The Ottawa Sting is an Association for “AA, A and B” competitive hockey teams in District B (Bytown) playing in the Hockey Eastern Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Recognizing that the Hockey Eastern Ontario Minor is set up according to geographical boundaries, our intent is to run a hockey program for the best players at any age level from U9 to U18 within our boundaries. To as great a degree as possible, we strive to ensure that the choice of our players is as fair and equitable as possible, and that we provide them with good coaching and development.

The Ottawa Sting promotes the concept that teams and players must be developed on an ongoing basis. We ask all our coaches to select at minimum a full 17 player roster. We feel that this is a reasonable and responsible philosophy, in order that our teams will have an ongoing roster on which to draw year after year. We expect some players will change year to year, and we will inherit players developed at other levels, and will send our developed players to other teams and levels. Taking a full roster ensures that more players have an opportunity for hockey development. We also encourage each team to take as many Affiliated Players as possible, and to try to include them on practices as well as games as needed.

We believe that, in general, we should be able to ice very competitive teams from players exclusively within our area. The Ottawa Sting will not accept players from any other District unless the team for which they would play can demonstrate that it is unable to ice a full slate of at level 17 players.
 

Coaches must be supportive and positive when releasing the player, but shall not forecast or guarantee the success of a released player with regards to subsequent tryouts. All players released after the official team lists have been submitted, require the approval of the Ottawa Sting Executive.
 

The OSMHA follows the Hockey Canada Fair Ice policy.  We believe in fair ice time which may not be equal ice time for Sting players -- all players will not get the same amount of ice in each game, or play at all times during a game. Recognizing that this is Competitive hockey, we allow our coaches a certain amount of latitude, particularly at critical times in a game (ie. during the last 5 minutes of the game). We ask, however, that coaches focus on promoting the development of all players as much as possible, and exercise their discretion responsibly.  Coaches may use restriction of ice time to address player discipline issues, consistent with team rules and as the coach deems necessary.
 

Playing competitive hockey requires a major commitment from the players and parents. Total OSMHA Association Fees per player are approximately $1,800 (based on 17 players), which primairly goes to ice-costs, and does not include team fees. Team fees are in addition to this, and relate to out-of-town tournaments, bus rentals, off-ice training, additional practice ice acquisition, etc. .  Some teams are very successful in fund-raising a portion of these costs.  These costs and commitments are explained by the team staff prior to the season, and a budget is set.  Players unable to make a full financial commitment can approach the Ottawa Sting and other organizations for consideration of financial assistance.  Once a player is signed to the Ottawa Sting, they are indicating their support for fulfilling their financial commitments.

District B Minor Hockey Council has implemented a Code of Conduct to ensure that players and parents act in a reasonable manner during their involvement in Minor Hockey. These regulations include comments by members towards others involved in minor hockey, including on-ice officials, team officials, association officials and other members. All members are asked to read and sign a copy of the Code of Conduct at online registration. Failure to comply with the code can result in disciplinary action, including the opportunity to participate in District B activities or to continue to be a member. 

Our notification for coaching applications is published in the Spring for the next season. Coaches are interviewed, chosen and announced at the time of the Annual General Meeting.  Head coaches must have Intermediate Level (Development 1) coaching certification. Assistant Coaches must have at minimum Coach Level (Coach Stream) certification. Trainers must be certified at least Level II. All team staff must have taken the Speak Out or Respect in Sport certification as well. Other certifications as required by HEO must also be held, and may be updated from time to to time.

The Ottawa Sting recruits the best available Head coaches for each season, be they parent or non-parent coaches.  A rigourous selection process is in place, involving interviews with the selection team, reviews of submitted practice and season plans, as well as reference checks.   Coaches may stay with a team for more than one year, provided the coach has interest in doing so, worked well with a team, has good relationships with the players and parents, and the team is progressing from a development perspective.  We feel it is as important to develop our coaches as our players. Our Vice-President, Coaching, meets regularly with Sting coaches, individually and collectively, to discuss team successes, challenges, and strategies.