Shaping the Future of Minor Hockey in Ontario, News (St. Thomas Minor Hockey)

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Jan 06, 2025 | Diana Wilson | 4031 views
Shaping the Future of Minor Hockey in Ontario
The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) has announced a significant change for the 2025 season, opening up the borders for all players in the U10 age group and beyond. This new regulation allows players from across Ontario to choose any team, regardless of their residential location, marking the most considerable shift in Ontario's minor hockey landscape in decades.

OHF Announcement 
OHF FAQ Page

What does this mean for the St. Thomas Minor Hockey Association (STMHA) and its players?

For STMHA, this development presents an exciting opportunity to continue providing top-tier hockey programming while adapting to this evolving landscape. Our association is committed to ensuring that every player and family receives the best support as we navigate these changes together.

What Makes St. Thomas Minor Hockey Association the Right Fit?


State-of-the-Art Facilities

  • The Joe Thornton Community Centre: One of the finest hockey facilities in the region, providing an ideal setting for player development and team activities.
  • Dedicated Media Room: Located within "The JOE," STMHA boasts a media room where teams can strategize, review game footage, and refine their gameplay.

A Legacy of Excellence in Player and Coach Development

For over 70 years, STMHA has been at the forefront of hockey development, offering a wide range of programs designed to nurture players and coaches alike. From beginners to seasoned athletes, we provide top-notch training, skill-building opportunities, and mentorship to ensure every individual reaches their full potential.

Player Skill Development

  • STMHA offers a comprehensive approach to skill development, focusing on fundamental skills, technique refinement, and fostering a passion for the game.
  • Players are continually challenged and supported through structured programs that incorporate expertise from leading skill development companies, ensuring diverse and enriching training experiences.

Goalie Training Programs

  • Tailored specifically to netminders, STMHA’s goalie development program provides specialized coaching to meet the unique needs of goalkeepers at all levels, setting them up for success on the ice.

Coach Mentorship

  • At STMHA, we believe great coaches are the key to developing great players. Our mentorship program offers resources, support, and guidance to coaches of all experience levels, helping them sharpen their on-ice strategies and team management skills.

Introduction to Hockey

  • For newcomers to the sport, STMHA offers a fun and supportive Introduction to Hockey program. This is the perfect entry point for young athletes to build foundational skills, learn the basics of the game, and become part of the St. Thomas hockey community.


“St. Thomas Minor Hockey Association has a long history of developing athletes and coaches who not only excel on the ice but also contribute to the growth and vibrancy of our community. We remain dedicated to fostering player development, coaching excellence, and introducing hockey to the next generation of players.” - Joe Doyle, STMHA President


Join our STMHA Family

We're currently accepting coaching applications for the 2025/26 season.

For more information on our programs, registration, or upcoming events, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact Us
St. Thomas Minor Hockey Association
Phone: (519) 631-3607
Email: [email protected]

 

 
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Elgin Chrysler
We’ve dedicated ourselves to serving the automotive needs of drivers in St Thomas and surrounding areas such as Alymer, London and Tilsonburg. Our team is committed to ensuring that you find the vehicle that’s right for you. On our end, that means answering questions, comparing Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM models, and getting you behind the wheel for a closer look. If a new car isn’t what you are shopping for, we carry a wide variety of pre-owned vehicles thoroughly inspected for quality and integrity, you can be sure that each one meets our incredibly high standards for excellence.
Locke Insurance Brokers
Locke Insurance Brokers offers expert advice & tailors services to the client’s best fit. Serving St. Thomas and area residents, commercial enterprises, & non-profits.
Talbot Trail Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a specialized profession in health care whose primary goal is to assist people with restoring, maintaining and maximizing their strength, function, movement, and overall well-being. They assess and treat all conditions related to bone, muscle and joint problems. At Talbot Trail Physiotherapy all of our physiotherapists are registered which means they are members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. As a condition of membership, individuals agree to adhere to the CPA’s Rules of Professional Conduct, are expected to meet the CPA Standards of Physiotherapy Practice and have to undergo continued professional development the same way as a doctor or nurse.
Tim Hortons
Timbits Hockey is a community-oriented sponsorship program that provides opportunities for kids aged four to nine to play minor hockey. The philosophy of the program is not based on winning or losing, but on learning a new sport, making new friends, and just being a kid.
St Thomas Nissan
We are a family run dealership which opened in 2019 and our family values enable us to connect strongly within our community. Our dedicated sales staff and certified master technicians are here to make your auto shopping experience fun, easy and enjoyable. We also offer attractive financing and purchase options; ask us about our payment plans. Please utilize our various online resources, such as our car loan calculator to help with budgeting your new or certified pre-owned vehicle. Then either fill out one of our secure online forms, call or visit us and experience why so many customers from St Thomas, Aylmer, Talbotville, Wallacetown and surrounding areas buy their next vehicle from us and refer their friends and family also.
Comfort Inn St Thomas
Welcome to the Comfort Inn, a St. Thomas hotel located on Highway 3 near Waterworks Park. This Comfort Inn® hotel is close to Waterworks Park, the JOE THORNTON Community Center, the Elgin Mall and the Jumbo the Elephant Monument, a tribute to the star of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Hawk Cliff and Port Stanley beach, two attractions on nearby Lake Erie, are just minutes away. Annual hawk migrations make for great bird-watching opportunities on the water's edge. Rooms at this St. Thomas hotel feature televisions, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. Barbecue grill are available. Refrigerators and microwaves are available in all rooms and a hot tub suite is also available. Handicap accessible rooms are available and children under 18 always stay free with their parents.