Alberta

Tyler Wowk (780) 456-1061 twowk@silent-aire.com

Brant Phantoms

Ray Rouch (647) 463-8441 ray@edi2rfid.com

Halton

Jay Bondy (289) 208-0297 jbondy@wavehockey.ca

London

Joe Clancy (519) 318-6627 joe@londoncobrashockey.ca

Niagara

Michael Agrette (905) 650-8992 Michael@99hockey.net

Oakville Spitfires

Mike Peters (905) 484-4227 mike.peters@cablecontrol.ca

Peel Predators

Bill O’Neill (416) 567-6699 peelpredators@gmail.com

Sault Ste. Marie

Dan Rouillard (705) 943-9933 rouillarddan@gmail.com

Tri-Cities

John Thomas (519) 621-7907 john@thehockeyloft.ca

Member directory

2016 - 2017 season

Commissioner’s message

Welcome to the 2016 - 2017 Season of the National Independent Hockey Federation.

Whether you’re a participant in just one tournament or in a number of our events throughout the season, we’re here to do all things possible to help develop the skills and abilities of each and every player.

The NIHF exists to give players the ability to play hockey where they choose, without boundary restrictions. We instill sportsmanship and encourage fair play, while developing a healthy competitive attitude in a fun and supportive environment. We also

support, advocate, and represent our players as developing athletes, who aspire to play hockey at the highest levels.

We believe in developing a proper training environment that assists players in becoming better people. We instill upon them hard work, respect, co-operation, and dedication.

We encourage academic excellence, stressing the importance of education to our players and helping each individual reach their full potential.

The NIHF believes players should play where they choose to. We welcome both Canadian and international players who feel the same way. Our program is insured and sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union, and we are in full compliance with their rules and regulations.

The NIHF is not an OUTLAW league. We are an Independent Hockey Program; we operate as a club team organization and work within the boundaries of our AAU affiliation. Our league is a reliable choice over Minor Hockey Association-based programs, and has been the premier choice of hockey families for several years.

Good luck to all of the teams - I wish you a successful, enjoyable hockey season!

Mark Hetherman, Commissioner National Independent Hockey Federation (NIHF)

Rules & regulations The NIHF is sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). While the NIHF utilizes the majority of

rules laid out by the NCAA rule book, the league does have exceptions and additions.

Fighting of any kind will not be tolerated on or off the ice.

Any breach of the code of conduct, abusive language and violent conduct, as well as any disrespect of coaches, officials, and peers will not be tolerated.

As part of the AAU’s emphasis on athlete safety, all electronic communications must be professional in nature whether it’s on Twitter, Instagram or any other type of social media

platform.

Any personal attack - verbal or physical - on any team official will not be tolerated, and the parent or player involved will be removed from the team.

Threats against other players, coaches, parents, officials will not be tolerated! The suspension will be very long and may result in removal from the NIHF.

Equipment: Mouthguards and Neckguards are required! If it’s brought to the attention of the referee or the referee notices a player not wearing any of these pieces of equipment they’ll be removed from the game until he/she returns with the proper gear. The referee will then issue a warning to both benches that the next player that’s seen without a mouth or neck guard the offending team will be issued a minor penalty.

Body Checking: Referee discretion on 2/4/5 minute penalties for body checking

Blue Line Icing: Any puck shot down the ice after reaching the blue line will not be icing. Teams are allowed to make line changes after an icing.

Shot Hitting the Goalie mask: If a shot hits a Goalie in the mask the play will be immediately blown down and the play will be dead.

High Sticking the Puck: If a DEFENSIVE player high sticks a puck in the defensive zone, the faceoff will go to the closest spot in the defensive zone. If an OFFENSIVE player high sticks a puck in the offensive zone, the faceoff will go to the blue line spot in the offensive team’s neutral zone. In the NEUTRAL zone the faceoff will go to the nearest spot of that offending teams end.

Penalty Time: If a player is serving a four-minute infraction they stay in the box even if the opposition scores in the first two minutes. If they score in the second half of the four minutes, the team can have a player off the bench while the penalized player stays in the box until the first whistle after their penalty expires. Player with 3 minor penalties is removed from the game; if the 3rd minor penalty occurs in the last 5 minutes of the game, the player will receive an automatic 1 game suspension.

Player Suspensions: The player is not permitted in the dressing room, the dressing room area, or on the players’ bench before, during or after a game. They can practice with his team while under suspension but cannot play a game until the suspension has been served. If a player receives a suspension in an exhibition or tournament game, the suspension will carry over to the next game exchange, tournament or playoff game.

Coach Suspensions: Includes no interaction with Players or Assistant coaches before or during the game, including yelling instructions from the seating area or at ice level.

No coach or bench member may step on the ice surface unless an injury occurs.

One time out is permitted during games.

The game is played on the ice. Respect your teammates, your coaches, your parents, the opposition and the officials.

NIHF OPEN LETTER

Firstly, we would like to thank the parents of our players currently playing in the NIHF; thank you for your continued support by allowing your children the opportunity to play hockey where you choose and for the coach you prefer. For parents thinking of joining a team for next season, we welcome you and thank you for considering our hockey programming.

Recently, there have been letters written about independent hockey leagues like the NIHF. At the NIHF, we do not believe in providing disparaging comments about people who choose to see hockey in a different light. We are not interested in engaging USA Hockey and Hockey Canada. Many of you have received inaccurate and almost slanderous information about the rules regarding your children playing in our league, or one like the NIHF, from coaches or even associations.

In regards to the Hockey Canada Rule: “Any individual who participates in a Non-Sanctioned League of Hockey Canada after the Cut-Off Date of September 30th will lose all privileges to Hockey Canada only for the remainder of that season, and, may only apply for the reinstatement of those privileges after the end of that season.” Please understand that this is not an NIHF rule. As far as the NIHF is aware, Hockey Canada has not suspended any players as a result of this rule since its implementation in May 2009.

May an INDIVIDUAL participate within both AAU Hockey programs and USA Hockey programs at the same time?

YES. The AAU and USA Hockey are separate organisations. The AAU cannot control what its members do within other organisations such as USA Hockey, and vice versa. For example, USA Hockey members may choose to participate in Boy Scouts, YMCA, and other sports organisations such as AAU Inline Hockey and Little League Baseball. AAU Hockey is no different.

Our league is a “right to choose” program and we do not place any restrictions on player movement whatsoever at any time during the season. In fact, we allow our players to play in both NIHF and Hockey Canada events, should they so desire. Hockey Canada has identified September 30th of each season as the date by which you must decide on participating in their program. We encourage you to give our league a try and we know you won’t be disappointed.

Here is what you can expect from the NIHF:

Development of high-level hockey players and academics

Encourage players to achieve athletically but more importantly as a respectful person and proud member of your community

Weekend league games only to assist with needed study time to be a success academically

The NCAA approach to hockey training and academics with more On-ice and off-ice training

The NCAA develops approximately 35% of all the players that reach the NHL, and it is considered the number one path to the NHL or Business Career.

All teams are providing a variety of professional development along with coach managed practices as part of their program.

Puck Handling, Power Skating, Skating Treadmill, Shooting, and Off-ice Training Sessions

A minimum 28 game league schedule

Develop a tournament series so players can compete against similar competitive talent. We will have local tournaments and Tournaments against other AAU Teams.

2016 - 2017 Schedule

EVENT LOCATION DATE

KICKOFF KLASSIC LONDON SEPT 30 - OCT 2

HALLOWEEN HAT TRICK BRAMPTON OCT 28 - OCT 30

SOO SHOWCASE SAULT STE MARIE NOV 25 - NOV 27

ROCHESTER RED LAMP ROCHESTER, USA DEC 2 - DEC 4

OUTDOOR AIR BUFFALO, USA JAN 6 - JAN 8

FLINT FORECHECK BURTON, USA JAN 20 - JAN 22

WINTER FREEZE ROCHESTER, USA JAN 27 - 29

ICE CHALLENGE BURLINGTON FEB 3 - FEB 5

LIGHT THE LAMP LONDON MAR 3 - MAR 5

AAU NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

BRAMPTON/ NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE MAR 24 - MAR 26

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

OAKVILLE APR 7 - APR 9

2015 - 2016 CHAMPIONS

Burlington Cougars (Novice)

London Red Circle (Atom)

Royal City Kings (Peewee ‘A’)

KBX 2003 (Peewee ‘AA’)

Cambridge Outlaws (Bantam ‘A’)

Burloak Bears (Bantam ‘AA’)

Peel Predators (Bantam ‘B’)

Cambridge Rebels (Midget)

2016—2017

NIHF restructures, featuring tournament-style season and playoffs

League expands to 60 Canadian teams, welcoming Alberta as the first group outside Ontario

Michigan and New York join, adding over 100 teams

History

2011—2012

CIHF formed

2012—2013

Teams are formed and play in first non-contact Rep League

Ten teams in Peewee and Bantam Divisions

2013—2014

League continues to grow

Fifteen teams in Peewee to Midget Divisions

2014—2015

Hockey Canada moves non-contact to Peewee

Twenty-two teams in Peewee to Midget Divisions

2015—2016

NIHF formed to better reflect level and style of play

Novice and Atom divisions are added via expansion

NIHF reaches 40 teams

Vision

To focus on player development, allowing for opportunities at higher levels of hockey and academics.

Mission

1. By investing in our team of coaches, trainers, and league officials, we ensure our players receive the best instruction possible.

2. Through fair play and sportsmanship, we teach our players that self-confidence and mutual respect are the keys to future success.

3. With hard work and development, we encourage players to challenge themselves at the next level of hockey and academics.

4. We put every effort towards recruiting new and competitive hockey teams, encouraging further league growth.

5. We work to accommodate academic studies through efficient scheduling.

6. We help mold players into respected members of the community.

NIHF is HOCKEY WITHOUT BOUNDARIES, where you can play where you want and

for who you want.

We welcome players from all countries.