Richmond Old Timers Hockey
ROTHC
AGM - Meeting of League Executive
August 10, 2026 – 7:30pm – Mylora Golf Course
In attendance:
Don Taylor – Greyhawks
Brian Newman, Dave Hutton - Rusty Blades
Don Robinson – Juggernaught
Gord Gouthro – Evaders
Rene Holt – Pirates
Graham Amano, Ken Whitehead – Avalanche
Martin Regan – Monday Blades
Lawrence Bourke – Cowboys (50+)
Rob Lang (Vice President) – Island Sun
Doug Collins (President) – Cowboys
Guests: Brian Berka, Stephen Fehr – Hawks
MINUTES
1. Season Review and Financial Report
2. Glimpse at Next Season
3. Proposed Budget
4. Rule Changes
5. Schedule
6. Other Business
1. Season Review and Financial Report
a) Officiating:
Thanks to Rob Lang’s diligence, we had officials for most every game. However
it has become a challenge to find consistent and capable referees for the over
50 division. As the level of competition increases, so does the pressure on the
officials. Verbal abuse has creep in, causing some officials to prefer other
venues.
The over 65 division does not have this problem.
When official become reluctant, the job of scheduling referees becomes more difficult. Referees have complained that with the increase of penalties, it is more difficult it is to manage the penalty box. If the level of penalization continues, they will insist on having a timekeeper.
DECISION: Rob Lang announced that he will be resigning from scheduling the referees in the over 50 division, but will continue for the over 65 division. Lawrence Bourke suggested we seek a third party to assume the task and will reach out. Don Taylor agreed to take on the position of Vice President of the over 50 division. Rob Lang will continue as Vice President of the over 65 division. Doug Collins will continue as President of both divisions.
b) League Play:
i) The over 65 division ran very smoothly with essentially no issues. However, there remains a bit of a problem with parity. The Sun dominated and Avalanche weakened a bit, at least allowing the Cowboys to win a few games (Cowboys did not beat the Sun all season). The Blades have progressively improved, but still struggle to find wins and on several occasions found themselves short players. However, despite the imbalances, it seems that all teams are enjoying the games.
As we all grow older there is a risk of aging out. As a result exemptions for players under the age of 65 will be more difficult to obtain.
The over 50 division continues to grow stronger with the Greyhawks dominating while the Evaders were deep on the losing end for most games. The Rusty Blades also struggled to find wins.
The face of some of the teams changed, as did the name of one. The Roadrunners changed their name to the Pirates and the Juggernaught took over the Shogun. Both teams showed remarkable improvement.
Overall, most games were quite close and very competitive.
Both the Evaders and Rusty Blades ended the season with their sights on the over 65 division. This could be problematic for age and ice time.
We do have a new team showing interest in joining the over 50 division.
c) Playoffs:
At last year’s AGM, it was decided that the
over 50 division would have Playoffs again, and all 6 teams would make it.
Unfortunately the Evaders excused themselves and we had to adjust the format,
introducing a one game elimination to reduce it to a 4 team playoff.
d) Issues or Concerns:
There was only one disciplinary issue last season in a game between the Cowboys and Juggernaught. Two players were suspended for one game and they were not invited back by the Juggernaught.
All teams are reminded that there is little patience for holding Disciplinary Hearings and any offenders can expect severe suspensions.
e) Financial Report
i) The ROTHC recording a loss of $1097 last season, but that was anticipated. It was not as much as the forecasted $2700 loss planned at the last AGM to reduce our inflated contingency level closed to the target $8000.
ii) There is nothing really usually in our Financial Statements but there are a few things of note:
(1) There is a small amount $34 in Accounts Receivable. This is owed by the Juggernaught and is the result of a miscalculation stemming from a credit they were owed. This will be applied to the coming season’s League Fees.
(2) The League Meetings expense was higher than normal due to back pay for meetings not expensed from the previous season.
(3) Sublet Ice Rentals is the amount paid to the old Rusty Blades for sharing their ice time.
(4) Playoff costs were
much higher than the previous season, with 11 ice times required rather than
the previous 7. This was somewhat expected, but it should be noted that the
cost was included in League Fees, whereas last season teams were charged a $500
entry fee.
The problem here is that although League Fees were the same for all teams, the
over 65 division does not have Playoffs. Instead they play an additional 2
games in the season. This was fair enough in the past, but this season most
Playoff teams played 3 games and some played as many as 7 games! Perhaps this
needs some consideration for next season’s budget?
2. Glimpse at Next Season
a) Division Line Ups:
i) There are rumours of teams in the over 50 division folding and/or wishing to join the over the 0ver 65 division. The over 65 division appear to be solid with all teams expected to return.
ii) There is a team wishing to join the over 50.
b) Anticipated Over 50 Division:
· Cowboys
· Greyhawks
· Rusty Blades – wishing to join the over 65 division.
· Roadrunners
· Evaders ??
· Pirates
· Hawks ??
c) Anticipated Over 65 Division:
· Cowboys
· Avalanche
· Island Sun
· Blades
DECISION:
1. All teams are planning to return for the 2026-27 season with the exception of the Rusty Blades of the over 50 division. They will be seeking to play in the over 65 division.
2. Rene Holt announced that he had a new team, the Roadrunners, that wishes to join the over 65 division.
3. Ice time will be sought to allow room for the Rusty Blades and the Roadrunners to join the over 65 division, provided certain conditions (age) are met.
4. The Hawks application to join our league was accepted on the condition that all their players were over the age of 50.
d) Playoffs:
i) For reasons unknown, we cannot obtain an ice contract into April, which is problematic for scheduling and planning. However, we have so far been able to obtain the necessary ice time come late March. So while exact game times can’t be provided in advance, teams can expect to be starting Playoffs immediately following the regular season.
DECISION: All teams in the over 50 division will qualify for Playoffs. A robin series similar to previous seasons will be established. A method of seeding may be necessary.
3. Proposed Budget
a) League fees:
i) As indicated on our Balance Sheet our bank balance sits comfortably above $9600, well over target $8000 float. With all else being equal, and we manage to keep the same number of teams, League Fees can likely remain the same as last season at $6500.
b) Insurance:
i) The Richmond Oldtimers Hockey League will no longer be obtaining ice time from CARHA. Instead, insurance will be provided through the arena and included in League Fees. Any team still wishing to obtain insurance with CARHA will have to do it on their own.
ii) The old Rusty Blades have a separate ice contract and will be on their own for insurance.
DECISION: League Fees will be tentatively be set at $6500 with the understanding that they may be increased prior to the season start, should any unforeseen cost increases occur. League fees will include insurance through the arena.
4. Rule Changes:
a) Proposed rule changes:
Last season we amended Rule 2.h to read: ‘LAST 2 MINUTES OF THE GAME - Will be played STOP TIME provided that the score is within 2 goals apart or tied* (and time permits).’
Do we need any restriction at all? It has always been at the discretion of the trailing team to stop the clock or not, so why have a differential at all? It is of particular concern when seeding for Playoffs where goals for or against matter.
DECISION:
Motion to amend Rule 2.h to read: LAST 2 MINUTES OF THE GAME- Will be played STOP TIME at the option of the teams playing, with the team that exercises the option to responsible for operating the clock. Delays in starting the clock will initiate a minor penalty.
MOTION CARRIED
5. Schedule:
The schedule is proposed to begin the week of Sept 23, for the over 50 division, running 25 games each (excluding Dec 23rd and 30th) until March 24th with Playoffs starting immediately after, as ice allows. Date can be adjusted earlier or later if desired.
The over 65 division should begin Sept 15th and run 27 games each until March 30th.
Actual schedule will be release when ice time has been issued.
a) Scoresheets:
It is important that scoresheet be filled out on our official scoresheet that is available on our web site. It is of vital importance when the result will determine a Playoff position. It is also imperative that name and jersey number are accurate, particularly in the unfortunate event of disciplinary action.
b) Age restrictions:
In the past, the over 65 division have allowed exemptions for some players under the age of 65 on an individual, team by team basis. The division teams have indicated that this season under aged players should be grandfathered in and no new players under the age of 65 will be permitted, except in extraordinary cases.
DECISION: The over 65 division will consider the over 50 Rusty Blades application to join their division with certain, case by case age exemptions, provided the Roadrunners enter (with all players over 65) and we are able to obtain the necessary ice time.
6. Other Business:
Team are reminded that it is imperative to have scoresheets filled out accurately.
MOTION: The League will cover the cost of drinks at tonight’s meeting.
- CARRIED UNANOMOUSLY