TOC Team Applications Are Now Open!
The NOHA is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Tournament of Champions (TOC).
Teams interested in participating are asked to complete the NOHA Tournament of Champions Team Application Form by midnight on December 4, 2026.
Important:
Applications must be submitted by midnight December 4, 2026.
Applications submitted after the deadline will be subject to a late fee.
All teams that register for the Tournament of Champions will participate.
Any team withdrawing from the Tournament of Champions after December 4, 2026, will forfeit all monies paid to the NOHA.
TOC Fee Payment
Please send e-transfers to: etransfer@noha-hockey.ca
When submitting your payment, please include TEAM NAME – TOC FEE in the notes/memo section of the transfer.
New This Season — Hockey Gives Back
This season, the NOHA is proud to collaborate with local food banks across Northern Ontario through our Hockey Gives Back Campaign.
Throughout the TOC, teams and families will have opportunities to support local food banks through a food drive.
Together, we can make a difference both on and off the ice and help ensure families in our communities have access to the support they need.
Hockey is more than a game; it’s a community.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Tournament of Champions, please contact:
Playoff Committee Chair: Sue Shepardson — toc@noha-hockey.ca
NOHA Staff: Caitlin Hill — chill@noha-hockey.ca
Date: Oct, 07, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
The Ontario Hockey Federation is sharing clarification from the Ministry of Sport about Ontario’s updated high school attendance policy and participation in hockey.
"The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the updated attendance policy does not create new restrictions on student participation in extracurricular, athletic, cultural, or educational activities that require an approved absence from school."
Families must continue to follow their school’s attendance procedures and provide sufficient notice of hockey-related absences, including any required information or documentation. Students will not be penalized for absences approved through their school’s existing process.
Read the full Ministry of Sport Statement: Correspondence From ADM Currie Ministry Of Education Attendance Policy
Date: October 7, 2026
Teams often bring in outside instructors such as skills coaches, skating instructors, power
skating coaches and goaltending coaches. NOHA reminds all Member Associations and teams
that these people must be registered as OHF Third-Party Instructors before they work with
players.
Who this applies to
The OHF defines a Third-Party Instructor as "any individual that is providing instruction on-ice
or off-ice to Players through Team, Association, Members or OHF programming sanctioned by
Hockey Canada."
Requirements for the instructor
1. Complete screening through the OHF Third-Party Instructor Screening Submission
Portal, including a Vulnerable Sector Check.
2. Complete the Respect in Sport Activity Leader course or the Shift Forward course.
3. Complete the Gender Identity and Expression course and the Rowan's Law
acknowledgement through the Hockey Canada Registry.
4. Register as an OHF Third-Party Instructor in the Hockey Canada Registry and pay for
Hockey Canada insurance. The instructor pays for this insurance themselves.
Associations are not responsible for the fee.
OR
Should the Association wish to register the individual(s), please contact the NOHA
Office.
Requirements for the Association
The NOHA has adopted its own internal processes given that many Third Party Instructors work
with multiple Minor Hockey Associations.
Provide to Jason Marchand (jmarchand@noha-hockey.ca) the names of the registered Third
Party Instructors that you wish to have registered. The NOHA will add the instructor to the
NOHA roster with “Third-Party Instructor” as their position.
An instructor can be on any number of rosters. If an instructor already works with another
association, share the existing profile rather than creating a duplicate.
Why it matters
Registration means the person working with our players has been screened and trained. It also
brings them under the Hockey Canada insurance program. Teams should not allow anyone onto
the ice to instruct players until the registration is complete.
Full details are available from the OHF: https://www.ohf.on.ca/risk-management/third-partyinstructors/
Questions can be directed to Jason Marchand via email at jmarchand@noha-hockey.ca
