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What's your favourite memory from the past hockey season?

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 06/14/18, 10:00AM EDT

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A Look Back at the 2017-18 Season


Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa Photography

With the hockey year officially wrapped up after last weekend's Annual General Meeting we can reflect on all that happened in another action-packed OMHA season. There are many memories to look back on, here are some of our favourites. Did we miss anything? Let us know!

August 2017

The OMHA Development Seminar unofficially begins efforts in the field, and OMHA personnel are gathered to share best practices, update on the newest sport technical information available, and depart the event energized to support our Membership.

The OMHA delivered over 170 clinics for over 7,000 Coaches and Referees this past season who were seeking to certify or re-certify their credentials.

11,500 Coaches, trainers and referees continue to certify or re-certify their credentials in the off-season.

September

Referee Schools in Windsor, Guelph and Trenton provided new officials with an opportunity to acquire officiating skills and rule knowledge while completing OMHA and Hockey Canada certification requirements.

The OMHA delivered 40 sets of goalie equipment across the province in partnership with CCM through the Goalie Assist Program to break down some of the barriers of the position.

The Breakaway Podcast returned for its third season. As one of minor hockey’s only podcasts, this season of Breakaway featured discussions on practice plans, leadership and making better communities.

October

The puck drops on the OMHA Regular Season as a new year of hockey officially gets underway.

The OMHA proudly launched the second season of Home Ice presented by Axe. The video series is a behind the scenes documentary that followed the Oakville Rangers Midget AAA team throughout the season, navigating their balance between school, hockey and life.

The OMHA launched the Coach of the Month award presented by The Coaches Site. Nominations from all over the province were submitted highlighting the fantastic work that coaches are doing across all of our associations.

November

The fourth annual OMHA Essay Contest presented by Respect in Sport was launched with this year’s theme being ‘Being Part of a Team Means…’. Reece Northcutt from Whitby was later announced as the grand prize winner. The contest is designed to engage players in an educational manner while encouraging them to express their thoughts on what life skills they learn from playing hockey.

December

The first of two OMHA Minor Midget AAA Showcases powered by Under Armour featured teams playing in front of OHL scouts during their draft year. A similar event took place later in January.

A special coaching clinic was offered in conjunction with Hockey Canada and was led by the National Junior Team Coaches and Hockey Canada's Development Staff. Coaches participated in an off-ice classroom session focusing on implementing small area games into a team's practice at the even in Niagara on the Lake.

January 2018

The OMHA created an Implementation Guide to support our member Centres with the delivery of the Programming Novice & Below including Seasonal Structure and Cross-Ice & Half-Ice game play.

Many OMHA teams volunteered their time over the holidays, participating in Hockey Gives Back to make their communities a better place through gift drives, food bank donations and other great initiatives.

The OMHA Players Club remained a popular program, encouraging players to improve their skills through three at-home challenges. Over 200 players submitted their completed tracking sheets over the season and earned prizes along the way.

February

A number of associations in the OMHA were outfitted with a full set of Bauer hockey equipment through The First Shift program. The learn-to-play program teaches basic skills while focusing on the fun of sports.

The OMHA assisted in hosting a number of Try Hockey programs. Designed to introduce new players to the sport, the two-part sessions include Floorball and an on-ice skating opportunity.

March

The OMHA Hockey Festival Presented by Froster Active Kids took place in Whitby. This tournament featured 77 House and Local league teams in the Tyke, Novice, Atom and Peewee age groups.

April

The OMHA launched its Long Term People Development campaign focusing on the important life skills that hockey teaches players and how it will help them become great people.

Playdowns officially wrapped up as a total of 87 champions were crowned, earning #RedHats along the way.

The Ontario Hockey Federation produced Champions at the A/AA/AAA levels of Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, and Juvenile divisions. Three OMHA teams left the championships with a gold medal: Peterborough Minor Petes (Atom AA), Erie North Shore Storm (Peewee A) and Ajax Knights (Juvenile).

The annual Ontario Hockey League draft saw 84 players from the OMHA selected including seven in the first round and the first two overall picks in Quinton Byfield and Evan Vierling. The second ever OHL Under-18 Priority Selection for Midget-aged players was held and the OMHA six players chosen in the first round including netminder Mitchell Weeks, selected first overall.

May

The OMHA was well represented in the OHL Gold Cup tournament icing two competitive teams. The eight-team tournament brings together the best minor midget players from across the province to compete.


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