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By Colin Gibson Further to Wednesday’s story on the continuing. saga of the turmoil surrounding amateur hockey in Ontario (Halton Hills affected by hockey wars). It was con- firmed Thursday that ‘the OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) will indeed be on its own for the 1993/94 season. As mentioned Wednesday, the OMHA was refused entry into the. OHF (Ontario Hockey Federation) for the coming season because of perceived wrongs. The CAHA (Canadian Amateur Hockey Association) had declared that with the excep- tions of Ottawa District and ‘Thynder Bay, the OHF was to represent the voice of amateur hockey in the province. The rejection of the OMHA by the OHF means that OMHA affiliated associ- ations will not be able to compete in CAHA sanctioned tournaments or champi- onships, or play against other International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) affiliated teams, including United States-based teams and European teams. Both the Acton Minor Hockey Association and the Géorgetown Minor. Hockey Association, are affiliated with the OMHA. In another twist of the knife, John Gardner, presi- dent THL (Metropolitan Toronto Hockey League), issued a bulletin to member organiza- . tions warning them not to play against any OMHA affil- iated teams, with the penalty being voidance of insurance coverage and a review by the MTHL’s board of directors which could lead to possible suspensions and/or fines: In a telephone interview Thursday, OMHA secretary= manager Michael McCauley confirmed the organization’s status as being outside the OHF, and subsequently the CAHA, but said “Efforts will continue to resolve the situa- ion. The OMHA’s stance at Present, however, according to McCauley, is “Let’s get on with the season.” He insisted the OMHA had done every- thing in its power to resolve the dispute, but to no avail. “We felt we had met the conditions laid down by the OHF for entry into the orga- nization for the 1993/94 sea- son.” said McCauley. On July 26, according to -McCauley, the OMHA wrote to the OHF asking for the rea- sons for the rejection, but the reply, signed by_ Federation president Justice David Watt, offered little, if any, satisfac- tion. “We wanted to inform our membership why we weren’t Own Auto Glass 354 Guelph St. Unit 27 Georgetown, Ont. (416) 873-1655 accepted,” lained MeCauleys on the reason for the lette: The suswerlig letter sim- ply explained the process of the rejection, said McCauley. “They (the OHF) did not, could not, or would not tell us why we were rejected. We felt we had complied with their requests.” ‘© gain entry for the 1993/94 season, the OHF had requested that the OMHA pay any outstanding money owed the CAHA; advise the Federation board of directors of changes to the (associa- tions’) constitution for next season - specifically dealing with regional representation - discontinue all litigation against the CAHA or the Federation and any of its principals, employees or offi- cers and make a public apolo- gy to Watt for having made “unbecoming, unacceptable and derogatory comments goncerning him.” In a previously published interview, on the rejection by the OHF, OMHA president Jack White said, “I am disap- pointed but not surprised. Somebody betrayed us.” White said the money owed the CAHA had been paid and that he had personal- ly signed a letter of apology to Watt. He also claimed he had provided proof that all legal action had been | dropped. “They (the OHF) took our money and ran,” he sai Tronically, both president Dave McIntyre of the AMHA and president Hal Pells of the MHA reported an increase in registration for the upcom- ing hockey season locally and both insisted their respective programs wouldn’t suffer because of the ongoing OMHA-OHF dispute. “Our kids will have a place to play, and a quality pro- gram,” said McIntyre. He also wondered what was behind the hockey higher-ups clash, McIntyre also said the Acton group would remain within the OMHA. Pells similarly wanted to assure those youngsters (and parents) that hockey in Georgetown will take prece- dence over the squabbles about who controls what in the province and nationally, \e Halton Hills This Week, Saturday,’ August'7, 1993— Page 19 OMHA still on the outside looking in for that matter. “The kids will play,” Pells stated emphatically. “That’s all there is to it. We have pro- grams in place and programs in development and there will be.no diminishing of any. of our programs.” Both Pells and McIntyre didn’t feel the cross border hockey exchanges between Buffalo-area squads and Georgetown and Acton teams would be affected. Pells, however, had some concerns about both the- annual Georgetown Bantam and Midget tournaments, in light of the decree laid down by MTHL president Gardner. “Those would be the only areas where would have any real concern,” said Pells, because both tournament attract MTHL teams. “But,” he. said, ever the optimist, “We’ll worry about that when the ime comes.” oe EXERCISE EQUIPMENT 873-2611 Treadmills Universal Gyms Bicycles Rowers Ski M Ay Ne jachines Steppers Striders Weights & Be Accessories And More. 162 Guelph St., Georgetown (3 doors down from Bai GZ ‘eed Ports © Xe + Academy “HOCKEY SCHOOL ADAM BENNETT Head Instructor Dave Krause GORDON ALCOTT ARENA Georgetown, Ontario AUGUST 30 to SEPTEMBER 3, 1993 | Applications for the hockey | school can be picked up_at: | 1. Countrywide All-Pro. Realty Inc. |2. M&M Pro Sports 8. Alcott, Memorial or Acton Arenas For further information, contact HALTON HILLS SPORTS ACADEMY 39 Jocelyn Cres., Georgetown L7G 285 \873-4991 Fax 873-3931 1993) (Ages 6 yrs. to 12 yrs.) HEY SPORTS GROUPS| Halton Hills This Week wants to publish your team's results. Drop them off at 232 Guelph St., Unit #9, . Georgetown Ont. L7G 4B1 or fax them to us at (416) 873-3918 TYKE, NOVICE $ Born 1984-1988 - ore —aw RY 129° 9 ATOM, For additional information call 7 Jocelyn Presant 877-5913 or Jackie Hotham 877-5692 ] BANTAM, MIDGET, JUVENILE Born 1983 & earlier A First time registrants MUST show birth certificate for age verification. A Registering player is requested to attend registration for signature on forms. Ze A Players attending rep. tryouts MUST be registered by August26. PEEWEE $ 150"