We have received a number of questions regarding parents and guardians assisting on the ice during practices or being on the bench during games. Please refer to the applicable Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) policies regarding who is permitted to assist with a team.
Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) has clear requirements regarding who is permitted to be on the ice during practices.
Under HEO Policy 6.5 – On-Ice Helper Policy, any individual assisting on the ice during a practice must be a registered member in order to be properly insured. This includes:
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Registered members of a Minor Hockey Association
(This refers to the individual assisting on the ice. A parent or guardian must be personally registered. A player’s registration does not permit a parent or guardian to be on the ice.)
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Registered Junior League players
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Registered Hockey Canada on-ice officials
This policy exists to ensure proper insurance coverage and player safety.
Parents, guardians, or other volunteers who are not registered with Hockey Canada/HEO are not permitted to go on the ice, even to assist informally during practices.
What this means for our association
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Coaches may only allow approved, registered on-ice helpers to be on the ice.
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Individuals who are not registered and screened cannot participate on the ice in any capacity.
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Registration and screening protect players, volunteers, and the association.
If you are interested in helping on the ice and are not currently registered, please contact the association to discuss available roles and registration requirements.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a safe and compliant hockey environment for all participants.