April 2012 TNC
Bantam
Blue Sharks beat TNC White Sharks to win PLC
SPORTS NO BODY CHECKING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS tournament
The TNC Peewee Lightning and Wolverines finish 3rd and 4th
February 2012
TNC Peewee Hornets win
Burlington Tournament The TNC Peewee Hornets beat in the final the TNC Redhawks to win the Burlington Tournament.
The TNC Bantam Wolverines finish 2nd and the Bantam Sharks finish 3rd with the RedHawks finishing 5th.
May 4, 2011
OHF bans bodychecking at the Select level for ALL ages Click here for more
New study of concussions
among NHL players
Monday April 18, 2011
in CMAJ Syd Johnson, a bioethicist from Dalhousie University in Halifax calls
for the elimination of bodychecking in all but the most elite levels
of youth hockey, where players are at least 16 years old to reduce
concussions and other serious injuries: Her analysis article was
published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Watch report from Global News National where Phoenix Tashlin-Clifford
one of TNC players is interviewed
FAQS
ABOUT THE
TORONTO NON-CONTACT HOCKEY LEAGUE (TNC Hockey)
The Toronto Non-Contact Hockey League (TNC Hockey) is committed to providing a safer, highly competitive amateur hockey
program.
The TNC Hockey is designed for children who have played competitive hockey
and who are now looking to further develop their hockey skills – without body-checking.
Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please feel
free to forward us your questions if they are not part of the ones below.
What is the age
of the players in the league? For the upcoming season 2013-14, we will have 3
divisions - one Peewee with players born in 2002 or 2001,one
Bantam with players born 2000 or 1999 and one Midget with
players born 1998, 1997 or 1996. Each division will consist of minimum
4 teams. Back to the top
Do players pay any fees to tryout? Yes there is a $20 fee to cover the ice charges from
the arena and the professional who will run the tryout. Back to the top
I am a 10 yr. old (born 2003) and a very good player,
can I try out? At this time even though we offer tryouts to players
born 1995 to 2002 WE WILL ONLY ALLOW younger very skilled players to tryout
and participate in the league in the Pee Wee division. Back to the top
I was born in 1995 can I try out? At this time even though we offer tryouts to players
born from 1996 to 2002 we would allow players born in 1995 to tryout and participate
in the league. Back to the top
When will I know if I made it? Due to a large number of players we need to evaluate,
our intent is to contact all players within a few days of tryouts Back to the top
Can I play concurrently at the TNC Hockey and another
league? Yes, we will have no restrictions on participation
in the TNC Hockey and other leagues. However, players are expected to attend
practices, games, and skills clinics. Also note that we operate as an Independent
Hockey League with our own insurance and as of yet Hockey Canada has not approved
our league. Back to the top
What happens if I miss a lot of practices and/or games? It is not appropriate to miss an excessive number
of practices or games. Thus, if a player is having difficulty participating
on a regular basis, they will be asked to leave the team. Back to the top
Can I be on the same team with my friends? We will allow each member to request one friend. To
the extent that such requests are reciprocal, players will most likely be placed
on teams with their selected friend. Back to the top
What kind of actions during a game will result in a suspension? Any action that puts in danger the well being of any
other player or anybody else involved in a game. All Hockey Canada rules will
apply as per the rules for minor and women's hockey. The TNC Hockey reserves
the right to make more stringent rules and penalties as it sees fit. Back to the top
Can I be permanently suspended from the TNC Hockey? Yes if you are a repeating offender. The League Management
Committee (LMC) oversees the process based on the rules, regulations and the
code of conduct of the TNC Hockey. Back to the top
How many shifts per game do I expect to play? We expect equal time of play during the first two
periods. The coach will have the ability to select players for the third period. Back to the top
Can I request to change a team if I don't like my coach? No, we would work with you and the coach, to a reasonable
extent, to help resolve any problems. A dispute resolution process will be put
in place to ensure that inevitable disagreements are addressed in a timely and
equitable manner. The League Management Committee (LMC) has full power to switch
players from team to team as they see fit and as situations warrant, although
in general players are expected to play for the team to which they are originally
assigned. Back to the top
Do players pay gate or any other fees for their games? Absolutely not. Back to the top 0
Will my parents friends or relatives pay gate or any
other fees to watch my games? Absolutely not. Back to the top
What makes TNC Hockey different from other leagues? The TNC Hockey is designed for children who have played
competitive hockey and who are now looking to further develop their hockey skills
in a viable non-contact league.
Until now, no such competitive program has existed for boys ages 11 to 17 in
the Toronto area. From just a 3 team Peewee division in the 2009-10 season,
and an 8 team 2 division (4 Peewee and 4 Bantam teams) in the 2010-11 season,
we expanded to 13 teams in 3 divisions in 2012-13. In fact the TNC Hockey is
expanding so rapidly and we expect to have more teams per division for the 2013-14
season. Our goal of adding a new division every other year has been met in our
3rdyear, well sooner than anticipated. The TNC Hockey intends to ultimately
bridge the gap from age 11, when contact begins in rep hockey, to age 18, when
non-contact adult hockey leagues are available.
The focus of the TNC Hockey is on skating, passing, teamwork, and fair play.
It is our firm belief that such development in a non-contact environment will
help the children improve their game, raise their skill level, and assist them
not only becoming smarter, more confident hockey players but better persons
as well.
Also very important for the TNC Hockey is to bring change in the "hockey culture"
so that young children and their parents promote fair play, good sportsmanship
and respect for all involved in the game. As parents we have to realize that
change is required to reduce the risk of injury, particularly brain injuries,
for all young players. As countless studies have shown by eliminating contact
we eliminate the major factor of injuries and therefore have a safer game on
the ice based on skills rather than brute force and intimidation.
At the end all children want to play for their own enjoyment and to have fun
even at the highest competitive level and that's exactly what we are trying
to accomplish by creating the right environment for them.
Is TNC Hockey a for-profit business? No, the TNC Hockey is incorporated as a non-profit.
It is a grass roots organization run by volunteer parents. Back to the top
What happens to the fees that the parents pay? All of the fees go to pay for the various expenses
of operating the TNC Hockey. The budget is available to all parents and any
changes by the Board will be regularly posted for the parents to see. Back to the top
Can I expect a discount if I have two or more children
in the league? We do not expect to offer sibling discounts. All of
our expenses have been carefully projected and allocated among each player in
the league. Back to the top
How many practices per week? A balanced lifestyle is one of the important objectives
in the formation of the TNC Hockey. Thus, every week we will have one team practice
run by the team coaches and one skills clinic run by Jules Jardine our Technical
Director. Goalies may participate in separate goalie skills clinics and a separate
amount is secured in the budget for their extra training. Back to the top
How many games per week? A balanced lifestyle is one of the important objectives
in the formation of the TNC Hockey. Thus, the norm is to have one game per team
per week. To accommodate the schedule occasionally teams might play more games
per week and of course in special circumstances like tournaments the number
of games naturally increases. Back to the top
Will you have professionals running skills sessions and
if so, how often? Absolutely! We rely on the best processionals so that
our children get the best instruction. We have a weekly, skills clinics for
each team run by Jules Jardine our Technical Director. Goalies may participate
in separate skills clinic and a separate amount is secured in the budget for
their training. Back to the top
What if the date of the tryouts my child can not make
it due to illness or other reason? If your child cannot attend any posted date of tryouts,
please contact us and we will discuss potential options for evaluation. Back to the top
If you fail to make it in the first round of tryout sessions
would another opportunity arise? We always schedule at least 2 different dates for
tryouts for each division and there is always a possibility for more based on
demand. Back to the top
Are girls allowed to play in the TNC Hockey? Yes of course. We will not discriminate based on gender.
Selection to the TNC Hockey will be based on skills demonstrated during tryouts.
How much does it cost? We have established a price of $1200 for the 2012-13
season. We expect the price to be increased slightly for the 2013-14 season
due to increased ice time costs and depending on how much ice the city will
provide us to meet our requirements. For the 2012-13 season (as we did every
year since our first season in 2009-10) we distributed a detailed budget with
all of our actual and projected expenses to all the parents. We believe in
transparency and cutting down the costs. Hockey can be an affordable sport
even at the higher competitive level we operate in. If a qualified player
can not afford our fees then we will find ways to accommodate his/her needs.
No qualified, skilled player who wants to participate
in the TNC Hockey will be left out because of financial difficulties. The
board of directors has a mandate to secure funds for these situations. Back to the top
What if I can not afford your fees? Please
contact us to discuss further. Hockey can be an affordable sport even
at the higher competitive level we operate in. If a player can not afford
our fees then we will find ways to accommodate her/his need. No skilled player
who wants to participate in the TNC Hockey will be left out because of the
inability to pay the fees. The board of directors have a mandate to secure
funds for these situations and to help the less fortunate. We are here for
the children not for the fees! Back to the top
Will parents friends or any spectators pay gate or
any other fees to watch games? Absolutely not. The games are free for everyone
to watch and enjoy. Back to the top
Who will be responsible for the smooth operation of
the league? The League Management Committee (LMC) controls all
the operations of the League. The Board of Directors oversees the smooth operation
of the league. If you are interested in assisting, please
contact us. Back to the top
Who can be a member of the League Management Committee
(LMC)? Anybody with experience in hockey operations. The
LMC members have to be approved by the Board of Directors who oversee the
overall smooth operation and management of the league. If you are interested
in assisting, please contact
us. Back to the top
What are the requirements to coach a team? All coaches will be required to adhere to the philosophy
of the league. As teachers and mentors for the kids all coaches will have
to attend coaches clinics and work close with the technical director of the
league as well as the LMC. Coaches have to be role models for all the players.
Coaches will be required to attend coach training at the rep level. This entails
a 16.5 hour weekend training program. Also required is the process of going
through a police check before assuming any position that will bring any person
in close contact with the players. If you are interested, please
contact us to discuss further. Back to the top
Do I have to register a child to be eligible to sit at
the bench? No, you do not have to have a child participating
in the league to be a coach or trainer. If your are interested, please
contact us to discuss further. Back to the top
Do referees get paid? Yes, referees get paid. The fees for referees for
all games has been incorporated into our budget and the costs per player.
Currently we have a pool of referees and are not looking for any new. Back to the top
How many referees are per game? We will have two paid referees per game. Back to the top
How many games can I expect to referee in one day? It depends on the number of games and the hours
played in one day. Currently we have a pool of referees and are not looking
for any new. Back to the top
What are the requirements to be a Timekeeper? Knowledge of the game, excellent communication with
the referees, ability to read game sheets and most importantly knowledge of
the time keeping instruments. Currently we do not need any timekeepers. Back to the top
Do timekeepers get paid? Yes timekeepers do get paid. The current rate is
$15 per hour. Currently we do not need any timekeepers. Back to the top
TNCHL
in the News
Bill Robertson
President, TNC Hockey
talks to whereparentstalk.com
March 9, 2011
Bodychecking a leading cause of injury in youth hockey: study (2009)
"We reviewed nine studies from Canada, nine from the U.S. and two from Finland, and the findings from all but one support recommendations that children should play in non-contact hockey leagues until they are at least at the bantam level", said Alison Macpherson, a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York.
Commentary: Should bodychecking be allowed in minor hockey? W. James King and Claire M.A. LeBlanc Jim King is Chief, Division of Pediatric Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and Claire LeBlanc is Head of Rheumatology and Sport Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.
The TNC Peewee Hornets beat in the final the TNC Redhawks to win the Burlington Tournament.
