Hockey Canada releases Final Independent Governance Review from Former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell

Hockey Canada is releasing the final report from the independent third-party governance review, led by former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Honourable Thomas Cromwell, C.C. The review, and its accompanying recommendations, are intended to provide Hockey Canada with the capacity to play its important role in making the changes in its governance model that are necessary to create the foundation upon which to rebuild the confidence of stakeholders and the public.

 

Click the link to read the rest of the article on the Hockey Manitoba Website.

https://www.hockeymanitoba.ca/news/hockey-canada-releases-final-independent-governance-review-from-former-supreme-court-justice-thomas-cromwell/

Safe Sport Independent Complaint Process

Independent Third Party

Hockey Canada and its Members want to end the culture of silence that exists in parts of hockey. To help ensure that we are a safe space for raising concerns, Hockey Canada has established a new, fully independent, and confidential reporting mechanism for all individuals regarding any incidents involving Hockey Canada sanctioned programming as outlined in the Action Plan. This reporting mechanism is known as the Independent Third Party and is led by Brian Ward and Erin Durant.

The role of the independent third party is to:

  • receive all hockey related maltreatment, sexual violence, harassment, abuse or discrimination complaints by someone affiliated with Hockey Canada;
  • analyze complaints in light of Hockey Canada and Member policies and determine how they are to be managed and the proper jurisdiction;
  • where applicable, ensure matters are properly reported to law enforcement or child protection services;
  • retain investigators and dispute resolution panels who are also independent of Hockey Canada;
  • work with Canada’s Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner and the Member associations to ensure no gaps in complaint coverage and that all complaints are handled in accordance with applicable policies and that decisions are documented in writing.

The new Hockey Canada Discipline and Complaints policy that outlines the role of the Independent Third Party and the applicable processes is available for download here.

A key feature of the Independent Third Party structure is its independence from Hockey Canada. The Independent Third Party has sole jurisdiction to handle complaints and keeps the identity of complainants confidential from Hockey Canada and Member associations. The Independent Third Party will not be unduly influenced by anyone at Hockey Canada regarding the complaint administration process. Although the Independent Third Party mechanism is staffed by some lawyers, those lawyers do not provide any legal advice to Hockey Canada.

Hockey Canada will receive anonymized reports from the Independent Third Party from time to time documenting the number of complaints received, categorizing complaints and reporting on other metrics such as response times and the time required to close complaints. This reporting protects the identity of all those involved with a complaint process while also ensuring proper oversight of the performance of the Independent Third Party.

Reporting Abuse or Harassment is often a difficult process. The Independent Third Party is committed to operating in a trauma informed manner. For example:

  • All reports will be kept entirely confidential, in line with the wishes of the person making the complaint. This includes confidentiality from Hockey Canada and Member association staff.
  • All Complaints will be followed up in a timely manner.
  • The Independent Third Party has developed resources to share with survivors of abuse and can direct survivors to additional supports.
  • The Independent Third Party answers questions about the complaint process.
  • Complaints are taken seriously and rigorously examined.

The Independent Third Party is staffed by a number of diverse professionals reflecting both gender and racial diversity. Service is available in both French and English.

Additional resources will be developed as the Independent Third Party continues its work and analyzes the ongoing needs to ensure a safe and trauma informed complaint mechanism.

Complaints can be submitted by email to complaints@sportcomplaints.ca

Hockey Manitoba Branch Statment

The 13 leaders of the provincial and territorial Hockey Canada Branches gathered for critical meetings on Saturday. Branch leaders embraced the recommendations of Justice Thomas Cromwell, C.C. in his Interim Governance Review Report. View the full article:
https://www.hockeymanitoba.ca/news/hockey-manitoba-branch-statement/

Hockey Canada – Calls for Change

Hockey Manitoba’s Board of Directors released a statement regarding the ongoing situation with Hockey Canada. You can view it on hockey Manitoba’s website

Hockey Winnipeg supports this position fully.  We are standing alongside other minor hockey organizations, politicians, media outlets and sponsors in calling for full-scale change in the leadership of Hockey Canada.  This includes senior staff and the Board of Directors. The words and actions of our governing body do not reflect the opinions and values of our Association or our membership.  By making these changes Hockey Canada can begin the process of rebuilding their procedures and regaining the trust of Canadian Hockey families.

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Winnipeg Ice Partners with Hockey Winnipeg

NEWS | Winnipeg ICE and Hockey Winnipeg Announce Partnership Ahead of the
2022-23 Season.
The Winnipeg ICE are pleased to announce a new partnership with Hockey Winnipeg.

 

ICE Hockey Winnipeg Release

2022/23 Coach Development & Mentorship Program

In partnership with Evolution Hockey, Hockey Winnipeg is pleased to offer our 2022/23 Coach Development & Mentorship Program! The program is open to all Hockey Winnipeg coaches (HL, A3, A2, A1, AA, and AAA; U7-U18) and offers several non-certification clinics (both virtual and on-ice) that cover a variety of topics designed to help coaches throughout the season. All coaches who register can attend as many webinar and on-ice clinics as they would like. Registration is completely FREE.

The clinic topics (and the coaches they are primarily designed for) include: Intro to U7 (U7 coaches), U9 Skills (U7&U9 coaches), U9 Practice Planning (U7&U9 coaches), Goaltending 1 (U9&U11 coaches), Puck Control (U11-U18 coaches), Shooting & Scoring (U11-U18 coaches), Defense Skills & Tactics (U11-U18 coaches), Forward Skills & Tactics (U11-U18 coaches), Goaltending 2 (U13-U18 coaches), Small Area Skills (U13-U18 coaches), Hockey Canada Network App (all coaches), The 30 Minute Coach (all coaches), Skating 1 (all coaches), and Small Area Games (all coaches).

PLUS – Following the webinar and on-ice coach clinics in October, coaches can attend the on-ice mentorship clinics throughout the remainder of the season.

The schedule for the program can be found here: Hockey Winnipeg Coach Development & Mentorship Program Schedule

Complete the information below to register

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: U11 Recreational Program

Registration is now open for Hockey Winnipeg’s U11 Recreational Program. Please click the link below if you are interested in registering your child:

 

https://page.hockeycanada.ca/page/hc/hm/regional-hockey/winnipeg/participant/1ed1cd48-0ee1-6208-a834-023f0ebd5734

 

The U11 recreational program is a co-ed, 20-week program beginning in October and runs until the middle of March. It will consist of 1 game per week, played every Saturday at St. Vital arena with an emphasis on basic skill development and games in a fun and relaxed environment. All skill levels are welcomed with no previous hockey experience needed. Due to limited space availability, players cannot simultaneously play organized hockey and participate in the recreational program. The cost of the program is approximately $350 per player. The program will consist of 6 teams and the ice times will incorporate 15-20 mins of skill development drills followed by a 40-minute hockey game then transitioning to 1 hour hockey games in the new year. Each team will have a coach and there will be instructors on the ice to help facilitate the drills. Full equipment is required, including mouth guards. Jerseys and socks will be provided. Here is a great resource if you are requiring assistance with equipment: https://newtohockey.com/hockey-equipment-buying-guide-for-kids/

 

Please note if you are looking to register, the options for payment are cash, cheque, or credit card. Currently our credit card payment system is unavailable, so if you wish to pay through credit card, we will contact you in the next few days when it is up and working again to make payment. Sorry for the inconvenience, this will not jeopardize your child’s spot on the team. If you have any questions, please reach out to Grassroots Program Coordinator, Janelle Forcand at grassroots@hockeywinnipeg.ca or 204-784-5454 ext 4.

 

Honourary Life Member – Cathie Gushulak

Hockey Winnipeg is proud to announce that we have added another name to a list of the most influential volunteers of our organization’s history.

The newest Honourary Life Member of Hockey Winnipeg is Cathie Gushulak.

Cathie Gushulak began her involvement in Minor Hockey in the late 90s with the Transcona Minor Hockey Association (TMHA) and has been a key volunteer ever since.  She exemplifies the “step up” mentality that so many of our volunteers possess and she has never backed away from a job that needed doing.  Minor Hockey has changed in many ways since Cathie first became involved, but she has been a constant presence and a true “behind the scenes” force that keeps our game moving forward.  Cathie’s impressive volunteer resume is highlighted by:

  • Coach – TMHA (Female Program) 1999-2004 and 2006-2007
  • Various roles on the TMHA Board in the 2000s (Convenor, Director of A Hockey, Registrar)
  • Hockey Winnipeg Tournament Director 2002-2005
  • TMHA President 2007-2010
  • Hockey Winnipeg Vice-President of A Hockey 2011-2017
  • Hockey Winnipeg Division Director 2003-2010 and 2018-present

When Cathie first stepped into the world of Minor Hockey Administration, she stepped into a “Boys Club”.  Since then, she has proven every step of the way that there is a place for women in the hockey boardroom.  As far as our records can determine, she is the only female to serve as the President of an Area Association and is most certainly the first female to be given the recognition of Honourary Life member of Hockey Winnipeg.  Presently she is showing no signs of slowing down, but when the time comes for Cathie Gushulak to walk away from minor hockey her legacy will be tied to this organization forever.

Thank You and Congratulations Cathie!

Hockey Winnipeg Announces the 2021/2022 Dianne Woods and Lindsay Tait All Star Teams

Hockey Winnipeg is proud to announce our Dianne Woods and Lindsay Tait All Stars for 2021/2022.  For the full Press Release and Team Rosters, click the link below.

2022 Spring Development Programs

 

Hockey Winnipeg is once again proud to offer our elite-level spring development programs this season. Each program consists of both on-ice skill development and game play opportunities for our male and female athletes involved. Details of our 2022 spring development programs are below:

 

U13 Female Challenge Cup:

This program is for our top 2009 & 2010-born female athletes and is scheduled for April 4-April 10 at Allard arena. Female U13 AA All-star players will be eligible to register first, followed by all remaining U13 AA female players (on a first come, first serve basis) to fill the remaining spots. The top players from the U13 Female Challenge Cup will then be invited to register for and participate in the Hockey Manitoba Female Prospects program taking place from April 14-April 17 at Stride Place, Portage La Prairie.

U13 Prospects Cup:

This program is for our top 2009-born male athletes and is scheduled for April 18-April 24 at Southdale arena (east rink). Male U13 (2009-born only) AA All-star players will be eligible to register first, followed by all remaining U13 (2009-born only) AA male players (on a first come, first serve basis) to fill the remaining spots. The top players from the U13 Prospects Cup will then be invited to register for and participate in the Hockey Manitoba Rising Stars Plus+ program taking place from April 28-May 1 at Bell MTS Iceplex.

U14 Vice President’s Cup:

This program is for our top 2008-born male athletes and is scheduled for April 18-April 24 at Southdale arena (west rink). Male U15 (2008-born only) AAA players and AA All-star players will be eligible to register first, followed by all remaining U15 (2008-born only) AA male players (on a first come, first serve basis) to fill the remaining spots. The top players from the U14 Vice President’s Cup will then be invited to register for and participate in the Hockey Manitoba Director’s Cup Prospects program taking place from April 28-May 1 at Bell MTS Iceplex.

 

The tentative registration cost for all 3 Hockey Winnipeg spring development programs is $150.00/per athlete. Registration will begin in early March. Note, there will be additional registration fees for those who participate in the Hockey Manitoba programs.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR PLAYERS, COACHES, AND OFFICIALS ARE OUR TOP PRIORITY. ALL PROGRAMS LISTED ABOVE ARE COVID-19 DEPENDENT.

 

Program(s) contact: Brent Poplawski – development@hockeywinnipeg.ca