NORTH CENTRAL MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Season Plan 2016-2017 NOTE: DRAFT VERSION REGULATION CHANGES NOT YET APPROVED; TO BE PRESENTED AT APRIL 2016 AGM 1
TIERING North Central Minor Hockey Association s current tiering process involves pre-season play based on original team placement submission from the Local Minor Hockey Association. The pre-season play involves games amongst teams in the original submissions for that tier, and teams above and below the specific tier. Historical team placement and unique individual team factors (such as a lack of goalie, all first years, etc) are considered when drafting pre-season schedules. Following pre-season play, the Tiering Committee consisting of the league President, Vice- President s, and Scheduler decide on final team placement based on pre-season results. Input is provided by the involved League Governor, Coach, and local Minor Hockey Association where needed. That the Tiering Committee will consist of the President, Vice-President Atom/Peewee, Vice- President Bantam/Midget, Scheduler, and three members at large, voted onto the tiering committee at the Annual General Meeting which may be local Minor Hockey Association NCMHA Representatives, or names provided by the local Minor Hockey Associations. Formal input from local Minor Hockey Associations (based presumptively on feedback received from coaches and managers) is provided to the Tiering Committee by a specific deadline and taken into considering by the Tiering Committee. Informal input may be requested by the Tiering Committee of team coaches, local Minor Hockey Association s, League Governor s, or other officials. 2
TRAVEL & SCHEDULING North Central Minor Hockey Association recognizes the burden that excessive or unnecessary travel places on players, coaches, and families. This excessive travel can be counter-productive to the goals of player development and player retention. North Central Minor Hockey Association recognizes the increasing costs of travel and participation in the sport and the economic pressures faced by families in the province today. The goal of reducing travel is often complicated by the desire for competitive games, availability of teams, participating associations, and final tiering. A brainstorm meeting was held in Sylvan Lake in late April, 2015 with all associations invited to attend. Ideas discussed on how to reduce travel and improve scheduling included the use of double header games at the lower levels, increased use of geographical divisions within tiers, and limiting the use of overnight trips. Unfortunately, the availability of ice times submitted did not allow for all initiatives to have a trial run in the 2015-2016 season. Successful initiatives included the use of geographically splits at the Atom 4, Peewee 5, and Midget 2 level. The further use of divisions within tiers is believed to be in the best interest for all participants. Increased use of divisions within tiers based on geographical location. Divisions will be implemented in any tier with sufficient teams; divisions within the tier do not necessarily have to have equal number of teams. When divisions within tiers are used at the Atom and Peewee levels, increasing the number of games played amongst division opponents and reducing, or eliminating, the number of games played amongst opposing divisions. When divisions within tiers are used at the Bantam and Midget levels, increasing the number of games played amongst division opponents and reducing the number of games played amongst opposing divisions based on the level of competition and the amount of teams. Develop playoff formats that reduce travel, including division winners crossing over for the league final. Continue to work in partnership with surrounding leagues where the use of interlock games or interlocking league play makes sense geographically to reduce travel, increase number of teams, and improve competition. Improve communication regarding scheduling with local Minor Hockey Associations and the Scheduler through the use of conference calls prior to the start of the season and ice time submissions. Adjust the season timeline to allow a break between pre-season play and the start of the regular season to allow Scheduler, local Minor Hockey Association Ice Schedulers, and the Tiering 3
Committee to properly tier, schedule, and address problems before the start of the regular season. Change Regulation 7- Ice Requirements to address the differences between rural and urban centres on providing extra ice times. Determine if the use of doubleheader games are desired at the Atom and possibly Peewee levels to reduce frequency of travel. 4
LEAGUE COOPERATION & INTERLOCK North Central Minor Hockey Association has at times in the past worked with surrounding leagues to provided interlock play (16-60 and Sturgeon Pembina league) at the Tier 1 level to ensure enough teams were available to provide a competitive experience. NCMHA has also worked with large local Minor Hockey Association s to interlock league games with house leagues to provide all involved extra competition and variety. While the level of competition was high in the Tier 1 interlock experience, some concerns with extra travel were experienced mainly to do with the inclusion of certain teams or certain locations within the surrounding leagues. NCMHA is surrounded by the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) in the south, 16-60 league in the north, and the North Eastern Alberta Hockey League (NEAHL) in the east. Continued co-operation with surrounding leagues to increase competition and reduce travel is encouraged in any tier where it travel is reduced and competition is increased. Example: League A has 5 teams at the Bantam Tier 3 level. League B has 8 teams at the Bantam 3 level. 4 of these teams are geographically close to League A. NCMHA would encourage one of two options: 1) Each league runs their own tier with several interlocking games between the League A teams and the 4 geographically close teams of League B. This increases game options, reduces travel, and provides variety and competition. Points gained in interlock games count towards your own league standings. Each league runs their own playoffs. 2) The leagues run one combined tier, arranging teams into divisions based on geography to reduce travel, as opposed to what league the individual team is from. The leagues run one playoff. Continue to work with surrounding leagues to reduce travel and costs, and increase competition. Increase use of interlocking games, tiers, and divisions with surrounding leagues where travel is reduced and competition increases. 5
GAME OPERATIONS & REGULATIONS North Central Minor Hockey Association reviews and updates the NCMHA Regulations annually. Feedback is received from local Minor Hockey Associations, teams, League Governors, and others involved when making changes for the upcoming season. Proposed regulation changes are voted on an approved at the Annual General Meeting. Updates to existing regulations and the creation of new regulations are required to clarify the creation of divisions within tiers, amount of games, interlock with surrounding leagues, and the use of scheduling techniques to reduce travel (doubleheader games, frequency of travel, etc). Possible changes to the timeline and length of season to work with Hockey Alberta in support of the Long Term Player Development Model may be required. Proposed Changes for 2016-2017 Regulation changes to clarify creation of divisions within tiers and the amount of games, interlock procedures with surrounding leagues, and scheduling techniques. Regulation changes to Section 7- Ice Requirements to clarify ice times required. Changes to the season timeline to accommodate regulation changes Work with Hockey Alberta to further support the Long Term Player Development Model. 6
NON-CHECKING OPTIONS FOR BANTAM & MIDGET North Central Minor Hockey Association recognizes the Long Term Player Development Model from Hockey Alberta and the importance of alternative options for players to keep them in the game. The creation of a non-checking tier at both the Bantam and Midget level is envisioned to provide a place for these players to play. Create a non-checking tier in both Bantam and Midget levels for those associations wishing to have teams at this level. Encourage partnerships between surrounding leagues and associations that may have teams in non-checking options or require a place to play. 7
COMMUNICATIONS North Central Minor Hockey Association seeks to improve communication in all aspects of the game- between associations, with the league, with officials, and while scheduling. Host a conference call with local Minor Hockey Association Ice-Schedulers/Allocators, league executive and league Scheduler prior to the start of the season and the submission of ice times for the season. This communication will ensure everyone is on the same page, and advise of specific ice times that may be required to implement reduce travel initiatives, divisions with tiers, interlock with surrounding leagues, or combined tiers with surrounding leagues. Host an in person or conference call meeting with Associations between the September meeting and the January meeting, near the end of pre-season or the start of regular season play. Invite a liaison or representative from the zone referee s committee to attend a league meeting to become more familiar with the procedures affecting officials and the league. 8