On December 17, 2024, the Ontario Hockey Federation confirmed that, effective next season, there will be open borders across Ontario at the U10 age group and above – at all Representative levels – BB, A,AA, AAA, etc.
(House league and Local league hockey have always had open borders)
OHF Announcement: https://ohf.on.ca/player-movement/
OHF FAQ Page: https://ohf.on.ca/player-movement-faqs/
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It means that any player U10 and above is now free to play Representative Hockey wherever they want in the province.
WHY WAS THIS CHANGE MADE?
The primary justification for this move is player/parent choice. This move also brings the OMHA (our direct governing body that is part of the OHF) and the Alliance in line with almost every other minor sport in the country and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA).
WHAT WE OFFER:
Representative:
NFMHA offers teams at the AA, A and MD levels.
Our representative teams average 3 hours of full-ice practice and 1.5 games per week
Our AA (U10 to U18) and MD (U8 and U9) teams compete in the Tri-County Minor Hockey League, against teams from St. Catharines, West Niagara, Burlington, Oakville, etc.
Our A teams (U10 to U18) compete in the Niagara District Hockey League, against teams from Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Welland, etc.
Representative Fees:
Tryout fee = $155
Registration fee = $1,750 (basic registration fee of $695 + representative registration fee of $1,055)
Team fees = $3,000 per team. (usually collected by fundraising)
Jersey fees = Each team is required to obtain sponsors for their home and away jerseys, at $1,000 per set.
House league and Local league:
We offer Local League and Select level hockey in all divisions (U9-U18)
Our Local League teams average 1 hour of half-ice practice and 1 game per week
Our Local League teams compete in the Niagara District Hockey League, against teams from Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Welland, etc.
Our Select teams average an additional 1 hour of half-ice practice per week.
Select fee includes entry to our March Break Tournament
House League/Local League Fees:
Registration fee = $695
Select fee = $550
We do not charge team fees, nor do we require teams to obtain sponsors for their jerseys
Initiation Program (U7 and below):
IP is our introductory program for players aged 4-6
Practices are station-based and focused on skill development Cross-ice and half-ice games will be incorporated into practice plans, but there are no formal games. The emphasis is on development and fun within a practice structure.
IP teams average 2 hours of half-ice practice per week
U7 Junior Canucks program:
Our specialty program offered to 6 year old players currently participating in our Initiation Program
Available to those with a keen interest in hockey, who wish to augment and supplement the technical skills that they are receiving in the U7 initiation program
Cross-ice and half-ice games will be incorporated into practice plans, but there will be no formal games. The emphasis will be on development and fun within a practice structure.
Jr Canucks teams average 2 hours of half-ice practice per week in addition to IP practice time
Cross-ice and half-ice games will be incorporated into practice plans, but there will be no formal games. The emphasis will be on development and fun within a practice structure.
Initiation Program Fees:
IP Registration fee = $495
Jr Canucks fee = $395
We do not charge team fees, nor do we require teams to obtain sponsors for their jerseys
Benefits enjoyed by all NFMHA teams:
Ø Coach mentor program, with third party instructors running on-ice player development sessions at least once a month.
Ø Goaltender development program, with third party instructors running goaltender clinics at least once a month.
Ø Mentorship program with Jr A Canucks and Jr C Riverhawks players
Ø Educational tutorials for coaches, parents and players.
Ø NFMHA branded apparel
Ø Free admission to all Niagara Falls Canucks Junior A and Niagara Riverhawks Junior C home games, wearing their NFMHA branded jersey.