Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association

How much will it cost to play hockey in TBMHA?

The $400 registration fee paid to TBMHA is a down payment. Once drafted, your hockey team will require a second payment of $800 to $1200 in October. Payment may be made in cash, Interac, money order, or credit card. Cheques are not accepted. The total of fees paid is in the range of $1200 to $1600. The fees vary by club, by what is offered, and by skill level (ie. AA teams tend to travel more, further). Equipment (including goaltender equipment) and personal travel expenses to tournaments are extra.

The Harmonized Sales Tax added 8% to ice rentals, a team`s largest single expense. Failure to pay team fees fully jeopardizes your chance of registering in future seasons.

What is the refund policy?

After registering, if a player decides not to play, notify TBMHA as soon as possible (in writing recommended) to maximize the refund.

• If a player quits before the first evaluation session, you may be eligible for a full refund.
• If a player quits after the first evaluation skate, but before being drafted, your refund will be reduced by $25 for the evaluation skates.
• Refunds are reduced by an additional $50 if the evaluation jersey is not returned promptly.
• After being drafted, any refund is at the discretion of your new team, not TBMHA. Team budgets are based upon the number of players on the roster so the team may not offer a refund if it cannot replace a player that quits. Similarly, do not expect a refund for serious injuries that may prematurely end your season or if you move out of town. It is at the discretion of the club affected which will consider the entire circumstances. In rare circumstances, a team might be able to draft a replacement player, making a refund more likely.

PLEASE NOTE: Refunds will not be issued until after Sep-30-2011.

Hockey is expensive

TBMHA fees cover league expenses for the upcoming regular season including twenty-eight games (ice rentals and officials’ salaries), office expenses, Hockey Canada dues, insurance premiums, playoff games and awards, and league player awards. Player fees are TBMHA’s primary source of revenue (also supplemented by bingo revenue). The season includes playoff games (for qualifying teams), All-Star activities, awards and trophies, evaluations, and draft.

What do the teams charge fees for?

Each hockey club runs its’ own affairs so fees vary from $800 or more. Teams provide practice ice (25+ hours), coaching expenses, tournament registrations, awards, banquets, equipment, jerseys, socks, pucks, etc. Some clubs subsidize bus transportation, team meals, clothing, or hotel rooms for players at tournaments. This is highly variable.

At the start of the season, teams convene parent meetings to discuss the upcoming season. Don’t miss this opportunity to voice your opinion on team activities such as tournaments, and fundraising. If a team budget isn’t presented, ask for one. Many clubs work bingos, and conduct other fundraising activities (meat orders, raffles) to reduce the overall cost. Some may require parents to secure a sponsor for your player, but the money may go towards the team expenses, not player fees which are kept lower by the total sponsorships. Some organizations don’t fund raise which means less work for you, but that comes at a higher cost.

What is registration all about?

Both player and one parent or guardian are required at registration since both parties’ signatures are required at registration. It must be signed by both the player and the parent or guardian. Due to the Privacy Act, all forms must be checked to permit release of personal information to the teams (address, phone number, birth dates). This information will not be used for any other purposes outside of administering the sport of hockey. Without this permission a player cannot register for hockey with TBMHA.

If your player has never played minor hockey in Thunder Bay City before (ie moved here, or transferring from a recreational league), we also require a photocopy of the player’s birth certificate at the time of registration. A copy can be made at registration.

Why is the evaluation jersey worth $25?

An evaluation jersey is assigned to each player at registration for use during the evaluation skates. It is on loan, and must be returned to your new team’s coach at the first team practice. Failure to return these jerseys to TBMHA by club means the club is charged $25 for each missing jersey. In turn, the club will seek reimbursement from the player.

What is “B” hockey?

TBMHA provides three levels (AA, A, B) of hockey to permit players to play competitively with their peers. All three divisions are treated equally by TBMHA. Although some parents criticize the division, the players do have fun competing with one another. Without these divisions, players could find themselves receiving less ice time if they were placed in a higher division.

My player wants to play on a team with his friends/relatives.

TBMHA runs a city wide draft to promote a balanced league. The only exception to placing players together is brothers and sisters, provided they are of the same skill level. If siblings are not equal in talent, then they will play in different divisions, and drafted by different teams.

Why didn’t my player make Bantam AA although he/she played PWAA last season?

Lakehead Minor’s PeeWee programme had six Peewee AA teams while TBMHA has six Bantam AA teams including both 13 and 14 year olds. Two-thirds of the BAA players will likely be returning 14 year olds so well over half of the incoming PWAA players cannot be drafted into AA in their first year of Bantam hockey. Probably only the first liners might be drafted into BAA.

How does the draft work?

After two evaluation skates, TBMHA convenes the AA draft. Undrafted players skate again, followed by the A draft. A fourth skate of the remaining players is followed by the B draft. If your player is not notified by a team immediately after a draft, the player must attend the next evaluation skate to be drafted at the next level. All players must attend all evaluation sessions until they are called (ie. drafted).

When do the teams play?

TBMHA rents ice at nine arenas, six games are played most nights (except Fridays). Each division tends to play at certain rinks, on specific evenings, but variations exist throughout the season. The schedule is issued after the final draft. The season starts in early October, ending by the end of February. Games are not played during March Break, except for the final Sunday. The championship series should finish in late March.

Practices depend upon ice availability, level, division, and vary throughout the season.

Registering a complaint

If you have a complaint about an organization or coach, and can’t get it resolved with the team manager, contact the team’s club president. The TBMHA office can direct you on this issue. If you have a serious concern about the league, game incidents, officiating, etc., submit a written complaint to the office (mail, fax, or e-mail). TBMHA investigates all matters, but needs specifics before it can be initiated.

What happens if my player is injured?

An injury that removes a player from a game prematurely should be reported immediately. All teams have Hockey Canada injury report forms (also available on our website). Insist one is completed for your incident; document the injury while memories are fresh. Injuries may have repercussions that emerge later, and there may be no insurance coverage if the form wasn’t submitted within 60 days.