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This past weekend, various Hockey Canada Council meetings took place in Ottawa. Likely the most informative session consisted of a general meeting of all representatives on Friday afternoon in which Hockey Canada Chairman Dr. Alan Morris and President Bob Nicholson offered a view into the future of the game in Canada.
One of the topics presented by Dr. Morris related to the need for Hockey Canada and its member branches to deal with changes that are required in dealing with residency regulations that basically haven’t changed for decades. Morris made the point that many are now outdated and that “our residency regulations tend to bully people” and need to be revised to reflect the demographic and social changes of today.
Nicholson supported Morris’ comments and stressed one important point that some minor hockey delegates either pretended to or didn’t want to hear, that being, “ We’ve got to be ready to make changes!”
In addition to dealing with the residency issue, Nicholson cited other areas in which our game has to develop a policy of dealing with entrepreneurs who run competing independent programs and schools, the fact that minor hockey is not being subsidized by municipalities to the extent that it was 10 years ago and the Russian League is now operating an unde-18 draft. But the bottom line as far as Nicholson is concerned is that “there should be more choices for the kids today.”
Call it apathy or call it fear, but the majority of representatives attending the minor council meeting that followed voted against the residency motion presented by the Hockey Canada Officers calling for changes to the old residency regulations. The Ontario Hockey Federation abstained from the voting on this motion.
For those who remember some of their world history you may recall that former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose tenure took him through most of the Second World War when the world was in considerable turmoil, told the American congress that “The only thing to fear is fear itself”. This would likely be one of the best lines to best describe the attitudes of many in minor hockey. Too many of the representatives sitting at the minor hockey council table last weekend either don’t know how to or are frightened of change. Yet they will acknowledge the demographic and social changes affecting the game along with the challenge of increased costs, which unfortunately determine if young players can afford to play. But this writer speculates that to do nothing is definitely based on fear.
To hear some representatives quietly grumble behind the scenes that both Morris and Nicholson are off base on some of these topics is an absolute travesty.
If Hockey Canada’s officers are guilty of anything, it is trying to breathe some fresh air into the realities facing the game today.
The much talked about residency issue is obviously a hot topic for debate, yet for some reason, too many otherwise decent and presumably sensible people who must accept the responsibility of also being trustees for hockey feel that Hockey Canada is trying to impose a new hard line national policy on them. There has never been any suggestion that the various Hockey Canada branches couldn’t consider customizing new guidelines that might best suit the development opportunities for players in their respective jurisdictions. But to do nothing is about as exciting as watching cement dry around their feet.
It’s time to snip some of those barbed wire fences that prevent young players from having more choices. However, it may be that more players and parents will have to start taking an interest by openly offering their opinions on the topic. That’s power!
This editorial may ruffle a few political feathers but c’est la vie. If you wish to express your opinion, let’s hear from you. Remember, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
John Gardner is president of the GTHL.
