For the
2025-26 hockey season, the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) will continue to
manage Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSCs) for everyone involved in OHF hockey
activities, including coaches, team officials, on-ice officials, and anyone
working with children in hockey (like skill coaches and dressing room
supervisors).
Key
Points:
- Who Needs a VSC?
- Anyone involved
with OHF hockey (coaches, officials, volunteers, third party instructors
etc.) who works with children must undergo the screening process.
- Those under 18
don’t need a VSC.
- VSC Submission Process:
- VSCs are valid
for 3 years.
- Declaration
forms must be submitted annually.
- A new VSC is
required in year 4.
Year 1 – submit a Vulnerable Sector
Check and OHF Screening Declaration Form.
Year 2 – submit an OHF Screening
Declaration Form.
Year 3 – submit an OHF Screening
Declaration Form
Year 4 – submit a Vulnerable Sector
Check and OHF Screening Declaration Form.
Year 5 – submit an OHF Screening
Declaration Form.
Year 6 – submit an OHF Screening
Declaration Form
Year 7
– submit a Vulnerable Sector Check and OHF Screening Declaration Form.
Year 8 – Cycle continues
- Important
Changes:
- Starting in
2025, you’ll submit your screening directly through the OHF portal—no
need to go through the HCR.
- The OHF screening portal
will open April 1, 2025 for the 2025-26 season.
- Spring
Evaluations:
- If you’re a returning bench
staff member or official from the 2024-25 season, who received a
successful screening, you are eligible to participate in 2025-26 Spring
Player Evaluations between April 19, 2025 and May 31, 2025. New coaches
must be successfully screened prior to participation.
- For Returning
Individuals with Older VSCs (2022 or earlier):
- If you have a VSC from
2022, it will expire on May 31, 2025. You will be required to submit a
new VSC and complete the online declaration form.
- For Returning
Individuals with Valid VSCs:
- If you have successful
screening with a VSC from 2023 or 2024 you will be required to complete
the online declaration form through the OHF submission portal.
- New Coaches,
Officials, and Instructors (2025-26 season):
- If
you have a clear VSC that was provided by your Police Service within the
last 6 months, submit both your VSC and complete the online declaration
form through the OHF portal.
- VSCs
older than 6 months at the time of submission will NOT be accepted.
- Important Dates:
- The OHF screening portal
will open April 1, 2025 for the 2025-26 season.
- The OHF will NOT
accept VSC receipts between April 1, 2025 and July 30, 2025; only a clear
VSC will be accepted during this time. Please ensure you request your VSC
as early as possible to avoid delays, as police services may take up to 8
weeks to process your application, or longer.
If you
have any questions, reach out to the OHF at [email protected].