TORONTO, Ontario – In partnership, Hockey Eastern Ontario, Hockey Northwestern Ontario, the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada have published Building the Future of Men’s Junior Hockey in Ontario , the final report delivered by Brendan Shanahan from his review of men’s junior hockey in his home province.

Shanahan’s 11 recommendations were delivered to, and accepted by, the six-person governance committee of Craig Halpenny (Hockey Eastern Ontario), Dean Filane (Hockey Northwestern Ontario), Jeffrey Turner (Ontario Hockey Federation), Jonathan Goldbloom (Hockey Canada), John Kastner (Hockey Canada) and Katherine Henderson (Hockey Canada).

“Throughout this project, it was clear that there are so many dedicated people involved with men’s junior hockey in Ontario who are passionate about ensuring the system is in a position to thrive moving forward,” said Shanahan. “The 11 recommendations reflect what we heard from individuals across the province, and I am hopeful that once implemented, men’s junior hockey in Ontario will be even more athlete- and development-focused, as well as having clearer pathways for players and their families to navigate.”

Following months of research, more than 50 interviews with stakeholders and a public survey that was completed by nearly 700 people, Shanahan provided the three Ontario Members and Hockey Canada with his 11 recommendations that build on his interim report that identified five pillars that appear to be impacting the player experience:

1. Hockey Canada to create an executive role to oversee men’s junior hockey in Ontario.
2. Separate the governance and delivery of men’s junior and minor hockey in Ontario.
3. Hockey Canada to establish an Ontario men’s junior hockey advisory committee that reviews and provides recommendations on potential rule, regulation and policy changes.
4. All incoming 16- and 17-year-old men’s junior hockey players in Ontario will be permitted to register with eligible teams across the province without the current geographic restrictions.
5. Adopt consistent playing rules aligned with the Ontario Hockey League across all men’s junior hockey leagues in Ontario.
6. Improve communication and collaboration between men’s junior hockey and Ontario University Athletics, accredited schools, and U18 and U16 hockey.
7. Develop a standardized billeting policy for men’s junior hockey in Ontario.
8. Expand annual mandatory off-ice education and training courses from Hockey Canada.
9. Require all men’s junior hockey leagues in Ontario to have education consultants available to their players.
10. Create a Player Pathway Hotline and Advisory through Hockey Canada to give players and their families independent and real-time support and guidance as they make decisions that impact their hockey journeys.
11. Expand and enhance post-playing career pathway programs.

“First and foremost of the recommendations is that to ensure consistent leadership and continued success in the evolving world of men’s junior hockey, Hockey Canada needs to take on a greater leadership role and create a new executive position with the sole mandate to oversee and support men’s junior hockey in Ontario,” said Shanahan. “This executive will work with the various league commissioners, help address system-wide priorities and improve the overall player experience, while enabling a more consistent approach to the day-to-day oversight of men’s junior hockey in the province.”

Hockey Eastern Ontario, Hockey Northwestern Ontario, the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada have endorsed all of Shanahan’s recommendations and published an initial implementation guide that outlines the vision for each recommendation and the season in which it is anticipated they could be realized.

“On behalf of this project’s governance committee, we’d like to thank Brendan for his tremendous work and commitment to overseeing his review with focus and passion for the game and its people in Ontario,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “We are just as optimistic as he is for the future of men’s junior hockey in Ontario, and we are eager to implement his recommendations as early as this winter as we continue to strengthen the experience for players and their families.”

As all four organizations move forward with the implementation of the recommendations, public updates will be shared at the appropriate time.

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