The OHF has eliminated body checking from house league hockey in Ontario.  However, Lambton/Middlesex Local League is not house league hockey. Our league has yet to discuss the recent decision by the OHF and at this time, we are not scheduled to reconvene until the first of September. While the issue may seem straight forward to some, the league has other circumstances and their member centers to consider. One being that smaller centers rely heavily on the AP system to form their competitive teams and this type of ban could and would likely impact a player's ability to compete at different levels.  We are also concerned with what the other regional leagues will decide, as it could affect our LMLL teams ability to compete and/or participate in various tournaments and for outside the LM league team participation in our own host tournaments.

 

The Lambton/Middlesex Local League will not be soliciting input from individual parents regarding body checking in the league.  Should the league decide to entertain a motion on body checking, each of our 16 member centers has 1 vote and it will be their responsibility to cast that vote based on the overall response of their center's membership,

 

Cindy Wade
President, Lambton/Middlesex  Local League Minor Hockey