The
puck is about to drop on the 2022-23 season! Here are a few highlights on the
upcoming season.
First,
I want to thank all the volunteers putting in time to prepare for the upcoming
season. I encourage all families to consider how you can volunteer to help our
hockey program remain strong and run smoothly.
OMHA Level of Play Reclassification
The OMHA has reclassified level of play for all associations below across Ontario. The change means we only have single letter classifications (i.e. B, C, D) and no longer have double letter classifications (i.e. BB, CC). St. Marys will now offer B level (formerly BB) and C level (formerly AE) hockey. You will see our team names have changed. These changes do not impact local league hockey (U9 and above LL teams will now be referred to as ‘Blue…Red‘ etc on website).
Getting Back on the Ice
The PRC will be operating a single ice pad between Sept 6-11 with the second pad coming online Sept 12. We begin Sept 7. Our ice schedules will be varied for the first few week until all the skates and tryouts are concluded. Thanks for your patience and please watch the website calendar carefully for ice times and changes as the first few weeks unfold.
Season Structure
The OHF continues to evolve the Player Pathways at U9-U13 aimed at ensuring our players are enjoying the game of hockey while developing and playing at the right level of hockey. All U9-U13 players will be able to participate in Development Skates prior to moving into evaluations/tryouts. Development skates are not mandatory but players are encouraged to participate. SMMHA has organized our skates based on division age and split according to Last Name for divisions with larger player numbers. Please refer to the main calendar for these Development Skates.
Tryouts
Tryout schedules have been posted. SMMHA will be removing the tryout fee for the 2022/23 season!
Any player looking to play boys Rep level hockey (B or C team) must attend the B team tryouts and be released before attending C team tryouts.
For girls where there is a B and C team, players do not need to attend B tryouts if they wish to play on second team.
Players not looking to play Rep level hockey, should not attend tryouts and await confirmation of local league ice times following tryouts.
A Tryout Registration online form will be posted soon. ALL players wishing to attend a Rep team tryout must complete the online form. A tryout guideline providing details on how tryouts operate will be posted along with the online form. Player releases will be conducted using the website and coaches will share more information at the first tryout.
Gate and Referee Cost Changes
Can’t find that $5 bucks? OMHA boys hockey in Ontario will no longer have gate fees! Gate fees were collected to pay for referee costs and supplement hockey programming. SMMHA will pay 100% of the referee costs for the 2022/23 season. A decision on future years will be made at a later date.
OWHA girls hockey did not have a gate but collected fees from players to pay for referee costs. SMMHA will pay 100% of the referee costs for the 2022/23 season. A decision on future years will be made at a later date.
Rock Jersey New Look
New look but same Rock Hockey!! In order to refresh our look and move to a single jersey look across all our hockey programming, a new jersey was chosen by online vote by our hockey families. These new jerseys will be phased in over 3 years with approx 7 teams shifting to new jersey each year. Coaches have been informed of which teams will start the season with the new jerseys and need to purchase new hockey socks. Below is the new jersey look!
Continue to follow all new information by Subscribing to the SMMHA website. It’s a great way to stay connected.
Enjoy the long weekend and see you at the rink!
Mark
SMMHA President