Information regarding non Sanctioned (or Outlaw) Leagues operating outside the Hockey Canada umbrella.
It is important to understand the Hockey Canada rules regarding so called "Outlaw Leagues". Please read below what the definition and Sanctions are for our Members who participate in an Outlaw league. We wanted to explain to people what these rules are since many may not be aware that a league is considered an Outlaw League. One such League that has moved into Waterloo Region is the Safe Rep Hockey League.
Participants, including Players, Team Staff and Referees cannot register in both a non-sanctioned and sanctioned league and still be in good standing with Hockey Canada sanctioned Leagues as per the Hockey Canada Policy outlined below:
Definition: Hockey Canada and its member Branches view all leagues that operate outside the auspices/sanctioning of Hockey Canada programs to be classified as “outlaw” leagues. This currently does not include summer hockey leagues/teams, adult recreational hockey leagues/teams, high school hockey, and/or hockey schools.
Sanctions:
1) Any individual who participates (knowingly or otherwise) in "outlaw" programs after September 30 of the season in question (“the Cut-Off Date”) will lose all membership privileges with Hockey Canada for the remainder of that season, and may only reapply for membership with Hockey Canada after the end of that season. “Participation” in an “outlaw” program will be considered to have occurred if the individual takes part in one game (including an exhibition, tournament, league or playoff game) after the Cut-Off Date. If a participant makes the choice to participate in these “outlaw” programs, they must understand the ramifications of that choice and that the sanctions described in this paragraph will remain in effect even if the league or team folds, or the individual is released, suspended or fired.
2) Hockey Canada and its member Branches across the country will make every effort to ensure that local minor hockey and female hockey associations in areas where “outlaw” leagues exist are not supporting these leagues in any manner whatsoever. For greater certainty, “supporting” includes, but is not limited to, assisting an “outlaw” league directly or indirectly through advertisement, promotion, ticket sales, volunteer activities, assigning Officials, sharing resources or enabling such a league to participate in Hockey Canada sanctioned activities. We will withhold tournament sanctions and will preclude such associations from benefitting from any Hockey Canada/Branch/CHL sanctioned event by whatever means necessary, including the withdrawal of any such event from any community within the geographic boundaries of that association if need be to stress this point.
This policy is aimed at those leagues that choose to operate outside the hockey structure established by Hockey Canada, its member Branches and the Canadian Hockey League.