News and Announcements

We would like to provide an update to our SMHA families on our AAA program. We understand the concerns expressed recently with the reinstatement our AAA cards for the upcoming season.

We have been asked about the results of our recent survey in relation to whether we should continue with one or two AAA teams in Sudbury. Based on the survey results, our membership was split on whether to continue with one AAA team. Regardless of the survey results, our reasons for reinstating our AAA cards were related to having placed our cards on a one year leave of absence. After the one year leave of absence, they either must be reinstated, or we lose them completely. Given the unforeseen challenges and difficulties faced with implementing one AAA team this year, we were not in a position to give up these cards completely and felt it was in the best interests of our SMHA families to hold on to our cards while we determine a path forward. We continue to engage with the other associations in Sudbury and the NOHA to find solutions to this issue. We ask for your patience as we determine next steps.

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Last time Marc Staal hit the ice in Sudbury the stands were FULL! Let’s show our support & PACK the house again to honour him!

SMHA membership,

As you are aware, SMHA took a one-year leave of absence from carding AAA teams at the U12, U13, and U14 age groups.
The purpose of the trial year was to assess whether this was viable path for hockey in Sudbury.

Unfortunately with Hockey Canada not supporting two team loops in Northern Ontario (3 team minimum), and with the lack of league games both locally and in southern Ontario for our AAA teams, the SMHA Board of Directors has reinstated AAA cards for 2023/24 season.

We understand that there will be those that do not support this decision. However, this decision ensures that our teams have guaranteed games to play next season, while SMHA works with NOHA to secure additional league games to play outside of Northern Ontario.

Based on this decision, SMHA is working on plans to grow hockey, increase player development and ensure quality coaching across all age groups. Our longterm goal is to increase high level hockey in Sudbury so our teams can compete successfully and that our players will have somewhere to play in Northern Ontario.

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The U16AAA Sudbury Nickel Capitals are giving back.

Our Sudbury Nickel Caps have partnered with a local non-profit organization called Better Beginnings Better Futures.

Better Beginnings is a vital community resource – they support hundreds of children and families in our community every year. Better Beginnings programs focus on prevention, promotion and community development.

This Christmas the team has decided to adopt 3 families through this non-profit organization that are all desperately in need. During the month of December, the team has come together to help make this happen. These families lack some of the basic needs including food and clothing.

This has been a fantastic opportunity to give back within our community to families and children in need.