To Our Players, Families, Volunteers, and Community,

In recent days, events involving another minor hockey association have deeply impacted the broader hockey community. While these events did not involve our association, they serve as an important reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the safety, well-being, and dignity of every young person who participates in our sport.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

We want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all players. Bullying, intimidation, harassment, hazing, or any form of abuse have no place in hockey and will not be tolerated. These behaviours run counter to the values we expect all players, coaches, volunteers, and families to uphold.

Our association continues to prioritize Safe Sport through:

• Clear expectations for conduct and behaviour
• Adherence to Hockey Canada and Hockey Nova Scotia policies
• Mandatory screening and training for coaches and volunteers
• Confidential and accessible reporting processes
• Accountability and appropriate action when concerns are raised

Hockey should be a place where young people feel safe, supported, and proud to belong. No player should ever feel afraid, pressured, or disrespected in an environment meant to foster growth, teamwork, and confidence.

As we enter the final months of the season, a busy and exciting time for our teams, we ask everyone to remain mindful of the example we set for our athletes, both on and off the ice. Creating a positive culture is a shared responsibility, and it is strengthened through everyday actions rooted in respect and care.

Thank you to our players, families, coaches, and volunteers for your continued dedication to making our association a safe and welcoming place for all.

If you have questions or concerns related to Safe Sport or association policies, we encourage you to reach out to your team leadership or association executives.

Together, we will continue to put player safety first.

BDMHA Executive