sahofhockey

Click here to view Video Review Process (SAHOF Rules - Pg 18 to 19)

Click here for the Video Review Submission Form and to pay $100 deposit

The SAHOF Discipline Committee will conduct Match Penalty Hearings for Youth divisions on scheduled dates only. Most disciplinary hearings will be conducted via Zoom, unless the Disciplinary Committee feels that an in-person hearing is required.

Click here for Schedule (revised: 10/3/22)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All coaches, volunteers and referees must be screened per USA Hockey and the State of Florida

http://www.usahockey.com/backgroundscreen

To Players and Parents,

Over the past couple of seasons, the SAHOF Tier I Committee has been contacted by the Membership Organizations over the growing concern of the Florida Alliance tournament team head coaches also coaching their local Tier II Organization in the same age division. The concerns voiced are of coaches and advocates for coaches for either a North or South team using the Florida Alliance coaching position as a recruiting tool for their local Tier II Organization. The SAHOF Tier I Committee has met multiple times prior and during the 2022-2023 season to address the concerns of our Membership Organizations and draft guidelines for the upcoming 2023-2024 season.

Therefore, effective for the upcoming 2023-2024 season, all Florida Alliance tournament team tryouts will be evaluated and selected by the SAHOF Tier 1 Committee and Membership Organization Hockey Directors. Furthermore, Tier II coaches will not be permitted to coach the same age division as their Florida Alliance tournament team and all Florida Alliance tournament teams will be coached by Membership Organization Hockey Directors and/or Tier I Committee members.

Additionally, the Tier I Committee has also recommended that the Florida Alliance program no longer run the North and South model. This concept was originally designed to help with more regionalized training. Unfortunately, this has motivated the development of North and South “super teams” at the Tier II level. The best model for Tier II hockey in our Affiliate is to have competitive hockey. For the 2023- 2024 season we will return to our original model and go back to the Premier (top selections) and Elite teams for each age division from 2014 through 2011. This will allow for players from around the state to be evaluated in the same talent pool at tryouts as well as allow each team to train and compete in tournaments at the highest level for their age.

We understand change is difficult, but after discussion over the past year, these changes outlined above have been thoughtfully planned out in the best interest of not only the Tier I program but the local Tier II Member Organizations to provide a fair and competitive playing field statewide. We look forward to seeing everyone at tryouts which you can expect to be announced in early May.

Respectfully,

Steve Lynch
SAHOF Executive Director

Tony Lessel
SAHOF Director

Peter Worrell
SAHOF VP

Fred Eaton
SAHOF VP

Nick Lindberg
SAHOF Director

Cindy Friedman
SAHOF Executive AdMin

This year's SAHOF Annual Meeting will be hosted at Signa by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek on June 17th at 9:00am. All Membership Organizations should have a representative present.

The following SAHOF Board of Directors have terms expiring this year:
Tom Garavaglia
Matt Janusz
Jeff Ning
Mimi Sellian
Eric Wessel

All nominations for the upcoming 2023 SAHOF Board of Directors Election should be directed to the Nominating Committee. This year's Nominating Committee is Fred Eaton and Pete Worrell.

As we are all happy to be resuming a full season of hockey this year, for many of you it has regrettably not been a fantastic start for hockey around the Nation as well here in Florida. Many coaches, parents and players have voiced their frustration with the new rule changes mandated by USA Hockey this season. Even though these new rule changes were not supported by the voting membership from our Affiliate or any Affiliate in the Southeast District, we are all bound to the implementation of these rules as are all Affiliate Members of USA Hockey. The rationale behind the rule changes was predicated upon enhancing individual player development.  USA Hockey supported these changes and believes it is their responsibility to make changes to the playing rules as a leader of hockey and the National Governing Body of the sport.

As you may be aware, many officials have either not returned this season or left since the season started. In many cases SAHOF’s most talented officials and officials around the nation have decided not to officiate Youth games and have opted to officiate Junior, College, Adult or quit officiating hockey for a variety of reasons.

There are many contributing factors to this occurrence, however the number one factor according to all research is that officials have left due to the disrespectful treatment and abuse they receive from parents, coaches, and players both during and after games. There have been many troubling incidents this season and this unfortunately is driving officials away from the game. Most referees officiate because of the love of the game and the opportunity to give back or get involved. The constant harassment over calls that involve split-second decisions officials are making on the ice has taken its toll. Our officials are not necessarily happy with the new rule changes, much like the coaches, parents, and players, they are still adapting as well. This has not helped with their frustration with an already hostile officiating environment.

Unfortunately, this is not a new problem that developed this year. Bad behavior and abuse has increased over the past few years. The new rule changes implemented by USA Hockey have only exacerbated the situation due to parent and participant frustration. This ongoing abuse only decays our official participation as our official assigners have no choice but to assign officials to games that potentially exceed their qualifications. In other Affiliates around the country, Leagues and Tournaments are being forced cancel hundreds of games a weekend or play with one official. This is only creating a more dangerous situation in a game that we want to keep safe for all of our participants.

SAHOF and USA Hockey have a Zero Tolerance Policy for abuse of officials. If someone is found abusing officials, including a player, coach, or a parent, they will be subject to discipline including suspension and/or being banned from attending future games. In accordance with the SAHOF Abuse of Officials (Zero Tolerance) Policy, any coach or player receiving an abuse of official game misconduct penalty is subject to an additional game suspension as a result of any game misconduct penalty, for a total of two games. Furthermore, if a coach or player receives a second game misconduct penalty under the Playing Rule 601 during the course of the same season, the coach or player will receive an additional two game suspension, for a total of 3 games. In addition, parents and spectators are subject discipline as well. Holding discipline hearing​s​ for parents is the last thing we want to do.

USA Hockey has no minimum or maximum ages for officials. It is highly recommended that, regardless of level attained, officials do not work games of their own age classification or higher. Generally, officials can successfully officiate as young as age 10. We encourage all players above 10 to consider becoming a referee. It will give the player another perspective of the game and a better understanding of all the rules. Additionally, we’ve observed a wealth of knowledge from the parents in the stands. We would also encourage them to put on the skates and get involved in a positive way.

For information to become a USA Hockey official

https://www.usahockey.com/officiatingprogramregistration

Again, we ask you to practice patience and good judgement. The children are all watching us and following our example. We all need to make a better effort to respect the officials and keep them working so our kids can keep on playing!

Per SAHOF rules all Associations must register annually with SAHOF. You must register your Member Organization first before registering your teams.

Follow this Link to make online payments for balances due for teams for the 2022-23 SFHL Season.

Although the Link below says Register click on link to pay your team fees for the upcoming season.

https://sahofhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/749058187

Follow the links below to register a team and make a $1,000 deposit payment for the 2022-23 SFHL Season

This Link will allow you to view the new district boundaries in Google Maps. 

http://drive.google.com/open?id=1tU70E6AVNBLw9qqGELNaZbm-DSbJEZYS&usp=sharing

https://www.sahofhockey.org/page/show/2477361-florida-alliance-aaa-program