Minneapolis Storm Hockey Association Overview Mites to Squirts; What to Expect? Spring 2015

Minneapolis Storm Hockey Association Overview  Minneapolis Storm is a traveling hockey association  501(c)(3) non-profit organization  Managed by a Board of Directors  Meets third Monday of each month (Pearl Park, Minneapolis)  Board Meetings are Open to the Association Membership  Volunteers are Welcome!

Minneapolis Storm Hockey Association Overview – Hierarchy of Policy  USA Hockey  Minnesota Hockey  District 3 Hockey  Minneapolis Storm Hockey

Minneapolis Storm Hockey Association Overview – District 3 Hockey Members  Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey Association  Delano Area Youth Hockey Association  Hopkins Youth Hockey Association  Minneapolis Storm Hockey Association  Mound Westonka Youth Hockey Association  North Metro Youth Hockey Association  Orono Youth Hockey Association  Osseo Maple Grove Youth Hockey Association  St Louis Park Youth Hockey Association  Wayzata Youth Hockey Association

 Volunteer Hours  The Minneapolis Storm depends on volunteers to run the hockey association smoothly  There are both Association and Team volunteer hours  All families must  Complete a volunteer forms  Provide a bank drawn check that equals $300 for 1 Player or $600 for a family  How can I serve my volunteer hours?  Assisting coordinator in evaluations  Minneapolis Storm sponsored tournaments  Coaching  Team Manager  Concessions What to Expect? – Volunteering

What to Expect? – Costs  Squirt Registration Fees ( fees have not yet been finalized)  $1,200 MHA fee  $50 USA Hockey/MN Hockey fee.  Team Fees cover tournament gate fees, additional ice that the team may choose to purchase, team building activities (parties, dinners, etc.), and team gear (jackets, sweatshirts, hats, etc.)  $50 - $150 possible team fee (the team’s ability to find sponsors can alleviate costs)  Tournaments Costs – expect additional costs when traveling to out of town tournament including hotel, food, and transportation costs

What to Expect? – Who Moves to Squirts?  Who Moves to Squirts? Players turning 9 prior to July 1, 2015 MUST move to the Squirt or U10 (Girls) level  Grade exception: If your child will be 9 in July or August of 2015 and will be attending fourth grade in the fall, you may choose to move your child up to Squirts to play with their schoolmates

What to Expect? – Practices, Games, Tournaments  What is the time commitment? During the season each team will have 4-6 ice times a week that include practices and games  Preseason Ice Sessions: start in September and go to evaluations in mid-to-late October  In Season Practice Ice:  Weekday practices typically between 5 pm and 9 pm  Weekend practices can start as early as 7 am and be at late as 9 pm  There are no set practice times for any team, at any level  Typically, practice ice time will issued for pre-season, September and October through the squirt coordinator  Ice time for the remainder of the season will be provided to all team managers on a month to month basis; who will schedule the practices and games on the individual team calendars  In Season: Games are scheduled with the District in October and team managers will enter the individual games on to the team calendars  D3 league games start after Thanksgiving  Team Tournaments  3 tournaments for each team: one local tournament, one out of town tournament, and the Minneapolis Cup, Thanksgiving tournament

What to Expect? – Players and Teams  Players  In the season we had 123 squirts players; about 113 skaters and 10 goaltenders  We are always on the lookout for goalies. We expect to have 2 returning Squirt goalies, so if your kids are interested, we definitely need more goalies (part time goalie is an option)  Teams  ; 9 squirt teams, 1-A, 2-B1, 3-B2, and 3-C teams.  ; likely, 7 or 8 squirt teams, 1-A, 2-B1, 2-B2, and 2 or 3-C teams  Team Information – Volunteers Needed! Each team will need volunteers. Some of these positions come with Association Volunteer Hours (Team Manager), others do not (Locker Room Monitor)

What to Expect? – Coaches  Team Coaches.  Each squirt team officially has 1 head coach and 2 assistants. It is our stated goal at squirts to have 1 head coach and 3 assistants  Final coaching assignments will be completed after tryouts.  Squirt coaches are selected by committee – let me know if you are interested  At the squirt level we have had 1 paid A head coach in the past and are looking to add a paid coach this year. We may also have paid assistants  Yearly Coaching Requirements  Registration with USA Hockey  Registration with Minneapolis Storm Hockey  Mpls Storm Background Screening Process  USA Hockey Coaching Certification; Including  On Site Clinics (full day) or Online renewal for Level 3 (5-6 hours)  Age Specific Online Modules (5-6 hours)  Safe Sport (2-3 hours)

What to Expect? – Evaluation Process; Tactical  Must be registered and payment plan secured  Volunteer form and volunteer check must be completed  Parents may attend. We encourage distance from players  There is absolutely no interaction with players on the ice once the evaluation has begun  Either Mpls Storm or generic hockey jersey’s and socks only! No camp, team uniform (other than Storm) or decals on helmets allowed  Evaluation pinnies (pullovers), are assigned first night of evaluations. Players must hold on to assigned pinny until end of evaluations  Must wear neck and mouth guards  Evaluation ice times and evaluation results posted on Mpls Storm Squirt home page  On ice evaluations will include both hockey exercises and scrimmages

What to Expect? – Evaluation Process  Most important; place players of like abilities together  The goal is to separate players in teams of like ability as quickly as possible  Parents and players choose a path  A/B1 or B2/C path?  Ability to choose C’s available

What to Expect? – Code of Conduct  The Minneapolis Storm Hockey has adopted a code of conduct from the USA Hockey Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey. Each player, parent/guardian, and coach is expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct  Players, parents/guardians and coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect to other players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.  The Player Code of Conduct is shown below:  Play for fun.  Work hard to improve your skills.  Be a team player; get along with your teammates.  Learn teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline.  Be on time for practices and games.  Learn the rules and play by them. Always be a good sport.  Respect your coach, your teammates, your parents, your opponents, the officials and the facilities where you play.  Never argue with an official's decision. Do not use abusive or vulgar language when addressing other players, officials, coaches or parents.

What to Expect? – Player Commitment  At the squirt level players are expected to participate in all team activities including games, practices, tournaments, etc.  All teams will establish their own allowances for excused and unexcused absences. This means that teams will decide what the level of allowance is given for:  “Excused Absences”, when reasonable notice and excuse is provided  And “Unexcused Absences”. Unexcused absences can be grounds for consequence to a player, as determined by the team, up to and including suspension  USA Hockey and the Storm Hockey Club encourage multiple sports and sporting seasons for all players. However, at the squirt level parallel participation in other hockey clubs is discouraged  During the hockey season, Storm Hockey Club expects players and parents to prioritize hockey over other “off-season” sports (soccer, lacrosse, tennis, etc.) when there is a conflict. This includes practices as well as games