The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) is proud to announce a new partnership with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited to introduce blue pucks for all U8 and below programming across Northeastern Ontario. This initiative will support thousands of young athletes by providing equipment designed specifically for early skill development.
Agnico Eagle Invests in the Future of Northern Ontario Youth
Through this collaboration, Agnico Eagle is sponsoring the rollout of blue pucks to more than 60 Minor Hockey Associations across the NOHA. The initiative aligns with Hockey Canada’s Long Term Player Development model and is supported by research from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) and USA Hockey.
“This partnership with Agnico Eagle represents a significant investment in the foundation of hockey development across Northern Ontario,” said NOHA Executive Director, Jason Marchand. “By providing our youngest players with equipment specifically designed for their developmental stage, we’re ensuring they build proper skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of the game.”
Age-Appropriate Equipment That Supports Skill Development
Blue pucks weigh 4 ounces—33% lighter than a standard 6-ounce puck—while maintaining the same dimensions. This reduced weight allows young players to develop correct shooting, passing, and stickhandling techniques without compensating for equipment that is too heavy for their age.
Research from USA Hockey shows that since adopting blue pucks in 2009, players demonstrate improved technical form, greater confidence, and safer gameplay. Studies from the OMHA indicate that young athletes using blue pucks achieve twice as many puck touches and shot attempts compared to traditional programming.
“Similar to how other sports use age-appropriate equipment—smaller basketballs, lighter baseballs, or modified tennis racquets—hockey is evolving to meet young athletes where they are developmentally,” said NOHA Director of Hockey Operations, Jacob Brown. “Blue pucks prevent the development of bad habits that occur when children try to compensate for equipment that’s too heavy.”
Community Impact Across Northern Ontario
The partnership will benefit communities across NOHA’s large territory, from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and many communities in between. With more than 14,000 annual participants, the blue puck initiative represents one of the most significant youth development investments in Northern Ontario Minor Hockey.
“Hockey is part of the fabric of Northern Ontario communities, and investing in young athletes is an investment in the future of the region,” said Andre Leite, Vice President, Ontario, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. “Supporting the NOHA’s blue puck initiative reflects our commitment to helping young people build confidence, develop foundational skills, and stay active. We are proud to partner with the NOHA to strengthen opportunities for families across the North.”
Visible Demonstration of Community Support
All blue pucks provided through the partnership will feature the Agnico Eagle logo, creating lasting visibility for the company’s commitment to youth development. The pucks will be used in practices, games, and tournaments throughout the region.
About the Northern Ontario Hockey Association
The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) is the governing body for Minor Hockey across Northeastern Ontario, representing upward of 70 Minor Hockey Associations with more than 14,000 participants who register annually. The NOHA is committed to providing quality hockey programming that develops skilled players and confident, healthy young people who carry the values of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout their lives.
About Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is a senior Canadian gold mining company operating mines in Canada, Australia, Finland, and Mexico. The Company has a long record of strong operational performance, sustainable development, and community partnership. Agnico Eagle is committed to responsible mining that supports the well-being of employees, strengthens communities, and respects the environment.
NOHA Media Contact: Jason Marchand
Executive Director
Northern Ontario Hockey Association
Phone: 705-474-8851 x101
Email: jmarchand@noha-hockey.ca
Agnico Eagle Media Contact:Cameron Grant
Manager, Communications, Ontario
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
The Northern Ontario Hockey Association is pleased to invite your Association to our Semi-Annual Meeting, which will be held in North Bay from January 30 to February 2, 2026.
This is the first semi-annual meeting hosted by the NOHA and will be discussion and solution-focused, providing an opportunity for Associations to be actively involved in shaping the NOHA strategic focus moving forward.
ATTENDANCEEach Association is invited to send up to 4 representatives from your Board of Directors or other delegates you deem appropriate for this important gathering.
ACCOMMODATIONS/MEALSThe NOHA will cover accommodations for up to 4 attendees per Association, based on double occupancy, for the nights of January 30 and February 1. Additional accommodation arrangements outside of these dates would be at the Association's expense.
Meals on February 1 (breakfast/lunch/dinner/nutrition breaks) will be covered for all attendees.
TRAVELTravel costs will be the responsibility of each Association. However, depending on budget availability, the NOHA may be able to provide support for travel expenses.
MEETING FOCUSWhile the full agenda is still being developed, the meeting will focus on key priorities including:
Recruitment and retention of participants
Non-traditional programming opportunities
League structure considerations
Player movement
Coach and officiating development
SPEAKERS AND PRESENTATIONSThe meeting will feature speakers and presentations from representatives of the Ontario Hockey Federation and its Members, the NOHA, and Hockey Canada. Additional speakers will be confirmed at a later date.
NEXT STEPSWe ask that you begin considering which representatives from your organization will attend this important meeting. A formal registration process will be sent to all Associations by the end of November.
We look forward to productive discussions and collaboration as we continue to grow and strengthen hockey across Northern Ontario.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
The Northern Ontario Hockey Association Introduces Multi-Faceted Program to Address Inappropriate Adult Behaviour and Protect the Spirit of the Game
North Bay, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) today announced the launch of Game-Time Unity, a comprehensive initiative designed to create a safe, positive hockey environment where Players, Referees, Coaches, and families can learn, grow, and have fun. The program addresses the growing concern of inappropriate adult behaviour at Minor Hockey events, which has contributed to the loss of Officials, volunteers, and community support across the region.
"Poor adult behaviour is hurting the spirit of hockey," said Jason Marchand, NOHA Executive Director. "We are losing Officials, struggling to recruit Coaches and Volunteers, and seeing diminished community support for travelling teams. Game-Time Unity represents our commitment to protecting Players, Referees, and Team Officials from any inappropriate behaviour while building a culture where everyone can focus on development and enjoyment of the game."
Pilot Program Launch and Expansion Timeline
Game-Time Unity will launch this season with three pilot Associations: Temiskaming Shores Minor Hockey Association, Timmins Minor Hockey Association, and Espanola Minor Hockey Association. These pioneering Associations will implement all four program components and provide valuable feedback to refine the initiative.
The NOHA aims to expand the pilot to an additional 20-25 Minor Hockey Associations by January, with full implementation across all NOHA Associations planned for the start of the 2026-2027 season.
"We're taking a thoughtful, measured approach to ensure Game-Time Unity is effective and sustainable," said Marchand. "Our pilot Associations are leading the way, and their experiences will help us bring this program successfully to every community in Northern Ontario."
Key Components of Game-Time Unity
The initiative introduces four major components working together to ensure accountability and transparency:
1. Sign-Before-Skate Code of Conduct -- Parents and Guardians must sign a comprehensive Code of Conduct before their child's first game. The policy covers behaviour at arenas, hotels, and during travel, and includes a clear Severity Matrix outlining transparent consequences for violations ranging from verbal warnings to permanent bans from Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities.
2. "Sin Bin" Behaviour Dashboard -- Visual boards will be installed at rinks across the NOHA territory to track incident trends, celebrate progress, and display "days since last incident." The dashboards create visibility and accountability while encouraging Associations to compete for the lowest number of incidents throughout the season.
3. 60-Second Online Incident Reporting Form -- Anyone—Parents, Families, Team Staff, Officials, or Players—can quickly and confidentially report inappropriate behaviour through a simple online form accessible via QR code at all rinks. This removes confrontation from the reporting process and speeds resolution.
4. Multi-Channel Communication Plan --- The NOHA will maintain consistent communication throughout the season with weekly email updates, monthly social media roundups, and regular check-ins with Team Staff and Referees to ensure everyone remains aligned on standards and expectations.
"We understand that it will take practice for parents and adults to adjust to these new standards," said Steve Lawrence, NOHA President. “That’s why we’ve committed to clear communication throughout the season and a fair, transparent process for addressing violations. We’re building this together.”
Vision for the Future
Game-Time Unity envisions a positive rink environment where:
Referees are energized by officiating the game
Coaches and Players can focus on growth and development
Communities and local businesses are excited to host out-of-town teams
Young athletes can make mistakes and learn in a supportive atmosphere
The initiative was developed over several months by an NOHA task force including Executive Leadership, Board Members, Association Presidents, and Program Coordinators representing communities across Northern Ontario.
Pilot Association Leadership
The three pilot Associations are represented on the Game-Time Unity task force by Anna Eckensviller, 2nd Vice President from Temiskaming Shores; Jason Brazeau and Steven Vachon, both from Timmins; and Kim Armstrong, President from Espanola.
Call to Action
All Parents and Guardians in Pilot Associations are required to sign the Code of Conduct before their child's first game. The incident reporting form is accessible 24/7 via QR codes posted at participating rinks or online at https://www.noha-hockey.ca/gametimeunity.
Associations interested in joining the January expansion are encouraged to contact the NOHA to learn more about program implementation and support resources.
"Sportsmanship begins in the stands," added Marchand. "We're asking every adult involved in Minor Hockey to play their part in creating the positive environment our young athletes deserve."
For more information about Game-Time Unity, including the full Code of Conduct and Severity Matrix, visit https://www.noha-hockey.ca/gametimeunity or contact the NOHA office.
