2009 OHF / OHL Under 16 Program of Excellence
The 2009 OHF/OHL Under-16 Program of Excellence will feature five programs held over a three-day weekend in the following locations:
- Kitchener (April 24-26 – Kitchener Auditorium)
- Oshawa (May 8-10 – General Motors Centre)
- Sudbury (May 8-10 – Countryside Arena)
- Barrie (May 22-24 – Facility to be determined)
- Windsor (May 22-24 – WFCU Centre)
Players will participate in intense, high performance on and off ice training sessions, as well as seminars with keynote speakers on topics such as sports psychology, nutrition, drug & alcohol awareness and strength & conditioning.
The OHF/OHL Under-16 Program of Excellence is a development experience designed to educate and inform players and parents. The goals of the program are to introduce players, families and coaches to High Performance hockey, the Program of Excellence and the Ontario Hockey League; create a unique and special life and hockey experience for all players and staff involved; and develop hockey players, coaches and trainers both on and off the ice.
This program is the only OHF and OHL combined sanctioned event for the 1994 age group in Ontario. The programs in Kitchener, Oshawa, and Windsor will consist of six teams for a total of 120 players at each program (72 forwards, 36 defencemen and 12 goaltenders). The programs in Barrie and Sudbury will consist of four teams for a total of 80 players at each program (48 forwards, 24 defencemen and eight goaltenders). The program is open to all male players who were born in 1994 and are registered within the OHF; priority will be given to players competing at the AAA Level. All teams will be coached by OHL and OHF Member Partner personnel.
All teams will be coached by OHF and OHL Member Partner personnel. One OHL coach will lead each team with the support of two OHF coaches and one OHF trainer.
Schedules for the program are being finalized and will be available once the application period has ended. The schedules will be similar to those in 2008. For your reference, please view one or more of the following files
Please be advised that details of the program, such as schedules and facility locations may be subject to change.
Prior to contacting the OHF or OHL office with an inquiry, please read the Frequently Asked Questions.
If applying for the program, please be sure to print a copy of your application form.
- Coach Job Description
- Trainer Job Description
- Player Application Form
- Coach/Trainer Application Form
2008 Recap
The 2008 OHF/OHL Under-16 Program of Excellence featured three camps held over a three-day weekend in the following locations: Kitchener (April 25-27 – Kitchener Auditorium), Sudbury (May 9-11 – Countryside Arena),and Oshawa (May 9-11 – General Motors Centre).
Players participated in intense, high performance on and off ice training sessions, as well as seminars with keynote speakers on topics such as sports psychology, nutrition, drug & alcohol awareness and strength & conditioning. Topics and speakers at each program included:
| Topic | Kitchener | Oshawa | Sudbury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug & Alcohol Awareness | Mark Elgersma (London Police) | Detective Dan McKinnon (Durham Regional Police) | Darren Heffern (Sudbury Regional Police) |
| Nutrition | Patrick McGuire (Popeye’s Gym) | Patrick McGuire (Popeye’s Gym) | Darren Heffern (Sudbury Regional Police) |
| Fitness Testing & Seminar | Joe Costa (Mind To Muscle) | Mark Fitzgerald (Train Like A Pro) | Cal McGibbon (Fitness consultant) |
| Sports Psychology | Paul Dennis (Toronto Maple Leafs) | Paul Dennis (Toronto Maple Leafs) | Randy Battochio (Sudbury Jr. Wolves consultant) |
There was a feature panel that participated in a question and answer session with unique guest speakers at each program, which included Dave Barr (General Manager – Guelph Storm), Rob Kitamura (Director of Central Scouting & Player Development – OHL), Dale DeGray (General Manager – Owen Sound Attack), Corey Syvret (Player - Guelph Storm), Mike Foligno (General Manager – Sudbury Wolves), and Zack Stortini (Edmonton Oilers).
A total of 120 players (72 forwards, 36 defensemen and 12 goaltenders) from across the OHF took part in each program and formed six teams. OHL personnel led each team with the support of two coaches and a trainer from OHF Member Partners: ALLIANCE, GTHL, OMHA, NOHA and OHA.
Testimonials from Participants
“Being involved in this program has allowed me to develop, learn more about the game, gave me the opportunity to push myself more and provided valuable feedback to better my own game. I learned so much on and off the ice with the training and seminars and played the game with some of the best out there.”
Alex Rennie, Participant
“It was a first class operation and my son had the best experience of his life. To describe it as a program of excellence would be an understatement. It has motivated him to further develop and strive for excellence in whatever he chooses to do in the future. It was an honor and a privilege as a parent to see a great group of athletes get together and have so much fun.”
Michael Ford, Parent
“The OHF/OHL Under 16 Program of Excellence will no doubt be a highlight for many years to come for the players who had the opportunity to take part. The organization of the camp was absolutely wonderful. The players and staff were treated first class and the food was amazing. The opportunity for coaches to work along side of the OHL coaches was a treat in itself.”
Tim McWhirter, Coach
“I have been to many hockey schools, camps etc. and what we received was amazing. My son was quite impressed with the Under Armor shorts and shirt alone. Just the hockey jersey and socks alone were incredible not to mention being fed and housed for the entire weekend, and I can't even touch on the level of coaching, it was truly outstanding.”
Jennifer Watling, Parent
"The best part/my favourite part about the camp was meeting new people (coaches, trainers, players) and playing with other hockey players that are all the same caliber as me.”
Chris Walraven, Timmins Rangers
“It was a great experience for the boys and to breakdown the cost per value and try to draw comparisons to hockey schools etc. is ridiculous. This camp involved the bringing together of many people who all had something valid to contribute. Where else are you going to get all this in one weekend at a great facility like the Aud.? We would do this again in a heartbeat and we feel proud to have been at the inaugural event.”
Guido Luciani, parent of Julian Luciani, Toronto Red Wings
“A great weekend with many great memories. The OHF/OHL Under 16 Program of Excellence will no doubt be a highlight for many years to come for the players who had the opportunity to take part. The organization of the camp was absolutely wonderful. The players and staff were treated first class and the food was amazing. The opportunity for coaches to work along side of the OHL coaches was a treat in itself.”
Tim McWhirter, Coach (OMHA)
“I feel the experience of the 2007 OHF/OHL Under-16 Program of Excellence provided the trainers with an excellent learning environment. All staff, trainers, and support staff made this a memorable and enjoyable experience. By participating in this program of excellence it allows the trainer to gain valuable on ice experience in a short period of time. By comparison it would take approximately 1/3 of a season to acquire this on ice experience. Furthermore, it provided a mentoring experience to spend time and to work with coaching staff from the OHL and OHA from teams you normally do not play in the regular season.”
Don Woodley, Trainer (Alliance)
For more information, please contact:
| Matt Rabideau | Ryan Berg |
| Manager of Hockey & Education Services | Coordinator, Hockey Development |
| Ontario Hockey League | Ontario Hockey Federation |
| Phone: (416) 299-8700 ext. 321 | Phone: (416) 426-7038 |
| Email: Matt Rabideau | Email: rberg@ohf.on.ca |