Conduct Management

The HEO Midget AAA League is committed to providing a safe environment in which to play hockey. Hockey is a sport that provides fun, exercise and an opportunity to grow as athletes and as members of the community. At times it can also be an emotional game for players, parents and coaches. The HEO Midget AAA League is committed to ensuring that all members are treated with respect – whether player, parent, coach, spectator or member of the league executive.

There are many rules that guide the behavior of those who participate in minor hockey. Rules apply to players, parents, coaches, spectators and other volunteers. When the rules are broken there is a response with a possible consequence. The response could be on the part of the coach, the Team Liaison, the League Executive, the HEO Minor, or other higher governing body.

The Director of Risk & Discipline holds the responsibility of Conduct Management to ensure the HEO Midget AAA League Code of Conduct are adhered to and that sanctions levied against players, coaches, spectators, volunteers and parents are carried out appropriately.

While the HEO Midget AAA League  is responsible for the overall implementation of conduct management policies and procedures, conduct management happens at various levels within the League. Minor to moderate issues are typically dealt with at the team level or club level while others, due to their severity, must be escalated to HEO Midget AAAA League Executive for resolution.

• The Director of Risk & Discipline is responsible for the HEO Midget AAA League Conduct Management.
• The Director may, upon decision of a Conduct Management Committee, impose sanctions on participants found to have violated the Code of Conduct.
• No participant may refuse to cooperate with a Conduct Management investigation. Refusal to cooperate will result in the immediate suspension of the member.

Discipline Committee

1. Reported Incidents are assessed discipline by the Director of Risk & Discipline.
2. The disciplinary committee shall consist of the Director of Hockey, the Vice Chair and the Director of Risk & Discipline. The committee hearing will be facilitated by the Director of Risk & Discipline. they shall act as Chairperson.
   1. HEO Midget AAA League Board of Director members with no conflict may also be included.
3. The Director of Risk & Discipline will decide if a hearing is warranted based on the facts presented.
4. The Discipline Committee shall call a meeting within ten (10) days of the notification of a discipline problem from the Director of Risk & Discipline.
5. The Discipline Committee shall deliver its decision, to the appropriate parties, within three (3) days of the hearing.

(a)          All infractions during a game or when players are under the direct control of a Branch Certified Referee will be dealt with per Hockey Canada Rules, or the applicable sections of Branch, League Rules, Procedures and/or guidelines.

(b)          Discipline can be applied by any team official in conjunction with or by the head coach; however any suspension of more than one ice time must be approved by the Team Liaison, whom shall inform the League President.

(c)           A disciplinary committee hearing hosted by HEO Midget AAA League will only be utilized on serious or re-offending situations and is meant to ensure a positive environment is continued and the code of conduct is adhered to.

(d)          All incidents reported to the HEO Midget AAA League shall be forwarded to the Director of Risk & Discipline with all particulars included. The League will ensure the incident is investigated by a member of the Board of Directors. Any serious incident shall be investigated and overseen by the Director of Risk & Discipline. A record of the incident shall be completed. All attempts shall be made to resolve the issue. Depending on the severity of the incident, a disciplinary committee hearing maybe initiated.

(e)          The Director of Risk & Discipline Based on the investigation, the nature and severity of the incident, the Director of Risk & Discipline will apply sanctions which vary from warnings to suspensions.

•  The Director of Risk & Discipline will review the incident and interview people if deemed necessary.

(f)           Any sanctioned member may appeal their suspension by the Director of Risk & Discipline to the League President, whom will convene a hearing of HEO Midget AAA League panel members and act as Chairman.

o             The Chairman will communicate all actions taken by the Discipline Committee, to those involved within seventy-two (72) hours.

o             The Secretary shall be present at each the hearing to record and file the minutes.

o             All written records other than the final decision of the Discipline Committee shall be held in confidence on file and may be reviewed by the Discipline Committee or the person the discipline applies to, in order to protect the people involved.

o             Under no circumstances will such documentation be copied or communicated in any way other than what is required to further the appeals procedure.

Members are encouraged to report breaches of conduct to their Team Liaison to be filed to the League's Director of Risk & Discipline.

Incident Forms will only be accepted by the League from the Team Liaison.

Incidents must be filed within 30 calendar days of occurrence for consideration.