·Since this is our second season, everyone should already knowwhat to expect. We are planning to play around the same number of games as last year.
·Everyone needs to attend allpractices. If something comes such as up sickness, homework, etc. let Bill knowas soon as possible. Bill understands that things sometimes come up. However, regardless of the reason there will be ice time lost when a player misses practice (usually 1 period of a game). A player will also lose ice time for other reasons (excessive penalties, or other disciplinary issues etc.). Note: We will be tracking attendance this year on an attendance log with the reason for the absence.
·Bill stated that we all agree that grades and school work are the #1 priorityfor our kids. So players need to make sure that they get all their homework done, etc.Bill will ask them how they are doing with their homework, grades, etc. throughout the season so that our players realize that this comes first.
·This is a AAA team andice time is not equal among our players. Players earn their ice time based on their performance and ability. There will be three lines. Most likely line one and two will have more ice time during the tight games, but for the most part everyone will play every period. This gives the kids motivation to work hard to move up to the higher line, or work hard to keep their spot on the higher line. If the kids have questions about this (what they need to do to improve), then they should speak to Bill directly. He is happy to talk to them about what they need to work on.
·Everyone needs to arrive at the rink at least one hour before a game. Also for practices, players should be dressed and ready to get on the ice 10 minutes before practice begins (sometimes Bill will waive the ice cut depending on how many skaters have been on the ice before hand…..ice time is golden), so the kids should be ready if this happens.
·Bill has a card for the Rapid Shot machine (Gilmour gave Bill a great deal and they want the kids to use the rapid shot machine). If players want to arrive 1 hour before practice, then they can use the rapid shot machine….however we do need a parent to monitor the playersat themachine. Please contact Bill directly if you can do this.
·There is a lot to be done for this team. We would appreciate the support and help from every parent in some way(whether it is driving someone else’s child to practice, hosting a player during an overnight trip, etc.). Last year almost everyone pitched in to help in some wayand everything seemed to run very smoothly. This was greatly appreciated. Chris Dallas and John Silver have agreed to help with running the clock / scorekeepingwith some fun music – ( Tracy set a high standard last year). We may need others to help out if they are out of town. Bill also asked what other parents are coaching certified to help on the bench if needed. If you have a coaching card, please let Bill know and what level.
·Please always be supportive of your player. We all want to win but this is not the main focus. This year will be about player development and team work.
·Gil put together a high light video from last season. We will give everyone a copy to keep.If anyone would like to help with videotaping next season, please let Gil know. If we have someone willing to help (or take turns), then he will put together a highlight video for everyone next season too.
And What Was That About Needing Two Goalies?
...In all games all teams are requested to have a substitute goalkeeper dressed and ready to play at the beginning of the game. In the case of a team having only one goalkeeper dressed and he becomes unable to play for any reason, the team must resume play immediately.The team may elect: 1) To play the remainder of the game using an extra “player,” thereby having six players on the ice, none of whom are designated as a goalkeeper with goalkeeper’s privileges and restrictions.
2) To delay the game momentarily while a “temporary”goalkeeper acquires the chest protector, gloves and stick of the goalkeeper. He shall have all goalkeeper’s privileges and restrictions. He may return to his normal position if a substitute goalkeeper becomes designated or if the original goalkeeper returns. The “temporary” goalkeeper must remain the temporary goalkeeper until a substitute becomes available, the original goalkeeper returns or he is required to leave the ice due to a penalty or injury. 3) To continue playing under 1 or 2 while another player goes to the dressing room to change into complete goalkeeper’s equipment. That player may then be designated as the substitute goalkeeper.
Rule 304 (c) All players, including goalkeepers, in the Pee Wee through Midget (including High School) and in the Girls/Women's 10 or under through 19-or-under age classifications are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the remaining (?!) teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper. For the first violation of this rule, the team shall be issued a warning. A misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper of that team for a subsequent violation during that game. It is strongly recommended, in all classifications, that all players wear a mouthpiece form fitted by a dentist.
Rule 304 (e) All players must wear the required protective equipment in the manner for which it is designed. For violation of this rule a misconduct penalty shall be imposed.
The Importance of Getting to the Rink On Time Parents, please note that it is important that all the kids be at the rink at least one full hour before each and every game - this applies to all home games and away games. As noted in a prior e-mail, having the kids there for the entire 60 minutes before game time is very important - Bill uses the first few minutes to cover some specific preparatory things for the game (~10 minutes), then they do the team stretching and warm-up (~20 minutes), then the kids get dressed (~20 minutes), then he does a final review of some specific tactical things for the game (~5 - 10 minutes). If kids are late, he can't start the process, thus reducing time available for getting dressed or the warm-up, or some kids miss the teaching session when he conveys specific things he wants them to focus on during the game. Kids that are late may miss important pre-game teaching points, and could lose playing time as a result.
Hockey Bag Smell Some of you may be aware of an old hockey "tradition" where players don't wash their jerseys, socks or gear (e.g. in the middle of a winning streak). Some people even consider the odor a "badge of honor" (it certainly gives defenders pause when thinking about coming in close proximity). In reality, the odor is caused by the build-up of bacteria that can cause infection or other problems if left unchecked. So please wash your child's gear periodically, (you can typically just wash most gear in a regular washing machine, or if that doesn't work, a tub with warm soapy water) and make sure that the kids air out and dry their gear and bag after every practice and game, even at out of town tournaments. Bacteria love to feast and multiply in dark, damp locations (like the inside of a dark, sweaty hockey bag.) Click here to see just what is growing inside your kid's hockey bag...Not fun stuff to talk about, but we want to keep the kids safe, happy and most importantly, infection/bacteria/odor free!
Caring for Hockey Equipment 1. Advise from a Longtime Goalie Dad "Dom": Keep it dry. That means after every practice and every game, take everything out of the bag & let it air dry. We air dry equipment in the basement with a dehumidifier or on a sunny porch. Sounds like a pain and it is but that's what will keep the smell minimal. Even on the road--let it dry out in your hotel room.
2. Think of the bag as a way to transport hockey equipment, not as a place to store it. That way, the equipment is usually out of the bag, not in it.
3. If the equipment already has an odor, you can wash it. One pediatric dermatologist we consulted advised washing the equipment with a gentle clothing soap in hot water & letting it dry thoroughly. Be warned that whatever you wash it in, that's what it will smell like. Our test mom washed her son's goalie stuff in Dreft (the baby laundry soap) and he smelled like baby soap on the ice!
4. Skates & helmets can be cleaned by hand. Our dermatologist advised against using alcohol & ammonia. Just use gentle cleaners with mild or no fragrances. Again, air dry thoroughly. Note to pet owners, I've read that using ammonia can "confuse" pets. One more reason not to use ammonia!
5. Febreze and similiar products provide only temporary relief.
Dry land exercises Dry land exercises are designed to be both intensive and time efficient. Typically we will do a dry land session immediately after most non-school night practices for about 20 minutes (such as this Friday when the kids will be timed during certain drills both on the ice and off the ice to establish a conditioning/speed/strength baseline for the season), but the kids will be expected to do certain exercises on their own at home, and the parents are encouraged to do them also! The dry land routine will initially consist of several rapid, energy intensive activities, including: footwork drills (with and without weights), timed push-ups, and timed sit-ups. First we will concentrate on getting the basic mechanics right (in order to work the right muscle groups in the proper manner), and we will also work on instilling the concepts of (1) regular practice of the drills (i.e. at home) and (2) striving for continuous improvement in a manner that is easily measured - while easy to do this will sometimes require a bit of help from a parent or sibling. The drills are meant to be both fun and challenging.