Penalty upheld for Ontario minor hockey team handed 14 losses over paperwork error [Video]

The parents of a minor hockey team in Ontario attempting to overturn a severe penalty imposed on the team over a paperwork error have lost their appeal.

The penalty of 14 losses, imposed on the Mississauga Rattlers Under 16 boys Double-A team by the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) in January, was issued over a trainer who was not allowed to be on the bench.

The parents of the 19 players said in a statement earlier this month that in a letter to the league, the team’s official registrar admitted to making the error. The parents said the trainer had been a registered volunteer before and had submitted his credentials in September 2024.

The registrar and the parents have been pleading with the league to overturn the penalty. They managed to get an appeal hearing with the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), which ruled in favour of the GTHL this week.

However, the parents have taken issue …