Engagement

Congratulations to HNO’S 2024-2025 Volunteer of the Year, Chris Larrett! Chris has been an invaluable member of our community, dedicating his time and energy to the Norwest Minor Hockey Association for the past 14 years. Chris’s contributions are numerous and...

Congratulations to HNO’S 2024-2025 Coach of the Year, Joe Ritson!   Joe was nominated in recognition of his exceptional leadership and dedication as well as the impact he has made to the Minor Hockey community.   Read Joe's full nomination below!   Over the years,...

The Following Awards & Bursaries are currently open. HNO Beyond the Ice Award: Nomination Deadline: April 18, 2025 Nomination Link : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KNCH5GW Jim Stirling Scholarship Program: Nomination Deadline: May 9, 2025 Apply Here:...

Thunder Bay, April 9, 2025 Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) in collaboration with Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and Hockey Quebec are set to run the second annual Cross Border Challenge. The Cross Border Challenge is a Program of Excellence (POE) event at the U14, U15...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Northwest Explorers Announce Roster for U14 OHL Cup [Thunder Bay, ON] – [March 21, 2025] – Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) is proud to announce the official roster for the Northwest Explorers, the region’s U14 team set to compete at the...

HNO Virtual Development Session 2- March 18, 2025- Recording Available HERE

The HNO Beyond the Ice Award is presented to a minor hockey team(s) or individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment to serving their community through volunteerism, positive leadership, and a dedication to making a meaningful impact beyond the rink. This award...

Congrats to all of our winners! U11- Fort Frances Canadians U13- Sioux Lookout JR Bombers U15- Fort Frances Canadians U18- Current River Comets https://page.spordle.com/tournament-of-champions/schedule-stats-standings "This event is proudly supported by the Thunder...

As part of HNO's Virtual Hockey Development Series designed to support growth and success in coaching we will be hosting our second session with a focus on goaltending! Session #2 - March 18th at 7:30PM EST Featuring-Kari Rikkonen, Hockey Canada Certified Goaltending...

We are now accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 HNO Awards! -Coach of the Year -Volunteer of the Year -HNO Order of Merit Nominations for all 3 awards must be received by March 1st, 2025, through the links included below. Coach of the Year...

HNO Virtual Development Session 1- February 20, 2025- Recording Available HERE    

We are now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 ARNOLD SOUTHERN MEMORIAL BURSARY! The bursary will be awarded to a student(s) registered under HNO during the 2024-2025 hockey season, and attending Grade 12 at any secondary school within the Districts of Thunder...

February 10, 2025 Hockey Northwestern Ontario has announced the coaching staff for the U14 OHL Cup taking place April 17-19 in Kingston, ON and the Cross Border Challenge taking place May 15-18 in Ottawa, ON. Peter Cava, A Former Toronto Maple Leaf draft pick takes...

We are excited to announce that we will be launching a Virtual Hockey Development Series, designed to support your growth and success in coaching. This monthly series is open to the public and will feature expert speakers, engaging discussions, and opportunities to...

We are now accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 HNO Awards! -Coach of the Year -Volunteer of the Year -HNO Order of Merit Nominations for all 3 awards must be received by March 1st, 2025, through the links included below. Coach of the Year :...

The application period for local hockey associations wishing to host the NHL/NHLPA First Shift in 2025-26 is NOW OPEN! A truly unique experience designed to help kids fall in love with hockey. The six-week learn to play program continues to focus on having fun while...

Welcome to Game Change – an initiative by Hockey Canada which aims to drive transformative growth at the grassroots level, connecting new audiences and welcoming returning participants. Game Change is designed to empower local hockey associations (LHAs) with the...

The HNO Top Prospects Camp will be held Friday, December 20-Sunday, December 22 in Thunder Bay at First Nations Arena 1. Come check out the top players from our branch this weekend Camp Schedule:...

Thunder Bay's Carter George is set to represent Team Canada at the IIHF World Juniors in Ottawa ON. Canada's National Junior Team will travel to Petawawa, ON, for a 4 day training camp at the Silver Dart Arena, Dec 15-18, in preparation for the 2025 World Juniors....

Thunder Bay's Carter George has been invited to join Canada’s National Junior Team at the selection camp, set for Dec. 10-13 at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario. Full Roster here: https://hc.hockey/2024NJTSelCamp   ROSTER UNVEILED FOR CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM...

World Juniors Online 50/50 Raffle Info and Tickets: https://hockeyeasternontario.myshopify.com/?utm_source=HEO&utm_medium=DM&utm_campaign=2025HC5050 Draw Dates: Draw #1: Dec. 26, 2024 (Open Now) Draw #2: Dec. 31, 2024 (Opens Dec 26, 2024) Draw #3: Jan. 5, 2025...

The BFL CANADA Women in Coaching Award program is back for the 6th year. Nominations will open on December 1st, 2024, and will close on March 31st, 2025 Nominations can be submitted here...

HNO is very happy to announce and welcome the newest HNO Board of Directors Member, Tara Hedican! Tara joins the HNO Board of Directors for the West Zone 2! Congrats and Welcome Tara!

Welcome to the Updated Esso Medals™ Program Program Highlights: Program opens October 15th, 2024, and runs until March 31st, 2025. The program aims to provide tools for coaches, administrators, managers, and league/association directors to enhance the experience of...

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is seeking interested and qualified coaches for the Program of Excellence events in the 2024/25 Season. This years events are the U14 OHL Cup, and the U14/U15/U16 Cross Border Challenge. HNO will be represented at the 2025 U14 OHL Cup. The...

The HNO Tournament of Champions is a branch wide tournament now in it's 11th year. The tournament occurs at the end of the season consisting of U11, U13, U15 & U18 AA Teams from all across Northwestern Ontario. Teams will be competing in a four game round robin...

Hockey Development Summit Paves the Way for Enhanced Player Growth in Ontario Experts unite to share insights and drive strategic changes aimed at improving the long-term development of junior hockey players within the Hockey Canada system. Toronto – October 24,...

The HNO Development committee is looking for your feedback! Please complete and share the survey link below, providing HNO with feedback on where we can help support coaches, players, and bench staff this season. It's important that we hear from you and as many...

Click HERE to view the Hockey Canada Rule Changes as we head into the 2024-25 Season.    

The HNO 2024 POE Camp runs from August 16 -18 in Thunder Bay! View the POE Camp Schedule and Team Rosters below! Schedule U14 Roster U15/U16 Roster (1) U15/U16 Roster (2)

Ontario Hockey Goaltender Assist Program Supporting U7 and U9 Hockey Programs In an exciting initiative to bolster youth hockey development, the Ontario Hockey Goaltender Assist Program has been launched, generously funded by the proceeds from 50/50 draws held during...

The following HNO Clinics are now open for registration. Hockey Canada Coach 1 (Online) Hockey Canada Coach 2 (Online) Hockey Canada Skills - Checking Hockey Canada Safety Person Program - Level 1 Development 1 (Thunder Bay, Sept 21st) Gender Identity & Expression...

Applications are now open for the Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund! Apply now at the link below! https://assistfund.hockeycanadafoundation.ca/en/index.html

HNO Player Movement Flow Chart HNO Player Movement Guide Preamble There have oftentimes been lots of questions and uncertainty with regards to player movement policies and procedures at the U15-U18 levels in Hockey Northwestern Ontario. As HNO is a member partner of...

The schedule for the Cross Border Challenge has been released. Ice times will take place at Richcraft Sensplex and Ottawa University. Game and practice times for all teams can be found here : Schedule  Ontario rosters: U14 Ontario Rosters U15 Ontario Rosters U16...

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is pleased to announce the U14 athletes that have been selected to take part in the upcoming Cross Border Challenge. U14 Team Roster Goalies  Kainaan Macgillivray -Thunder Bay Max Strasser - Thunder Bay Defense  Cristian Ianni -Thunder Bay...

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is pleased to announce the U16 athletes that have been selected to take part in the upcoming Cross Border Challenge May 16-20 in Ottawa. U16 Team Roster Goalies  Brady Cates - Thunder Bay Kings Defense  Moe Ktytor - Thunder Bay Kings Jacob...

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is pleased to announce the U15 athletes that have been selected to take part in the upcoming Cross Border Challenge May 16-20 in Ottawa. U15 Team Roster Goalies  Luukas Moffat - Thunder Bay Kings Charlie Weiss - Thunder Bay Kings Defense ...

What a weekend for the AAA Thunder Bay Kings! Both the U13AAA and the U18AAA are HNO Branch Champions! Congrats to both teams! Good Luck to the U13AAA at Provincials and the U18AAA at The Telus Western Regionals! Photo Credit: James Mirabelli Photography U13AAA...

Congratulations to the HNO/REP Security Tournament of Champions 2024 Champions! U11AA Champions The Kenora Thistles U13AA Champions The Sioux Lookout Jr Bombers U15AA Champions The Fort Frances Canadians U18AA Champions The West End Bruins...

The HNO/REP Security Tournament of Champions March 14th, 15th, 16th & 17th, 2024. Venues: Delaney Arena, First Nations Arena, Port Arthur Arena and The Fort William Gardens. 2024 Tournament of Champions Online Merch Store Open Thursday, March 14- Monday, March 18:...

Eric was born and raised in the Thunder Bay area and began playing hockey at age 6 with Norwest Minor Hockey. He continued to play until after his final season of U18 where he transitioned into coaching and has been coaching each year since. Eric started coaching at...

HNO is currently exploring the feasibility of running an HP1 in Thunder Bay this spring. Moving forward with the HP1 course is contingent on the number of eligible participants who have committed to the course. Please have any interested coaches register using the...

Can't make it to watch the games this weekend in person? You can watch live at the links below! Saturday February 24th 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Games 3 & 4): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJo0R75ISAA Sunday February 25th 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Games 5 & 6):...

Hockey Northwestern Ontario is proud to announce the creation of the Cross Border Challenge Thunder Bay, February, 2024   Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) in collaboration with Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and Hockey Quebec are set to run a combined Program of...

The 2024 Tournament of Champions Online Store is NOW OPEN! Purchase Tournament Of Champions Merchandise here: https://hockey-northwestern-ontario-tournament-of-champions.itemorder.com/ A BIG THANK YOU goes out to our Tournament of Champions Title Sponsor, REP Security...

Volunteer of the Year 2023-2024 The recipient of this award goes above and beyond to give of their time and service to help grow the game of hockey. Deadline to nominate is March 1, 2024 Please use the following link to nominate:...

Coach of the Year 2023-2024 The recipient of this award guides their athletes to success in life and hockey by instilling values, honesty, integrity, a positive attitude, while having a love for the sport. Nomination Deadline is March 1, 2014 Please use the following...

T.B. "Bones " McCormack Meritorious Award 2023-2024 Bones was involved in hockey for over fifty years as a player and administrator. He captured an Allan Cup Championship with the Port Arthur Senior Bearcats in 1939 before joining the Navy. Upon returning he coached...

Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) alongside Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF)  are governing bodies for amateur hockey in Ontario and members of Hockey Canada. The 3 Members have come together to create the Ontario Dressing Room...

The Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup is back! Starting January 19 until March 3, if you are a U11, U13 or U15 team registered with Hockey Canada you could win 100K for a Canadian Charity of your choice! Post your good deed on social media tagging Chevrolet Canada and using...

The application period for local hockey associations wishing to host the NHL/NHLPA First Shift in 2024-25 is NOW OPEN! A truly unique experience designed to help kids fall in love with hockey. The six-week learn to play program continues to focus on having fun while...

January 15, 2024 HOCKEY NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO TEAM ROSTER ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 ONTARIO WINTER GAMES 19 players from Northwestern Ontario selected to play in the Ontario Winter Games taking place February 16-26 in Thunder Bay, ON. Ontario, Thunder Bay – Hockey...

The three Hockey Canada Members in Ontario - Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) are hosting sessions open to anyone interested in learning more on the logistics of implementation and their roles and...

HNO is proud to announce the hiring of Crystal Noga for the role of Marketing Coordinator

HNO is proud to announce the hiring of Colin Dzijacky for the role of Director of Officiating.