2009 GMHL AGM!
A summary of new developments and things to come!
May 5th, 2009 at 8:30PM November 30th, 2011 6:30PM
2009 GMHL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING,
Summary!
1. The GMHL welcomed Derrick Randle from
2. Teams for 2009-2010 and Divisional Alignment
Espanola Kings are taking a leave of absence for this season. The remaining 14 teams, including Ville-Marie and Powassan, were given a choice of 3 possible divisional alignment scenarios. Each option carried its own system of scheduling to produce a 42 game schedule.
a. North and South Division, as last season, with Brock shifting to the South:
-> 4 games vs division opponents, 2 games vs opposing division opponents, 4 additional game within division
b. 1-14 team Division:
-> 3 games vs each of 13 opponents, 3 additional games vs opponents by proximity
c. 3 Divisions – North, Central and South:
-> 6 or 8 games vs division opponents, 2 games vs all other opponents, system for omitting teams from schedule to balance number to 42.
a. North and South Division, as last season, with Brock shifting to the South:
-> 4 games vs division opponents, 2 games vs opposing division opponents, 4 additional game within division
b. 1-14 team Division:
-> 3 games vs each of 13 opponents, 3 additional games vs opponents by proximity
c. 3 Divisions – North, Central and South:
-> 6 or 8 games vs division opponents, 2 games vs all other opponents, system for omitting teams from schedule to balance number to 42.
Vote as follows:
Brock - C Oro-Medonte - CElliot Lake - A
Toronto - A Nipissing - A Bradford - B
King - B
Minden
- C
Richmond Hill - A
Brock - C Oro-Medonte - C
King - B
Ville-Marie - C Powassan - A Deseronto - C
South Muskoka - C Innisfil - B
Currently, the decision is to carry forward with 3 Divisions as follows:
North Central South
Elliot LakeSouth Muskoka
Toronto
Nipissing
Bradford King
Ville-Marie Innisfil
Richmond Hill
P owassan Oro-Medonte Deseronto
Minden Brock
There are other options that have been submitted, but this is what has been decided to this point. We may choose to revisit this alignment again in June.
3. Playoffs – Motion - Include all teams in playoffs.
Only Ville-Marie, Innisfil and Deseronto voted NO. All teams WILL participate in the playoffs this season. Format still to be decided, though the following is the most likely scenario:
South Muskoka - C Innisfil - B
Currently, the decision is to carry forward with 3 Divisions as follows:
North Central South
Elliot Lake
P
Minden Brock
There are other options that have been submitted, but this is what has been decided to this point. We may choose to revisit this alignment again in June.
3. Playoffs – Motion - Include all teams in playoffs.
Only Ville-Marie, Innisfil and Deseronto voted NO. All teams WILL participate in the playoffs this season. Format still to be decided, though the following is the most likely scenario:
A preliminary best of 3 in the North and Central – 4 vs 5 to determine 4th seed in division;
All 3 divisions to play division semi finals – 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
Series winners to play division finals;
All 3 divisions to play division semi finals – 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
Series winners to play division finals;
3 division winners in round robin format – 2 games vs each opponent
Top two teams play for championship – 1 game, best of 3, best of 5.
4. 21 year old Players - A motion to allow a limited number for next season, with several rules and conditions, and whether this number would be within the limit of 8 x 20 year olds or in addition to that maximum number.
a. must be a roster-ed player in the GMHL by Jan. 10 of the previous season
b. each team may sign a maximum of 3 ‘Over-agers’
c. must have a high school diploma
d. either has written an SAT/ACT/ or European Equivalent, or will register to do so during the season.
e. 21 year old players will be made available to other teams as free agents in the GMHL Draft unless they are
protected by their current team, up to a maximum of 3 players, whether they sign or not. If a team signs their
maximum of 3, all other protected/drafted 21 year olds are declared free agents and may sign with any team in
the league. Trades involving protected 21 year olds may not take place until after the Draft.
Vote as follows (YES/NO to 21 year olds / If YES, limit 20 plus 21’s to 8 OR 11)
Brock - N/8 Oro-Medonte - Y/XElliot Lake - N/8
Top two teams play for championship – 1 game, best of 3, best of 5.
4. 21 year old Players - A motion to allow a limited number for next season, with several rules and conditions, and whether this number would be within the limit of 8 x 20 year olds or in addition to that maximum number.
a. must be a roster-ed player in the GMHL by Jan. 10 of the previous season
b. each team may sign a maximum of 3 ‘Over-agers’
c. must have a high school diploma
d. either has written an SAT/ACT/ or European Equivalent, or will register to do so during the season.
e. 21 year old players will be made available to other teams as free agents in the GMHL Draft unless they are
protected by their current team, up to a maximum of 3 players, whether they sign or not. If a team signs their
maximum of 3, all other protected/drafted 21 year olds are declared free agents and may sign with any team in
the league. Trades involving protected 21 year olds may not take place until after the Draft.
Vote as follows (YES/NO to 21 year olds / If YES, limit 20 plus 21’s to 8 OR 11)
Brock - N/8 Oro-Medonte - Y/X
Toronto - Y/8 Nipissing - Y/11 Bradford - Y/11
King - Y/8
Minden
- Y/8
Richmond Hill - N/8
Ville-Marie - Y/8 Powassan - Y/8 Deseronto - Y/11
South Muskoka - N/8 Innisfil - N/8
Result: Each team is allowed to carry a maximum of 3 x 21 year olds, but not exceed the limit of 8 amongst 20 & 21’s.
5. GMHL Draft
There will be no on-ice GMHL Draft Showcase Weekend this season. The concept of the Showcase in our first three seasons was to assist teams in recruiting players for our league as a whole, at a substantial investment of time and financial resources by the GMHL. Teams have reached a point where the importance of solid recruiting is understood, and the league is no longer willing, nor feels it necessary to continue that investment to help attract players to the GMHL – the teams must do it themselves. However, a Draft is still an integral part of our program and there will still be an annual entry draft each spring.
This year’s Draft will take place onSaturday, June 6, 2009
, in
Barrie
,
Ontario, and will coincide with our next owners’ meeting, where we will facilitate our schedule for next season. Players may be signed from this point on as teams will receive their registration cards on Draft day.
T his year’s Draft will once again provide for 10 rounds of selections, including ‘import’ players from outside of
Canada, who still must be affiliated or drafted to be accepted into the GMHL. In addition, any 21 year old players left unprotected by their teams are eligible to be drafted as free agents. Teams are required to submit their list of protected 21 year olds one week prior to the draft – Sat. May 30 – and the league will make that list available to all teams in order for teams to consider players that are available from around the league and communicate with players to determine interest in any particular organization.
6. Officiating
After the resignation of Referee-In-Chief George Harrison after the Russell Cup Final, the GMHL received a number of inquiries from interested applicants for the job of RIC. While we thank and acknowledge Mr. Harrison as an integral element in helping the GMHL succeed in establishing itself over these first three years, in a 14-0, unanimous vote, league owners approved a new officiating group to take us forward. In addition, the league executive, as part of our overall plan to improve our product in every aspect, had sought out additional elements that would add credibility to our league and our officiating crew, and we’ve accomplished that as well.
We’re pleased to announce our new Officiating Staff:
Referee-In-Chief – Al Zimmer,
Burlington
,
ON, Level 4 Official and experienced assignor in various programs
Assistant R.I.C. – Joe Conway,
Bracebridge
,
ON, Level 3, former OHA official
We will also pleased to announce that we will employ two experienced supervisors to perform a similar role in the GMHL. They are:
North Supervisor - Ralph Sparks,
Gravenhurst
,
ON, Level 6, former OHA Supervisor
South Supervisor – Richard Wand,
Barrie
,
ON, former GTHL and Alliance Supervisor
Mr. Sparks and Mr. Wand will evaluate all of our officials at least 3 times during the course of the season, assisting in the development of our officiating staff, rule clarification, and identifying and monitor potential hot spots etc.
Marshall Uretsky will take on the role of Officiating Coordinator, simply a liaison between the league and the officiating crew, but Mr. Zimmer, the R.I.C. will ultimately be responsible for the everyday operation, coordination, assigning, and performance of all GMHL Officials.
In addition, a better fee structure was established, more prompt and efficient method of payment of fees and mileage was clarified, several ideas to establish additional relationships and opportunities with organizations in the U.S. including the NCAA were discussed, and it was also determined we would continue with the 2 Referee/1 Linesman system. An GMHL Officiating clinic will be announced soon!
IN ADDITION
Numerous improvements have been put forth as requirements all teams must abide by. Some of these are:
- More detailed forms for the registration of players, coaches, trainers, administrators, import players, and transaction agreements
- Teams must submit ice contracts to verify adherence to minimum of four practices (hours) per week
- Coaching staff dress code – shirt and tie
- Any team without a trainer available for a game will be assessed a 2 minute penalty at the beginning of the game, and must pay a fee to the opposing team for use of their trainer for that particular game
- All teams are required to video tape all home games and provide a copy to the league (camera angle must include bench area)
- All players must hold be attending high school or must already hold a grade 12 diploma
- Mouth and Neck guards are mandatory for all players
- All coaches must attend a GMHL Coaches meeting prior to working on the bench of any GMHL team. Date to be announced
- Any hockey events or exhibition games require prior approval by the GMHL
- All teams are required to provide a person in charge of security at every home game. This person must wear clothing that identifies them as such, they must report to the officials before every game, and their name must be included on the game sheet.
- All game sheets must be filled out properly with suspended players listed
- All game sheets must be completed live online or entered immediately following the game or by .
- All written game sheets must be faxed to the league office no later that Monday at .
- Player transactions must be completed using the new form provided, authorized by both team owners, and approved by the league in writing before a trade is formally complete and the players permitted to play for their new teams.
- All players must wear matching uniforms – jerseys, socks, helmets, pants, and gloves. Players will not be permitted to participate in a game without matching uniforms.
- The league is in the process of seeking out suitable candidates for the position of GMHL Commissioner. This person will be hired to implement and monitor all rules and policies of the league, including disciplinary action.
Next Meeting:
2009 GMHL DRAFT & OWNERS MEETING, SATURDAY, JUNE 6, BARRIE, ON
South Muskoka - N/8 Innisfil - N/8
Result: Each team is allowed to carry a maximum of 3 x 21 year olds, but not exceed the limit of 8 amongst 20 & 21’s.
5. GMHL Draft
There will be no on-ice GMHL Draft Showcase Weekend this season. The concept of the Showcase in our first three seasons was to assist teams in recruiting players for our league as a whole, at a substantial investment of time and financial resources by the GMHL. Teams have reached a point where the importance of solid recruiting is understood, and the league is no longer willing, nor feels it necessary to continue that investment to help attract players to the GMHL – the teams must do it themselves. However, a Draft is still an integral part of our program and there will still be an annual entry draft each spring.
This year’s Draft will take place on
T
After the resignation of Referee-In-Chief George Harrison after the Russell Cup Final, the GMHL received a number of inquiries from interested applicants for the job of RIC. While we thank and acknowledge Mr. Harrison as an integral element in helping the GMHL succeed in establishing itself over these first three years, in a 14-0, unanimous vote, league owners approved a new officiating group to take us forward. In addition, the league executive, as part of our overall plan to improve our product in every aspect, had sought out additional elements that would add credibility to our league and our officiating crew, and we’ve accomplished that as well.
We’re pleased to announce our new Officiating Staff:
Referee-In-Chief – Al Zimmer,
North Supervisor - Ralph Sparks,
Marshall Uretsky will take on the role of Officiating Coordinator, simply a liaison between the league and the officiating crew, but Mr. Zimmer, the R.I.C. will ultimately be responsible for the everyday operation, coordination, assigning, and performance of all GMHL Officials.
In addition, a better fee structure was established, more prompt and efficient method of payment of fees and mileage was clarified, several ideas to establish additional relationships and opportunities with organizations in the U.S. including the NCAA were discussed, and it was also determined we would continue with the 2 Referee/1 Linesman system. An GMHL Officiating clinic will be announced soon!
IN ADDITION
Numerous improvements have been put forth as requirements all teams must abide by. Some of these are:
- More detailed forms for the registration of players, coaches, trainers, administrators, import players, and transaction agreements
- Teams must submit ice contracts to verify adherence to minimum of four practices (hours) per week
- Coaching staff dress code – shirt and tie
- Any team without a trainer available for a game will be assessed a 2 minute penalty at the beginning of the game, and must pay a fee to the opposing team for use of their trainer for that particular game
- All teams are required to video tape all home games and provide a copy to the league (camera angle must include bench area)
- All players must hold be attending high school or must already hold a grade 12 diploma
- Mouth and Neck guards are mandatory for all players
- All coaches must attend a GMHL Coaches meeting prior to working on the bench of any GMHL team. Date to be announced
- Any hockey events or exhibition games require prior approval by the GMHL
- All teams are required to provide a person in charge of security at every home game. This person must wear clothing that identifies them as such, they must report to the officials before every game, and their name must be included on the game sheet.
- All game sheets must be filled out properly with suspended players listed
- All game sheets must be completed live online or entered immediately following the game or by .
- All written game sheets must be faxed to the league office no later that Monday at .
- Player transactions must be completed using the new form provided, authorized by both team owners, and approved by the league in writing before a trade is formally complete and the players permitted to play for their new teams.
- All players must wear matching uniforms – jerseys, socks, helmets, pants, and gloves. Players will not be permitted to participate in a game without matching uniforms.
- The league is in the process of seeking out suitable candidates for the position of GMHL Commissioner. This person will be hired to implement and monitor all rules and policies of the league, including disciplinary action.
Next Meeting:
2009 GMHL DRAFT & OWNERS MEETING, SATURDAY, JUNE 6, BARRIE, ON