FAQ

Welcome to Our FAQ Page

We’ve compiled answers to the questions we receive most often. Whether you’re new to Hockey for Hospice or a long-time supporter, this page is designed to provide you with quick and clear information.

How does this tournament work?
  • The Hockey For Hospice tournament runs over three days, December 27th, 28th, 29th each year
  • Players in the Jamboree Division (OMHA U7, U8, U9, U7MD, U8MD, U9MD, OWHA U9) take part in a subsection of the tournament, with all their games taking place on the same day at the Libro Credit Union Centre, Amherstburg.
  • Players in the older divisions (U11, U13, U15) take part in round robin games, with most teams moving through to playoff games
  • Every team is guaranteed at least three tournament games
What days/times will my player be playing?
  • Until the schedule is released (usually 1-2 weeks before the tournament), it is possible for your team to play across any/all of the three days – please plan accordingly
  • Jamboree Only* – Players in the Jamboree Division (OMHA U7, U8, U9, U7MD, U8MD, U9MD, OWHA U9) take part in a subsection of the tournament, with all their games taking place on the same day at the Libro Credit Union Centre, Amherstburg.
Where can I find the tournament schedule?
  • When the schedule is ready, it will be posted on Hockeyforhospice.com. At that time all registered coaches and managers will receive an email to inform them it has been posted. This will also be shared on Hockey for Hospice and Hospice Facebook pages.
  • Access the schedule here: www.hockeyforhospice.com/schedule/

Which arenas will my player be playing?
  • The tournament takes place across four arenas (Essex Centre Sports Complex, Libro Credit Union Centre (Amherstburg), Tecumseh Arena, Vollmer Culture & Recreation Complex (LaSalle)
  • Jamboree Level* – Jamboree level will play at Libro Credit Union Centre (Amherstburg)
  • Please plan that your player may take part in games at any/all of these arenas
  • As part of the scheduling process, our schedulers, whenever possible, aim to have players play:
    • At different/multiple arenas during the course of the tournament
    • Play in arenas that are not their “home” arena, where they normally play their games
What can I expect on the first day of the tournament? What should I plan for?
  • Please plan to arrive early before your first tournament game (at least 1 hour before your first game)
  • All players must go to the registration desk to turn in pledges before their first game to receive their incentive prizes/swag. Please do not go directly to the dressing room.
  • All players must submit pledges (online, cash or cheque) in order to take part in the tournament. All players must submit a hard copy pledge form, even if all of their donations were made online. This form contains a waiver that must be signed by a parent or guardian. Cash/cheque totals will be added to any online donations at the registration desk. Tax receipts for pledges of $10 or more will be mailed to the donor in the New Year – please provide full mailing information, including postal code.
  • Download the hard copy pledge form: www.hockeyforhospice.com/support/
  • Depending on the amount your player fundraised, they will be given the associated level of prizes/swag upon registration
  • Before your first game, a Hockey for Hospice official will visit your dressing room to give coaches their Dominos Pizza certificates and talk to the players about The Hospice and how this tournament supports patient care in our community
I’m a coach or manager – do I need to pick anything up?
  • If you are the designated “Home Team” You must pick up the game tablet at the tournament office in your arena before your game. Once you have picked up the tablet, confirm your team information and hand to the “Visitor Team” coach. The “Visitor Team” Coach will then pass the table to the Timekeeper, who will return the tablet to the tournament the office at the end of the game.
  • Jamboree Only* – Bracelets for your team to enter the activity at your scheduled time
Do I need to send the tournament an OMHA/OWHA approved roster and travel permit?
  • Every team in the tournament must submit an approved roster and travel permit by Sunday, December 15 at 5p.m. to bsmith@thehospice.ca this information can be obtained from your local convenor
  • Only players on these approved documents may take part in the tournament
Can I play an AP Player?
  • Yes, players registered and approved on OMHA/OWHA house league and local league electronic rosters may play in the tournament as per affiliation regulations
Jamboree Splitting of Teams
  • For large number teams in the Jamboree, a discussion will be had with the coach regarding the possibility of splitting the team into two groups. This is not guaranteed, and will be determined by a number of factors including ice time, and number of teams registered. Our goal is to ensure all teams are able to enjoy the most amount of ice time possible.
Is there anything specific I should know about the Jamboree division?
  • Jamboree Activity – As part of the jamboree division, an activity is offered for each team to take part in. Your coach will be provided a schedule noting your team’s Jamboree Activity time. Siblings or loved ones of players can also participate in this activity at a rate of $5 per sibling, but only during your teams prescheduled time.
Where can I find scores and rankings during the tournament?
  • All game scores and rankings, including semi-finals are posted online and can be found at www.hockeyforhospice.com Please allow up to 2 hours each game for volunteers to update the website.
Where can I find the rules of the tournament?
I have two players in the tournament, or I coach two teams in the tournament – can scheduling accommodate this?
  • As you can imagine, scheduling over 120 teams across three days is a complex task for our volunteer team. As a result, we are not always able to accommodate these types of situations. We absolutely want you to take part, and enjoy the tournament, but please plan accordingly, as we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate situations like the ones listed above.
I’m looking at the schedule and my team may have a jersey colour conflict – how does that work?
  • Our scheduling team does our best to avoid jersey colour conflicts, but sometimes they may be unavoidable. In the instance of a jersey colour conflict, the home team will change. If the teams do not have alternate jerseys, the tournament will provide bibs. The Arena Lead will be able to assist, and will provide the bibs to the coaches.
How do player pledges work?
  • As this is a fundraising tournament, supporting The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, pledges make up a large element of this event. As a result, it is required that all players submit a pledge form and a donation in order to participate.
  • Team registration for the tournament is $300. The tournament expenses per team, which is paid from registration and pledges, is approximately $850 per team. Please assure that your team becomes a contributor to our charity.
  • NOTE:
    • The team registration fee does not count as a pledge
    • All pledge forms must be submitted to the registration desk prior to the player’s first game
  • Online Pledges
    • Each player has their own personalized fundraising page on our Hockey for Hospice website: www.hockeyforhospice.com/support/
    • Under “Search for a Player,” type in your player’s name, and click on their name to share their personalized link with friends and family. Tax receipts for online donations are automatically emailed to the donor.
    • Please note: Online pledges will close on Monday, December 23 at 12:00 p.m. to calculate online totals ahead of the tournament. Players can continue to collect cash/cheque pledges up until they submit their hard copy forms before their first tournament game.
  • In-Person Pledges
    • Cash/cheque totals dropped off before your first game will be added to any online donations at the registration desk. Tax receipts for any cash/cheques dropped off will be mailed to the donor in the New Year – please provide full mailing information, including postal code to help support this process.
My player had pledges online… do I need to track/submit those?
  • Don’t worry, our team takes care of that! When you show up to the first game, we will have the online donations tabulated and under your player name.
Can I download a pledge form to have my player use to collect from family and friends?
Why can’t online donations stay open throughout the tournament?
  • In order for the registration process to go smoothly and efficiently, all online totals must be calculated ahead of the first tournament day.
What happens if one of my players does not bring in pledges?
  • Unfortunately, as per the official rules, players that do not bring in any pledges will not be eligible to play. We do try our best to keep the registration fee low to support player fundraising, and so many players work so hard to fundraise, we want to keep this fair to all involved.
What if I forget to drop off pledges before my first game?
  • If a player’s pledges are not dropped off prior to their first game, their dollars raised will not count towards the team’s total points. However, the player will still receive their allotted prizes/swag. Late pledges can be turned into the Tournament Office or given to the Arena Lead.
What if a player is sick or absent?
  • If a player is sick or absent, their pledges can be dropped off by the coach or another designated individual. These pledges can be given to the registration desk, following the same process as all pledge drop offs. Just a reminder to please submit these pledges prior to the team’s first game so that the dollars raised apply to the team’s total points.
What kind of prizes/trophies are given out as part of the tournament?
  • This is one of our favourite questions!
  • Fundraising Levels
    • Players can earn prizes for collecting pledges at different levels, including:
      • $75 – Hockey for Hospice Water Bottle
      • $150 – Hockey for Hospice Hoodie
      • $200 – Hockey for Hospice Water Bottle and Hoodie
      • $300 – Hockey for Hospice Water Bottle, Hoodie & Skate guards, $300 Pledge Puck and entry into draw for door prizes
  • Prizes
    • Players who raise over $300 in pledges will be entered into a draw for additional prizes
  • Trophies and Medals
    • Jamboree: All participants will receive a medal
    • Main Tournament: After round robin, depending on the number of teams in each division, they will be sectioned into sub divisions like A, B, C, D, etc. From there, teams will play a semi-final game. If they win, they will then play a final game, where one team will receive championship trophies, as well as a main team trophy, and the other team will receive 2nd place trophies.
Those sweaters are really nice – can they be purchased?
  • Our participants work really hard to collect dollars and receive their allotted prizes. As a result, sweaters and other swag items are not able to be “purchased.” If you are interested in “purchasing” a sweater, or other item, the cost would be the same dollar value as the pledge level, ex. for a sweater, it would be $150.
How can I sponsor the tournament?
  • If you would like more information about becoming a sponsor, please call 519-251-2594 or soverton@thehospice.ca

Still have questions? Please contact hockeyforhospice@gmail.com or (519) 736-3504 ext. 4001.