The OHF Minor Council endorsed changes to minimum suspensions for head contact penalties from those previously publicized in NR 11.06 for the Minor and Double Minor penalties.

• The penalty for accidental contact under rule 6.5 (a) will be a Minor Penalty with no additional suspension.
• The penalty for intentional contact under rule 6.5 (b) will be a Double Minor Penalty with no additional suspension.
• The Major Penalty will remain the same as indicated in NR 11.06 which is a GM72 (game misconduct: plus three (3) additional games for first offence; plus four (4) additional games for second offence; and an indefinite suspension for the third offence in the same season).
• The Match Penalty will remain the same as indicated in NR 11.06 which is a MP72 (game misconduct: plus four (4) additional games for the first offence; and an indefinite suspension for the second offence in the same season).

These adjustments were made based on the samples Hockey Canada provided on different types of head contact and the penalties that should be called with them. Hockey Canada also provided video footage of accidental and incidental head contact to provide further clarification. A stand was taken by the OHF to adjust these penalties so we can balance the importance of education on these infractions while maintaining the development of players in the game at all ages. The OHF will review the rules at the end of the 2011 – 2012 season and evaluate the outcome of these changes. For further resources, please visit hockeycanada.ca/headcontactrule.

The OHF is one of three Hockey Canada Branches operating in the Province of Ontario and is the largest of all thirteen across Canada. The OHF is comprised of seven Member Partners and has a membership base that represents over forty percent of Hockey Canada.

The Nickel Centre Minor Hockey Association's policy requires that two carded staff member be present in the change rooms at all times that players are present. This applies to all divisions from Initiation to Major Midget and at home or visiting.

All coaching staff requires a valid and current police Check to be carded on a team.
This includes Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Trainers and all managers.
Those that have not submitted a Valid Police check will not be carded to team unless they submit a current receipt that a check has been ordered.

Staff member will be required to submit their police check once received.
Police Checks are valid for 4 years once submited.
Any Staff member not providing their Police Check following a reasonable time will be removed from the team.

Police checks are held in the strictest privacy.