CALGARY, Alta. – Following a planning session last week in Penticton, B.C., its first since the annual general meeting in May, Hockey Canada’s officers have committed to six priorities of focus for the 2011-12 season.

Hockey Canada’s chairman of the board, Michael Bruni, on behalf of the officers, has communicated these six priorities to the entire Hockey Canada Board of Directors, member branches and key partners. 

“When I was elected chairman in May, I said that our challenge going forward was to ‘stay relevant with the courage to change,” said Bruni. “The discussion last week in Penticton has set the tone for us going forward, as we embark on addressing challenges and opportunities that face the great game of hockey in Canada. The setting of the following priorities is a credit to the courage and leadership of our officers’ team.”

HOCKEY CANADA OFFICERS’ SIX PRIORITIES OF FOCUS FOR 2011-12

To spirit the attitude and create mechanisms in player movement to facilitate flexibility within the game reflecting the needs of the modern player and family.

To service sport schools and create a positive and flexible infrastructure that meets the needs of this Hockey Canada customer.

To address and create the opportunity for flexible seasons, allowing players and families to participate in both hockey and other activities comfortably.

To recognize and enhance exciting non-contact streams and to encourage and spirit more non-contact streams as a viable and credible participatory program.

To encourage and embark upon relationships and partnerships with entrepreneurs/private hockey programs and work together to provide the best development programs for the player.

To proactively work with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), recognizing it as a critical part of a vision of the Canadian student/athlete alternative, with particular focus on female hockey.

These six priorities of focus will be on the agenda at the Hockey Canada summer board planning meeting in August in Montreal, Que.