Pin Exchanges?

We do not mandate pin exchanges. We feel that the added cost to a team should be the team's choice. But, most teams bring pins. Before your games, talk to the opposing team's manager. If you can agree, advise the ref and they will allow a little extra time during the pre-game handshake. Team captains exchange the pins in a bag at centre ice.

Opening Ceremonies -- when are they?

Friday evening at the Magna Centre. You will be emailed about the details and the Silver Stick Arena Manager will speak to when you register for your first game. Yes, some games are still in progress when this is on. We haven't got enough ice time to shut everything down.

Michigan 'A' teams play in 'AA'?

Yes, in Michigan 'A' represents first year or 'minor' aged players while 'AA' represents second year or 'major' aged players. In other states and Canada, teams are designated minor/major to represent age and 'A'/'AA' to represent level of competition. Basically 'AA' is second  level of competition with 'AAA' or USA Tier I representing the first level. 'A' is the third level of competition. From Squirt through Bantam they are all the same birth years.

 Neck or Mouth Guards?

Your home association's equipment requirements should be used. If you wear mouth or neck guards at home, then you must wear them at the Minor Final.

  Game Rules, Penalties and Suspensions?

Newmarket Minor Hockey is a member of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) which is governed by Hockey Canada. Games are played using their rule book. Here is the Referee's Case Book.

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/25542/la_id/1.htm

Misconducts and Suspensions are detailed on page 238-9 of the following OMHA document.

 http://www.omha.net/admin/downloads/Manual/OMHA_Manual2009_PW.pdf

Our Referee-in-Chief has highlighted some of  the major differences or recent changes in between Canada and our American Cousins rules.

As Follows:

There is no longer a 2 line pass in Minor Hockey in Canada, the Center Red Line is just used for Icings now.(you can pass the puck two lines). 

Off sides are delayed (players must "tag up"), meaning all attacking players must clear and stay clear of the zone (in other words all players must be out before any can go back into the attacking zone) before the delayed offside is no longer in affect. 

Some other confusion is usually when attacking players are in the crease, the face-off does not come outside the zone here as it does in the States. 

High Sticking the puck, the face off only comes outside the attacking zone and not all the way down the ice as it does in the States. 

Checking from Behind here carries a 2 or 5 minute penalty, game misconduct, or match unlike the States which is 2 minutes and a 10 minute misconduct. 

All face-offs are on the dots.