League News

   

Memo to Parents

Dear Parents and Guardians
 
As you may be aware there has been a concerted effort made this year by Hockey Canada, and Hockey Nova Scotia to change the culture of hockey, and specifically what is perceived to be acceptable by our players, coaches and referees.  To that end Hockey Nova Scotia has developed rules 11.4 and 11.5 as a means to address and stem discrimination as well as harassment of officials.
 
I urge you to discuss this with your child and help educate them on what maltreatment, harassment, and discrimination may look like. Moreover I ask that you report, to the association, any maltreatment you or your child witness. Our coaches have been asked to be vigilant and consistent with their team, but with your help, in both education and monitoring, this could prove to be more successful. Please know that the executive will be supportive of you and the coaches throughout this process.  
 
Finally, please ensure that your child does not enter the dressing room until their coaches have arrived.  This rule is in place to protect the players and can only prove effective if enforced.
 
Changing hockey can only happen if we address the issues from grassroots up. That begins with you, your child, and their coaches addressing issues in the dressing room and on the bench.  
 
 

Rule 11.4 Discrimination

Any player or team official who engages in verbal taunts, insults, or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds will be assessed a Gross Misconduct penalty. Discriminatory grounds include the following, without limitation: - Race, national or ethnic origin, skin color, or language spoken; - Religion, faith or beliefs; - Age; - Sex, sexual orientation or gender identity / expression; - Marital or familial status; - Genetic characteristics; - Disability. The Referee will report the individual(s) by completing a Game Incident Report including full details and submitting the Report to the appropriate Member or League delegate. Note 1: If an incident occurs that was not witnessed by the Officials and is reported to the Referee, the Referee will report the individual(s) to an appropriate member of each team’s bench staff and will complete a Game Incident Report including full details and will submit the Report to the appropriate Member or League delegate. Note 2: If any behavior described in Rule 11.1, 11.2 or 11.3 includes behavior described in Rule 11.4, the player, goaltender or team official must be penalized under Rule 11.4, in addition to any other penalties that individual might receive.

Rule 11.5 Physical Harassment of Officials

Physical harassment refers to any player or team official who, before, during or after a game: i. Threatens the well-being of a Referee, Linesperson or any Off-Ice Official. ii. Attempts to strike a Referee, Linesperson, or any Off-Ice Official. iii. Deliberately touches, holds, or pushes a Referee, Linesperson or Off-Ice Official; or iv. Deliberately strikes, trips or body checks a Referee, Linesperson or Off-Ice Official. Note 1: If any behavior described in Rule 11.5 includes behavior described in Rule 11.4 – Discrimination, the individual must be penalized under Rule 11.4, in addition to any other penalties that individual might receive. 11.5 (a) No Minor penalty may be assessed under this rule. 11.5 (b) No Major penalty may be assessed under this rule. 11.5 (c) A Match penalty will be assessed to any player or team official who commits any act of physical harassment against an official. Note 1: Where a player or team official has been assessed a Match penalty under this rule, the Referee will report the individual(s) by completing a Game Incident Report, including full details and submitting the report to the appropriate Member or League delegate. 11.5 (d) No Misconduct penalty may be assessed under this rule. 11.5 (e) No Game Misconduct penalty may be assessed under this rule.

Chris Nicholson
 
CBCMHA
VP Discipline
Dec 24, 2022