Volume 5 Issue 8 | August 22, 2018
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By Emily West, ADM Manager - What is the three-letter word that makes people so uncomfortable? The word is “fun,” and it can cause many different reactions. For some parents and coaches, fun is welcomed and celebrated. For others, the mere mention of the word will elicit rolled eyes. When I’m visiting rinks and meeting with parents and coaches, I often have to find alternative words to use instead of the word “fun.” Why? Because there’s a misconception that when a young hockey player is having fun, they aren’t taking it seriously.
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Save the Date: A Step aHead Hockey Safety Symposium
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We are excited to announce our very first "A Step aHead Hockey Safety Symposium" on Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the United Center. This free event will include local and national speakers on a variety of topics that impact the health and safety of youth hockey players. Click
HERE to view the exciting list of topics, and stay tuned to the AHAI Newsletter for more information on how you can reserve your seat at this one-of-a-kind event.
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USA Hockey Adds Three Model Associations
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USA Hockey announced today the addition of three youth hockey organizations which have earned designation as USA Hockey Model Associations, increasing the total number nationwide to 24.
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With this designation, each has committed to fully implement programming dedicated to age-appropriate, age-specific skill development in accordance with USA Hockey's American Development Model throughout the 8-and-Under, 10-and-Under and 12-and-Under age classifications. The newly designated model associations include the
California Heat (Panorama City, California), the
Los Angeles Junior Kings (El Segundo, California) and the
McKinney North Stars (McKinney, Texas).
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Predators Forward Craig Smith: Even at 10U 'Little Things Matter'
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By Jessi Pierce - The majority of the game – at any level – is played in small spaces. Along the boards, in the corners, in front of the net, on the breakout – it’s all in tight areas with limited time and space. Nashville Predators forward Craig Smith knows that area well. The Wisconsin native has become a connoisseur of small spaces. Now in his seventh season with the Predators, recently hitting the 500-NHL game and 250-point markers, Smith continues to use that knowledge to hunt the puck and generate offense.
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12U: Preparing for Body-Checking and Beyond
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By Michael Rand - Body-checking isn’t legal in USA Hockey-sanctioned youth leagues until the 14U level for boys, and for good reason. Until then, players are developing basic skills while also adjusting to their growing bodies. That said, the fact that body-checking is not allowed in games at the 8U, 10U and 12U levels doesn’t mean fundamentals of checking can’t be taught and practiced along the way. Quite the contrary, they not only can be – they should be, in order to ensure that players are ready for the jump into increasingly physical play at 14U.
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SportsEngine recently attended the 2 Years to Tokyo Youth Sport Clinic in Los Angeles and asked several Olympians what advice they would give their 12-year-old selves.
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SportsEngine, which recently attended the 2 Years to Tokyo Youth Sport Clinic in Los Angeles, asked several Olympians how many sports they played growing up.
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COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION
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Coaches, Don't Get Benched!
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By Jim Clare, Illinois Coach-in-Chief - USA Hockey and the Coaching Education Program (CEP) require: USA Hockey Registration, Screening, SafeSport Training, Age Specific Module completion and the appropriate Level CEP clinic (click
HERE for 2018-19 CEP Clinic Schedule) to be eligible to coach. Why?
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The answer is rather simple; the kids deserve it. What do I mean by that? As parents, you turn your children over to their coaches for several hours a week. After parents and teachers, your kids spend more time with coaches than probably anyone else during the season. USA Hockey and AHAI want that experience to be the best and safest it can be. Only properly educated coaches can help in the development of your skaters both on and off the ice. Coaches have a massive responsibility. Most of us remember our coaches; both the good and the bad. The effect they have on players can be immense and with that comes great responsibility.
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AHAI Passes New Rule for Coaches Effective Immediately
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By Jack Weinberg, AHAI Director - A graduated penalty for coaches receiving penalties for "abuse of officials" has been passed by the AHAI Board of Directors. The first instance would receive the one game suspension prescribed by USA Hockey. The second occurrence in one season would require a three game suspension. A third violation in one season would require an indefinite suspension pending a hearing before the AHAI Suspension and Review Committee.
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ON- & OFF-ICE PRACTICE PLANS
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3v3 3-Pass to Coach:
This is a competitive way to start practice using a drill that doesn’t require a goaltender. The purpose is to win puck battles, pass the puck, control the puck and offensively support the puck. Defensively, the purpose is to defend your player and steal the puck, either during a 1v1 battle or by intercepting a pass.
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March and Catch: The purpose of this drill is to work on the lower body as well as hand-eye coordination.
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