September-October Newsletter
Message From The President
On behalf of the office staff and volunteer MHL Board of Directors, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2016-17 hockey season. This year marks the league’s 70th Anniversary. We should all take great pride in knowing that there has been a long tradition of providing hockey for the youth of Mississauga.
As we move forward this season, we’re continuing to focus on making our minor hockey program the best it can be. We have introduced a referee communication program which started with our referees and which will continue to be promoted to both referees and coaches going into this season. Like any new hockey program, it takes about 3 years before we can judge its merits.
Our discipline program continues to improve on-ice behaviours, and suspensions are now at 580 down over 100 from last season, making the game more enjoyable for all. In 7 years we have moved the number of suspensions from just under 1600 to less than 600. Thanks for all of the support for this valuable program.
The City of Mississauga agreed to work with us to provide ice and instruction for the First Shift program which grew from 45 registrants in the first year to 135 registrants this past season. We have been able to retain 60 plus percent of these new players in the MHL for the next season. This season we will have space for 225 registrants in this great program introducing new players to hockey. Where can you get all the equipment and 6 weeks of on-ice instruction for $200.00? We need your help in recruiting new players – please spread the word that we need children aged 6 to 10 to try the game of hockey.
Ice costs continue to be the main driver of player cost. We will have a 2% increase in ice costs for this season and the next. The league office has worked very hard this past season to ensure all of our contracted ice was used or sold, and to help reduce and control ongoing expenses has moved to a new industrial mall location on Laird Rd. just south of The Collegeway. In this new location we will have storage facilities for equipment to make us a one stop location for those who may need help getting outfitted for hockey. We’re excited to share this new hub of hockey in Mississauga!
We have also completed the registration of Play More as a charity which will allow us an opportunity to seek philanthropic donations for players in need.
We have a great, passionate and dedicated group of volunteers that make this league what it is and I want to thank each and every one of you.
Brian Webster, MHL President
House League Convening
The purpose of the MHL convening period is to review all players and teams in each House League division and age category with a view to ensuring the best possible scenarios for fair playing levels between teams.
Convening will occur from Sept. 24 to November 6 for the 2016/17 hockey season and will involve all House League players.
Each age division is handled by a separate committee comprised of an MHL Director as Committee Chair and a representative from each Area Association. The committee will determine movement of teams or players up or down within their respective skill categories. The goal is to provide a fair and balanced schedule for each division.
Should you have any questions during convening about the process, you should contact your Area Association division representative or Area Association Head Convenor. Contact information should be available on your Association website.
Meadowvale Hockey
Celebrates Anniversary
On Sunday, September 11th, Meadowvale Hockey Association opened their 2016-17 season – their 40th – with a celebration at Meadowvale Arena during their house league tryouts, complete with cake, mascots and food trucks.
Ref’s Corner
The MHL has developed an Effective Communications program which was given to referees in the 2015-16 season with an aim to foster good communication between referees and team officials and improve game management for all participants. The program outlines how Hockey Canada referee training directs referee procedure and expectations for conduct by all participants in minor hockey games. During pre-season Area Coaches Meetings, MHL Directors and Ref Supervisors presented the power point presentation to team officials.
The presentation is available on the MHL website. To read it click here
Our MHL Hockey Heritage
Photo Gallery
Frank Mahovlich, left winger with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1957-1968, 6-time Stanley Cup winner and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, with Port Credit player (right) at Maple Leaf Gardens. If you know who the Port Credit player is please let us know!
MHL Referral Program
Did you know that you could earn a $50 credit toward your registration fee at your association, by referring a brand new player to the Mississauga Hockey League. Eligible players must be a new player ages Tyke to Bantam, not a family member or resident with an existing registered player/family, must be a Mississauga resident and must never have been registered with the MHL before. An individual can sponsor more than one new player. To download a New Player Incentive Program application form, please check on the MHL website. Or click here.
First Shift Program
Peter Waters from the MHL speaks with a group of registrants at the Canadian Tire First Shift welcome event on September 21st. The first three groups hit the ice for their first taste of hockey on Sunday, October 15th.
IMPORTANT REMINDER REGARDING THE PARENT RESPECT IN SPORT PROGRAM
Don’t forget that one parent of each MHL player should complete the Respect in Sport Parent program before Thanksgiving Monday – October 10th.
If the requirement is not completed, your son or daughter will be prohibited from participating in the MHL until such time as the course is completed.
Register at https://gthlparent.respectgroupinc.com/.
Team News
Port Credit Storm Peewee A partners with Chartwell Regency Retirement Residence
The Port Credit Storm PeeWee A Team (PC070) has partnered with the Chartwell Regency Retirement Residence in Port Credit. The team and the Residents had a meet and greet BBQ luncheon on Sunday September 25th, where the players got to meet and enjoy lunch with some of the residents. The players asked the Residents interesting questions about their lives and also were able to tell them a little about themselves and their budding hockey careers.
The Residents are planning on attending the team’s upcoming home games and cheering their favourite Port Credit players on at Port Credit Arena.
Lorne Park Clarkson Wild Minor Midget “A” win at Bill Reaman Tournament
The LPC Wild Minor Midget A team started the year off running with a victory at the Bill Reaman Humberview Early Bird Memorial Tournament this past weekend. The team went undefeated in the tournament with a record of 4 wins and 1 tie. They clinched the title over the Brampton 45’s with a thrilling overtime shootout game. Nolan Feddema scored the winning shootout goal and Team captain Michael Jaja was named tournament MVP. Considering the team has quite a few new faces, Head Coach Jonathan Camilleri and his staff were extremely proud of the way the team competed and came together as a group.
Port Credit Storm Peewee “A” win at Bill Reaman Tournament
The Port Credit PeeWee A Team played in the Humberview Huskies Bill Reaman Early Bird “A” Memorial Tournament held at Westwood Arenas September 15 – 18, this past weekend. The team quickly established themselves and finished 4-0 in the round robin behind the first place Vaughan Rangers, who had a better goal differential.
Eliminating the Uxbridge Stars in the Semi Finals, the team went on to dominate the Vaughan Rangers 5-0 in the final for the Championship. Port Credit outscored the competition 38-7. PC’s own Ryan Clarke was voted the PeeWee Tournament MVP.
Meadowvale Hawks Bantam “A” win at Bill Reaman Tournament
The Meadowvale Hawks Bantam “A” team got off to a good start to the 2016-2017 season winning the Bill Reaman Early Bird ‘A’ Memorial Tournament.
They tied 1 game and won the other 4 of their 5 games scoring 18 goals while allowing only 5 against. The final game went into shootout and was quite the nail biter.
The coaching staff would like to congratulate the boys on a well earned victory and thank the parents and families for their support!
Port Credit Storm Minor Peewee “A” win at Bill Reaman Tournament
Port Credit Minor Peewee wins Humberview Huskies Earlier Bird Tournament with an impressive record of 5 win and 0 loses. The finals were equally impressive with PC beating the Noblekings in the final 4-2. It was a total team effort and the team is eager to start their regular season this week.
Lorne Park Clarkson Midget “A” win at West Mall
On Sunday the LPC Wild Midget Senior A team won the West Mall Lightning Early Bird Tournament in Toronto. The team went 3-1-1 in the tournament and beat a tough Erindale opponent 4-1 in the finals at Etobicoke’s Centennial Arena. Congratulations to all the coaches and players.
Lorne Park Clarkson Wild Novice Gold win at Garden City
Congratulations to the LPC Wild Novice Gold 031 team for being crowned “Champions of the Garden City Early Bird AA Tournament” held Sept 9-11 in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. The tournament had 13 AA teams from across southern Ontario divided into 3 divisions. Only the group winners and one wild card advanced to the semifinals. The boys coached by Rob Covassin had an impressive round robin record of 3 wins and one tie, winning there division. They then went on winning the semifinals 5-1 against Faustina and advanced to the finals beating Oakville Rangers AA, 6-2 in the championship game. Congratulation to all the players and coaching staff for all their hard work and effort. Great way to start the Wild season.
Phantom Wolves Peewee “A” win at Toronto Aces Tournament
The Phantom Wolves Peewee ‘A’ 070 team took home the Championship Gold this past weekend at the Michael Hutton September Classic 2016 Tournament hosted by the Toronto Aces at Canlan Ice Sports -York. They went undefeated in the four game round robin to secure their spot in the final game. The team worked together and persevered through a final gruelling game which consisted of 3 regulation and 3 overtime periods of hockey, winning the game 2-1 over the Toronto Avalanche. Congratulations Phantom Wolves Peewee A 70!
Phantom Wolves Bantam “A” win at Toronto Aces Tournament
The Phantom Wolves Bantam A team 91 got off to a good start to the new season by winning the Toronto Aces tournament this past weekend. They won all 5 games scoring 20 goals while only allowing 5 against. The coaching staff would like the congratulate the boys on a well earned victory and thank all the parents and families for their support.
Port Credit Storm Minor Midget A win at West Mall
After 8 long years of trying, Port Credit Storm 100, Minor Midget A, won the West Mall Lightning Early Bird tournament. The team went undefeated during the tournament and won 3-2 in a shoot-out versus Humber Valley.
Phantom Wolves Minor Bantam “A” win at West Mall
Cooksville Phantom Wolves 080 – Minor Bantam A had a triumphant start to their season becoming champions for the second consecutive year at the West Mall Lightning Early Bird Tournament this past weekend. The team went undefeated in their five games with 3 shutouts, scoring 20 goals and only conceding 3! Congratulations to all the boys, coach Mike Mitchell, the coaching staff and all the support from the parents!