The document provides information about the National Independent Hockey Federation (NIHF) league for the 2016-2017 season, including: - A member directory listing contact information for various teams. - A message from the Commissioner welcoming players and outlining the league's philosophy of developing skills and sportsmanship. - An overview of the league's rules and code of conduct. - The 2016-2017 tournament schedule. - Champions from the 2015-2016 season. - Details that the league is restructuring for a tournament-style season and playoffs, expanding to 60 Canadian teams including the first from Alberta, and teams from Michigan and New York joining.

3. Alberta
Tyler Wowk
(780) 456-1061
twowk@silent-aire.com
Brant Phantoms
Ray Rouch
(647) 463-8441
ray@edi2rfid.com
Halton
Jay Bondy
(289) 208-0297
jbondy@wavehockey.ca
London
Joe Clancy
(519) 318-6627
joe@londoncobrashockey.ca
Niagara
Michael Agrette
(905) 650-8992
Michael@99hockey.net
Oakville Spitfires
Mike Peters
(905) 484-4227
mike.peters@cablecontrol.ca
Peel Predators
Bill O’Neill
(416) 567-6699
peelpredators@gmail.com
Sault Ste. Marie
Dan Rouillard
(705) 943-9933
rouillarddan@gmail.com
Tri-Cities
John Thomas
(519) 621-7907
john@thehockeyloft.ca
Member directory

4. 2016 - 2017 season

5. Commissioner’s message
Welcome to the 2016 - 2017 Season of the
National Independent Hockey Federation.
Whether you’re a participant in just one tournament or in a number of
our events throughout the season, we’re here to do all things possible to
help develop the skills and abilities of each and every player.
The NIHF exists to give players the ability to play hockey where they
choose, without boundary restrictions. We instill sportsmanship and encourage fair play, while
developing a healthy competitive attitude in a fun and supportive environment. We also
support, advocate, and represent our players as
developing athletes, who aspire to play hockey
at the highest levels.
We believe in developing a proper training
environment that assists players in becoming
better people. We instill upon them hard work,
respect, co-operation, and dedication.
We encourage academic excellence, stressing
the importance of education to our players and
helping each individual reach their full potential.
The NIHF believes players should play where
they choose to. We welcome both Canadian and
international players who feel the same way. Our
program is insured and sanctioned by the
Amateur Athletic Union, and we are in full
compliance with their rules and regulations.
The NIHF is not an OUTLAW league. We are an
Independent Hockey Program; we operate as a
club team organization and work within the
boundaries of our AAU affiliation. Our league is a
reliable choice over Minor Hockey Association-based programs, and has been the premier choice
of hockey families for several years.
Good luck to all of the teams - I wish you a successful, enjoyable hockey season!
Mark Hetherman, Commissioner
National Independent Hockey Federation (NIHF)

6. Rules & regulations
The NIHF is sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). While the NIHF utilizes the majority of
rules laid out by the NCAA rule book, the league does have exceptions and additions.
Fighting of any kind will not be tolerated on or off the ice.
Any breach of the code of conduct, abusive language and violent conduct, as well as any disrespect of
coaches, officials, and peers will not be tolerated.
As part of the AAU’s emphasis on athlete safety, all electronic communications must be
professional in nature whether it’s on Twitter, Instagram or any other type of social media
platform.
Any personal attack - verbal or physical - on any team official will not be tolerated, and the parent or player
involved will be removed from the team.
Threats against other players, coaches, parents, officials will not be tolerated! The suspension will be very
long and may result in removal from the NIHF.
Equipment: Mouthguards and Neckguards are required! If it’s brought to the attention of the referee
or the referee notices a player not wearing any of these pieces of equipment they’ll be removed from the
game until he/she returns with the proper gear. The referee will then issue a warning to both benches that
the next player that’s seen without a mouth or neck guard the offending team will be issued a minor
penalty.
Body Checking: Referee discretion on 2/4/5 minute penalties for body checking
Blue Line Icing: Any puck shot down the ice after reaching the blue line will not be icing. Teams are
allowed to make line changes after an icing.
Shot Hitting the Goalie mask: If a shot hits a Goalie in the mask the play will be immediately blown
down and the play will be dead.
High Sticking the Puck: If a DEFENSIVE player high sticks a puck in the defensive zone, the faceoff will
go to the closest spot in the defensive zone. If an OFFENSIVE player high sticks a puck in the offensive zone,
the faceoff will go to the blue line spot in the offensive team’s neutral zone. In the NEUTRAL zone the faceoff
will go to the nearest spot of that offending teams end.
Penalty Time: If a player is serving a four-minute infraction they stay in the box even if the opposition
scores in the first two minutes. If they score in the second half of the four minutes, the team can have a
player off the bench while the penalized player stays in the box until the first whistle after their penalty
expires. Player with 3 minor penalties is removed from the game; if the 3rd minor penalty occurs in the last 5
minutes of the game, the player will receive an automatic 1 game suspension.
Player Suspensions: The player is not permitted in the dressing room, the dressing room area, or on
the players’ bench before, during or after a game. They can practice with his team while under suspension
but cannot play a game until the suspension has been served. If a player receives a suspension in an
exhibition or tournament game, the suspension will carry over to the next game exchange, tournament or
playoff game.
Coach Suspensions: Includes no interaction with Players or Assistant coaches before or during the
game, including yelling instructions from the seating area or at ice level.
No coach or bench member may step on the ice surface unless an injury occurs.
One time out is permitted during games.
The game is played on the ice. Respect your teammates, your coaches,
your parents, the opposition and the officials.

7. NIHF OPEN LETTER
Firstly, we would like to thank the parents of our players currently playing in the NIHF; thank you for your continued
support by allowing your children the opportunity to play hockey where you choose and for the coach you prefer. For
parents thinking of joining a team for next season, we welcome you and thank you for considering our hockey
programming.
Recently, there have been letters written about independent hockey leagues like the NIHF. At the NIHF, we do not
believe in providing disparaging comments about people who choose to see hockey in a different light. We are not
interested in engaging USA Hockey and Hockey Canada. Many of you have received inaccurate and almost slanderous
information about the rules regarding your children playing in our league, or one like the NIHF, from coaches or even
associations.
In regards to the Hockey Canada Rule: “Any individual who participates in a Non-Sanctioned League of Hockey Canada
after the Cut-Off Date of September 30th will lose all privileges to Hockey Canada only for the remainder of that season,
and, may only apply for the reinstatement of those privileges after the end of that season.” Please understand that this is
not an NIHF rule. As far as the NIHF is aware, Hockey Canada has not suspended any players as a result of this rule since
its implementation in May 2009.
May an INDIVIDUAL participate within both AAU Hockey programs and USA Hockey programs at the same time?
YES. The AAU and USA Hockey are separate organisations. The AAU cannot control what its members do within other
organisations such as USA Hockey, and vice versa. For example, USA Hockey members may choose to participate in
Boy Scouts, YMCA, and other sports organisations such as AAU Inline Hockey and Little League Baseball. AAU Hockey is
no different.
Our league is a “right to choose” program and we do not place any restrictions on player movement whatsoever at any
time during the season. In fact, we allow our players to play in both NIHF and Hockey Canada events, should they so
desire. Hockey Canada has identified September 30th of each season as the date by which you must decide on
participating in their program. We encourage you to give our league a try and we know you won’t be disappointed.
Here is what you can expect from the NIHF:
 Development of high-level hockey players and academics
 Encourage players to achieve athletically but more importantly as a respectful person and proud member of
your community
 Weekend league games only to assist with needed study time to be a success academically
 The NCAA approach to hockey training and academics with more On-ice and off-ice training
 The NCAA develops approximately 35% of all the players that reach the NHL, and it is considered the number
one path to the NHL or Business Career.
 All teams are providing a variety of professional development along with coach managed practices as part of
their program.
 Puck Handling, Power Skating, Skating Treadmill, Shooting, and Off-ice Training Sessions
 A minimum 28 game league schedule
 Develop a tournament series so players can compete against similar competitive talent. We will have local
tournaments and Tournaments against other AAU Teams.

8. 2016 - 2017 Schedule
EVENT LOCATION DATE
KICKOFF KLASSIC LONDON SEPT 30 - OCT 2
HALLOWEEN HAT TRICK BRAMPTON OCT 28 - OCT 30
SOO SHOWCASE SAULT STE MARIE NOV 25 - NOV 27
ROCHESTER RED LAMP ROCHESTER, USA DEC 2 - DEC 4
OUTDOOR AIR BUFFALO, USA JAN 6 - JAN 8
FLINT FORECHECK BURTON, USA JAN 20 - JAN 22
WINTER FREEZE ROCHESTER, USA JAN 27 - 29
ICE CHALLENGE BURLINGTON FEB 3 - FEB 5
LIGHT THE LAMP LONDON MAR 3 - MAR 5
AAU NORTH AMERICAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS
BRAMPTON/
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
MAR 24 - MAR 26
CHAMPIONSHIP
WEEKEND
OAKVILLE APR 7 - APR 9

9. 2015 - 2016 CHAMPIONS
Burlington Cougars (Novice)
London Red Circle (Atom)
Royal City Kings (Peewee ‘A’)
KBX 2003 (Peewee ‘AA’)
Cambridge Outlaws (Bantam ‘A’)
Burloak Bears (Bantam ‘AA’)
Peel Predators (Bantam ‘B’)
Cambridge Rebels (Midget)

10. 2016—2017
NIHF restructures, featuring
tournament-style season and playoffs
League expands to 60 Canadian teams, welcoming Alberta as the first group outside Ontario
Michigan and New York join, adding over 100 teams
History
2011—2012
CIHF formed
2012—2013
Teams are formed and play in first
non-contact Rep League
Ten teams in Peewee and Bantam
Divisions
2013—2014
League continues to grow
Fifteen teams in Peewee to Midget
Divisions
2014—2015
Hockey Canada moves non-contact
to Peewee
Twenty-two teams in Peewee to
Midget Divisions
2015—2016
NIHF formed to better reflect level
and style of play
Novice and Atom divisions are added
via expansion
NIHF reaches 40 teams
Vision
To focus on player development, allowing for opportunities
at higher levels of hockey and academics.
Mission
1. By investing in our team of coaches, trainers, and league
officials, we ensure our players receive the best
instruction possible.
2. Through fair play and sportsmanship, we teach our
players that self-confidence and mutual respect are the
keys to future success.
3. With hard work and development, we encourage players
to challenge themselves at the next level of hockey and
academics.
4. We put every effort towards recruiting new and
competitive hockey teams, encouraging further league
growth.
5. We work to accommodate academic studies through
efficient scheduling.
6. We help mold players into respected members of the
community.
NIHF is HOCKEY WITHOUT BOUNDARIES,
where you can play where you want and
for who you want.
We welcome players from all countries.