Hockey Pilot Project Coming to Hamilton, News (Hamilton Huskies)

HOCKEY PILOT PROJECT COMING TO HAMILTON

HAMILTON, ONTARIO - The Hamilton Huskies and Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs have partnered for a three-year pilot project within the City of Hamilton. Launching for the 2023-2024 season and lasting for three hockey seasons, the project will form a new AAA association under the name “Hamilton Steel Hockey Club.” The program will offer teams from U10 – U18 at the AAA level within the South-Central AAA (SCTA) league of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).

One competitive AAA program per age group will be offered with the hopes of keeping players within the City of Hamilton. Hamilton Steel Hockey Club also aims to help place players in the proper hockey category (A/AA/AAA). By doing so it’s more likely players will find enjoyment in the game which in turn will keep them in the game longer.

Those who can join Hamilton Steel Hockey Club include players currently residing within the geographical area of the Hamilton Huskies or the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs. This includes all City of Hamilton residents as well as Hagersville and Caledonia residents. Players looking to join the program will require a permission to skate form.

The organizations are currently in a position where they are competing for coaches and development coaches. By partnering together Hamilton Steel Hockey Club will eliminate the competition allowing for the best high-performance coaches and player development.

The board for the new AAA hockey club will include current executives from both the Hamilton Huskies and Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
[email protected]

www.HamiltonSteelHockeyClub.com

Hamilton Huskies                            Greater Hamilton AAA Hockey Club – Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs
91 Chedmac Drive                              710 Mountain Brow Blvd.
Hamilton, ON                                      Hamilton, ON
L9C 7R5                                             L8T 5A9

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As everyone is aware the Hamilton Huskies and Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs entered into a pilot program for the 2019-2020 hockey program. This pilot program was designed to keep players within the City of Hamilton playing in Hamilton and allow the players the freedom to move to the organization of their choice. This program showed how two organizations with competing agendas and from different membered partners can work together to achieve a goal of keeping City of Hamilton players within the city. A key part of success for this pilot was on going communication between the two organizations and discussing how to make hockey in Hamilton more competitive for both organizations while offering the best programming for our players. These conversations have led us to our new pilot that is outlined below.

The Hamilton Huskies (Alliance Hockey) and Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) will unite for a three (3) year pilot project to form a new single AAA hockey association within the City of Hamilton which will be formally known as the Hamilton Steel Hockey Club. This pilot project has been endorsed by the membered partners who include the Alliance Hockey, Ontario Minor Hockey Association and the Ontario Hockey Federation. Below are some common questions we feel people may have regarding this pilot and hopefully provides some perspective into why this pilot is happening.

Why the merger and new identity?
The Hamilton Steel Hockey Club will promote City of Hamilton players playing within our city by offering one (1) competitive AAA program and players not having to leave the City of Hamilton to find such programming. Further, this pilot will also place players in the proper hockey category (AAA/AA/A) which will allow players to develop while enjoying the game and it is our belief that this will help keep players playing in the game longer.

The pilot would also allow the new AAA Hockey Club the ability to offer the best high-performance coaches and player development, as it currently stands both organizations are competing for coaches and development coaches within the City of Hamilton which limits each organizations ability to offer high-performance programs. 

Who is included in the pilot?

A player who is currently residing within the Hamilton Huskies geographical area or any player currently residing within the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs geographical area will be included in the pilot and be eligible to tryout with a permission to skate. These areas include:

- All City of Hamilton Residents
- Caledonia Residents

When does the pilot project begin?

The pilot will start for the 2023-2024 season and last for three (3) hockey seasons.

What happens after three (3) years?

The pilot program will be evaluated by all members who have stake which would include the Ontario Hockey Federation, Alliance Hockey and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. The evaluation process will see if this pilot is working and providing the best opportunities to residents within the Hamilton AAA zone boundary.

What happens if a player is released by the new AAA hockey club?

That player may return to their local AA hockey club or will be provided with a F1 waiver and be eligible to tryout out with a neighbouring AAA club.

Who can AP for the new AAA hockey club?
The Ontario Hockey Federation has agreed to allow any player playing in Hamilton to AP for the new club, therefore this would include:

- Ancaster Minor Hockey

- Caledonia Minor Hockey

- Dundas Minor Hockey
- Glancaster Bombers

- Glanbrook Minor Hockey

- Hamilton Huskies
- Flamborough Sabers

- Stoney Creek Minor Hockey

Who will sit on the board for the new AAA hockey club?

The new executive will be made up of both Hamilton Huskies and Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs current members.

Which league will the new AAA team play out of?

The Hamilton Steel Hockey Club will be playing within the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and be part of the South Central AAA (SCTA) league.

What age groups will the new AAA hockey club be offering?

The Hamilton Steel Hockey Club will be offering teams from U10-U18 (AAA only) and as stated early be playing in the SCTA league within the OMHA.

Larry Moreland Alliance Hockey
“ALLIANCE Hockey recognizes the dedication and work involved from both the Huskie sand Jr. Bulldogs organizations in establishing programming that provides players and families with the best hockey experience within Hamilton"

Craig Lane OMHA President
"The OMHA is excited to welcome the Hamilton Steel into our AAA loop. We appreciate the work of the Jr. Bulldogs and Huskies in helping to launch this pilot project. The players in the Hamilton area will benefit from stronger programming in their community."

Adam Syring Hamilton Jr Bulldogs
“Because of this merger the Hamilton Steel Hockey Club will be offering an elite program to provide an even better player experience.”