Hockey Canada
Encyclopedia
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey
in Canada
and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation
. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions. It is based in Calgary
, Alberta
with a secondary office in Ottawa
, Ontario
.
formed Hockey Canada to oversee all operations of ice hockey in Canada, including amateur, university and professional. The new organization became responsible for international ice hockey team selection, including Olympic and World Championships
, but did not govern ice hockey play within Canada. This changed in July 1994 when Hockey Canada merged with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
, which had formed in 1914 to oversee Allan Cup
play.
Organizations in cooperation with Hockey Canada:
Former Branches:
and Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League
operate outside the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada. These leagues usually appear for a variety of reasons, ranging from disagreeing with the new Canadian Development Model
implemented in 2005 to disagreeing with various zoning restrictions or anger over player raiding by other leagues. In the summer of 2009, Hockey Canada told players that they would have to choose to play within Hockey Canada or outside of Hockey Canada by September 30 of each playing year. At the end of each playing year the player has the right to apply to reenter Hockey Canada if they played in an independent league.
Summer hockey and recreational senior hockey are not under the auspices of Hockey Canada. To date, summer hockey is a massive market and is untouched by Hockey Canada. Also, in summer hockey tournaments, the Hockey Canada rulebook is not always followed, often replaced by professional league rules.
A result of the slow decline of senior hockey in Ontario is the growth of another independent league, the WOAA Senior AA Hockey League. In existence independent since 1943, the WOAA now has 18 senior hockey teams. The WOAA uses the Hockey Canada rule book, but with stricter import rules. The WOAA is very popular in the northern portions of Southwestern Ontario
. Most WOAA teams have deep community roots including the sponsorship of minor hockey tournaments.
Less senior hockey has led to widespread growth in recreational adult hockey. Although Hockey Canada has attempted to make moves into recreational hockey and does offer insurance policies to participants, they have failed to make a dent in a nationwide practice.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation
International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions. It is based in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
with a secondary office in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
History
In 1968, the Government of CanadaGovernment of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
formed Hockey Canada to oversee all operations of ice hockey in Canada, including amateur, university and professional. The new organization became responsible for international ice hockey team selection, including Olympic and World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
, but did not govern ice hockey play within Canada. This changed in July 1994 when Hockey Canada merged with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was the national governing body of amateur ice hockey play in Canada from 1914 until 1994 when it merged with the Canadian Hockey Association or Hockey Canada....
, which had formed in 1914 to oversee Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
play.
Affiliated organizations
Hockey Canada has many regional branches across the county:- British Columbia Amateur Hockey AssociationBritish Columbia Amateur Hockey AssociationThe British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association, more commonly known as BC Hockey,is a non-profit organization and member branch of Hockey Canada in charge of governing amateur hockey at all levels in British Columbia and Yukon Territory...
- Hockey AlbertaHockey AlbertaHockey Alberta is the governing body of all ice hockey in Alberta, Canada and is affiliated with Hockey Canada. It was founded in 1907 as the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association to be the governing body for Alberta intra-city ice hockey play....
- Hockey ManitobaHockey ManitobaHockey Manitoba is the governing body of all amateur ice hockey in Manitoba, Canada. Hockey Manitoba is a branch affiliate of Hockey Canada. Hockey Manitoba was founded in 1914 as the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association.-Leagues:...
- Hockey New BrunswickHockey New BrunswickHockey New Brunswick is the governing body of all ice hockey in New Brunswick, Canada. Hockey New Brunswick is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Leagues & Entities:*Maritime Junior A Hockey League*New Brunswick Junior B Hockey League...
- Hockey Northwestern OntarioHockey Northwestern OntarioHockey Northwestern Ontario is the governing body of all ice hockey in Northern Ontario, Canada. Hockey Northwestern Ontario is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Jurisdiction:...
- Hockey Nova ScotiaHockey Nova ScotiaHockey Nova Scotia is the governing body of all ice hockey in Nova Scotia, Canada. Hockey Nova Scotia is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Leagues:*Maritime Junior A Hockey League Tier II Junior "A"*Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League Junior "B"...
- Hockey QuébecHockey QuébecHockey Québec is the governing body of all ice hockey in Quebec, Canada. Hockey Québec is a branch of Hockey Canada.-History:Hockey Québec was organized in 1976 to take over from the various organizations governing hockey in Quebec, such as the Quebec Amateur Hockey Association which had existed...
- Hockey Newfoundland and LabradorHockey Newfoundland and LabradorHockey Newfoundland and Labrador is the governing body of all ice hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Leagues:*Newfoundland Senior Hockey League*Central Newfoundland Hockey League*St...
- Hockey NorthHockey NorthHockey North is the governing body of all ice hockey in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada.-History:Hockey North is a branch of Hockey Canada. The organization is divided into two regional bodies: the Northwest Territories Hockey Association and the Nunavut Hockey Association...
- Ontario Hockey FederationOntario Hockey FederationThe Ontario Hockey Federation is the governing body of all sanctioned ice hockey in the province of Ontario in Canada, except for those portions governed by Hockey Northwestern Ontario and the Ottawa District Hockey Association...
- Ottawa District Hockey AssociationOttawa District Hockey AssociationThe Ottawa District Hockey Association is the governing body of a variety of ice hockey Junior leagues and a minor hockey system based out of the Greater Ottawa area and Southwestern Quebec...
- Hockey PEI
- Saskatchewan Hockey AssociationSaskatchewan Hockey AssociationThe Saskatchewan Hockey Association is the governing body of all ice hockey in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Saskatchewan Hockey Association is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Leagues:*Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Tier II Junior "A"...
Organizations in cooperation with Hockey Canada:
- Canadian Hockey LeagueCanadian Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
- Canadian Junior Hockey League
Former Branches:
- Maritime Amateur Hockey Association
National competitions
- Allan CupAllan CupThe Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
Senior "AAA" - Memorial CupMemorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
Major Junior - Royal Bank CupRoyal Bank CupThe Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
Junior "A" - Telus Cup Midget (Minor)
- Esso Women's NationalsEsso Women's NationalsThe Esso Women's Nationals is the Canadian women's senior ice hockey championship, established in 1982. The winners of the event receives the Abby Hoffman Cup. The second place team is awarded the Fran Rider Cup, while the third place is given the Maureen McTeer Trophy. Nine or ten teams qualify...
Women's Senior
Inter-Branch
- Doyle CupDoyle CupThe Doyle Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won through a best-of-7 series, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The series is played between the Fred Page Cup champions of the British Columbia Hockey League and the Enerflex Cup champions of the Alberta Junior Hockey League...
Pacific Region Junior "A" - Anavet CupAnavet CupThe Anavet Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won through a best-of-7 series, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The series is played between the Turnbull Cup champions of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Credential Cup champions of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League...
Western Region Junior "A" - Dudley Hewitt CupDudley Hewitt CupThe Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
Central Region Junior "A" - Fred Page CupFred Page CupThe Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournament, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Junior Hockey League, the Kent Cup champions of the Maritime...
Eastern Region Junior "A" - Keystone CupKeystone CupThe Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
Western Canada Junior "B" - Don Johnson CupDon Johnson CupThe Don Johnson Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship for the Atlantic Provinces of Canada -- Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island....
Maritime Canada Junior "B" - Maritime-Hockey North Junior C ChampionshipsMaritime-Hockey North Junior C ChampionshipsThe Maritime-Hockey North Junior C Championships are the Junior "C" ice hockey championships for the Martime Junior "C" leagues and Hockey North's Team Nunavut of the Territory of Nunavut.-History:...
Maritime/Hockey North Junior "C"
Defunct
- Alexander CupAlexander CupThe Alexander Cup was the Canadian national Major senior ice hockey championship trophy from 1950 until 1954.-History:Introduced in 1950, the Alexander Cup was created to bridge the gap between amateur and professional ice hockey and to create a new "open" level for both pros and amateurs alike...
Major Senior - Hardy CupHardy CupThe W. G. Hardy Trophy, more commonly referred to as the Hardy Cup, was the Canadian national Intermediate "A" ice hockey championship from 1967 until 1984. From 1985 until 1990, the Hardy Cup was the Canadian national senior championship for Senior "AA" after senior and intermediate hockey were...
Senior "AA"/Intermediate "A" - Edmonton Journal Trophy Western Canada Intermediate "A"
- Abbott CupAbbott CupThe Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, was awarded annually from 1919 through 1999 to the Junior "A" ice hockey Champion for Western Canada....
Western Canada Junior "A" - Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy Eastern Canada Junior "A"
International Competitions
Run by IIHF
- IIHF World U18 ChampionshipsIIHF World U18 ChampionshipsThe IIHF World U18 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-18 ice hockey teams from around the world. The tournament is usually played in April and is organized according to a system similar to Ice Hockey World Championships and World...
- IIHF World U20 Championship
- IIHF World Women's U18 ChampionshipsIIHF World Women's U18 ChampionshipsThe IIHF World Women's U18 Championships are the junior edition of the IIHF World Women's Championships. The championships are limited to female ice hockey players under 18 years of age...
- IIHF World Women's Championships
- Ice Hockey World ChampionshipsIce Hockey World ChampionshipsThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
- 4 Nations Cup4 Nations CupThe 4 Nations Cup is an annual women's ice hockey tournament, held between four major national teams in the sport; currently, these are Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland. Until 2000, when Sweden joined, the tournament was the 3 Nations Cup. In general, it is held in or around November...
- Ivan Hlinka Memorial TournamentIvan Hlinka Memorial TournamentThe Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament is an annual event held each August for national under-18 ice hockey teams from around the world. Unsanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation , the tournament is not granted official status by the sport's governing body...
Independent leagues
Some junior leagues, like the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey LeagueGreater Metro Junior A Hockey League
The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League is a Canadian Developmental Junior "A" ice hockey league. The GMHL is not affiliated with the Canadian Junior Hockey League or a member by Hockey Canada...
and Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League
Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League is a Junior ice hockey league in Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 1970, the league is not a member of Hockey Canada and has operated privately since its inception on private funds and donations.-History:...
operate outside the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada. These leagues usually appear for a variety of reasons, ranging from disagreeing with the new Canadian Development Model
Canadian Development Model
The Canadian Development Model was created during the summer of 2005 at the Hockey Canada Annual General Meeting in Saint John, New Brunswick. The Canadian Development Model was set up to create a uniform system for players from Vancouver to St. John's....
implemented in 2005 to disagreeing with various zoning restrictions or anger over player raiding by other leagues. In the summer of 2009, Hockey Canada told players that they would have to choose to play within Hockey Canada or outside of Hockey Canada by September 30 of each playing year. At the end of each playing year the player has the right to apply to reenter Hockey Canada if they played in an independent league.
Summer hockey and recreational senior hockey are not under the auspices of Hockey Canada. To date, summer hockey is a massive market and is untouched by Hockey Canada. Also, in summer hockey tournaments, the Hockey Canada rulebook is not always followed, often replaced by professional league rules.
A result of the slow decline of senior hockey in Ontario is the growth of another independent league, the WOAA Senior AA Hockey League. In existence independent since 1943, the WOAA now has 18 senior hockey teams. The WOAA uses the Hockey Canada rule book, but with stricter import rules. The WOAA is very popular in the northern portions of Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario is a subregion of Southern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario, centred on the city of London. It extends north to south from the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron to the Lake Erie shoreline, and east to south-west roughly from Guelph to Windsor. The region had a population...
. Most WOAA teams have deep community roots including the sponsorship of minor hockey tournaments.
Less senior hockey has led to widespread growth in recreational adult hockey. Although Hockey Canada has attempted to make moves into recreational hockey and does offer insurance policies to participants, they have failed to make a dent in a nationwide practice.
See also
- Ice Hockey World ChampionshipsIce Hockey World ChampionshipsThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
- World Junior A ChallengeWorld Junior A ChallengeThe World Junior A Challenge is an annual under-20 international ice hockey tournament sponsored by Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League , and the International Ice Hockey Federation . The tournament showcases Junior A level players and is modeled after the IIHF World U20...
- World U-17 hockey challengeWorld U-17 Hockey ChallengeThe World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, originally known as the Quebec Esso Cup, is an international ice hockey tournament held annually in Canada. The tournament does not operate during years in which the Canada Winter Games are held. As such, the World Under-17 Challenge is held three out of every...
- Canadian Hockey Association (1909–1910)
- Canada men's national ice hockey team
- Canada women's national ice hockey team
- Canada men's national ice sledge hockey teamCanada men's national ice sledge hockey teamThe Canadian national ice sledge hockey team is the ice sledge hockey team representing Canada. The team is since 2003 overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions...
- Canada men's national junior ice hockey team