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Lead, Develop, Promote Positive Hockey Experiences.

Semi-Annual 2015Best Western Plus

Dartmouth, NS

HNS Semi Annual Meeting – Sept. 25-26, 2015 AgendaBest Western Plus, Dartmouth, NS

Friday September 25th HNS Semi Annual Meeting, Best Western Plus, Dartmouth

4:00 PM – 6:25 PM HNS Board Meeting 6:35 PM – 7:30 PM Midget Review Presentation to Structural Review Committee/Board6:30 PM – 6:35 PM Welcome – Agenda review (HNS President Garth Isenor)6:35 PM – 8:30 PM Minor Hockey Association Presidents Meeting8:30 PM – 8:45 PM BREAK8:45 PM – 9:30 PM Items from MHA Presidents Meeting (MHA’s, Board & Councils)9:30 PM – 12:00 AM Reception – Best Western Plus, Dart. (Pizza and refreshments)

Saturday September 26th HNS Semi Annual Meeting, Best Western Plus, Dartmouth

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Plenary 1 - HNS Topics -New HNS Book,-Structural Review Update (Midget and Atom)- Day Of Champions 2016-HNS/HC Risk Management Updates (New Dressing Room Supervision, Hazing, Dressing Room Boxing…)

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM Plenary 2 – HNSFC Topics (update & progress of new Admin and Reg process)

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM BREAK

10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Plenary 3 - HNSMC Topics–Pee Wee AAA, Bantam AA & Midget AA Prov. format.-3 on 3 small area games (Best Practices and update)

Lead, Develop, Promote Positive Hockey Experiences.

Semi Annual 2015Presidents Meeting

Presidents MeetingAgenda

-Regulation 3.7 Teams per Level - (Dart. Whalers MHA)

- Novice 3 on 3 – (Acadia MHA)

- U13 Tryouts - (Northside and District MHA)

- Working Together to Meet demands of Changing Demographics – (Strait-Richmond MHA)

- HNS Semi Annual & Annual Meeting Attendance (HNS)

- Other

Lead, Develop, Promote Positive Hockey Experiences.

Semi Annual 2015Plenary 1

HNS Updates

“NEW” HNS Constitution Book

“NEW” Fee Collection Policy

HNS PAYMENT SCHEDULE

THIS PROCESS WILL ALIGN HNS WITH HOCKEY CANADA PAYMENT DATES

OCTOBER 15—First payment is due (based on last year’s numbers)

JANUARY 15 —Second payment is due (based on last year’s numbers)MARCH 15 —Reconciliation sheet is due. HNS will complete reconciliation and if any amount is owed, the MHA will be invoiced, and if any amount is refunded, a refund will be paid (within a 1 month period).

Midget Structure Review

Mandate

Tasked by theHNS Structure Review Committee

to review midget hockey in Nova Scotiaand

to present our findings and recommendations NLT the HNS 2015 Semi Annual Meeting.

Scope of Review

• Loss of 15 year old players from the game and to High School;• Impact of non-checking vs checking at Bantam/Midget Levels;• Affiliation for Major Midget teams; • Relationship between NSSAF and Branch and leagues;• Outside recruitment of HNS players by private, Hockey Canada

and US Schools; • Relationship, recruitment between Major Bantam and Major

Midget (in particular HRM); • Review of Major Midget league, # of teams, locations, etc.; and• Current state of Midget AA, level of play, talent, and # of teams.

Membership

Committee consisted of :• Co-Chairs, Kevin Mitchell and Darren Cossar;• Darren Sutherland (HNS Technical Director)• Randy Morgan (HNS)• John Sellers (President- NS Major Midget)• Todd Watson (President - NS Major Bantam)• Brad MacKinley and Arnie Farrell (HNS Minor Council)• Shawn MacKenzie and Brian MacInnis (Members at Large).

Process

• Committee meetings;• E-mail questionnaire to committee members;• Comparisons to other Branches;• Input from key stakeholders;• Online membership survey; and• Focus group (Bantam, Midget and High School players).

Our Approach…Identify who the customer is and what do they want from the sport of

hockey…

Defining The Customer

• Type A: The player who wants to pursue hockey as a career and is more than willing to commit the time effort and dedication to do so. This player believes that they can play at a higher level in hockey and are willing to give up other interests and sports to commit to hockey;

• Type B: The player who is a late bloomer (due to physical growth or time in the sport) who has been a better than average player in Bantam and who is also is willing to commit the time, effort and dedication to play at a highly organized level. This player believes that they, too, can compete at the higher levels in the sport;

Defining The Customer

• Type C: The player who still wants to play the sport competitively (in the checking environment) but has other interests and is reluctant to commit the time and effort to for advance to the higher levels of midget hockey. This player realizes that they will not move onto the higher levels in the game and have part-time jobs and other time constraints.

• Type D: The player who still enjoys the sport but wants to play recreationally (without body checking and too much structure) as they have other interests and hobbies. This player can be highly skilled but has decided that they are no longer interested in pursuing the higher levels in the sport. In some cases, the player may have suffered injuries in the sport and does not want to incur a reoccurrence.

• Type E: The player who simply wants to play the sport in an unstructured environment and wants to play with their friends for social and recreational purposes. This player may not want the travel associated with other teams and has other hobbies and commitments.

Findings

Loss of 15 year old players from the game and to High School

• The aspiring 15 year old player no longer considers minor hockey (‘AA’) as a viable (competition/development) option if they are not successful in playing on a Major Midget team.

• This player turns to High School hockey which has grown significantly in recent years. In some cases, the 15 year old is unable to compete against the older high school players as well and leave the sport.

• High school hockey has never been more healthy and this growth has been at the expense of minor hockey.

Findings

Impact of non-checking vs checking at Bantam/Midget Levels

• A large number of players who wanted to participate in checking hockey were relegated to the non-checking levels due to the limited number of teams at AA and A throughout the province. There are reports of players leaving the game if they cannot play at the body checking level.

• The demand for non-checking hockey, while present, is not as high as expected.

• In addition, the committee asked what the difference is between ‘B’ and ‘C’ hockey. Do we need to have two non-checking divisions where players ultimately just want to play recreationally.

Findings

Affiliation for Major Midget teams

• All Major Midget teams as well as other teams in Midget hockey are all struggling to access capable affiliates.

• Issues such as scheduling conflicts, skill/talent disparity, and lack of willingness by players, all create difficulties for teams.

• The current affiliation model (number of games) does not satisfy affiliation needs for Major Midget or Major Bantam where player injuries/suspensions are higher in number.

Findings

Relationship between NSSAFand Branch and leagues

• HNS has been working to improve relationships and develop a partnership between the two hockey governing parties for an extended period.

• The effort has yet to yield any meaningful results and there is no reason to believe that this will improve in the short term.

• The mindset that such a relationship could benefit HNS member teams (i.e. affiliation) seems remote as High School has their own agenda.

• While HNS should continue to pursue this relationship, changes in midget hockey cannot be delayed any longer.

Findings

Outside recruitment of HNS players by private, Hockey Canada and US Schools

• In recent years, the number of players who are opting to leave NS to play elsewhere at prep programs has increased dramatically compared to prior seasons.

• The external organizations who are heavily recruiting our players operate in isolation from the HNS recruitment regulations and this creates an uneven playing field leaving our teams/leagues at a disadvantage.

• This exodus of players has a negative impact on the calibre of play in our leagues further eroding the development opportunity.

Findings

Relationship, recruitment between Major Bantam and Major Midget

• The committee believes that any concerns with the relationship between the two leagues can be easily overcome.

• Given the critical role that each league plays in developing our players, there are benefits to be gained from working more closely to achieve common goals.

• The Elite Division within HNS can be a strong voice and vehicle to assist in creating and facilitating such a partnership.

Findings

Review of Major Midget league, # of teams, locations, etc.

• The Major Midget league has and continues to provide elite level experiences for our players;

• Significant strides in recent years with sponsorship and interlocking schedules;

• All franchises continue to develop players, coaches and officials for the next level;

• Given the level of effort associated with running franchises as well as the league, the league needs assistance to progress in areas such as marketing, promotion and participant education.

Findings

Current state of Midget AA, level of play, talent, and # of teams.

• Number of teams is shrinking (11) provincially with only 2 teams outside of metro;

• Quality coaches are difficult to attract and retain due to lack of attendance and commitment by players of varying ages;

• The commitment level of players (15-17/18) differ significantly creating problems for the developing and aspiring player;

• Discrepancy in skill levels and goals of the players;

Atom Changes Review

• At the completion of this season 2015-16, a complete review of all aspects of the changes introduced in 2014-15 will be conducted.

• Feedback from MHA’s, parents, coaches will be solicited.

• The focus will not be on going back, but how we can tweak to make it better going forward.

Risk Management Updates

• New HNS Dressing Room Supervision Policy• New HNS On-Ice Bullying Policy• HC/HNS Hazing Policy• HC/HNS Locker Room Boxing Advisory• HNS Water Bottle Advisory• Updated Abusive Parent Policy• Respect in Sport Parent Program

Semi Annual 2015Plenary 2

HNSFC UpdatesBest Western Plus

Dartmouth, NS

World Girls Hockey Weekend

October 10-11, 2015

HNS Female Council Update

Lead, Develop, Promote Positive Hockey Experiences.

Semi Annual 2015Plenary 3

HNSMC Updates

HNSMC Provincials 2016

Provincial Tournaments 2016

Pee Wee AAA March 24-27, 2016*Pee Wee AAA Atlantics - April 7-10, 2016

Bantam AA April 7-10, 2016Midget AA April 7-10, 2016

HNS/RBC Day of Champions

HNS/RBC Day of Champions April 8-10, 2016, Pictou Co. Wellness Centre, New Glasgow - 1-9 PM Friday April 8th (4 games), 9am-9pm Sat April 9th (6 Games), 9am-7pm Sun April 10th (5 games), - Minor games Friday & Saturday, Female games Sunday, (Final Schedule TBD)

10 HNSMC Championship gamesAtom B, A, AAPee Wee B, A, AABantam B, AMidget B, A

4 HNSFC Championships gamesAtom A & Atom AAPee Wee ABantam AMidget A,

3 on 3 Development

Bill ShortDevelopment Coordinator

HNS

Have a Great Season!

12:00 noon-1:00 PM

HNS Semi Annual Meeting 1.0 Welcome – HNS President Garth Isenor2.0 Minutes from 2014 Semi Annual Meeting3.0 Council / Board Updates4.0 Confirmation of 2015-17 Appointed Positions - Scott Kennedy –Chair RM/Adult Rec - Chair of Dev. – To be elected as per New By-Law - VP Finance – To be appointed5.0 2014-15 Financial Update6.0 Structural Review Update7.0 NOM8.0 New BusinessAdjourn *next Board meeting Oct 27, 2016 conference Call**next face to face Board meeting Nov. 13-14, 2016

Hockey Nova ScotiaSemi-Annual Meeting