Gs hockey programconceptv2

Greater Sudbury Hockey Organization New Concept

Preamble

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Greater Sudbury currently supports 8 Minor Hockey Associations and 1 Club Organization

Nickel District Minor Hockey League (NDMHL) is a competitive league affiliated with and operating under the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA)

The NDMHL currently supports approximately 56 (novice

to midget aged) teams from 11 minor hockey organizations across Northeastern Ontario

NOHA is one of 7 hockey association (OMHA, GTHL, Alliance, OHA, OWHA, & OHL) members operating under the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF)

NOHA was formed in 1919 and became affiliated with Ontario Hockey Association (now the OHF)

Preamble...

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Currently the Greater Sudbury supports 2 AAA hockey programs drawing players from 3 NOHA Districts (2, 8 & 7)

Presently AAA hockey teams are competing at the Peewee, Bantam and Midget levels and play in several NOHA sanctioned leagues (i.e., NOPL, NDMHL, NOBL, & GNML)

Presently A/AA hockey teams are competing at the Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, & Midget levels and play in the NOHA sanctioned NDMHL

Myth or Fact...

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Greater Sudbury hockey programs are falling behind other OHF associations?

Greater Sudbury is not developing/producing players to it’s maximum capability

Greater Sudbury is not show-casing it’s talent to the fullest potential?

Greater Sudbury member associations could be more cooperative, effective and efficient in restructuring a competitive hockey program?

Association constriction within Greater Sudbury would produce a more competitive model locally, regionally and provincially?

Local competitive tournaments do not attract the higher calibre hockey teams to the area?

Myth or Fact...

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Membership associations that makeup the NOHA can improve the current and future hockey development system?

There are to many hockey associations in Sudbury Region competing for a decreasing player cohort?

Membership associations could be more cooperative, effective and proactive in exploring league competitiveness?

This new approach has support at the grass roots level within Greater Sudbury and abroad?

Other cities/municipalities of similar size have adopted a one competitive AAA program model?

Other cities/municipalities of similar size are more successful at competitive levels locally, regionally and provincially?

Myth or Fact...

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Other cities/municipalities of similar size are more successful at player development?

Other cities/municipalities of similar size are more effective at team staff development?

The absence of a minor midget program in Greater Sudbury has been a disappointment and detriment to player progression in northern Ontario?

Depressing Stats

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This review was based on the last 10 years and only represents AAA, AA teams who have participated within associations in the Sudbury region

The categories selected were weighted towards provincial tournaments, NOHAs , OHFs and OHL draft selection ranking

The categories are as follows: AAA Level, AA Level and OHL Draft Selection Associations included were : Sudbury Minor Hockey , Copper Cliff

Minor Hockey Association, Nickel City Sons Hockey Club, Onaping Falls Hockey Association (Onaping Falls Huskies), Valley East Progressive Hockey Association (Consbec midget team)

Note: Additional stats on teams were still being researched at time of print and therefore some of the team records are not reflected in this report at the time of print…

Depressing Stats...

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AAA Rated Tournaments and Invites Big Nickel (Sudbury, ON.), Toronto Red Wings Early Bird

(Toronto, ON.), Toronto Marlboros Holiday Classic & Friendship (Toronto, ON.), Shanahan International (Mississauga, ON.), Hamilton Bulldogs (Hamilton, ON.), International (Silver Sticks, Bell Capital Cup, Nike Bauer International, Chicago IL., Detroit Little Caesars, Detroit, MI.)

AA Rated TournamentsRegional Silver Stick (Sudbury, ON.), Sault Ste. Marie

International Challenge Cup (SSM, ON.), West Ferris Ladies Tournament (North Bay, ON.), Mississauga North Stars Christmas Classic (Mississauga, ON.), Glen Bellerby (Barrie, ON.), Pickering Panthers Early Bird Tournament (Pickering, ON.), Bell Capital Cup (Ottawa, ON.)

Depressing Stats...

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AAA Level NOHAsMidgets: 2 championships (2003, 2008)Bantams: 2 championships (2006, 2008) Peewees: 4 championships (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008)

AA Level NOHAsMidgets: 3 championships (2003, 2004, 2005 )Bantams: 8 championships (2003, *2004, *2005,

*2006, 2007)Peewees: 4 championships (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005)Atoms: 6 championships (1999, 2001, 2004, *2005,

2006)Novice: 4 championships (2001, 2005, 2007, 2008)

Depressing Stats...

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AAA Level OHFs/Central RegionMidgets: 1 gold & 1 national (2008), 1 silver

(2003), 1 silver (1998-Air Canada Cup)Bantams: 0 medalsPeewees: 1 bronze (2008)

AA Level OHFsMidgets: 1 silver Bantams: 0 medalsPeewees: 1 silver medal (2001)Atoms: 2 silver, gold (2001, 2006)Novice: 0 medals

Depressing Stats...

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AAA Level TournamentsMidgets: SSM Steel City International Finalist 2007Bantams:Peewees: Brendan Shanahan International Finalist

2008

AA Level TournamentsMidgets:Bantams:Peewees: SSM International Challenge Cup Champions

2007 Atoms:Novice:

Depressing Stats...

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OHL Entry Level Draft Selection2008 Year

SMNC - Rank 1 (6 players (5 AAA & 1 AA or 35% of total)

SSMNS - Rank 2 (5 players or 29% of total)TBK - Rank 3 (3 players or 18% of total)NCS - Rank 4 (2 players or 12% of total)NBT - Rank 5 (1 player or 6% of total)

Depressing Stats...

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SSMNS - Rank 1 (4 players or 27% of total)TBK - Rank 1 (4 players or 27% of total)VEC - Rank 2 (3 players or 20% of total)RBH - Rank 3 (2 players or 13% of total)SMNC - Rank 4 (1 player or 7% of total)NBT - Rank 4 (1 player or 7% of total)

Depressing Stats...

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TBK - Rank 1 (8 players or 30% of total)SSMNS - Rank 2 (7 players or 26% of total)RBH - Rank 3 (4 players or 15% of total)SMNC - Rank 4 (3 players or 11% of total)VEC - Rank 4 (3 players or 11% of total)CCM - Rank 5 (2 players or 7% of total)

Depressing Stats...

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TBK - Rank 1 (7 players or 44% of total)SSMNS - Rank 2 (3 players or 19% of total)TM - Rank 3 (1 player or 6% of total)VEC - Rank 3 (1 player or 6% of total)NBT - Rank 3 (1 player or 6% of total)NLC - Rank 3 (1 player or 6% of total)KL - Rank 3 (1 player or 6% of total)SM AA - Rank 3 (1 player or 6% of total)

Note: Only found OHL draft stats dating back to 2005, requested later years from OHL personnel, yet to receive information at time of print

Interesting Stats...

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Additional thoughts...A level teams in the Sudbury Region yielded the best

level of results in categories researched Sudbury region players have consistently been drafted

in lower rounds (exception, Vern Cooper, 11th overall, 1st round) of the OHL Entry Level Draft Selection

GTHL has 48 hockey associations that administer competitive programs (A/AA/AAA) for a population of approximately 2.6 million people (1 association per 541,000 people)

Greater Sudbury has 7 hockey associations that administer competitive programs (A/AA/AAA) for a population of approximately 165,000 people (1 association per 23, 500 people)


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2008 OHL Draft... Ontario players drafted from minor midget teams: 222 (92.1%) Ontario players drafted from major midget teams: 19 (7.9%) Ontario players drafted from minor midget teams in 1st 5 rounds: 50 (20.7%) Ontario players drafted from major midget teams in 1st 5 rounds: 6 (2.4%) Ontario players drafted from top 10 ranked minor midget teams: 79 (32.8%)

#1 ranked Toronto Jr. Canadians - 15 players drafted Average players selected was 7.9 players/team

Ontario players drafted from top 15 ranked minor midget teams: 109 (45.2%)

#11 ranked Peterborough Petes - 8 players drafted Average players selected was 7.3 players/team

Ontario players drafted from top 20 ranked minor midget teams: 128 (51.9%)

Average players selected was 6.4 players/team

Note: Stat % are accumulative from top 10 to 20 ranked teams


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2008 OHL Draft...Local Ontario players drafted from minor midget teams: 8

(3.3%) Nickel Capitals Major Midgets - 5 Nickel City Sons Major Midgets - 2 Sudbury Wolverines AA Major Midgets - 1

Number of players drafted in 1st round: 0 (0.0%)Number of players drafted in first 5 rounds: 2 (0.83%)Number of players drafted in 2008 and currently playing in

OHL: 0 (0.0%)


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2008 AAA Hockey Programs in Greater Sudbury...

Stats represent win-loss records complied by these AAA teams in tournament competition from outside of northern Ontario SMHA Minor Peewee Wolves: 14-11SMHA Major Peewee Wolves: 4-6Nickel City Sons Major Peewee: 1-11-2SMHA Minor Bantam Wolves: 17-9-2 SMHA Minor Bantam Wolves: 3-9Nickel City Sons Major: 2-9-1 Records of teams in 1 tier AAA system

Combined record 31-20-2Records of teams in 2 tier AAA system

Combined record 10-35-3

Current System

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All NOHA sanctioned associations within the Sudbury Region provide various options from initiation, house league through to competitive levels of hockey

Five associations provide competitive A classified teams from novice to midget level

Two associations provide competitive AA classified teams from novice to midget level

Two organizations provide competitive AAA classified teams at peewee, bantam and midget level

Seven associations are designated District 2

Two associations are designated District 8

Model For Discussion

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Restructure the current competitive programs to provide the following outcomes:

Increase level of cooperation amongst associations to provide improved player development and staff development

Support restructure of competitive tiers (i.e. One AAA, two AA from each district (novice-bantam), min. of four AA/A teams at midget, and min. of six A teams (novice-bantam)

Improve local/regional A/AA competitiveness Improve regional/provincial/national AAA competitiveness Support tiered house league development programs Creates a single brand/identity for potential corporate

sponsorship Create an organization that is player focussed and results

oriented Provide a model that competitive hockey parents/players

are requesting

Model For Discussion

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Proposed model:Adopt one organization model (Greater

Sudbury Hockey) that operates competitive AAA program in Greater Sudbury RegionOrganization to be made up of existing

club/associations delegates that currently operate AAA teams and include Sudbury Wolves OHL Hockey Club representative (non-voting)

Organization would operate as a non-profit entity, comprised of elected executive, appointed directors and district delegates (non-voting)

Organization hierarchy could be comprised of 4 administrators, 6 directors, 1 OHL Wolves delegate and 3 district reps

Model For Discussion...

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Proposed model continued:Organization would operate as a club system, guided

by charter that is focused on development, measurable outcomes and progressive results…

Establishment of single team brand (i.e. Sudbury Wolves or Nickel City Sons)

Model calls for 1 AAA calibre program and new organization that would also work with regional associations towards creation of more competitive AA/A league with affiliate associations (VEPHA, SMHA, CCMHA, NCMHA, RBMHA EMHA, etc.)


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Proposed model benefits: Increased cooperation between associations to improved

player development and staff development Create restructure opportunity of competitive AA/A programs

(i.e. two AA and six A teams from novice to bantam, and 4 AA teams in midget)

Improve local/regional/provincial/national level competitiveness

Build player development towards minor midget draft year Improve promotion of local talent at showcase hockey events Support tiered house league development programs in

Greater Sudbury hockey associations Build a sense of pride and community unity Enhance team operations and administrative process Creates a single brand for potential corporate sponsorship

opportunities and cost reduction for current AAA organizations Improve competitiveness that will attract higher calibre teams

to local/regional run tournaments


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Model Timelines and Bridge to Reality New organization could initially field 4-AAA teams (1997,

1996, 1995 & 1994 age) and would organize to apply for minor midget AAA cards and begin lobby process for a minor midget AAA team that would request inclusion into GNML in northern (see other options)

Organization would work to develop an MOU agreement amongst the 2 current AAA groups (SMHA & NCS) operating teams in peewee, bantam and midget age groups

MOU would focus on 1-tier AAA organization, while working together to field most competitive teams playing at 94, 95, & 96 levels (via team and/or player trade-offs, import clause and staff cooperation possibilities)


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Organization would also plan to lobby and encourage other NOHA members (SSM, NB, Timmins) to consider working together to improve the competitive AAA established programs at Peewee, Bantam and Midget levels and consider minor midget concept where/when feasible

Other options to consider would be a possible minor midget team participation in NDMHL midget level league or possible formation of minor midget league in northern Ontario

Organization could initially operate 4 teams playing in NOPL, NOBL, (2) NDHL in 2009, then add minor midget team in 2010 and possible continue to add teams in the atom group age

Organization would work with local hockey associations to re-structure AA/A hockey programs to support new organization

Other Association Models

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Thunder Bay Kings AAA Hockey Organization

Sault Ste. Marie AAA SystemSault Ste. Marie North Stars AAA MidgetSoo Thunder AAA Major BantamSoo Greyhounds AAA Minor BantamPino’s AAA Minor Peewee (Sault Major Hockey

Association)

Barrie Colts AAA Hockey AssociationLondon Junior Knights Organization (AAA & AA)Ajax - Pickering Minor Hockey Associations (AA &

AAA)

What Respected Hockey People Are Saying…

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Mark Burgess - CEO & Owner OHL Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club: There is no question in my mind, that the development of hockey players to prepare them for the OHL and other elite leagues, would be best served by a one team AAA system, especially at the Minor Midget level.

Troy Crowder - Former Professional Hockey Player: Yet to be received at time of print.

Troy Mallette - Former Professional Hockey Player: Yet to be received at time of print.

Brian Savage - Former Professional Hockey Player: Yet to be received at time of print.

Todd Bertuzzi - Professional Hockey Player: Yet to be received at time of print.

Ted Nolan - Former Professional Hockey Player & Professional Coach: Yet to be

received at time of print.


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Rob Kitamura - Head of OHL Central Scouting: Yet to be received at time of print. Gerard Peltier: Former Professional Hockey Player: Having played in northern Ontario system

and now having kids playing in the system, I recognize not much has changed over the years and our kids/parents are suffering the consequences of a poorly developed structure for AAA/AA/A hockey in the north. This is the kind of concept that will improve development and cooperation amongst hockey stakeholders, something needs to change…

Doug Bonhomme - Central Scouting (Northern Ontario): Yet to be received at time of print.

Bob Johnston - Current AAA/AA coach and hockey parent: “The time has come to put partisan thinking aside and to bring the best hockey minds together in the City of Greater Sudbury to create a new system which will respond to the hockey development needs in our community. There are two choices before us; we can allow the associations within Sudbury to continue to deteriorate or we can respond to this formidable challenge by working together to create a unified organization that will embrace the "hockey development principles" that will become the model for other associations in the province and the country".

Armand Vincent - Former coach, scout and SMHA board member: “We must get more A team, less AA teams into the system, and we should have 1-AAA system. People have to start thinking about the kids and not their own egos that have been at the root of the problems over the years”

Joe Drago - OHF President: Yet to be received at time of print.

Bryce Kulik, NOHA President: Yet to be received at time of print.


Albert Bertuzzi - Former AAA Coach: Yet to be received at time of print. Steve Gallo - SMHA AAA Coach: Yet to be received at time of print.

Sven Fransen - SMHA AAA Coach: “Sudbury was once known as the hot bed of hockey. We were able to develop a strong group of talented players based on a strong regional system that allowed the best players to play together at the highest level. Over the past 10 years with regional restructuring and the division of the Districts, Sudbury is now receiving a failing grade with the ability to produce the same quality of player compared to our counter parts down south”

Mike Brunette - SMHA AAA Coach: Yet to be received at time of print.

Marty Punkari - NCS AAA Area Manager & Coach: Yet to be received at time of print.

Brent Battistelli - NCS AAA Coach: Yet to be received at time of print.

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Gs hockey programconceptv2

Sports

sudbury minor hockey

minor hockey associations

aaa hockey programs

hockey association onaping

competitive hockey program

hockey association omha

minor hockey organizations

preamble greater sudbury