Hockey Canada Agm Recap; Boudreau & Kost Win National Awards

Hockey Canada’s 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), attended by more than 250 delegates from across the country, wrapped up Sunday at the Westin Nova Scotian after three days of discussion about what will benefit the growth and development of Canada’s game.

Hockey Canada’s 2012 AGM brought together the governing body’s board of directors, officers, life members, partner organizations and representation from all 13 branches, as well as from councils that oversee female hockey, junior hockey, minor hockey, senior hockey and hockey development.

The board, as elected for the 2012-13 season, will be comprised of the 13 branch presidents, as well as:

The Hockey Canada AGM delegates also recognized and thanked departing branch presidents and board members Shannon Bell (BC Hockey), Tom Donovan (Hockey New Brunswick), Brian Franklin (Hockey Manitoba) and Gene Power (Hockey P.E.I.), as well as one member of the advisory council Murray Costello (international director/IIHF Council member),

Developments at this year’s AGM included:

- the loyalty program/ Club Hockey Canada on schedule for a 2012-13 launch; 

- continued progress and discussion on a renewed governance framework being developed for 2014;

- the Junior A pilot program for 2011-12 has been extended for two years for further research, with the immediate addition of stronger regulations to reduce fighting and on-ice violence;

- branch updates, constructive discussion and positive feedback on the implementation of the zero tolerance contact to the head rules in minor and female hockey across Canada in 2011-12;

- updates on Hockey Canada’s priorities: recruitment and retention, technology and e-learning.

Host communities approved by Hockey Canada’s board of directors at the 2012 Hockey Canada AGM, subject to final agreements with host communities, were:

- 2014 Esso Cup – Stoney Creek/Hamilton, Ont.

- 2014 RBC Cup – Vernon, B.C.

Hockey Canada’s Annual General Meeting kicked off Thursday, May 24 and included a banquet on the evening of Friday, May 25 that honoured nine deserving award recipients who have all had a significant impact on the hockey community.

The 2013 Hockey Canada Annual General Meeting will be hosted in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

For more information on Hockey Canada, its teams, events and programs, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.

AWARD WINNERS

FEMALE HOCKEY BREAKTHROUGH AWARD (outstanding contribution to advancing female hockey)

Karen Kost (Edmonton, Alta.)

From the lowest levels of minor hockey to the brightest spotlight of the international stage, there’s not much Karen Kost hasn’t done in a career in hockey that has now spanned four decades. She has been a tireless proponent of the women’s game and has strived to see female officials working at the highest levels of the sport. For this, she is a deserving recipient of this year’s Female Breakthrough Award.

Beginning her officiating career in 1979, Karen quickly became one of Canada’s top female officials, working her first Esso Women’s National Championship in 1986, just seven years after first donning the stripes. She went on to officiate at seven national championships between 1986 and 2000, giving her the national experience and exposure that allowed her to take the next step.

In 1992, Karen was selected to officiate at the IIHF World Women’s Championship in Tampere, Finland, an honour she would receive again two years later, this time closer to home in Lake Placid, N.Y. She was also chosen to work the 1996 IIHF European Women’s Championship in Yaroslavl, Russia, her final international assignment.

Today, she works as a provincial female development coordinator with Hockey Alberta, taking on the task of recruiting, training and developing officials with hopes they can reach the same levels she did during her on-ice career. She works closely with various leagues to ensure they are getting the best officials possible, while at the same time making sure the officials are being put in a position to succeed and improve.

HOCKEY CANADA ORDER OF MERIT (WEST) (an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully)

Ray Boudreau (Spruce Grove, Alta.)

It goes without saying that without volunteers, there would be no minor hockey across the country. Minor hockey associations and Hockey Canada branches would simply not be able to function without the countless hours put in by hundreds of thousands of Canadians. Ray Boudreau is one of those volunteers.

He’s not a coach or an official or a team manager, but as a retired RCMP officer, Ray’s experience in social and family services has allowed him to become something of an expert in dealing with a number of different off-ice matters. A key member of Hockey Alberta’s game and conduct committee, Ray was instrumental in the development of the organization’s game and conduct management resource manual, an industry-leading document that covers everything from injuries to abuse, harassment and player safety.

As part of the game and conduct program, Ray worked tirelessly to help develop the overall philosophy of Hockey Alberta’s Play Shaping Minds, Attitude & Respect Together program, or PLAY SMART, which ensures the environment in which all Hockey Alberta activities take place is as positive as possible for everyone.

Taking his knowledge to the national level, Ray became a member of the Hockey Canada Risk and Safety Committee and has served on various national committees, including the national drug policy, Respect in Sport and complaint handling.

Hockey Alberta announced on Wednesday its plan to fully implement the Respect in Sport Parent and Activity Leader programs for all parents and team officials in Alberta for the 2012/13 hockey season.

“The implementation of this platform for the 2012/13 season will serve as an effective risk management measure as well as be a strong contributor to the overall safety and enjoyment of the game by all participants,” said Hockey Alberta’s General Manager, Rob Litwinski.

By December 1, 2012 and beyond, completion of the Respect in Sport “Parent Program” will be required by each family of every player as a condition of the player’s eligibility to participate on a sanctioned hockey team (excluding junior and senior divisions). By the same deadline, each minor, junior and senior hockey team in the province must have all registered team officials certified by the Respect in Sport “Activity Leader” program or have completed the equivalent “Speak Out” program.

“Each association will be responsible to ensure its participants and team officials meet the requirements by the deadline,” added Litwinski. “Many associations are requiring coaches and parents to complete the program prior to registration, but December 1 is when it is mandatory for the entire province.”

“The Respect in Sport programs are excellent tools that will assist us in providing a safe and respectful environment for our athletes, coaches, volunteers and parents,” said Hockey Edmonton’s President, Betty Chmilar. “Athletes playing in a Hockey Edmonton program for the 2012/13 hockey season will need to have at least one parent complete the Respect in Sport Parent program before they will be allowed to participate in any on-ice activities. We encourage parents to complete this program long before their child’s first evaluation skate.”

The Respect in Sport program is an online certification program designed to protect youth as well as enhance Hockey Alberta’s mandate of providing a safe and fun environment for all participants. It is Canada’s leading online bullying, abuse, harassment, and negligence prevention program for parents, coaches, and community leaders.

Respect in Sport Parent Program – This program provides information on a parents’ natural influence over a child, coach or leaders role in an activity, the role parents play in their child’s enjoyment of a sport or activity, and protecting children when they are outside of a parent’s immediate control. The program also provides parents with tools to evaluate their own behaviour by highlighting five key "behavioural traps" frequently exhibited by parents, particularly in competitive sports.

Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program(for team officials) – This program provides in-depth information on the subjects of bullying, abuse, harassment and neglect. It demonstrates negative behaviours and provides ideas of how a situation may be best handled, including valuable information from subject matter experts delivered in a clear and concise fashion, and asks questions of the leaders based on the scenarios presented.

Hockey Canada, along with the Canadian Hockey League, the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship Organizing Committee an Hockey Alberta unveiled details on Friday on how the World Juniors in Alberta will benefit hockey in Alberta and in Canada for years to come.

The event, hosted from December 26, 2011 through January 5, 2012, will contribute a legacy worth over 22 million dollars in funding to various levels of grassroots hockey.  The exact financial figures will be confirmed in the next few months, pending all financial reports and an external audit of the event’s financial records.  Based on preliminary reports, the IIHF World Junior Championship steering committee is proud to confirm that the legacy funds will be distributed as follows:

- Over $9 million into grassroots Hockey Canada programs, high performance programs and international programming, including initiatives in recruitment, retention, technology and e-learning;

- Over $6.6 million to the Canadian Hockey League for player development and its scholarship fund

- Over $950,000 to the host committee and host Hockey Canada branch, Hockey Alberta, that will go to a number of initiatives:

o Facility upgrades to dressing rooms (portion of funds provided to McAuley Community Rink Project in Edmonton);
o Support of the Hockey Alberta Provincial Training Centre;
o Support for programming through Hockey Alberta’s regional centre structure;
o Support of Hockey Alberta’s “Every Kid – Every Community” Program that is focused on recruitment and retention of members

- $165,000 to each of Hockey Canada’s 12 other member branches to go towards supporting grassroots programming in every region in Canada

- $3 million to support future hosting opportunities of international championships in Canada.

- $1.5 million to the IIHF and $450,000 to the participating federations to help grow the sport of hockey in the world

“Hockey Canada congratulates the host committee and the Province of Alberta for all its work in making the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship such a success,” said Hockey Canada chief operating officer Scott Smith. “Hockey Canada would also would like to thank the Calgary Flames, the Edmonton Oilers, Northlands, the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta and cities of Calgary and Edmonton for their great support to this event. In seeing the legacy of this event and the economic impact that it has had on the two host communities, the host province and grassroots hockey in Canada, we will continue to work together with our partners to bring major international events to Canada on a regular basis.”

“The Canadian Hockey League wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the Host Organizing Committee and hockey fans throughout Alberta for making the 2012 World Junior Championship such an overwhelming success” commented CHL President David Branch. “The proceeds from this event will enable the CHL and our 59 member clubs to continue providing our players with the best hockey development and scholarship opportunities available in the game today.”

“Hockey Alberta congratulates the Host Committee in raising the bar for this prestigious event in a true Alberta partnership,” said Hockey Alberta president Rob Virgil.  “Hockey Alberta was proud to partner with Hockey Canada and the 2012 World Junior Championship host committee.  The legacy provided to our province and organization will allow Hockey Alberta to continue its goal of achieving our Strategic Priorities.”

"Alberta was proud to host the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship," said Premier of Alberta Alison Redford.  "The championships gave us an opportunity to showcase our province as a world-class cultural and tourist destination and leaving a lasting legacy for all Albertans to be proud of."

"The success of the 2012 World Junior Championship for the cities, province and country is a true testimony of what can be accomplished when you combine a talented leadership group with over one thousand volunteers with a singular goal,” said host committee co-chairmen Lyle Best and Jim Peplinksi. “The goal was to stage and host the best world junior championship ever and to set a new standard for future host organizations; that goal was accomplished."

The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance also has completed a study assessing the total economic impact of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship at $86.2 million in estimated economic activity, highlighted by:

- Visitor expenditures of over $14 million

- Over 30,000 visitors in Calgary, Edmonton and other Alberta communities

- Over $11.5 million in tax revenues for all three levels of government – federal, provincial and municipal.

For more information on Hockey Canada, its teams, events and programs, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.

The Team Pacific Management Committee, (BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Western Hockey League and Hockey Canada) announced May 17, 2012 the addition of a Head Scout position and the staff selections for Team Pacific that will compete at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.  The 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be held December 28, 2012 - January 4, 2013 in Victoriaville and Drummondville, Quebec.

"I am very honoured and excited for this opportunity to be the Head Coach for Team Pacific at the U-17 World Challenge. I am looking forward to working alongside our staff, Brent Polischuk, our D.O.P, Assistant Coaches Steve Hamilton and Brandon West, and our trainers Brian Cheeseman and Troy Clifford,” commented Team Pacific Head Coach, Jason Becker.  “I am very happy to get the chance to work with not only two very good coaches, but quality individuals as well. Each of them brings different elements to the table."

Wade Klippenstein has been the Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personal with the Prince George Cougars since 2009.  Prior to this position he served as the Director of Player Personal with the Moose Jaw Warriors.  Wade has been involved with Team Alberta Programs as well as the BC Hockey High Performance Program and served as the Team Yukon Coach Mentor at the 2011 Canada Winter Games. The head scout position for Team Pacific was added this year to support BC Hockey and Hockey Alberta now that Team Pacific will be assembled as a true regional team.

Brent Polischuk has an extensive background with the BC Hockey High Performance program serving as the Vancouver Island District Evaluator.  He has represented BC Hockey on the International Stage as Head Coach of Team BC U16 that competed at the Nagano Cup in 2008.

Jason Becker has been with the Prince George Cougars since 2009 serving as an Assistant Coach.  After a successful career in the WHL he went on to play at the University of Saskatchewan and Europe.  He has been involved with the BC Hockey High Performance program since 2010.

Steve Hamilton has been an Assistant Coach with the Edmonton Oil Kings since 2010.  Prior to this position he was the Head Coach/General Manger of the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).  He has served as a camp coach for Hockey Alberta in the U17 program as well as serving as a presenter at coach development sessions.

This past year Brandon West completed his first year behind the bench for the Westside Warriors of the BCHL. Prior to this he was the Head Coach for the Okanagan Rockets in the BC Major Midget League.  His most recent involvement with the BC High Performance Program was at the 2012 Male U17 BC Cup.

Brian Cheeseman has served as the Athletic Therapist for the Edmonton Oil Kings since 2010, prior to this he was with the Tri City Americans.  He has served as the Team Alberta Under-17 camp therapist.

This will be Troy Clifford’s second time as part of the Team Pacific staff.  He has extensive experience within the BC High Performance Program; additionally he serves as the trainer for the Thompson Rivers University men’s team that competes in the BCIHL and with the Okanagan Hockey Academy.

Team Pacific will be comprised of the top 22 players from the Pacific region. Each province will hold programming to identify 34 players (4 G, 12 D, 18 F) to move on to the Team Pacific Regional Camp that will consist of 68 players.  The Team Pacific Regional Camp will be held July 25-29 in Kamloops, B.C.  From this camp players will be scouted with their club team until the top 22 players are named to Team Pacific in November.

"Our work has already begun with BC Cup just finishing up last weekend. The BC staff had an opportunity to watch the best 16 year olds. And next week we have an opportunity to watch the best 16 year olds from Alberta. Our summer will be busy, but will be worth all the hours and work we put into it," commented Becker.

Team Pacific has included some of the top hockey players that Canada has ever produced.  Some notable graduates who have competed on Team Pacific include:

• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Team Pacific 2010
• Evander Kane, Team Pacific 2008
• Brent Seabrook, Team Pacific 2002
• Dion Phaneuf, Team Pacific 2002
• Mike Green, Team Pacific 2002
• Jarome Iginla, Team Pacific 1994
• Joe Sakic, Team Pacific 1986

The Under 17 program is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Many players who compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge go on to represent Canada with the National Men’s Under 18 Team, National Junior Team and National Men’s Team.