Greater Sudbury AAA Hockey

AAA Model PresentationSMHA & NCS

March 24, 2009

Agenda

• Committee objectives• Board(s) Concerns• Model Alternatives• Recommendations• Impacts• Implementation• Conclusion

Committee Objectives

• Investigate/produce/propose models that will meet our respective boards’ mandate:– Improve the development of AAA (elite) players in

Greater Sudbury (Districts No. 2 & 8)– Improve the competitiveness of AAA teams from

Greater Sudbury– Improve/investigate the development of AA/A

(competitive) players in Greater Sudbury– Improve the development of coaches and the co-

operation between all levels of coaches

Board Concerns1. Corporate/governing entity structure2. Name of the proposed entity3. Governance Issues

• Incorporation (Letters Patent)• Management structure

– Inaugural board appointments– Ongoing board appointments and terms– Executive (non-voting) staff

• Constitution– Coach Selection procedures– Affiliation

4. Other• Funding/Financing• District No. 7 elite players

5. Team Rationalization• Teams/Timing/Leagues

6. Ice Allocation (see attached schedule)

Ice Allocation Schedule

Existing AAA Ice Allocation

Ice Block (IB#) Game Ice Practice Ice Current User1 Existing SMHA ice? D8 Minor Peewee2 Existing SMHA ice? D8 Minor Peewee3 Surplus IB# 9,13 D2 Major Peewee4 Surplus IB# 9,13; Smart Inquiry D2 Major Peewee5 Existing SMHA ice? D8 Major Peewee6 Existing SMHA ice? D8 Major Peewee7 Existing SMHA ice? D8 Minor Bantam8 Existing SMHA ice? D8 Minor Bantam9 a) Levack, Saturdays, 1:30pm-3:30pm D2 Major Bantam

b) Levack, Saturdays, 7:30pm-9:30pm c) Levack, Sundays, 12:00pm-2:00pm

10 a) Levack, Tuesdays, 8:00pm-9:30pm D2 Major Bantamb) Levack, Thursdays, 8:00pm-9:30pm

11 a) Carmichael, Saturdays, 2:30pm-4:30pm D8 Major Bantamb) Carmichael, Sundays, 11:00am-1:00pm

12 a) Capreol #2, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm D8 Major Bantamb) Chelmsford, Thursdays, 5:30-7:00pm

c) Coniston, Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00pm13 a) Chelmsford, Saturdays, 2:00pm-5:00pm D2 Major Midget

b) Chelmsford, Sundays, 1:00pm-4:00pm14 a) Chelmsford, Tuesdays, 5:00-7:00pm D2 Major Midget

b) Chelmsford, Thursdays, 8:30-10:00pm15 a) Countryside, Saturdays, 7:00pm-10:00pm D8 Major Midget

b) Countryside, Saturdays, 2:30pm-5:30pm16 a) Countryside, Mondays, 5:00-6:00pm D8 Major Midget

b) Countryside, Wednesdays, 8:30-10:00pm17 a) Val Caron, Fridays, 8:00pm-11:00pm D2 - On Hold

b) Val Caron, Saturdays, 8:00pm-11:00pm18 a) Val Caron, Tuesdays, 9:00pm-10:30pm D2 - On Hold

b) Val Caron, Wednesdays, 8:30pm-10:00pm

Model Alternativesi) Status Quo

• Advantages– Easy … no work– Comfort zone for several in D2 & D8– Some success winning and developing of players and coach’s– Continued local rivalry (Sudbury vs. District)– Affiliation in D8 for AAA with SMHA

• Disadvantages– Lack of southern rivalry (Sudbury or District vs. eg. Marlies)– Inability to win in southern Ontario with split teams (numbers limitations)– High cost to support multiple teams at one level– Lack of recognition and respect from teams/scouts from south– Fragmented, uncompetitive, and ineffective AA/A structure beneath AAA teams– Lack of full cooperation in Greater area (partisanship)– Lack of cost effective utilization of arena assets– Splitting limited quality coaching staffs– No affiliation opportunities for NCS Bantam and Peewee teams– No AAA continuity for NCS program– Lack of success (as discussed by Erickson/Thususka)

ii) New AAA Club• Advantages

– Independent club … increased objectivity– Select best coaches from Greater area … from dwindling numbers– Select best kids from Greater area … from dwindling numbers– Focus limited corporate resources and sponsorship … during a time of dwindling $$$– Introduce/start rivalry of New AAA Club with southern elite clubs– Build new singular identity for Greater area that will identify us (London, Barrie)– Provide opportunity to develop new supporting AA/A infrastructure … affiliation and player development– Provide surplus ice back into the pool for development of other levels– Regional associations, in general, want it– Mirrors the recent political rationalization process for our area– Attract higher quality AAA teams to local tournament(s)– Stronger AA/A will attract higher quality team to local tournament(s)– Continuity of identity/philosophy/player and coach development

• Disadvantages– Hard work– Eliminate the historic rivalry of Sudbury vs. District– Requires approval from NOHA, SMHA, NCS– Time to build new identity– Club affiliation only in short term (improvement for NCS, step back for SMHA)– May require increase travel to south … in search of competition– May require greater attention with other members of leagues (NOPL, NOBL, GNML (eg. SSM))

iii) Two Club Cooperation• Advantages– Field unified teams without NOHA approval– Same competitive advantages as ii) New AAA Club

• Disadvantages– Lack of continuity among coaching staffs, player

development as kids bounce between two clubs– Lack of team identity among those involves as well as

those on outside (Wolves vs. Sons)– Duplication of boards adds cost– Inability to affiliate in D2– Lack of independent club will restrict/prevent

rationalization of AA/A infrastructure below AAA

Recommendation

• Use Two Club Cooperation Model (Plan A) until NOHA approves New Club Model (Plan B)

• Plans A & B will be pursued in parallel• Plan A will allow for the rationalization of our

existing teams in the short term using existing associations approved by the NOHA

• Plan B will result in a new hockey club and once approved by the NOHA will become the new home for all existing teams and manage AAA hockey in the future

Plan A

• Two Club model will use “Letters of Agreement” between SMHA and NCS to manage release of players between Districts No. 2 & 8

Plan A (Schedule 1)Proposed AAA Team Structure Phase-In (Plan A)

Level 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 League D2 Minor Peewee D8 Minor Peewee X X X NDMHL D2&8 Minor Peewee D2 Major Peewee X X X NOPHL D8 Major Peewee X NDMHL D2&8 Major Peewee D2 Minor Bantam D8 Minor Bantam X X X NDMHL D2&8 Minor Bantam D2 Major Bantam X X NOBHL D8 Major Bantam X X NOBHL D2&8 Major Bantam D2 Minor Midget D8 Minor Midget X TBDD2&8 Minor Midget D2 Major Midget X X X GNMLD8 Major Midget X X GNML D2&8 Major Midget D2 Nickel City Sons 3 2 3D8 SMHA 5 4 3D2&8 NCWHC 0 0 0Total Teams 8 6 6

Plan A (Schedule 2)Proposed AAA Team Ice Phase-In (Plan A)

Level 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 D2 Minor Peewee D2 D8 Minor Peewee 1/2 1/2 D2&8 Minor Peewee D2 Major Peewee 3/4 9/10 or Other 9/10 or Other D8 Major Peewee 5/6 D2&8 Major Peewee D2 Minor Bantam D2 D8 Minor Bantam 7/8 7/8 D2&8 Minor Bantam D2 Major Bantam 9/10 D8 Major Bantam 11/12 11/12 11/12 D2&8 Major Bantam D2 Minor MidgetD8 Minor MidgetD2&8 Minor Midget Alternating yearly between D2* & 15/16D2 Major Midget 13/14 13/14 D8 Major Midget 15/16 15/16 D2&8 Major Midget Alternating yearly between 15/16 & D2* Teams 8 7 6

D2 Home Teams 3 3 3D8 Home Teams 5 3 3

* District No. 2 Midget (minor or major) shall play out of a rooming facility comparable to that at 13/14

Plan B1. Corporate/governing entity structure New Hockey Club – to be approved by SMHA, NCS, NOHA

- Responsible for managing AAA hockey for both Districts 2 & 8- Independent of all hockey associations in Districts 2

& 82. Name of the proposed entity

– Club Name: - Nickel City Wolves Hockey Club (NCWHC)– Team Names: - Nickel City Wolves

3. Governance Issues– Incorporation (Letters Patent) -Apply for Ontario Corporation without Share Capital– Management structure

• Inaugural board appointments -6 directors in total (3 residing in D2 and 3 residing in D8)-SMHA and NCS provide three names that must be

acceptable by other association-2 dir 1st term of 1 yr, 2 dir 1st term of 2 yrs, 2 dir 1st term of 3

yrs-directors can be appointed for multiple terms-directors residing in each district responsible for selecting

new directors to represent respective riding but, director must be to satisfaction of other districts sitting directors.

• Ongoing board appointments and terms -3 year terms• Executive (non-voting) staff -refer to Constitution

– Constitution• Coach Selection procedures -refer to Constitution• Affiliation - Club affiliation in short term• Fixed Constitution Items - refer to Constitution

4. Other– Funding/financing of entity and teams - refer to Constitution– Affect on District No. 7 kids - Team staffs to select best players available from Districts 2,7,8

Plan B (Schedule 3)

Proposed AAA Team Structure Phase-In (Plan B)

Level 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 League D2 Minor Peewee D8 Minor Peewee X NDMHL D2&8 Minor Peewee X X NDMHL D2 Major Peewee X NOPHL D8 Major Peewee X NDMHL D2&8 Major Peewee X X NOPHL D2 Minor Bantam D8 Minor Bantam X NDMHL D2&8 Minor Bantam X X NDMHL D2 Major Bantam X NOBHL D8 Major Bantam X NOBHL D2&8 Major Bantam X X NOBHL D2 Minor MidgetD8 Minor MidgetD2&8 Minor Midget X TBDD2 Major Midget X X GNMLD8 Major Midget X X GNML D2&8 Major Midget X GNML D2 3 1 0D8 5 1 0D2&8 0 4 6Total Teams 8 6 6

* 2009/10 onward all teams operate under NCWHC

Plan B (Schedule 4)

Proposed AAA Team Ice Phase-In (Plan B)

Level 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 D2 Minor Peewee D8 Minor Peewee 1/2 D2&8 Minor Peewee D2 1/2 D2 Major Peewee 3/4 D8 Major Peewee 5/6 D2&8 Major Peewee 9/10 or Other 9/10 or Other D2 Minor Bantam D8 Minor Bantam 7/8 D2&8 Minor Bantam 7/8 D2 D2 Major Bantam 9/10 D8 Major Bantam 11/12 D2&8 Major Bantam 11/12 11/12 D2 Minor MidgetD8 Minor MidgetD2&8 Minor Midget Alternating yearly between D2* & 15/16D2 Major Midget 13/14 13/14 D8 Major Midget 15/16 15/16 D2&8 Major Midget Alternating yearly between 15/16 & D2* Teams 8 6 6

D2 Home Teams 3 3 3D8 Home Teams 5 3 3

* District No. 2 Midget (minor or major) shall play out of a rooming facility comparable to that at 13/14

Implementation• Plan A (according to Schedules 1 & 2)1. Minor Peewee ( 1 team)

– Letter of Agreement whereby D2 releases its players to tryout for D8 team

2. Major Peewee (1 team)– Letter of Agreement whereby D8 releases its players to tryout for D2 team– SMHA (Major Peewee) requests leave of absence with NOHA and NDMHA

3. Minor Bantam (1 team)– Letter of Agreement whereby D2 releases its players to tryout for D8 team

4. Major Bantam (1 team)– Letter of Agreement whereby D2 releases its players to tryout for D8 team– NCS (Major Bantam) requests 12 mos. Leave of absence with NOHA and NOBHL

5. Major Midget (2 teams)– No change from previous year

• New board of directors of NCWHC (or committee formed from both SMHA and NCS) selects coaching staffs for Minor Peewee-Major Bantam teams

Implementation cont’d

• Plan B (according to Schedules 3 & 4)1. Immediately incorporate NCWHC2. Appoint inaugural Board of Directors for NCWHC3. NCWHC submits letter to NOHA requesting approval to manage all AAA

teams in Districts 2 & 84. NOHA approval – abort Plan A (if approval prior to start of 2009/10

season and adopt New Club Model, Plan B)5. NOHA denial – continue with Plan A6. NOHA approval subject to extended Phase-In of teams:

– NCWHC board appointed board of NCS during extended Phase-In– SMHA provides Letter of Agreement that NCWHC responsible for

teams during extended Phase-In

Impacts• Minor Peewee (2009/10)

– No impact on current structure since D2 has no team– No impact on NDMHL– No change in nominal competitiveness of the team in Ontario– No change in ice allocation

• Major Peewee (2009/10)– NDMHL will have one less team participating in a full Minor

Bantam schedule (suggest new board to request NDMHL to play each team twice)

– NOPHL will still have 4 teams participating in (SSM, Timmins, North Bay, NCWHC)• Expect competitive shift from SSM to NCWHC but, not every year

– Add back one block of ice to City’s pool

Cont’d

• Minor Bantam (2009/10)– No impact on current structure since D2 has no

team– No impact on NDMHL– No change in nominal competitiveness of the

team in Ontario– No change in ice allocation

Cont’d

• Major Bantam (2009/10)– Number of teams will go from 5 to 4 (SSM, Timmins,

North Bay, NCWHC)• Expect competitive shift from SSM to NCWHC but, not every

year• Same number of teams as NOPHL

– Suggest dialogue with NOPHL that has experience dealing with the 4 team league

– Suggest dialogue with NOPHL and NOBHL to investigate merging

– Add back one block of ice to City’s pool

Cont’d

• Midget (2009/10)– NO change with both midget teams for upcoming

season however, in future– Most support introduction of Minor Midget team– New board is encouraged to review/identify

opportunities to create Minor Midget team (AA/AAA) or league (GNML/NDMHL/create new league/explore other leagues eg. Barrie)

– Jack MacLellan to be the General Manager of District No. 2 Midget team for the 2009/10 year only

Conclusion

• Improve player development and team competitiveness for AAA hockey in Greater Sudbury (Districts No. 2 & 8)

• SMHA and NCS have issues to address• Models include status quo, new club, two club• Recommend Nickel City Wolves Hockey Club• Back up, pending NOHA approval, requires

cooperation (letters of agreement)• Implementation starts upon board approval