I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the D4 Executive and league representatives for volunteering their time to make the game of hockey enjoyable for all the players.

The RMMHA had a successful year on and off the ice. An incredible Five Playoff Championships – Novice A, Novice B (White), and a “SWEEP” of the Pee Wee division with the Pee Wee C, Pee Wee B and Pee Wee A teams all taking the banners. Seven teams advanced to the playoff finals - Juvenile, Minor Midget B, Pee Wee C, Pee Wee B, Pee Wee A, Atom B (White), and Novice A. One Regular Season League Championship – Novice B (White).

Our Executive this season consisted of seventeen dedicated volunteers who put forth the effort required to have a successful season. Our bench staff was dedicated and deserves a big thank you for providing a positive environment for our players to learn and grow. Our AGM was Tuesday April 16, 2008 with numerous awards presented to our dedicated volunteers and presentation of awards to a graduating player from each level that combined dedication, sportsmanship and enthusiasm during the 2008/2009 season.

The RMMHA 2008/2009 season had 378 registered players with 267 families involved. We had 5 RMMHA players playing with the Tier 1 Associations (4 Cyclones & 1 Titans), 8 RMMHA players playing with the Tier 2 Ottawa Valley Silver Seven and 31 RMMHA players playing competitive hockey for the Tier 3 Osgoode-Richmond Senators. 65 played in our Hockey Development Program and 269 played on 21 teams at various LCMHL levels from Novice to Juvenile.

A few of our RMMHA season highlights include, our third annual Royal’s Day where all our LCMHL teams each played a regular season game. We hosted this day with a kick off breakfast, games, raffles, BBQ and our drop the puck dance. We once again hosted our very popular December Novice showcase tournament (24 teams). We had a successful end of the regular season dance at the legion. One of our dedicated members applied for a Trillium grant and the RMMHA received approximately $13,000.00 to be put toward safety and development of our players. And lets not forget that 2008/2009 saw the debut our new “Lions Head” logo jerseys, which were well received everywhere our teams competed.

 We had 32 different companies and/or individuals who sponsored teams or put up signage in support of the RMMHA. We would like to thank Capital Well Drilling for sponsoring our unique fair play initiative with free slushies for each player during penalty free games. Our major fundraising efforts consist of our mid-season raffle, sponsorship/signage and other events throughout the year and this season we were able to raise over $15,000.00 of which these funds help keep the registration costs down by paying for ice rental and equipment. Our volunteer run canteen is also a major generator of revenues for the RMMHA as we are anticipating profits of $22,000 + which helps cover the costs of ice, equipment and referees.

Officials program certified 7 new referees. Referee scheduling continued to be done centrally in consolidation with SMHA/ORMHA , assigning officials using the League GM program. There was a program put in place to focus on referee supervisions. Ensuring that all referees were seen in action by a senior official and feedback given to those being supervised. Our paid off-ice official program continued and we are looking to expand it in the future.

We ran our signature Novice tournament on the first weekend of December with 24 teams participating at the Novice A, B, & C levels. We had a decline in hosted tournaments this year and are looking to have better success next season, as we try to arrange for better dates and scheduling.

RMMHA teams which participated in the LCMHL had on average 25 to 30 practices each from Novice to Pee Wee. These teams averaged 4 –6am practices and each had 10-12 shared ice practices as we feel this is an efficient use of our ice allowing more time on the ice especially for the younger players. Bantam to Midget averaged 25 practices for each team with the Bantam teams each having approximately 4 – 6am practices and 4 shared ice practices.

The Tier III competitive program (ORMHC) shared between the RMMHA and ORMHA was ratified by the ORMHA, last month, to be run as a “separate entity”. Clearing the way for the club to move forward on its own with direction from RMMHA & ORMHA. We look forward to years of co-operation and success.