Apr 13, 2018 | Charlene | 1293 views
No Body-checking Rep league
During the recent 2017-18 season, the OMHA
conducted a pilot study in conjunction with the York Simcoe Minor Hockey League
re: competitive “no body-checking” divisions for players from Minor Bantam
through Midget. For the purposes of the
pilot study participating teams were categorized as “Minor Development” (MD). The pilot study will continue through the
2018-19 season.
The WSMHA decided not to participate in the
initial pilot study and at this point, the Board’s position remains unchanged
ie we have no plans to offer MD teams for the upcoming 2018-19 season.
Simply adding MD teams is not an option for an association of our size. The alternative- discontinuing our AE teams in favour of MD teams- was considered, but the Board concluded that we needed more input from the membership before making such a change. Are there options for Stouffville Minor Bantam and older players to play in a no body-checking rep league? Currently, MD programs are residency restricted ie players are only eligible to play for teams in the centres in which they reside. However, it is our understanding that the residency regulations for the pilot study may be modified for the 2018-19 season to allow some movement for residents of centres not offering MD programs of their own. A decision in this regard would be made prior to the commencement of rep tryouts and any changes communicated via the WSMHA website.