Hockey Canada
| Canada | |
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| Organization | Hockey Canada |
| Joined IIHF | 1920 |
| President | Bob Nicholson |
| IIHF Men's Ranking | 1 |
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| IIHF Women's Ranking | 1 |
| Website | http://www.hockeycanada.ca |
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions. It is based in Calgary, Alberta with a secondary office in Ottawa, Ontario.
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In 1968, the federal government of Canada, formed Hockey Canada to oversee all operations of ice hockey in Canada, including amateur, university and professional. The new organization became responsible for international ice hockey team selection, including Olympic and World Championships, but did not govern ice hockey play within Canada. This changed in July 1994 when Hockey Canada merged with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, which had formed in 1914 to oversee Allan Cup play.
Hockey Canada has many regional branches across the county:
- British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association
- Hockey Alberta
- Hockey Manitoba
- Hockey New Brunswick
- Hockey Northwestern Ontario
- Hockey Nova Scotia
- Hockey Québec
- Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador
- Hockey North
- Ontario Hockey Federation
- Ottawa District Hockey Association
- Hockey PEI
- Saskatchewan Hockey Association
Hockey Canada also sanctions governing bodies at the Major Junior and Junior "A" levels:
Unlike USA Hockey which turns a blind eye to independently run operations, Hockey Canada does not. In 2005, Hockey Canada made many changes to the minor and junior hockey systems under its control, the Canadian Development Model; this was not looked upon favourably by all. In 2006, the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League was formed in Ontario and the WHA Junior Hockey League was formed in British Columbia. Since 1970, the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League has ran independently of Hockey Canada mostly in Southern Manitoba, in and surrounding the Winnipeg-area. These leagues are or were operated out of cities and communities unused for junior hockey by Hockey Canada.
Hockey Canada claims it offers the best ice hockey training programs in the world.[1] Hockey Canada's complaints against independent hockey usually revolve around the fact that they don't have Hockey Canada's insurance policy and that they feel independent leagues are in direct competition with their program for money and recruits.[1]
Hockey Canada has placed sanctions to be used against anyone who returns from independent hockey to Hockey Canada. This includes a quarantine-like suspension against the child or young person involved, based on their involvement in independent hockey.[1] As well, written warnings to the communities involved have been sent, alleging that Hockey Canada will not sanction children's tournaments in towns that rent ice to teams in independent leagues.[1] In comparison, USA Hockey does not interfere with independent leagues and teams from the GMHL are permitted to play in USA Hockey sanctioned junior tournaments and against NCAA teams.
Summer hockey and recreational senior hockey are not under the auspices of Hockey Canada. To date, summer hockey is a massive market and is untouched by Hockey Canada. Also, in summer hockey tournaments, the Hockey Canada rulebook is not always followed, often replaced by professional league rules.
A result of the slow decline of senior hockey in Canada is the growth of another independent league, the Western Ontario Athletic Association Senior Hockey League. In existence independent since 1943, the WOAA now has 22 senior hockey teams. The WOAA uses the Hockey Canada rule book, but with stricter import rules. The WOAA has a "AA", "A", and "B" championship as is very popular in the northern portions of Southwestern Ontario. Most WOAA teams have deep community roots including the sponsorship of minor hockey tournaments.
Less senior hockey has led to widespread growth in recreational adult hockey. Although Hockey Canada has attempted to make moves into recreational hockey and does offer insurance policies to participants, they have failed to make a dent in a nationwide practice.
- Ice Hockey World Championships
- World Junior A Challenge
- World U-17 hockey challenge
- Canadian national men's hockey team
- Canadian national women's hockey team
- Canada national junior hockey team
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