Volunteering as an On-Ice Helper

 

We understand that each year more and more players are interested in volunteering within our amateur hockey program. And that some of these volunteers are young adults wanting to collect high school volunteer hours, and/or are looking to take on a different role within hockey. It has become evident in recent years that older Minor Hockey players as well as Junior Hockey Players partake in practices with teams of lower divisions to assist and volunteer within their association.

With this change in role – moving from player to volunteer helper – Associations and Leagues are faced with many questions. How old should they be? What equipment is required to wear? What training do they require? Etc. 

- To provide guidance to our members, while ensuring safe opportunities for our young “helpers”, please utilize the following. It is also important to stress, that team officials are to utilize sound judgment when selecting a young person as an on-ice helper. These decisions must be made from a developmental and supportive perspective. We want these “helpers” to provide assistance to the other team officials, while gaining knowledge and experience of a teaching type role. This is not designed as an opportunity for players to get extra ice time.

- Individuals that volunteer within an association must be either; a “registered” member of a Minor Hockey Association, or a Junior Hockey League, or an on-ice official. This ensures that the insurance coverage has been secured.

- Individuals may volunteer with a team during practices. They may only be demonstrators/helpers and are not to partake in any scrimmages as a player would.

- Individuals that volunteer must be at minimum, one age division higher than the team which they are volunteering with. And are not permitted to volunteer, as an on-ice helper, with a team at the same or higher division. 

- Individuals that volunteer must wear as a minimum a CSA certified helmet, and facial protection, (as required by their level of hockey) BNQ certified neck guard (as required by their level of hockey) as well as hockey gloves and skates. Although this is the Branch’s minimum requirement, the volunteer’s Home Association/League may mandate full gear.

▪ Individuals, who are not registered team officials, and who are 16 years of age or older are recommended to complete the Speak Out Program.

NOTE: 
All team players must wear full gear for all games and practices with their own team.