Tampering goes on all the time and with open borders, it's definitely going to ramp up once coaches are announced.
However, I am trying to find out exactly what tampering is in the eyes of the OHF. I looked on their website but it wasn't really that clear.
Here is my situation, I was approached by someone on the weekend who was lightly recruiting my kid to come over to join the organization that their kid was in.
Is it only tampering when a coach, manager, member of the organization, etc, reaches out? What if it's a parent that is doing the recruiting?
Thanks for all the info in advance!
Tampering
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Guest
Re: Tampering
The OHF and its Minor Members will introduce timelines and increased penalties for recruiting players, during the current season, on other teams for the next season. Such penalties will apply to anyone involved with a team.
Does that include parents? probably not
Does that include parents? probably not
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Guest
Re: Tampering
What defines tampering?
Tampering (OHF Playing Regulation H) is the act of directly or indirectly inviting a player to participate in any activity that is leading to consideration of being part of a team they are not registered with (i.e. skates within an Association for a U14 team when the player is U13, or skates with another Association while still registered). Players that are attending player evaluations at U13 and below remain registered until they are released from their previous seasons team as of 12:00:01am on April 19. Players who are attending player evaluations at U14 and above remain registered until released from their previous seasons team as of 12:00:01am on April 21. The only exceptions are when a player has an outstanding financial or equipment commitment to an Association that is properly recorded in the HCR (Outstanding Fees). In that case, until the outstanding financial or equipment commitment is cleared up, the player is ineligible to participate in player evaluations.
What is being done to prevent tampering or player recruitment?
Strict rules are in place for the announcing of coaches, including penalties for coaches and Associations involved in tampering or recruitment. These measures will assist in a change in culture and will be strictly enforced. These changes include a need for parents to change their internal expectations of confirming teams prior to player evaluations.
How is tampering policed?
Tampering is policed organically and by reporting of incidents by an Association against another Association or through the production of materials that would indicate that there is a potential of tampering occurring on the balance of probabilities. If there is information pertaining to actions that fit within the definition of tampering, that information may be investigated further. All cases that are lodged by an Association to the OHF will be dealt with through a hearing, as well as, any cases emanating from materials provided to the OHF that may be tampering on the balance of probabilities.
Is there a portal or system to report tampering allegations? Will there be an anonymous link to submit tampering issues?
Tampering allegations will be submitted to tampering@ohf.on.ca. Tampering allegations generally will not be anonymous. In some cases, the information itself will be anonymous.
Will the process for registering players and reporting tampering be standardized across associations?
Yes.
Can parents contact coaches about joining their team before official evaluations?
In short, no. However, we recognize that this may still occur, as cultural shifts take time. It is the coach’s responsibility to direct parents to the Association's website for program information and encourage them to attend player evaluations if the program is a good fit. Any response that suggests interest or encourages participation on a specific team would be considered tampering or player recruitment. If such actions are identified, they will be addressed accordingly.
What are the consequences of tampering?
Consequences of tampering include ineligibility of the player to participate with the Association, coach suspensions up to three years, and fines for Minor Hockey Associations. Severe and continuous violations by Associations may lead to loss of privileges such as attending and hosting championships or tournaments.
As a leader with a team the expectation is that you inform your parents in your program to respect the season and not to talk to other parents from other programs about next year. That they are an extension of the team and the culture that you are creating about focusing on the experience for this season?
We understand that parents talk and will talk. We are not going to change every single person immediately. However, we ask that, as leaders, we change the culture to focus on the experience of this year and entrench that as best as possible in our teams. The rules will consider the involvement of the coach and the leadership of that coach in working to change the culture.
When can coaches of different categories contact players?
Coaches can contact players on the first day of their category’s player evaluations:
U13 and below AAA – Saturday, April 19, 2025
U14 and above AAA – Monday, April 21, 2025
U13 and below AA – Saturday, April 26, 2025
U14 and above AA – Monday, April 28, 2025
U13 and below A and below – Saturday, May 3, 2025
U14 and above A and below – Monday, May 5, 2025
What are the guidelines for in-season player movement?
In season player movement continues as previously established in that players will require a release to move. Players that are registered to a team may not be communicated with by other teams without the permission of the registered team. Communication without permission would be considered tampering. Understanding that as Associations, we all have the same goal which is to develop players to their greatest potential. At times, it may make sense working between Associations to release a player to a higher Category of play.
Are birthday skates or end-of-season skates considered tampering?
All these skates can be considered tampering when participating outside of the player’s registered team if the invitation to the activity stems from the consideration or intent to offer the player a spot on a team they are not registered for.
Are preparation skates considered tampering?
Preparation skates are allowed when provided by an Association to players that are part of that Association (i.e. Registered team participants including players on AAA Waivers and NRP’s). However, the rules surrounding preparation skates are that they are only development sessions for players and must be run by individuals that are not coaching the birth year of players they are operating for. A best practice in operating preparation skates are to make them an open experience to any participant in the Association mixing multiple ages and categories. Preparation skates are considered part of the current seasons registered Associations programming.
How should coaches respond to players or parents who inquire about opportunities for the next season?
There is a template provided for an appropriate response to any inquiries to a coach about opportunities for the following season. All questions should be directed back to their Association and their Associations website.().
Is it tampering if a coach communicates their coaching plans after February 15?
A coach through the Association’s website is able to provide their coaching plans (i.e. philosophies, vision, approach etc.) to the broad public. If there is direct communication to players or families regarding their plans on player participation this would be considered tampering.
Are parent-to-parent or player-to-player discussions considered tampering?
Such discussions could be considered tampering if they are directly or indirectly inviting a player to participate in any activity that is leading to consideration of being part of a team they are not registered with (i.e. skates within an Association for a U14 team when the player is U13, or skates with another Association while still registered).
What are the consequences for filing false tampering allegations? Should there be sanctions for parents who make false accusations?
A false tampering allegation will be considered on a spectrum, similar to the finding of tampering. If the allegation is provided in a manner that is contradictory to the OHF Code of Conduct, then there is the ability to address the false accusation through a disciplinary hearing. An unsubstantiated tampering outcome is not necessarily a false allegation.
What process will OHF follow to investigate tampering? Will associations be responsible for conducting investigations and administering discipline?
All tampering allegations and hearings will be submitted to, administered by, and adjudicated by the Ontario Hockey Federation.
Will past tampering cases be investigated, or do rules only apply moving forward?
Tampering regulations have always existed and coaches and Associations should already be aware of these regulations. As of November 13, 2024, prohibitive advertising was launched, and the new tampering sanctions were adopted on December 14, 2024. Panels will have the ability to apply sanctions under the appropriate rules based on timing.
How does a coach with a private business teaching hockey skills avoid accusations of tampering?
Transparency, transparency, transparency. As a private skills business individual, they will have to show that the programming they are running is not connected to or being used directly or indirectly for the consideration of players for a team they are not registered with. A coach in this situation should have a clear and open registration process and should clearly avoid operating programming specifically for players in the birth year they are or intend to coach. Their programming should be open to the public to access. Anytime a private business teaches hockey skills which focuses programming on a specific age group or collective of players in a manner that is not transparent they risk accusations of tampering.
In small communities, workplace discussions, alternate sports teams, and social circles often lead to tampering-like situations. How will these be addressed?
Tampering is the act of directly or indirectly inviting a player to participate in any activity that is leading to consideration of being part of a team they are not registered with (i.e. skates within an Association for a U14 team when the player is U13, or skates with another Association while still registered). If through these mechanisms there is the act of tampering then it may be addressed through a hearing.
Tampering (OHF Playing Regulation H) is the act of directly or indirectly inviting a player to participate in any activity that is leading to consideration of being part of a team they are not registered with (i.e. skates within an Association for a U14 team when the player is U13, or skates with another Association while still registered). Players that are attending player evaluations at U13 and below remain registered until they are released from their previous seasons team as of 12:00:01am on April 19. Players who are attending player evaluations at U14 and above remain registered until released from their previous seasons team as of 12:00:01am on April 21. The only exceptions are when a player has an outstanding financial or equipment commitment to an Association that is properly recorded in the HCR (Outstanding Fees). In that case, until the outstanding financial or equipment commitment is cleared up, the player is ineligible to participate in player evaluations.
What is being done to prevent tampering or player recruitment?
Strict rules are in place for the announcing of coaches, including penalties for coaches and Associations involved in tampering or recruitment. These measures will assist in a change in culture and will be strictly enforced. These changes include a need for parents to change their internal expectations of confirming teams prior to player evaluations.
How is tampering policed?
Tampering is policed organically and by reporting of incidents by an Association against another Association or through the production of materials that would indicate that there is a potential of tampering occurring on the balance of probabilities. If there is information pertaining to actions that fit within the definition of tampering, that information may be investigated further. All cases that are lodged by an Association to the OHF will be dealt with through a hearing, as well as, any cases emanating from materials provided to the OHF that may be tampering on the balance of probabilities.
Is there a portal or system to report tampering allegations? Will there be an anonymous link to submit tampering issues?
Tampering allegations will be submitted to tampering@ohf.on.ca. Tampering allegations generally will not be anonymous. In some cases, the information itself will be anonymous.
Will the process for registering players and reporting tampering be standardized across associations?
Yes.
Can parents contact coaches about joining their team before official evaluations?
In short, no. However, we recognize that this may still occur, as cultural shifts take time. It is the coach’s responsibility to direct parents to the Association's website for program information and encourage them to attend player evaluations if the program is a good fit. Any response that suggests interest or encourages participation on a specific team would be considered tampering or player recruitment. If such actions are identified, they will be addressed accordingly.
What are the consequences of tampering?
Consequences of tampering include ineligibility of the player to participate with the Association, coach suspensions up to three years, and fines for Minor Hockey Associations. Severe and continuous violations by Associations may lead to loss of privileges such as attending and hosting championships or tournaments.
As a leader with a team the expectation is that you inform your parents in your program to respect the season and not to talk to other parents from other programs about next year. That they are an extension of the team and the culture that you are creating about focusing on the experience for this season?
We understand that parents talk and will talk. We are not going to change every single person immediately. However, we ask that, as leaders, we change the culture to focus on the experience of this year and entrench that as best as possible in our teams. The rules will consider the involvement of the coach and the leadership of that coach in working to change the culture.
When can coaches of different categories contact players?
Coaches can contact players on the first day of their category’s player evaluations:
U13 and below AAA – Saturday, April 19, 2025
U14 and above AAA – Monday, April 21, 2025
U13 and below AA – Saturday, April 26, 2025
U14 and above AA – Monday, April 28, 2025
U13 and below A and below – Saturday, May 3, 2025
U14 and above A and below – Monday, May 5, 2025
What are the guidelines for in-season player movement?
In season player movement continues as previously established in that players will require a release to move. Players that are registered to a team may not be communicated with by other teams without the permission of the registered team. Communication without permission would be considered tampering. Understanding that as Associations, we all have the same goal which is to develop players to their greatest potential. At times, it may make sense working between Associations to release a player to a higher Category of play.
Are birthday skates or end-of-season skates considered tampering?
All these skates can be considered tampering when participating outside of the player’s registered team if the invitation to the activity stems from the consideration or intent to offer the player a spot on a team they are not registered for.
Are preparation skates considered tampering?
Preparation skates are allowed when provided by an Association to players that are part of that Association (i.e. Registered team participants including players on AAA Waivers and NRP’s). However, the rules surrounding preparation skates are that they are only development sessions for players and must be run by individuals that are not coaching the birth year of players they are operating for. A best practice in operating preparation skates are to make them an open experience to any participant in the Association mixing multiple ages and categories. Preparation skates are considered part of the current seasons registered Associations programming.
How should coaches respond to players or parents who inquire about opportunities for the next season?
There is a template provided for an appropriate response to any inquiries to a coach about opportunities for the following season. All questions should be directed back to their Association and their Associations website.().
Is it tampering if a coach communicates their coaching plans after February 15?
A coach through the Association’s website is able to provide their coaching plans (i.e. philosophies, vision, approach etc.) to the broad public. If there is direct communication to players or families regarding their plans on player participation this would be considered tampering.
Are parent-to-parent or player-to-player discussions considered tampering?
Such discussions could be considered tampering if they are directly or indirectly inviting a player to participate in any activity that is leading to consideration of being part of a team they are not registered with (i.e. skates within an Association for a U14 team when the player is U13, or skates with another Association while still registered).
What are the consequences for filing false tampering allegations? Should there be sanctions for parents who make false accusations?
A false tampering allegation will be considered on a spectrum, similar to the finding of tampering. If the allegation is provided in a manner that is contradictory to the OHF Code of Conduct, then there is the ability to address the false accusation through a disciplinary hearing. An unsubstantiated tampering outcome is not necessarily a false allegation.
What process will OHF follow to investigate tampering? Will associations be responsible for conducting investigations and administering discipline?
All tampering allegations and hearings will be submitted to, administered by, and adjudicated by the Ontario Hockey Federation.
Will past tampering cases be investigated, or do rules only apply moving forward?
Tampering regulations have always existed and coaches and Associations should already be aware of these regulations. As of November 13, 2024, prohibitive advertising was launched, and the new tampering sanctions were adopted on December 14, 2024. Panels will have the ability to apply sanctions under the appropriate rules based on timing.
How does a coach with a private business teaching hockey skills avoid accusations of tampering?
Transparency, transparency, transparency. As a private skills business individual, they will have to show that the programming they are running is not connected to or being used directly or indirectly for the consideration of players for a team they are not registered with. A coach in this situation should have a clear and open registration process and should clearly avoid operating programming specifically for players in the birth year they are or intend to coach. Their programming should be open to the public to access. Anytime a private business teaches hockey skills which focuses programming on a specific age group or collective of players in a manner that is not transparent they risk accusations of tampering.
In small communities, workplace discussions, alternate sports teams, and social circles often lead to tampering-like situations. How will these be addressed?
Tampering is the act of directly or indirectly inviting a player to participate in any activity that is leading to consideration of being part of a team they are not registered with (i.e. skates within an Association for a U14 team when the player is U13, or skates with another Association while still registered). If through these mechanisms there is the act of tampering then it may be addressed through a hearing.
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Guest
Re: Tampering
The tampering is extremely worse since the Open Boarders announceement, it has created an even greater need for coaches to try and stay up with the competition, it has put them all in a crappy position, damned if you do damned if you dont.
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Guest
Re: Tampering
I personally would not want to be in their shoes, they are risking 1 of 2 things, either having to explain to the OHF why you did or explain to the parents why you didn't.Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 12:53 amThe tampering is extremely worse since the Open Boarders announceement, it has created an even greater need for coaches to try and stay up with the competition, it has put them all in a crappy position, damned if you do damned if you dont.
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Guest
Re: Tampering
OHF should have allowed discussions to start the moment all leagues have completed the various championships. Also allow signings to be open at the same time, would help alleviate de-committs by either party. It wont stop the crap but atleast would let the crap settle much quicker and everyone can chill out.Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 12:57 amI personally would not want to be in their shoes, they are risking 1 of 2 things, either having to explain to the OHF why you did or explain to the parents why you didn't.Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 12:53 amThe tampering is extremely worse since the Open Boarders announceement, it has created an even greater need for coaches to try and stay up with the competition, it has put them all in a crappy position, damned if you do damned if you dont.
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Guest
Re: Tampering
That's basically where they are at. OHFs end in April then try outs start. I think they should just open up free agency on a specific date and you have to have your final roster completed in full by a specific date as well.Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:18 amOHF should have allowed discussions to start the moment all leagues have completed the various championships. Also allow signings to be open at the same time, would help alleviate de-committs by either party. It wont stop the crap but atleast would let the crap settle much quicker and everyone can chill out.Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 12:57 amI personally would not want to be in their shoes, they are risking 1 of 2 things, either having to explain to the OHF why you did or explain to the parents why you didn't.Guest wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 12:53 amThe tampering is extremely worse since the Open Boarders announceement, it has created an even greater need for coaches to try and stay up with the competition, it has put them all in a crappy position, damned if you do damned if you dont.
This would allow players time to skate with other teams and not get shut out because they skated with a team or 2 that they didn't make
They also need to send out a memo to all organizations and then make an example of a few coaches. If they fine the Orgs and suspend coaches for 3-5 years it will stop or reduce it pretty quickly
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Guest
Re: Tampering
Fawk it. Its open borders now. Let the kids play where they want. In fact if they want to play with a 2nd team not in same loop let them do that too. April and May tryouts are a farce with most teams already picked or 90%.
Let orgs have tryouts for the next season whenever as long as they post well in advance….. Otherwise live with Tampering.
Let orgs have tryouts for the next season whenever as long as they post well in advance….. Otherwise live with Tampering.
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