Season Updates
GMHA is returning to home ice this season! For more details on the events leading up to this decision, see the information below.
GMHA is returning to home ice this season! For more details on the events leading up to this decision, see the information below.
Important Arena updates:
October 12, 2024: The Township has released a statement advising the community that the arena repair was successful and that ice will return to Grafton for 2024/25 season: "We are pleased to advise that the emergency diagnostic and repair work at Haldimand Memorial Arena has been deemed a success! Later today, staff will begin preparations to start the plant up and begin the ice making process. Township staff are aiming to make ice available for our user groups beginning Monday October 21, 2024 at 4:00 pm." - Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
October 1, 2024: As of Oct. 1, Council has accepted our donation along with another private generous donor. They have reversed the decision to keep the arena closed for the 2024/25 season, but this does not guarantee we will have ice this season. While this is a positive first step, we are still awaiting further details of the rink repair and confirmation that GMHA may return to home ice.
Sept 26, 2024: This message is to update our GMHA community on the current situation to what we know at this moment. As most of you have already heard there is a major repair at the arena. Council has decided to not pursue a remedy which has left us with no ice at this time.
We are pivoting quickly to find a resolution that will see the kids on the ice wearing Grafton Minor Hockey sweaters.
Attached is the letter that we have sent to Council to express our concerns. As well as our offer to assist financially in helping cover costs of the repairs. Over the years Grafton Minor Hockey Executives have set aside money in preparation for potential repairs and/or upgrades to the facility and the $60,000 mentioned in the letter is the reserve money saved.
We will update you as we get more information so please bear with us as we navigate this situation.
Thank you
Grafton Minor Hockey Executive
October 1, 2024: As of Oct. 1, Council has accepted our donation along with another private generous donor. They have reversed the decision to keep the arena closed for the 2024/25 season, but this does not guarantee we will have ice this season. While this is a positive first step, we are still awaiting further details of the rink repair and confirmation that GMHA may return to home ice.
Sept 26, 2024: This message is to update our GMHA community on the current situation to what we know at this moment. As most of you have already heard there is a major repair at the arena. Council has decided to not pursue a remedy which has left us with no ice at this time.
We are pivoting quickly to find a resolution that will see the kids on the ice wearing Grafton Minor Hockey sweaters.
Attached is the letter that we have sent to Council to express our concerns. As well as our offer to assist financially in helping cover costs of the repairs. Over the years Grafton Minor Hockey Executives have set aside money in preparation for potential repairs and/or upgrades to the facility and the $60,000 mentioned in the letter is the reserve money saved.
We will update you as we get more information so please bear with us as we navigate this situation.
Thank you
Grafton Minor Hockey Executive
Important Hockey Season updates:
October 12, 2024: We will transition back to home ice with the news that the arena repair was a success. The Township is hoping for the arena to be functional by October 21 at 4 p.m. See our Schedule webpage for more details.
October 4, 2024: It's official - Grafton Minor Hockey will move forward with the 2024/25 season! We heard from our parents, and the overwhelming majority expressed a desire to continue with GMHA this season, even if it might be significantly modified. While Grafton ice remains uncertain, we've been working diligently behind the scenes to secure unconventional ice time at neighbouring rinks, allowing us to keep our teams together and ensure our registrants can continue playing hockey. We're optimistic about returning to home ice and reuniting our teams under one roof with our original prime ice schedule. We couldn’t implement a modified schedule for our players without the support of all the organizations that helped us pivot quickly—this is true teamwork and reflects the strength of our hockey community. Thank you to all involved - let’s go, Grafton!
October 1, 2024: GMHA hosted a parent meeting at Centreton Community Centre - 2363 County Road 23 at 7:00 p.m. to update our families of our current season options. The below communication has been sent to our families with a survey.
———--
Dear GMHA Families,
Thank you to everyone who attended tonight's important parent meeting. As promised, we are sharing the commitment survey below. If you were unable to join, we've outlined the key details of the revised upcoming season. We kindly ask all registered players to confirm their commitment to remaining with GMHA based on the updated season information. Your response is crucial in helping us finalize team placements, schedules, and other important logistics as we move forward.
Season changes:
1) We will transition to neighbouring arenas while we have no ice in Grafton. The following is a proposed schedule and set of locations, which may change as the season progresses.
2) Our hope is to be back to home ice in Grafton this hockey season. This will allow us to return to the tentative schedule that we shared a few weeks ago. This is not a guarantee and will only occur if the arena can re-open. If that does not occur, we will continue with above option 1 for the remainder of the season.
Please take a moment to let us know if your player will be continuing with us for the upcoming season or requesting a refund by completing the brief survey below. Your timely response is appreciated as it allows us to finalize our ice reservations. The survey will close on Thursday, October 3 at 9 p.m. For logistical purposes, please complete this survey once per family. The survey has been emailed to all registered parents. If you did not receive the email, please email us at [email protected].
October 4, 2024: It's official - Grafton Minor Hockey will move forward with the 2024/25 season! We heard from our parents, and the overwhelming majority expressed a desire to continue with GMHA this season, even if it might be significantly modified. While Grafton ice remains uncertain, we've been working diligently behind the scenes to secure unconventional ice time at neighbouring rinks, allowing us to keep our teams together and ensure our registrants can continue playing hockey. We're optimistic about returning to home ice and reuniting our teams under one roof with our original prime ice schedule. We couldn’t implement a modified schedule for our players without the support of all the organizations that helped us pivot quickly—this is true teamwork and reflects the strength of our hockey community. Thank you to all involved - let’s go, Grafton!
October 1, 2024: GMHA hosted a parent meeting at Centreton Community Centre - 2363 County Road 23 at 7:00 p.m. to update our families of our current season options. The below communication has been sent to our families with a survey.
———--
Dear GMHA Families,
Thank you to everyone who attended tonight's important parent meeting. As promised, we are sharing the commitment survey below. If you were unable to join, we've outlined the key details of the revised upcoming season. We kindly ask all registered players to confirm their commitment to remaining with GMHA based on the updated season information. Your response is crucial in helping us finalize team placements, schedules, and other important logistics as we move forward.
Season changes:
1) We will transition to neighbouring arenas while we have no ice in Grafton. The following is a proposed schedule and set of locations, which may change as the season progresses.
2) Our hope is to be back to home ice in Grafton this hockey season. This will allow us to return to the tentative schedule that we shared a few weeks ago. This is not a guarantee and will only occur if the arena can re-open. If that does not occur, we will continue with above option 1 for the remainder of the season.
Please take a moment to let us know if your player will be continuing with us for the upcoming season or requesting a refund by completing the brief survey below. Your timely response is appreciated as it allows us to finalize our ice reservations. The survey will close on Thursday, October 3 at 9 p.m. For logistical purposes, please complete this survey once per family. The survey has been emailed to all registered parents. If you did not receive the email, please email us at [email protected].
Grafton Minor Hockey Association (GMHA) is a local hockey league within Northumberland County. We administer mixed gender hockey programming for players ages 4 through to 18 years. We are dedicated to maximizing the potential of all our participants through quality hockey programming. Our home ice is the Haldimand Community Memorial Arena.
Frequently Asked League Questions
What leagues are played at Grafton Minor Hockey?
We offer local league hockey (LL) - which is recreational hockey played by teams from neighbouring organizations at their arenas. We are often confused with house league hockey - which is defined as teams that play only within their own organization. We often have games against the Northumberland Minor Hockey Association and we usually travel to the Cobourg Community Centre and Port Hope Jack Burger Sports Complex.
What is the OMHA and Hockey Canada's role?
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) is an organization based in Ontario, that oversees minor hockey leagues and programs in the province. The OMHA is responsible for organizing and regulating minor hockey at various age levels, providing a structured framework for youth hockey development. This is our governing body and we follow the rules set out by the OMHA.
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) is one of the many member branches that make up the structure of Hockey Canada. Hockey Canada is the national governing body for amateur hockey in Canada, overseeing the development, regulation, and promotion of the sport.
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) is one of the many member branches that make up the structure of Hockey Canada. Hockey Canada is the national governing body for amateur hockey in Canada, overseeing the development, regulation, and promotion of the sport.
Do you offer Financial Assistance?
When does the season Start and End?
Our season normally starts in mid-October and finishes late March (each division ends at a slightly different time). We typically do not run between Christmas and New Years, or during March Break (although there may be tournaments/jamborees pending team interest).
What Genders can play?
We accept all genders - we do not exclude any players. Teams are made up of mixed gender programming.
When and how often do divisions practice/play?
The amount of ice time a player will receives depends on exhibition scheduling. We have some of the highest ice times for players locally. For more specifics on how often a player will practice or have games see the division of interest, or our schedule webpage.
What time a player will play is also dependent on the age. Typically you can expect that younger divisions normally use earlier ice times and older divisions use later ice. Our home ice times are considered prime time ice - meaning most practice and games take place at ideal timeframes.
What time a player will play is also dependent on the age. Typically you can expect that younger divisions normally use earlier ice times and older divisions use later ice. Our home ice times are considered prime time ice - meaning most practice and games take place at ideal timeframes.
When is registration?
OUR EXECUITIVE BOARD
Get to know the board
Committed to delivering quality local hockey programming
Board Members
- President - Gord Prentice
- Vice-President - Adam Prentice
- 2nd Vice-President (Golf Tournament) - John Goheen
- Secretary - Denise Finlay
- Treasurer - Erin Prentice
- Scheduler in Chief - Jennifer Keller-Nelson
- OMHA Rep - Stephanie Johns
- OWHA Rep - Brenda Keller
- Equipment Director - Adam Prentice
- Bingo Coordinators - Jennifer Keller-Nelson/Erin Prentice
- Tournament Coordinator - Rachael Milne
- Media and Marketing Coordinator - Ashley Strikwerda
- Risk Management - John Mitro
Executive Board Meeting Schedule
The Executive Team meets monthly to dive into plans for the upcoming month and discuss all the latest on GMHA events.
The Executive Team meets monthly to dive into plans for the upcoming month and discuss all the latest on GMHA events.