Hello SLMHA members and families:
We know that players and parents have several questions as it relates to the 2025/2026 season and SLMHA wanted to provide a short note to try and answer some of those questions.
We will be very transparent at this time and say we do not have all the answers and we are patiently waiting on updates from OHF, OMHA, and Victoria Durham.
Since the announcement from the OHF of the open borders policy and the minimal amount of information provided since then, we wanted to remind everyone of what this means. Open borders allow players not to be restricted at the Rep level as to which association they can attend tryouts. This gives players that face geographical challenges other opportunities they did not have before.
We are looking at new opportunities for the representative level, skills development, and goalie development. These new opportunities will work hand-in-hand with the ice allocation therefore we cannot guarantee all policy changes will occur. There may also be opportunities for second entry teams at several levels for the upcoming season. There have also been many questions as it relates to U9 and below programming and we are hopeful that those answers will come sooner than later.
A reminder of the OHF tampering policy that is in effect. Any violations will be met with stiff penalties for the player, team, and association. This was outlined in a message sent out January 9th, 2025.
https://sturgeonthunderhockey.ca/Articles/4018/A_Note_on_the_New_OMHA_Player_Movement_Policy/
Tryouts will be held between the dates of: May 9th through May 15th for U11, U13, U15, U18. These tryouts will be occurring at the Minden Arena. All other levels will be determined at a later date.
Registration will open at the beginning of April. We are waiting for clarification on several items and once we have that information, we will pass it along. It is IMPERATIVE that everyone registers regardless of whether you are attending tryouts or planning to play three county hockey once registration opens. Our ice contract with the City of Kawartha Lakes is due June 1st 2025, and we will need to know how much ice we have to ask for. With all the other user groups wanting ice it is very difficult to get additional ice once the city allocates it.
We understand that everyone has several questions and there are not a lot of answers, at this time. We will provide information as soon as it becomes available to us. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we navigate going forward.
Grant Jowitt
SLMHA President