New for the 2024-2025 Season

• • Hockey Canada has re-vamped the online portion of the Coach 1 and Coach 2 pre-requisites.
  • They have removed the HU Online Coach and replaced it with an age-specific stream to be completed.

Affiliation Guidelines 

LMHA strongly encourages player affiliation as a means to develop players, as well as ensuring that teams are able to ice enough players for games. In order to play in games, managers/head coaches must be enter the affiliation in TTM prior to the start of the game.
If an affiliate is required during a tournament, that player will join the team’s official roster and will be eligible for tournament game play.

Affiliation is a game-based process. Players do NOT need to be formally affiliated to join practices.

Callup Process

For practices; contact the player's coach to ensure they don’t have a game conflict. No paperwork or TTM entry is required 

For games; the coach wishing to use a player as an affiliate must contact the coach prior to speaking to the player or the player’s parents. This is a courtesy among coaches and ensures that any outstanding suspensions or other issues are known and respected. 

Coaches using affiliated players must notify the affiliate's regular coaching staff following a game should injuries or suspensions occur.  

Suspensions are always served with the registered team (it does not matter which team the player got the suspension with) unless the affiliate is away at a tournament with his/her affiliated team.  

Affiliation Rules 

• Players may only affiliate to higher categories as specified in the GHA Affiliation Charts, see House & Competitive Charts below:
  • GHA Rules & Regulations Appendix C: GHA House Affiliation Chart
  • GHA Rules & Regulations Appendix D: GHA Competitive Affiliation Chart
• A player may play a maximum of 15 games with the affiliated team. Goalie affiliations are unlimited.
• Teams should affiliate players from more than one team so game conflicts can be avoided. 
• Only players that will be used in games should be affiliated.
• Teams may affiliate to increase their roster up to 15 players in a game (excluding the goaltender), regardless of the size of their normal roster .

Coaches should read and understand the following documents regarding affiliation:

• Hockey Canada Regulation “F” on Affiliations
• GHA Rules & Regulations – Section 20

Any further questions on affiliation can be directed to vphockey@leitrimhockey.ca

Certification requirements for all bench staff can be checked on the following site:

• Certification Requirements
• Certification Check

Hockey Canada 3.0 has now been launched.
If you haven't already done so, create a new HCR3 account and link your old eHockey profile to access your existing credentials.
You can find instructions on how to create a new account, or link your old eHockey profile here. 

To register for a clinic, login and select the appropriate clinic: https://register.hockeycanada.ca/home

Clinic Fees

Volunteers will be reimbursed for the following clinic fees based on the LMHA Rules and Regulations outlined below. A completed Clinic Reimbursement Form and proof of completion of the clinic are required.

• Respect in Sport Activity Leader - Fees will be reimbursed in full for any person included on an official team list.
• Coach 1 – Fees will be reimbursed in full for any person included on an official team list as a Head Coach/Assistant Coach for U7 teams.
• Coach 2 – Fees will be reimbursed for any person included on an official team list as a Head Coach or Assistant Coach on a Rep B or House League team.
• Development 1 – Fees will be reimbursed in full for any person included on an official team list as a Head Coach or Assistant Coach of a Rep B team at the U12 level or higher.
• Trainer – Fees will be reimbursed in full for any person included on an official team list as a Trainer.

​Anyone wishing to be reimbursed for the Coach 1 or 2 clinic or Development 1 coaching clinic, who is not included on an official team list as a Head Coach, must receive prior approval for reimbursement of the course from the VP Hockey at VPHockey@LeitrimHockey.ca

How long does it take to receive reimbursement?

You may be reimbursed by cheque or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). It generally takes two weeks between submission of the request and receipt of payment. 

How to submit the Clinic Reimbursement Form and proof of clinic completion.

• Submit the completed forms, receipts to treasurer@leitrimhockey.ca once the Clinic is complete.

Coach Application Process

'A good coach can change a game; a great coach can change a life' - John Wooden, Head Coach, UCLA Bruins basketball

Please be advised, Rep B Coach Applications are NOT open at this time.

Suspensions

Discipline reporting is done through the Total Team Management (TTM) Discipline Reporting site.

All game incidents involving a player or team official that result in a game ejection or penalty of 5 minutes or more -  Misconduct (M), Match (MP), Gross Misconduct (GRM) and/or a Game Misconduct (GM) must be reported within 24 hours (this is an HEO rule in the Code of Discipline).

TTM Procedure

1. Login to Total Team Management.
2. Select Discipline
3. Enter the Infraction details

The TTM reporting of these infractions will send the infraction details to the following individuals:

1. LMHA Director of Discipline - Sean O'Hagan (discipline@leitrimhockey.com)
2. GHA District Chair - Reg MacDonald (regvision@rogers.com)
3. LMHA President - Stacey Hall (president@leitrimhockey.com)
4. LMHA VP Hockey Operations - Anthony Cotroneo (vphockey@leitrimhockey.com)
5. LMHA Convenor for your division

All suspensions incurred in tryouts, preseason, league, tournament, exhibition, and playoff games must be reported.

Should TTM not be ready at the beginning of the season, or the system is down for any reason, discipline reporting must still be done within 24 hours. In lieu of the TTM system in these cases, an email notification can be provided until such time that TTM is available. 

Email Procedure (within 24 hours of the infraction)

1. Email the contacts listed above (including your league convenor)
2. Include the following details:
   • Your name & contact information
   • Your team
   • The player’s name & sweater #
   • The penalty & the time of the infraction
   • Your understanding of the subsequent suspensions(s)
3. Include a copy of the game sheet
4. Upload the details to TTM when it is available

Games Served Procedure

If an infraction results in a game suspension, games served must also be reported in TTM. 

1. Login to Total Team Management.
2. Select Discipline
3. Find the suspension
4. Select Game Served for the infraction
5. Upload a copy of the game sheet for the game served

* Should TTM not be available at this time, an email reporting the game served can be sent until such time it can be entered online.

Tournaments and Exhibition Games

Teams playing in tournaments or exhibitions outside of the HEO Minor shall abide by the Code of Discipline which is set by the tournament or host association. Upon returning from the tournament, all remaining suspensions must be served to the higher of either (i) the away tournament suspension, or (ii) the HEO Minor Code of Discipline – whichever is more severe.  It is required that each coach submit copies of the game sheets from the tournament/exhibition games to the league and all suspensions must be reported to the LMHA Director, Discipline, and the VP, Hockey Operations; as well as entered in the GHA database.

When you know a suspendable penalty has been assessed during a game, please verify that the game sheet has been filled out properly with the correct penalty, player #, time, and period of the infraction. 

If at any time you are unsure about the interpretation of a suspension or have a question, please contact the LMHA Director, Discipline. 

The coach is ultimately responsible for their team and can be suspended if mistakes are made.  If in doubt, always check! 

Rules:

1. Teams may only play exhibition games against sanctioned teams (GHA R&R 22.1).  A sanctioned team is one that is recognized by and registered through Hockey Canada or another official hockey body (Hockey USA, other international hockey bodies).  All Star, spring hockey, pick up or mixed teams are not considered sanctioned teams.
2. No team within the Corporation (GHA) may play a game or practice with a school, church or other hockey team, except those teams that are within a league which is sanctioned by a branch of Hockey Canada or USA Hockey. (GHA R&R 21.3)
3. Games of players versus parents, or games of House League versus Competitive/Representative players are forbidden. (GHA R&R 22.2)
4. Teams may play tournament or exhibition games outside of HEO boundaries, which would specifically include any games in Quebec or the U.S., only after acquiring an approved travel permit beforehand.  (GHA R&R 22.3)
5. Certified Officials (referees/linesmen) and Official game sheets are to be used for all league, exhibition and tournament games. (GHA R&R 21.7).
6. All regular rules for team rosters, team discipline, fair play, and affiliation apply as if it were a regular season game.
7. Suspensions handed out during an exhibition game will be served as per the Code of Discipline and carry forward to regular season game play.

Procedures:

1. Acquire the ice for the game by purchasing it on your own or obtaining extra ice from the LMHA Coordinator, Ice.
2. Book the required referees/linesmen based on your level of play through this portal http://www.d9ra.ca
3. Prepare a game sheet through the normal procedures as per a regular season game, and make sure to have a scorekeeper and timekeeper.
4. The referees will sign the game sheet as per normal procedures.  Any suspensions must be reported within 24 hours on the GHA website as per normal for a regularly scheduled game.
5. See Suspensions in the LMHA Rules and Regulations for more detailed procedures on the process for reporting suspensions.

Game Switches and Reschedules

If a team cannot make a game due to acceptance in a tournament or other just cause, the game must either be switched with an existing game on the GHA schedule or rescheduled entirely.

The first option should always be to switch the game within your current schedule. This causes the least disruption as referees may already be booked and games are normally scheduled in blocks at the same level (e.g., three U15 games together so the referees go to the Arena for several games).  You are not limited to the number of games that you can switch but are only allowed to reschedule one game per year unless otherwise approved by the GHA VP House League.

The GHA Rules regarding schedule changes are located at the bottom for your reference.

• Game Switch Form
• Game Reschedule Form

How do I Switch a Game?

Game switches are easiest made near the beginning of the season when you have the most options.  Please do not wait too long or your options may be too limited. Some tournaments wait to the last minute to accept teams so be pro-active and do the switch “just-in-case”.

You may switch with any team within the same division** (e.g., U11 A, B or C). Alternatively; teams are permitted to switch games with teams on the list of divisions/classifications approved as an acceptable alternative for their division (see below). The team making the request must submit the GHA Game Switch form to their GHA Convenor providing a minimum of 10 days notice.

The following game switch tool should help in identifying switch options.
https://ice.leitrimhockey.com/ice/#/switch

GAME SWITCH ALTERNATIVES (if needed)

U11 A-C can switch with U13 B-C or Vice-Versa

U13 A can switch with U15 A-B or Vice-Versa

U15 A-B can switch with U18 A-B or Vice-Versa

** For U13, U13 A teams should only switch with other U13 A teams (and U15 A-B teams, as noted above), and U13 B-C should only switch with other U13 B-C teams (and U11 A-C teams as noted above). This is because games for U13 A teams and above have 3 referees, while games for U13 B-C teams and lower divisions have only 2 referees.

Find teams that don’t have a game that would conflict with the date/time you need to switch (e.g. not already playing that day).  Next, look at their schedules to determine a suitable time when they play either your current opponent or another team that is available.

The requesting team must provide a minimum of 7 days notice to GHA Convenor and Head Coaches are responsible to reply to all game trade or game cancellation requests within 24 hours of receipt.  However, respond as quickly as you can.

Game Switch Examples:

Example 1: Leitrim U13 A2 has a tournament November 26-28, 2021 but has a league game on November 27 versus Cumberland A3:

After looking at the schedule, you determine that the following teams don’t play on November 27, 2021:  Blackburn A1, Cumberland A2, and Leitrim A1.

Cumberland A3 is the home team on November 27, 2021 so you try to keep that intact by looking at the schedule to find a time when Cumberland A3 is home to either Blackburn A1, Cumberland A2, and Leitrim A1.

You discover that Leitrim A1 is playing Cumberland A3 on February 12, 2022:

You check your and determine that you (i.e., Leitrim U13 A2) are available to play February 12, 2022.

Next, you go to the GHA coaches/managers listing to obtain the e-mail addresses for the teams involved in your switch request:

http://www.gloucesterhockey.ottawa.on.ca

Contact the team(s) involved to request the switch.  If all teams agree, complete the Game Switch Form  and submit it to: GHA@LeitrimHockey.ca with “LMHA Game Switch Request + (name of team – e.g.  U13 A2)” in subject line.

The GHA Convenor does not need to be copied on conversations between teams but only when the exchange has been agreed upon. However, if you are having difficulties in finding an exchange or cooperation from teams then the GHA Convenor may be able to assist you.

The request will be validated and sent to the GHA to have the official schedule revised. All Game Switches received by Sunday at noon will be posted each Monday night. This is your confirmation that the change was approved. Please be sure to check the website to ensure the information was captured correctly.

After the change, you will keep your game number but play at the new date and time (and possibly, arena):

Example 2: Leitrim U9 B3 has a tournament October 22-24, 2021 but has a league game on October 24 versus Cumberland B2:

After looking at the schedule, you have made some attempts to switch with U9 B and U9 A teams but they were all in tournaments and unavailable.  Next, you checked the U9 C schedule and found that the following teams don’t play on October 24, 2021: Blackburn C1, Cumberland C2, Cumberland C3, and Metcalfe C1.

Next, you look for a date when two of these teams are playing each other when both you (Leitrim B3) and Cumberland B2 would be available.

You discover that Blackburn C1 is playing Cumberland C2 on November 6, 2021 and that neither Leitrim B3 nor Cumberland B2 are playing each other that day:

As in the previous example, go to the GHA coaches/managers listing to obtain the e-mail addresses for the teams involved in your switch request and contact the teams involved to request the switch.  If all teams agree, complete the Game Switch Form  and submit it to: GHA@LeitrimHockey.ca with “LMHA Game Switch Request U9 B3” in subject line.

The request will be validated and sent to the GHA to have the official schedule revised. All Game Switches received by Sunday at noon will be posted each Monday night. This is your confirmation that the change was approved. Please be sure to check the website to ensure the information was captured correctly.

After the change, you will keep your game number but play at the new date and time and be the home team even though the arena is Ray Friel:

May I Decline a Game Switch Request?

In accordance with the GHA Rules & Regulations, teams may only refuse to trade game times if they already have a league or tournament game scheduled on the suggested “New” date. Teams may not refuse because of scheduled practices or because of players/team officials who would be absent because of the “New” date.

Be advised that this may mean that you will end up playing the game at another arena that may be less convenient for your team.  Again, the goal is to keep the ice/referee bookings intact so the fact that the arena is less convenient is not grounds for refusing a game switch request.

How do I Reschedule a Game?

If a game switch is not an option and you need to reschedule the game, the  OTHER team keeps the ice for a practice. If the OTHER team is unable to use the ice they may sell or trade this ice, within their home association only, to compensate for the rescheduled game. Please do not leave the ice sitting empty, as this is reported to the City and we may lose ice allocations next year. Your first responsibility is to play your GHA league games so reschedule your game as soon as possible.

All game cancellations and reschedules MUST be reported to the GHA Convenor 10 days prior to the date of the reschedule. Please complete the Game Reschedule Form.

When all teams have agreed to the new date/time and e-mail it to GHA@LeitrimHockey.ca with “LMHA Game Reschedule Request (Team Name)” in subject line (if you need assistance acquiring ice for the rescheduled game, advise the GHA Convenor and he will liaise with the LMHA Ice Scheduler to assist).  The GHA will cancel and rebook the referees. All Game Reschedules received by Sunday at noon will be posted each Monday night. This is your confirmation the reschedule was approved. Please be sure to check the website to ensure the information was captured correctly.  At this point, please notify the LMHA Ice Schedule of the game reschedule at:  Ice@LeitrimHockey.ca The GHA pays for the referees scheduled on GHA ice, provided the game reschedule request is reported 10 days prior to the date of reschedule.

All game reschedules must be done by January 31st of the hockey season. Any game reschedules done after January 31st, if approved by the GHA VP House and GHA President, will be at the full expense of the team making the request.

Game Cancellation due to Inclement Weather   

NOTE: GAMES TAKE PRIORITY OVER PRACTICES – Practices can be traded with other teams in your association.

A team requesting a cancellation of a game due to inclement weather is responsible for replacing ice for the rescheduled game and paying for the refs for the reschedule game. The coach of the non-requesting team may choose to use the original ice for a practice.

GHA Rules Regarding Schedule Changes:

R&R 26 – PROCEDURES FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES

Recognizing that there may be times, typically because of weekend tournaments, where teams would like to change their regular season game schedule; the following procedures for game rescheduling have been established.

26.1     The Head Coach of any team that fails to report to a regular season league game shall be, at a minimum, suspended 1 meaningful game suspended until a District Disciplinary Hearing and the offending team shall provide ice and referees for an exhibition game between the two original teams.

26.2     The Head Coach of any team that fails to report to a playoff game shall be, as a minimum, suspended for the remainder of the playoffs and all of the following season.

26.3     Teams may only refuse to switch or reschedule games if they already have a league or tournament game scheduled on the suggested “New” date/time. Teams may not refuse because of scheduled practices or because of players/team officials who would be absent because of the “New” date/time.

26.4     Teams are responsible to reply to all game switch or game reschedule requests within 24 hours. The requesting team is responsible for reporting to their GHA Convenor if the team has not responded within this time limit.

26.5     House League teams are permitted to switch an unlimited number of regular season games with other teams from within their division (U9 & U11etc.) regardless of their A/B/C classifications. Alternatively; teams are permitted to switch games with teams on the list of divisions/classifications approved as an acceptable alternative for their division (see below). The team making the request must submit the GHA Game Switch form to their GHA Convenor providing a minimum of 10 days notice.

GAME SWITCH ALTERNATIVES (if needed)

U11 A-C can switch with U13 B-C or Vice-Versa

U13 A can switch with U15 A-B or Vice-Versa

U15 A-B can switch with U18 A-B or Vice-Versa

26.6     House League teams may request the re-schedule of one game per season. The team making the request is responsible WITH a MINIMUM OF 7 DAYS NOTICE to:

(1) Notify the other team - who may use the original game time for a practice,

(2) Submit a GHA Game Switch form to their GHA Convenor, and

(3) Provide an ice time for the newly rescheduled game time.

NOTE: The cancelling team is giving away any rights to sell or trade the original ice time to the other team.

26.7     The requesting team must provide a minimum of 10 days notice for the rescheduled game time/date to (i) the other team and (ii) their GHA Convenor along with the GHA Game Reschedule form. All Game Switches and Reschedules received by Sunday at noon will be posted each Monday night.

26.8     All game reschedules must be done by January 31st of the hockey season. Any game reschedules done after January 31st, if approved by the GHA VP House and GHA President, will be at the full expense of the team making the request.

26.9     The GHA Convener must verify and approve all game switch and cancellation/reschedule requests.

26.10   The Head Coach of a House League Team who decides to cancel a game due to inclement weather is responsible to contact:

1. the Head Coach of the opposing team (who may choose to run a practice),
2. the Assignor of Referees,
3. the Corporation Office Manager, and
4. the GHA VP House League.

The team requesting the cancellation is responsible to (1) provide a new hour of ice and (2) pay the referees for the rescheduled game.

26.11   Competitive teams cancelling a game due to inclement weather are responsible to receive approval from their League Conveners before

1. the Corporation Office Manager,
2. the opposing team,
3. the Assignor of Referees, and
4. the GHA VP Competitive.

How to Complete a Game Sheet

Please click the link HERE to find a detailed image of a game sheet with instructions on how to fill them out.  Please note this is a multiple-page document.  You will need to view all pages of this document for full instructions on how to complete a game sheet.

Other important information:

1. It is the responsibility of the Home Team to provide a game sheet, scorekeeper, and timekeeper for every home game.   This occurs whenever you are the home team, regardless of the rink that you are playing at.
2. It is easier if you prepare team stickers/labels of the player and coach information to apply to each game sheet.
3. Home team must enter scores into TTM within 48 hours.
4. Any teams with suspensions listed on the gamesheet must enter the suspension(s) into TTM within 24 hours of the game.
5. Game sheets, where a suspension has been served, must be entered into TTM within 24 hours of being served. Gamesheet Player template

The LMHA has set apparel standards for such things as game socks, name bars, and sponsor bars.

Detailed information can be found on our Apparel Standards section of the Apparel page.

Referees for exhibition games are booked by the team and all costs must be covered directly by the team. 

• Book Referees for an Exhibition Game - District 9 Referee Association
• Referee Pay Rates
• 2022 Rule Changes & New Rulebook

• Player Medical Information Sheet
• Player Down - Important Steps
• HEO Removal and Return to Play Policies (Concussions & Injuries)
  • Injuries
    • Player Injury Report
    • Player (team) Injury Log
    • HEO's significant injury Return to Play Policy (excluding concussions)
    • Player Return to Play Form
      • Note:  Parents do not have to provide the form itself, but their clearance does have to be in writing and signed by a physician.
  • Concussions
    • Concussion Code of Conduct
    • 6 Step Concussion Protocol
    • Hockey Canada Concussion Card
    • Concussion Recognition Tool

• Rowan's Law
  • Concussion Awareness Information
  • Rowan's Law Form (normally completed during registration)

HEO provides a comprehensive list of resources for trainers here.

Hockey Canada also provides a wealth of information under it's safety downloads section.

How do I open a team account?

The LMHA has a banking partnership with CIBC Findlay Creek that offers teams no service fee banking.
You can contact Frogh Karim (frogh.karim@cibc.com) to open an account. You may also open a team
account at any other financial institution of your choice.

• All accounts must comply with the following LMHA Rules and Regulations:
  • Teams must establish a bank account for the team.
  • Team money must not be managed through a personal account.
• A copy of a team bank account statement or on-line version of the team bank statement must
  be provided by the Team Manager, along with the team budget, by November 15th to their
  Convenor.
• The team bank account must be set up with a minimum of two (2) signing authorities required
  on all debit transactions.
• Signing authorities on team bank accounts are not to be immediate family members (i.e.
  husband, wife, partner, brother, sister, etc.).
• A letter to the bank outlining the requirements for a team account, must be requested by the
  Head Coach, by emailing the names of the two (2) team signing authorities to the LMHA at
  vpfinance@leitrimhockey.ca.
• Due to the high volume of requests, please allow a minimum of 24 hours between requesting a
  team letter and the bank appointment to open the account.
• The name of the team account must clearly state that it is from the perspective of the team,
  under the auspices of Leitrim Minor Hockey Association.  It cannot be named “Leitrim Minor Hockey
  Association” or “LMHA” or “Leitrim Hockey”, as these names belong to the overall
  Association. The name of the team account must also include the year of the current hockey
  season (i.e. 2021/2022).
  • For example “LMHA U13 B2 2021/2022” would be acceptable.
• All team bank accounts must be closed and funds disbursed no later than June 15th of each
  calendar year.

•  Sample Team Budget

Team sponsorship is key to a successful season and helps towards keeping team fees low. Below are some resources that may come in handy when reaching out to potential sponsors on behalf of your team.

• Team Sponsorship Form
• Team Sponsorship Invoice
• Team Sponsorship Thank You Letter
• Team Sponsorship Receipt

Travel Permits - Tournaments in Canada

• Travel Permit - required for ALL tournaments AND exhibition games outside of HEO
• USA Travel Permit - required for USA tournaments (in addition to the regular Travel Permit)

Procedure:

1. Enter player details for the roster
2. Include Hockey Canada ID (found in your official roster provided by the LMHA Registrar)
3. Include bench staff who will be at the tournament (must be approved with proper certifications)
4. Send completed travel permit(s) to LMHA President for approval (president@leitrimhockey.ca) The President will obtain the signature of the District Chairman and return the form with all signatures to the team manager.

NOTE - DO NOT leave this till the last minute.  These forms require signatures from multiple people.  It could take a couple of days or as long as a week to get all the forms signed off.

Roster

Rosters must be submitted to the tournament organizer before the tournament or be provided at check-in (check with the tournament organizer).

Upon arrival at the tournament, you will need to provide the following:

• Official team roster - obtain this from your convenor.
• Travel permit
• Game sheets from previous games (Bell Capital Cup requirement)
• Proof of club affiliation

It is a good idea to save your official team roster to your smartphone as well as photos of some recent game sheets.  Most people don’t forget their smartphones!

How to find tournaments?

Tournaments can be found on the HEO website at the following link: http://www.heominor.ca/tournaments

Additional out-of-town tournaments can be found by using popular search engines.  We would encourage you to also ask other coaches, parents and coach mentors to find recommended out-of-town tournaments.

Sanctioned Tournaments

Any tournament you register for must be sanctioned by a Hockey Canada-approved Association.  For example, all tournaments held in the ODMHA geographic boundaries MUST be sanctioned by the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association (ODMHA).

Note that if your team enters a tournament that is NOT officially sanctioned, the implications are:

• the coaching staff and players are subject to suspensions.
• players and team officials are not insured under Hockey Canada's insurance policy.