HPL Hockey - High Performance Level

High performance level development hockey program for youth

HPL Program Policies

HPL Hockey Policy Table of Contents

  1. Dressing Room Policy
  2. Co-Ed Dressing Room Policy
  3. Dress Code Policy
  4. Bullying Policy
  5. HPL HOCKEY Communication Policy
  6. Concussion Policy
  7. First-Aid Policy
  8. Behavior Policy
  9. Coaches Code of Conduct
  10. Parents Code of Conduct
  11. Players Code of Conduct

Dressing Room Policy

  1. At no time is there to be a single member of your staff in the dressing room alone. HPL HOCKEY requires that there must be a minimum of TWO (2) staff members in the dressing room at any time. Failure to comply with this rule will result in possible suspension if reported to the HPL HOCKEY disciplinary committee. Staff members that will be in or around the locker room will be required to have completed a Criminal Record Check prior to the start of the season.
  2. Smart phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room. HPL HOCKEY strongly suggests that parents take their child’s cell phone from them prior to anytime that they will be entering the rink.
  3. Teams will be held accountable for ensuring that their dressing room is left clean at the end of their games. Leave the room cleaner than it was when you got in there. If your team is reported (3) times, further disciplinary action will incur.

Co-Ed Dressing Room Policy

If a team in HPL Hockey has a co-ed team we strongly believe in accommodating both boys and girls in our league. For those teams that have members that are both boys and girls, we have developed the following policies to follow:

  1. Females and males will be required to change in separate dressing rooms until all players are in their  under gear. Minimum under gear requirements are:
    • Gym shorts or long underwear
    • Full t-shirt or under shirt (no tank tops)
    • *All the above will be in good condition and without holes/tears*
  2. Once dressed fully in their under gear, both genders will be allowed in one dressing room no more than 45 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled game time/practice.
  3. Players arriving late for games/practices will be required to change into their under gear in a bathroom stall or somewhere in a private area where they can change while being out of sight of the remaining members of the team.
  4. HPL HOCKEY realizes that some facilities do have a girls only dressing room and if a player feels more comfortable getting changed in there they are welcome to. 
  5. The lesser represented gender shall depart the dressing room not more than 15 minutes after the game/practice unless otherwise indicated (to stay longer) by the coaching staff.
  6. The gender in the majority shall not begin changing out of anything other than their top half of gear (helmets, gloves, elbow and shoulder pads), prior to the departure of the lesser represented gender.
  7. When necessary, due to facility limitations, showering shall be done in shifts with the gender in the majority showering first. Once the room with shower facilities has been fully vacated the lesser represented gender may use the shower facilities.

Dress Code Policy

All teams in HPL HOCKEY are required to follow a Dress Code that will be laid out by the individual teams. We have mandated that all teams should be in their HPL branded hoodies and jackets for warm up before the games. We want our players to both be proud of the program they belong to as well as being able to be identified as an HPL athlete while in the Planet Ice Facilities.

You are representing HPL HOCKEY and your team whenever you are at the rink, wear the HPL HOCKEY logo with pride!

*Teams found to not be adhering to the Dress Code will face possible discipline*

Bullying Policy

HPL HOCKEY is committed to assisting in the reduction and prevention of bullying of all members and participants. Written, Physical and Cyber Bullying are defined as harmful actions that are communicated via written, verbal or electronic media and are intended to embarrass, harm, or slander any individual.

Some examples for the bullying policy include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Continually criticizing any individual’s skills/abilities/sexual orientation/race/etc.
  2. Blaming the target for mistakes.
  3. Repeated insults or put downs of any individual.
  4. Denying or discounting any individual’s accomplishments.
  5. Threats of physical violence towards any individual.

Bullying within the HPL HOCKEY will be dealt with as per the following:

  1. Information will be gathered from sources pertaining to the incident and reviewed by the HPL HOCKEY.
  2. Professional assistance may be called upon as required.
  3. First offence under this policy is a two-week, date to date, all activities including suspension. Offender will receive this suspension in writing.
  4. Second offence is an indefinite suspension. The member or participant will remain under suspension while the case is investigated and dealt with by the HPL HOCKEY Disciplinary Committee.

*Should there be a need for police involvement, all information will be passed to the local authorities*

HPL HOCKEY Communication Policy

At no time will parents be permitted to approach or contact HPL HOCKEY Staff Members regarding issues or concerns regarding the league. This includes all HPL HOCKEY representatives at showcases as well as executives.

We will be happy to hear comments, concerns or questions regarding the league if the proper communication channels are followed.

Please ensure that you and your organization are aware of/follow the communication hierarchy listed below: Team Manager > HPL Franchise Owner > HPL Board of Directors

Concussion Policy

HPL Hockey will follow the Concussion Policies and Protocol developed by CATT (Concussion Awareness Training Tool). Their website https://cattonline.com/ is a great resource for all things related to injuries and concussions. There is a great deal of information including the following:

  • Concussion Guides for Parents/Coaches/Athletes
  • Concussion Protocol
  • Concussion Baseline Testing
  • Return-to-Sport Strategy

Please ensure that your designated first-aid provider and all parents on your team are forwarded this information and spends time in becoming comfortable with the topic.

Do not ever take a risk or shortcut when it comes to concussions. You can educate yourself more on head injuries by clicking this link https://policybase.cma.ca/en/viewer?file=%2fdocuments%2fPolicypdf%2fPD19-07.pdf#phrase=false 

There is enough knowledge and information out there to make concussion awareness very prevalent.

First-Aid Policy

Each team in HPL HOCKEY is mandated to have (1) one designated parent/coach that is trained in First-Aid in the case of an injury. There must be one such designated person at every game in which your team plays and they must have access to the ice surface. It is your team’s responsibility to have your designated First-Aider(s) Certificate on file in the event that the HPL HOCKEY requests approval.

Behaviour Policy

HPL Hockey prides itself on having leaders that are always positive role models and showcase their best behaviour both on and off the ice. Franchisees will be held accountable for all actions by their team staff, players and parents. This includes during games, after games, between games and any where around the rink.

  1. Respect on-ice officials, off-ice officials, opposition players, coaches, and parents
  2. Treat the game with respect
  3. Everyone makes mistakes, including your son or daughter
  4. Never lose touch with the reason we are here. This is a game that we are fortunate to play and be involved with. Let the kids have fun and develop play this great game.

HPL Players’ Code of Conduct

As an HPL player, I will:

  1. Abide by the rules of hockey, the policies of the HPL and principals of good sportsmanship.
  2. Respect my teammates, coaches, team officials, referees, opponents, opposing coaches, opposing team officials and other participants in HPL games, practices and other association activities.
  3. Not make any derogatory comments as to another individual’s race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, gender and/or sexual orientation.
  4. Work hard to improve my skills both as individual and as a team player.
  5. Act in a safe and responsible manner at games, practices and all HPL activities.
  6. Support my teammates on and off the ice.
  7. Attend all practices and games and in the event that I have a legitimate reason for not being able to attend a practice or game, I will provide my team with as much notice as possible of my anticipated absence.
  8. Be on time and prepared to commence a game or practice in keeping with the schedule established by the coach.
  9. Not only will I not be involved in any kind of bullying. I will be a leader and report any act of bullying to my coach, in an effort to immediately make our team aware that bullying isn’t a part of HPL or hockey and won’t be tolerated.

Each Parent will also be asked to read and review our parent code of conduct. Parent’s will need to sign this code of conduct before attending their first HPL Winter Level ice time.

Parent Code of Conduct

As a parent or guardian of an HPL player, you have a responsibility to:

  1. Ensure to the best of your ability that your child abides by the rules of hockey, the policies of HPL and principals of good sportsmanship.
  2. Ensure to the best of your ability that your child respects his/her teammates, coaches, team officials, referees, opponents, opposing coaches, opposing team officials and other participants in HPL games, practices and other association activities.
  3. Ensure to the best of your ability that your child conducts himself/herself in a manner that minimizes the risk of injury, both physical and psychological, to himself/herself and others which includes refraining absolutely from making any derogatory comments as to another individual’s race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, gender and/or sexual orientation.
  4. Refrain from criticism of coaches, team officials, referees, teammates, opponents, opposing coaches, opposing team officials and other participants in HPL games and other association activities and, when you feel that criticism is warranted, you shall offer it in a manner that is fully respectful, through proper channels and away from the hockey rink in any event.
  5. Refrain from directing comments which are insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious, degrading or otherwise offensive to players, team officials, referees and association volunteers including but not restricted to division managers, board members, executive members (directors) and paid association staff such as the team and skill development coaches. If you feel that criticism of any such person is warranted, you shall offer it in a manner that is fully respectful, through proper channels and away from the hockey rink in any event.
  6. Refrain from discussing the weaknesses of other team players and/or coaching staff with your child.
  7. Familiarize yourself with, and abide by the policies and procedures of HPL.

 HPL Coaches – Responsibilities and Code of Conduct:

HPL Coaches will:

  1. Make sure that all kids are having fun
  2. Strive to accomplish the goals and objectives of HPL Winter Level. Develop as and individual and a team through practice and skill development. Compete as an athlete and empower each hockey player to be their best. Grow a player’s abilities, character and passion for the sport of hockey.
  3. Act as an appropriate role model to all players at all times.
  4. Provide a Criminal Record Check Form prior to any on ice activities with an HPL Team.
  5. Have a parent meeting before the season starts to set out the guidelines and expectations for each group.
  6. Immediately report any issues team, player, parent, facility or other to the HPL program director.
  7. Always be prepared and follow the program set in place by the HPL program director
  8. Provide in detail the practice plans and game line ups following the HPL season.
  9. Provide an appropriate selection and variety of drills to develop self-confidence in players
  10. Ensure that courtesy and respect is demonstrated by the coach with all team interactions and activities.
  11. Advise players and parents of the required protective equipment and ensure it is being worn properly at all times.
  12. Do your best to make every child a better person first, athlete second and hockey player third. We share an understanding that the social aspects of hockey develop life skills that can de taken outside of the hockey rink and used in everyday life