Ontario Hockey Federation ditches geographical restrictions on player movement

[Squiffy]

Thought we could stop hijacking the Alberta thread. Fairly hot topic in the land of rep minor hockey in a large chunk of Ontario (OHF covers basically all central ON, north and south. HEO does eastern ON and HNO does west ON).

In a nutshell, no boundaries for players for teams under the OHF umbrella effective next season. Some happy, some not. Concerns that smaller town associations will not be able to compete and lose top-tier players to bigger markets. On the flip side, families that were unhappy for whatever reason with the local association happy to now be able to shop around.

I'm fairly indifferent here in the middle of Toronto, the GTHL has allowed free movement within its region forever and it's what I'm used to. I suppose I could go have my kid tryout for Oakville or something if I wanted, but I really have no reason to consider that, plenty of options within the GTHL for my kid as it currently stands. It is a whole new world though for everyone outside the GTHL.

Interested to hear takes.

Key Changes to Player Movement Regulations

www.ohf.on.ca

Player Movement FAQs

ohf.on.ca

‘Parents wanted more choice’: Ontario Hockey Federation to let players choose where they want to play, regardless of residency

The OHF is removing residency regulations in minor hockey for the under-10 age group and older from house league to AAA beginning next season.

www.thestar.com

Click to read more...

 

[Yukon Joe]

I did post about it in the Alberta thread.

It does actually seem more wide open than what Alberta is even proposing (where, after you register once, you're locked in).

From what I can tell from afar, what it means is that anyone can try to try-out/register in the GTHL, even if you don't live within that region. From 1000s of kms away I've never been quite clear what's so special about the GTHL, but clearly it is "a thing".

 

[Squiffy]

I did post about it in the Alberta thread.

It does actually seem more wide open than what Alberta is even proposing (where, after you register once, you're locked in).

From what I can tell from afar, what it means is that anyone can try to try-out/register in the GTHL, even if you don't live within that region. From 1000s of kms away I've never been quite clear what's so special about the GTHL, but clearly it is "a thing".

The GTHL or anywhere else too.

It may level the playing field. G teams have had the ability to recruit anyone within the G region. The top teams just get stronger as the top players gravitate to them. If (random example, not based on anything) now a strong team in say Hamilton can now recruit strong players away from neighbouring teams, then perhaps the G top teams aren’t (again random, no data) 6 out of 10 of the top teams in the OHF every year.

Of course the weak get weaker being the inverse which isn’t great.