General Managers and Head Coaches from across the Ontario Hockey League converged in Markham, Ont. on Wednesday for the 2023 OHL Leadership Conference, kick-starting the 2023-24 season ahead of training camps getting underway next week.
Attendees took part in a series of meetings and presentations in preparation for players reporting to their respective cities. Commissioner David Branch opened the proceedings before clubs were briefed on how best to equip and educate players with knowledge on the various OHL Players First programs available to them such as the Talk Today Program with the Canadian Mental Health Association, as well as the OHL Onside Program that educates on cultivating healthy relationships with and respect for women.
Attendees were also provided resources and instructed in how best to educate players in the following areas during their team orientation activities that will take place throughout the course of the preseason:
- Maltreatment, Bullying & Harassment Protection & Prevention Policy
- Code of Conduct and League Policies & Procedures
- Player Benefits
- Scholarship Program
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion with the OHL’s Rico Phillips
“The OHL Leadership Conference provides Hockey Operations leaders across the league an opportunity to come together for a time of education and an exchanging of ideas,” said OHL Director of Recruitment and Player Services Brodie Barrick. “The OHL prides itself in being the best development league in the world, and today’s meeting provided all member teams with valuable information on how we can best serve our players and deliver a first-class development experience both on and off the ice.”
Clubs were introduced to Julie Kuiken, the League’s new Director of Education Services who works with teams and players as a resource for the OHL Scholarship Program, one that exceeded a league-wide investment in player education of $3.6 million in 2022-23.
OHL Director of Officiating Conrad Haché provided an update ahead of the league’s annual Officiating Camp that takes place this week in Kitchener, Ont. The OHL continues to recruit new officiating prospects through its Development Combine that was held back in June.
The event got underway on Tuesday evening, with a special reception held in celebration of recently retired OHL Vice President Ted Baker, who just completed 35 years of employment in the Ontario Hockey League. Various key OHL builders such as Guelph Storm GM George Burnett, London Knights GM Mark Hunter and former Owen Sound Attack GM-turned NHL executive Mike Futa shared some of their favourite memories of Ted’s time in the OHL.
OHL clubs open training camps next week in preparation for the start of the league’s exhibition schedule, slated to begin on Friday, September 1st.
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