Being a hockey parent is no easy task. Hockey parents are often called upon to wear many different volunteer hats, some of which result in conflicting roles.

A hockey parent may be a coach, evaluator, director, or a referee – any of whom is required to make decisions in everyone’s best interest while still being a mom or dad wanting what’s best for his or her own child.

Parents wrestle with reconciling their roles and controlling their passion as fans while being faced with the constant challenge of ‘doing the right thing’. Hockey Canada is committed to helping those parents meet these challenges to ensure they continue to enjoy the game and have as much fun as their kids.

Remember, it’s about fairness and respect!

• It’s about play!
• It’s all about family!
• It’s about us all having fun and being kids!
• What else could really be more important?

My role as a parent / spectator:

• I will be supportive to my child, grandchild, and all players.
• I know that players play for their enjoyment, not mine
• I will display good sportsmanship, always respecting players, coaches, and officials
• I will act appropriately, I will not taunt or disturb other spectators, enjoy the game together
• I will cheer good plays of all participants, and avoid booing opponents
• I will let the coaches coach my child
• I will cheer in a positive manner and encourage fair play, profanity, and objectionable conduct, cheers, or gestures that are offensive will not be tolerated.
• I will observe the 24-hour rule when dealing with my child’s coaching staff when problems arise
• I will remember we are our child’s role model
• Help provide a safe and fun environment, throwing items on the ice surface can cause injury to players or officials
• Do not lean over or pound on the glass, the glass is surrounding the ice surface and is part of the playing area
• I will support the referees and coaches by trusting their judgment and integrity
• I will respect locker rooms as private areas for players, coaches and officials
• I will use discretion when consuming alcohol around players at team events (tournaments, practices or games) failure to do so could result in a suspension or expulsion from the LMHA

Hockey Canada Minor Hockey Toolbox for Parents: Tool Inventory Library

http://cdn.agilitycms.com/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Safety/Parents/Downloads/toolbox_presentation_e.pdf

One of the most common reasons coaches, managers, officials, and athletes, of all ages, cite for leaving sport is unacceptable parent behaviour. The Respect in Sport Parent Program will help define a standard of behaviour for all parents and create a more rewarding, safe and respectful environment for everyone involved. Parents want to do a great job supporting their kids. Respect in Sport provides parents with the tools to create and maintain Safe Sport environments. 

Effective the 2015/2016 season, at least one parent or guardian from each household of a participant at the U7 and U9 levels, regardless of whether first, second or third year of participation, and those parents or guardians of new registrants up to U18 level, must take the online “Respect in Sport Parent Program”.

The Respect Group Inc. “Parent Program” shall be completed by at least one parent/guardian per family of all U7, U9 and new Branch registered players.

The parent/guardian from each household must take the online course before the participant begins his/her first regular-season session for U7 participants and first regular game for U9 and above. This implementation of the program will foster and develop a culture of mutual respect in HEO and serve as an effective risk management tool as well as contributing to the overall safety and enjoyment of the game by all participants. It is also a platform of proactive education for each of the stakeholders that have a direct impact on the youth in our game. The parents/guardians of our players represent a key step towards achieving our vision.

Completion of the Respect in Sport “Parent Program” for at least one parent/guardian of each family of every registered player in U7, U9, and new to the Branch shall be a condition of their eligibility for participation.

The Respect in Sport - Parents Program is a 1-hour online course at a separate cost of $12.00 per family.

NOTE - The Respect in Sport Parents Program differs from the Respect in Sport Leader/Coach Program. Therefore parents that have taken the Leader/Coach Program must still take the Parent Program.

Register for the Respect in Sport Parent eLearning Program can be found at; https://heoparent.respectgroupinc.com/secure/

• Ensure skate blades are completely dried-off after each practice.   Wet blades will develop rust (very quickly) and it feels like skating on gravel.  
• If they do show rust, a trip to the sharpener generally fixes it up.
• Ensure skates are sharp.
  • Depending on the level of intensity and ice-time, sharpening may vary. 
    • • For house league levels, a general rule is every 6-8 hours 
  • If they use their skates on outdoor rinks, treadmills, or the canal, then they will need sharpening more frequently.
• How tight should they be?
  • The general recommendation is to go with what feels best for the child.  At younger ages, the most important thing is comfort  so that they learn to enjoy the game instead of associating it with sore cold feet.  
  • For the young players, ankle strength may not be there yet to match the ankle support needed.  A snug fit along the top of the foot and a little tighter up the leg will give them confidence as they learn edge work.  Ensuring they can flex their ankle is key.
  • avoid buying skates that they will ‘grow into’ because too much movement will impact balance and can lead to injury.

For parents, LMHA follows HEO's protocols outlining HEO's policy and guidelines on players returning to play after concussion and/or significant injury.  It's important, as parents, to understand, follow, and respect this shared responsibility to ensure the safety of the player.   

More information on specific injury-related or concussion-related protocols can be found under the Safety Forms & Information section of the Team Officials page as well.