Bored at 8U?, USAH Welcomes 100,000th 8U Player, Chicago Cross-Ice Tournament Celebrates Girls Hockey, The Dancing Goalie, On- and Off-Ice Plans for Coaches & More!

IN THIS ISSUE

8U Q-and-A: Bored at 8 Years Old?

Chicago Cross-Ice Tournament Celebrates Girls Hockey

USA Hockey Welcomes 100,000th Player

Kirkwood Growing and Winning in St. Louis

Metro Stars Shine in Player Development

Video: The Dancing Goalie

Video: Blackhawks TV Captures Girls 3v3 Fun

Just for Coaches: On- and Off-Ice Practice Plans

Volume 3 Issue 1

January 26, 2016

8U Q-AND-A:

BORED AT 8 YEARS OLD?

" Bored" - That's one of the responses we often hear when we talk to parents and coaches in relationship to their issues with cross-ice hockey. Kenny Rausch, former Boston University player and Assistant Coach, explains his observations about the subject in the article below. After posting this article on Facebook, we received some interesting comments from random readers of the article. These are unedited and no, we did not only print the positive replies; they were all engaging and positive thoughts on the ADM and cross-ice hockey. They are listed just after the article.

Q: My son is in his fourth year of 8U hockey. I'm afraid that playing cross-ice is holding him back and that he will get bored with four years of this structure. What should I do?

A: Playing cross-ice hockey will not restrict a young child, because it's an age-appropriate playing surface size designed to maximize long-term development. READ FULL ARTICLE>>

ILLINOIS ADM NEWS

CHICAGO CROSS-ICE TOURNAMENT CELEBRATES GIRLS HOCKEY

By Dave Royse, Special to USA Hockey ~ The atmosphere was festive. Players got pictures with members of the U.S. Women's National Team, and fist bumps and pucks from NHL stars. They got their faces painted. They also got tons of puck touches during a day-long 3-on-3 cross-ice tournament this past Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, home of the NHL's Blackhawks. But maybe most importantly, says tournament organizer Jim Clare, they got to play - and hang out all day - with other girls. This year's AHAI Mid-Season Classic Cross-Ice Tournament was an all-girls event for the first time, part of an effort in Illinois and across the country to provide more opportunities for young girls to play hockey. It brought more than 20 all-girl teams from 15 associations - about 400 10U and 12U players - to the Madhouse on Madison for an event that was not just big on hockey, but also on the kind of team bonding that can make youth sports so enjoyable. READ MORE>>

USA HOCKEY ADM NEWS

USA HOCKEY WELCOMES 100,000TH 8U PLAYER OF 2015-16

For the sixth straight season, USA Hockey has surpassed 100,000 players in its 8-and-under age category, sustaining participation growth that outpaces almost every other youth sport in America according to data released by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.

"We're very pleased by the game's continued growth in the United States," said Dave Ogrean, USA Hockey executive director. "Our volunteers and coaches do an amazing job of welcoming new players nationwide and making the youth hockey experience great with initiatives like Try Hockey For Free and our American Development Model. It's definitely creating a bright future for American hockey." READ MORE>>

ADM ACROSS AMERICA

KIRKWOOD GROWING & WINNING IN ST. LOUIS

METRO STARS SHINE IN PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

By Tyler Mason ~ The number of youth hockey players in the state of Missouri is on an upward trajectory. Nowhere is that more evident than just outside St. Louis. The trend is embodied by the Kirkwood Youth Hockey Association, which had its largest-ever enrollment this year with around 350 kids from 6U to 14U. The club's on-ice success has played a part in its growth, but this USA Hockey Model Association also attributes many other factors to the increase in participation. READ MORE>>

By Mike Scandura ~ USA Hockey's Female Honors Award is designed to "recognize hockey associations that are leaders in growth, development and promotion of girls' hockey." All of which are points of emphasis for the Northeast Metro Stars. The Metro Stars were one of only 50 associations in the country to receive the award, in this case for the Minnesota District. The Metro Stars play under the umbrella of the Tartan Area Youth Hockey Association, based just east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. READ MORE>>

ADM MULTIMEDIA

DANCING GOALIE	BLACKHAWKS TV
Who ever said hockey isn't fun hasn't seen the smooth moves of the man in the mask, the Dancing Goalie. Coming to a rink near you!	Chicago Blackhawks TV captured the fun and festive atmosphere at the United Center, as well as some great hockey at our recent Girls Cross-Ice Tournament.

JUST FOR COACHES

PRACTICE PLANS FOR ON-ICE

8U Sprint Race to Push-the-Tire Battle

PRACTICE PLANS FOR DRYLAND

Stick Flip Drill

Purpose: Engage players in a sprint-type race that ends with a 1v1 battle using a tire and upside-down sticks. The purpose is twofold: (1) to develop explosive take-offs and skating speed and (2) to get low and compete in the tire battle, using edges, leverage and powerful strides. VIEW PLAN>>

Flip a ball over sticks to improve soft hands in these quick drills.

STAY CONNECTED