minded benefactor would emerge to help players who are truly skilled and have the dedication and desire but not the family financial means move forward in hockey. Wouldn't it be nice, for example, if the greatest athlete ever from St. Thomas, San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton who makes $8 million a year, could quietly help advance the sport in his hometown.
In the shadows, of course, is the enormous economic hardship being experienced by St. Thomas, which is one of the hardest hit cities in Canada in terms of job loss during the recession.
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