(OPHL) Oakridge Park Hockey League
Dan Reynolds
416-817-2246
Mississauga, Canada
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Welcome
OPHL
Home of the Oakridge Park Hockey League
If you appreciate all of the hard work that the OPHL volunteers give to create the NUMBER ONE #1 hockey league for GREAT KIDS, please, sign our GUESTBOOK and let them know!
You will need to register for a FREE eteamz login in order to post a message. If you prefer, you may send your comments by email to the webmaster, and we can post it to the GUESTBOOK for you!
Wednesday, September 2
OPHL REGISTRATION
Oakridge Park Hockey League
No cost! Introduction to hockey - outdoors! Girls and boys 7-12 years who want to learn and have fun (no contact, full equipment required).
Sun mornings from Dec to Mar, and weather permitting Sat at Bruce Reynolds Park.
Returning families pre-register Fri Oct 23, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., South Common CC.
New families register Sat Sep 19 and Oct 24, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Sheridan Centre, limited spaces available.
Click on the title above or the images below to view the pictures at Google's Picasa Web Albums.
Pictures taken during Dec 14, of the 2008-09 OPHL season
Pictures taken during Feb 08, of the 2008-09 OPHL season
Sunday, March 5
The OPHL Story
Oakridge Park Hockey League (OPHL) was established in 1969 by Bruce Reynolds. After moving his family of nine from Dundas Ontario to Mississauga Rd. in 1968, Bruce recognized an opportunity when several of the local kids in the isolated development known as Westport got into trouble with the law. The nearest arenas were in Streetsville, Port Credit or Dixie and there were no other outlets or community programs to busy the children’s time. He then recruited forty kids to play weekends, on four teams he named after the local streets. Every year the league’s participants, partnered with the City of Mississauga Parks Department, would frame and assemble an ice rink for the benefit of the larger community from more than 1400 sq. ft of plywood and 1300 ft of 2 x 8 lumber stored by the City.
The league’s sole purpose today is to introduce hockey to children who want to learn and have fun. What makes the OPHL unique is that it is played outdoors and is a “no cost” commitment, requiring full equipment - making it possible for all kids to participate. The OPHL approaches hockey with a grass roots philosophy – outdoors in the snow, wind, rain and sub zero temperatures. To make the OPHL work it counts on Moms, Dads, brothers, sisters, Grandma, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles and even the neighbours. With the constant help of families and volunteers working together, the original outdoor rink of more that 11500 sq. ft is built. It is a layered sheet of ice built up over a natural grass soccer field which was originally a gravel pit and land fill site then named Oakridge Park.
The league spawned several professional hockey players and a celebrity in David Poulin who was one of the original players back in 1969. David went on to Captain the Philadelphia Flyers and moved on to coaching. We like to think the OPHL helped him in his career.
The OPHL is an introductory league only and is open to any child 7 to 12 years of age who wants to learn their hockey skills and is accessible to all levels of ability. Everyone is welcome. OPHL accepts boys and girls together, those who are physically challenged to the skilled young road hockey player, the emotionally challenged along with those who are more adept.
Over 300 volunteers including 18 coaches give their time every weekend of the winter and into spring. A lot of these people started out with their sons and daughters as players. Both the parents and players have come back years later (or have never left) and just visit, coach, referee and help out in general. High school volunteers provide 40 hours of community service per year by acting as linesman. The founder’s grandson who happens also to be the grandson of Robert Speck, the City’s first mayor, is head referee and is responsible for all on ice decisions. Players names are proudly announced by bull horn when a goal and assists are awarded. The crowds of proud smiling parents cheer loudly for the sons and daughters year after year in minus 25 degree Canadian winters.
Every milestone has been a first for the OPHL, celebrating the 20th, 25th, 30th and the 35th years together. An award of recognition from Mayor Hazel McCallion and the City of Mississauga in 2001 only confirmed OPHL’s value to the community.
OPHL is still going strong as a community group thanks to the efforts and time of all our old and new friends
The league will never expand, require outside funding or sponsorship and at all costs will be played…..just for the “Fun of it”. This must be Hockeyville.
Tuesday, February 3
Bruce Reynolds Rink
Another great week of ice maintenance by the Hawks. Next up are the Bombers. Hopefully this little spell of balmy weather doesn't do in our ice. The Bruce Reynolds Ice is a great place for a team to practice. Enjoy.
Thanks to all the parents of the Marauders, Falcons and Pirates for an outstanding job in building the ice and clearing it of snow in what has to be a record for snow storms, this winter. The Hawks are up this week. Looking forward to another night of great games "Under the lights" at the Bruce Reynolds Park on Wednesday. See you there. Dress warm!
Saturday, December 15
Questionable Weather
If the weather is questionable, call the OPHL Weather Hotline after 7am on the day of the game at 416-817-2246.
Recommended List of Clothing
1. CSA approved helmet and face guard (mandatory).
2. Elbow, shoulder, knee and shin pads.
3. Sticks.
4. Thermal underwear.
5. Pants. (League supplies sweaters)
6. Boy's jock / Girl's jill.
7. Hockey gloves.
8. Approved neck guard (mandatory).
General Game Info
Sunday games at Martingrove Rink, 400 Martingrove Rd., Etobicoke
Go south on Martingrove, south of Eglinton Ave
(see Rinks page for more directions)
Saturday games (TBA - weather permitting) at Bruce Reynolds Park
Go south on Mississauga Rd, south of Dundas, right at Springbank Rd, on left side
(see Rinks page for more directions)
OPHL Rules
1. If there is an apparent imbalance on a team in terms of player skill, the executive may move the players from one team to another so that teams are fairly well balanced.
2. Players in goal may not be goaltenders in any other league.
3. Player's experience and age will determine what line (1st, 2nd, 3rd) they play on.
4. Players receiving 3 penalties in 1 game and/or 1 major penalty will be suspended for the duration of the game.
5. A player with 5 penalties in the regular schedule will be asked to meet with the executive committee.
6. Stick swinging or major fouls will be severely dealt with, resulting in game(s) or schedule suspensions.
7. Each shift will be 3 1/2 minutes long.
8. Off-sides: "1st line" at referee's discretion. "2nd and 3rd lines" enforced
9. Attendance: Regular attendance is essential for there are a number of potential players on our waiting list. The executive committee will determine whether to replace a player who has missed more than 3 games in the regular schedule. Attendance is mandatory at the first two regular scheduled games.
10. EACH PLAYER IS REQUIRED TO SELL AT LEAST ONE BOOK OF TICKETS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN THE FINALS.
11. The hockey sweaters are the property of the Oakridge Park Hockey League and will be returned at the end of the season to the coach.
12. Each family is required to flood on 2 occasions for one hour per player, per season, at the Bruce Reynolds Park.
ATTENDANCE/SPIRIT 2008
Historically, losses and reduced participation co-relate.Attendance will be recorded by the General Manager (GM) and reference to mandatory first 3 games and 3 missed game total will be supported.
If after a reasonable period (2 games) of effective assessment a team is short one of its 1st (line) six players, play will begin with 5.If a team is short 2 of its 1st (line) six players, the next rated player from the 2nd line will play on the 1st line and play will begin with 5.If any 2nd line player (playing on the 1st line) is rated higher than the top rated 1st line player in the whole league, that player will not be allowed to come past centre ice, or score.
To address what has come to be known as the “Mercy Rule” we have developed our own method by encouraging all Coaches’ to assist the opposing team the moment they are ahead by three points, in any creative manner they deem appropriate.This not only serves to relieve the Executive of having to repeal a child’s goal but also to embrace the very spirit (sportsmanship, fair play) this league was founded on.The other side, of course, to this would be, once the score has narrowed to a 2 point differential all Coaches would revert to our natural order.
Welcome 
and let them know!
