2019 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament
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AMI – ACCESSIBLE MEDIA INC. present the:
2019 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament
Brought to you by CNIB
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION & REGISTRATION PACKAGE
Attention Blind Hockey community: it is time to GET EXCITED! The original, the biggest, and the best Blind
Hockey Tournament in the world begins in only six weeks, when the adapted puck will drop at the seventh
annual Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament. As always, the tournament is at Ryerson University’s
world-class Mattamy Athletic Centre – the former Maple Leaf Gardens – in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The
event takes place March 22 – 24, 2019, and is presented by AMI – Accessible Media Inc. and brought to you
by CNIB.
The 2019 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament will be by far the BIGGEST event in the history of the
parasport of Blind Hockey. We are expecting between 100 and 125 participants who are blind or partially
sighted, who will be competing in a record five different divisions including: Children, Youth, Low Vision and
Development, Open, and Select Blind Hockey Divisions. Speaking of exciting news, the 2019 Select Division
will also be our biggest yet, and will feature the top 50 Blind Hockey players on the planet representing
Canada East, Canada West, and USA Blind Hockey. These star-studded teams will compete in a double round-
robin and provide Blind Hockey fans with eight unbelievable games throughout the weekend!
From four-year-old boys and girls who are just beginning their Blind Hockey journey, all the way to the
seasoned All-Stars from across North America, the 2019 Canadian Nationals will showcase just how far the
parasport of Blind Hockey has come. Whether you are a player, coach, key volunteer, partner, donor, sponsor,
or just a big Blind Hockey fan: the 2019 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament promises to be our best
event yet and is not to be missed!
2018 was a monumental year for the growth of Blind Hockey. We had our first-ever European participants
compete, we introduced the Children and Youth Division to Canadian Nationals, and we partnered with USA
Hockey to put on the words first-ever International Blind Ice Hockey Series in Pittsburgh in October. There has
never been a better time to get involved with the sport, and we are looking forward to the many exciting
developments that 2019 is sure to bring, beginning with the Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament.There are currently an all-time high of 22 Blind Hockey programs established across North America, and the exciting beginnings of Blind Hockey programs in England and Finland. If you are interested in learning more about the parasport of Blind Hockey, and how you can get involved, please email info@blindicehockey.com to be connected with a program near you. Canadian Blind Hockey programs include: the Toronto Ice Owls, Les Hiboux de Montreal, the Calgary Seeing Ice Dogs, the Edmonton SeeHawks, the Vancouver Eclipse, the Nova Scotia See-Kings, the Newfoundland Eye- Landers, GTA Youth, ASRAB Calgary Youth, and the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team. USA Blind Hockey programs include: NY Nightshade, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington, Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Braillers, NY Metro, Colorado Visionaries, St Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Indiana, Seattle, and the USA Blind Hockey Team. INFORMATION PACKAGE OVERVIEW Please read this package carefully and make sure you understand all the information before sending in any questions. Event format will be subject to final registration numbers, however we anticipate the competition will take place as outlined below. It’s going to be a great weekend for Blind Hockey, and we hope you can all make it. For any and all questions related to this event and to register please, contact Canadian Blind Hockey Executive Director Matt Morrow via email only at mattmorrow@blindicehockey.com. 1) Weekend Schedule 2) Registration Process and Fees 3) Financial Assistance Program 4) Select Division and trying out for the 2019 – 2020 Canadian National Blind Hockey Team 5) Children and Youth Divisions 6) Adult Open and Low Vision & Development Divisions 7) Eligibility Criteria 8) Logistics: Arena, Hotel, Meals, Transportation, Banquet, & Guide Dogs 9) Sponsor and Volunteer Opportunities 10) Web Broadcast 11) Code of Conduct
2019 CANADIAN NATIONAL BLIND HOCKEY TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE THURSDAY MARCH 21 8:00 PM 8:50 PM Canada East Practice 9:00 PM 9:50 PM Canada West Practice 10:00 PM 11:00 PM USA Blind Hockey Practice FRIDAY MARCH 22 10:30 AM 11:45 AM Children & Youth Balancing Practice 11:45 AM 12:00 PM Opening Ceremonies 12:00 PM 1:30 PM Select Series: Canada East vs Team USA 1:30 PM 3:00 PM Open Division Game 1 / 3 3:00 PM 4:30 PM Low Vision and Development 1 / 3 4:30 PM 5:30 PM Children's Division Game 1/ 3 5:30 PM 6:30 PM Youth Division Game 1 / 3 6:30 PM 8:00 PM Select Series: Canada East vs Canada West SATURDAY MARCH 23 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Children's Division 2 / 3 10:00 AM 11:00 AM Youth Division 2 / 3 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Select Series: Team USA vs Canada West 12:30 PM 2:00 PM Open Division Game 2 / 3 3:30 PM 5:00 PM Low Vision and Development 2 / 3 5:00 PM 6:00 PM Open Skate and Try Blind Hockey Session 6:00 PM 7:30 PM Select Series: Team USA vs Canada East (2) 7:30 PM 10:00 PM Canadian Blind Hockey Banquet SUNDAY MARCH 24 8:00 AM 9:00 AM Children’s Division 3 / 3 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Select Series: TBD 10:30 AM 11:30 AM Youth Division 3 / 3 11:30 AM 1:00 PM Low Vision and Development 3 / 3 1:00 PM 2:30 PM Open Division 3 / 3 2:30 PM 4:00 PM Select Series: TBD
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Players registered with one of the Canadian or American clubs, or the USA Blind Hockey Team must register
through their team manager who will provide one single registration including a rooming list. 2018 Team
Canada players also register through their home clubs for this event. All players who do not belong to a club
must fill out the individual registration form.
FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28
REGISTRATION FEE
The registration fee for the 2019 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament is $350 per player. Included in
your registration fee is:
• 3 nights double occupancy accommodation for out of town players (Thurs – Sun)
• 2 nights double occupancy accommodation for Toronto players (Fri – Sun)
• 1 ticket to the 7th annual Canadian Blind Hockey Banquet on Saturday Night
• Several meals and snacks throughout the weekend
• 1 official tournament t-shirt and swag bag
• Minimum of 3 ice times
• 3 or more coaches per team
• Certified GTHL or USA Hockey referees
• Guide dog sitting service
• Jerseys and socks to wear during the competition
• Medals and Awards
• Free live broadcast online for friends and family to watch at home
ADDITIONAL HOTEL FEES
If you would like an additional night’s accommodations (Wednesday or Sunday) the cost is $140 per night. If
you would like to room on your own, or with someone who is not a player, the cost is an additional $70 per
night.LOCAL REGISTRATION FEE WITHOUT HOTEL For local participants who do not wish a hotel room the registration fee is $150, however you are expected to arrive on time and participate in all of your team’s games. HOTEL BOOKINGS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS The Holiday Inn will provide rooms for family and friends at the tournament rate of $120 which comes to $140 per night after taxes and fees. Rooms can only be booked over the phone by calling 1-855- 914-9610 and stating that you are a “Blind Hockey Spectator.” FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Canadian Blind Hockey is a charity that remains committed to removing barriers for individuals who are blind or partially sighted to participate in Canada’s national winter sport. Any players who would like to participate in the event, but cannot afford to do so, should contact Matt Morrow ASAP and we will be able to assist with finding local partners to help fundraise and / or offer a reduced registration fee. HOW TO PAY YOUR REGISTRATION FEES All registration fees are due a minimum of one week prior to the tournament on March 15, 2019. Registration fees will be accepted by interact e-transfer to info@blindicehockey.com. Any teams who wish to pay as a group via check, or individuals who wish to mail a check should email Matt Morrow to make arrangements. NOTE: Team checks will also be due prior to the event this year! SELECT DIVISON AND TRYING OUT FOR THE CANADIAN NATIONAL BLIND HOCKEY TEAM After successfully launching the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team in 2018, we are now beginning selection for the 2019 – 2020 Canadian National Blind Hockey Team. The Selection Criteria and Process are outlined in a separate document that has been attached, including information on classification for those who are interested.
For the 2019 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament we will be naming a 30 player National Team Pool, that will be divided into Canada East and Canada West. The competition format of the Select Division is a double round-robin tournament with Canada East, Canada West, and USA Blind Hockey. Players in the Select Division will play the other two teams twice each for a total of 4 games, and over the course of the weekend will have one day where they play 2 games, and two days where they play 1 game. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) scoring system will be in effect awarding 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime or shootout win, 1 point for an overtime or shootout loss, and 0 points for a regulation loss. The team with the most points will be awarded gold, the team with the second most points will be awarded silver, and the team with the third most points will be awarded bronze. There is no final, so the result of every game is extremely important, which will provide all our Blind Hockey fans with eight amazing competitive games in one weekend! CHILDREN AND YOUTH DIVISION Children and Youth Blind Hockey is the fastest growing segment of the Blind Hockey community. With Canadian Blind Hockey Youth Programs in the GTA and Brantford, the new ASRAB Youth Program in Calgary, and youth participants with the Nova Scotia See-Kings, Newfoundland Eye-Landers, and throughout the United States, we expect to put on the largest competition ever for our young Blind Hockey enthusiasts. Our goal is to offer separate divisions this year, and allow the kids to compete in a fun structured three game series. The plan for the Children and Youth Division will ultimately be determined by final registration numbers, however Canadian Blind Hockey has fantastic and knowledgeable coaches and volunteers: we promise we will engineer the program for maximum fun! ADULT TOURNAMENT FORMAT In addition to the Select Division, we anticipate enough registrations to offer both a Low Vision & Development Division, as well as an Open Division. Each of these divisions will feature two teams competing in a three-game series with one game per day. The ice times of each game have been extended to allow for full 20-minute periods, as well as a flood in between the second and third. In the event we do not have enough players to offer two separate divisions, the format will be tweaked. As always, we will work with the community to ensure we offer a competitive format that allows everyone to have the best possible competition experience!
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. Players must be legally blind and present a valid CNIB card (or USA equivalent) OR players must provide
classification documentation indicating they are eligible based on the criteria outlined below.
2. Players must sign a waiver including media release.
Canadian Blind Hockey recognizes that players who have slightly too much vision to meet the criteria of legally
blind may still in fact be visually impaired and unable to play hockey with sighted players and a traditional
puck. As such we have expanded our visual criteria to play in the Open division to match the Quebec Ministry
of Health’s definition of visually impaired, which is similar to the United States Association of Blind Athletes
(USABA) B4 category. Players who meet the following criteria or less may also compete in the event:
• a visual acuity of less than 6/21;
• a continuous visual field of less than 60°, including the central fixation point measured horizontally or
vertically;
• complete hemianopia.
VENUE – ARENA
Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens
50 Carleton St. Toronto, ON, M5B 1J2
www.mattamyathleticcentre.ca
The tournament is once again taking place at Ryerson University’s state of the art Mattamy Athletic Centre
Arena – formerly Maple Leaf Gardens. There are escalators and elevator access, the dressing rooms are large,
modern and have shower facilities, women will be provided with their own change room with two options –
one the referees rooms as well as the family washroom, and there is a storage room for everyone to leave
their gear for the duration of the tournament.
ACCOMODATION - HOTEL
Holiday Inn Downtown Centre
30 Carleton St. Toronto, ON, M5B 2E9
Phone: 416-977-6655
www.holidayinn.com/torontocentreThe hotel is conveniently located directly beside the arena less than 100 meters from the door. The tournament is taking place right in the heart of downtown Toronto, with tons of food and entertainment options. MEALS Canadian Blind Hockey will be providing a banquet dinner on Saturday night, and snacks for players including fruits, granola bars, juices and Gatorade will be available in the dressing room hallway throughout the weekend. We are also working with partners to have additional light meals and snacks available throughout the weekend. There are a wide variety of restaurants as well as an impressive grocery store surrounding the hotel and arena, and the concession stands will be open throughout most of the event. BANQUET On Saturday, March 23, we will be having a banquet in the Alumni Lounge at the arena to celebrate the entire Blind Hockey Community. As has been the case in previous years, it will be a informal banquet with pizza, pasta, salad, soft drinks, and a cash bar with beer and wine available for purchase. Every player, coach, and key volunteer will receive a ticket included with their registration, there may or may not be additional tickets available for family members – however we will not know until after registration has closed. As is tradition at Canadian Blind Hockey banquets, please wear your home club Blind Hockey jersey to the event and represent your club! ALLERGY WARNING AND NUT FREE EVENT There are several players in the Canadian Blind Hockey community who have serious nut allergies, and all of our events are 100% nut free. Unless you are completely sure your snacks are not free we ask that you do not bring anything other than the snacks provided into the arena. We also ask participants to abstain from colognes, perfumes, and any and all other substances that can trigger allergic reactions. TRANSPORTATION Transportation to the Holiday Inn Hotel is the team / player’s responsibility. However we are pleased to announce that we will provide school bus transportation to Pearson Airport at the conclusion of the event departing at 5:15 pm on Sunday March 24. Reservations for the bus to the airport need to be included on the registration forms.
BOOKING AN ATTENDANT TICKET FOR A VISUALLY IMPAIRED TRAVELLER
If you are booking a flight for a participant with a valid CNIB number within Canada, Air Canada will provide an
attendant ticket for a chaperone at the cost of only the taxes. The process to do so:
1) Book a ticket for the participant who is blind or partially sighted through the normal process at
aircanada.com
2) Call Air Canada Medical Desk at 1-800-667-4732 and indicate you would like to book an attendant
ticket for a visually impaired traveller. You will need to provide the booking reference, CNIB number,
and then also a credit card to pay for the taxes. They will then email you your ticket.
GUIDE DOG HANDLER REPONSIBILITES
At the 2018 Canadian Nationals there were an unprecedent number of accidents involving guide dogs at both
the arena and the hotel. This is a reminder that while we will be offering guide dog sitting services during your
games, guide dog users are responsible for the care of their service animals. The hotel will be charging a $25
cleaning fee for any accidents this year which the owner will be responsible for.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS & UNIFORM INFORMATION
All hockey gear including shoulder pads, neck protector and full face shield (cage, full visor or half-visor-with-
cage bottom) with no modifications are mandatory. Please make sure your helmet and visor are CSA
approved for ice hockey. REMINDER: It is an automatic two-minute penalty for playing without a neck guard
and you will not be permitted to return to play until you have one.
Jerseys and socks will be provided for the tournament. Players are responsible for keeping track of and
returning their jersey after the event. Any player who loses their jersey will be required to pay a $50
replacement fee.
SKATE SHARPENING
There is most likely no skate sharpening on site. There is a Sport Check which is about half an hour walk, or 5
to 10-minute drive from the rink that offers skate sharpening. We recommend that you sharpen your skates
prior to coming to the event!SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Canadian Blind Hockey is always seeking to raise money to support our Blind Hockey Tournaments and events. The Sponsor and Donor Opportunity package will be circulated next week, if Canadian Blind Hockey is successful in raising funds grants will be available to go back and support the teams, so any assistance in sharing the package is greatly appreciated. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES Canadian Blind Hockey relies on our tremendous network of volunteers in order to execute all our events. The Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament is our biggest event and requires our most volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please email Matt Morrow and include your availability throughout the weekend. WEB BROADCAST Canadian Blind Hockey and our presenting partner AMI – Accessible Media Inc. will be providing a high quality live-streaming web broadcast of all tournament games, complete with play-by-play, commentary, and interviews for all friends and families back home. PLAYERS LOUNGE During all games the alumni lounge will be open to all the players and will feature the live web broadcast on a large screen including the audio play-by-play for those who want to follow along. CODE OF CONDUCT We have a wide variety of levels of experience, age, skill, and individual competitiveness and only ask that everyone try and play to their own personal best. We expect: • No fighting • No verbal abuse of officials, teammates, or opponents • No complaints from the hotel or arena staff • Nothing but positive reviews from everyone involved! Canadian Blind Hockey reserves the right to remove any individuals from the tournament whose behaviour is found to be contradictory to these guidelines. Final say lies with the Tournament Director.
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