By Brandon Naurato - I have had the luxury of wearing a number of different “hats” throughout the course of my hockey journey. I am and have been a son, a brother, a student-athlete, a mentor, and a coach. Soon I will be a father myself. Just like any other soon-to-be-father, I have already planned out my future baby boy’s entire life. He will be a 4.0 student through grade school and high school and play hockey at Harvard. Following college, he will be drafted No. 1 overall and then go on to play 15 years in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings, make millions of dollars and get his jersey retired at Joe Louis Arena. Then he will take a head job in the front office for the team the following season. Everyone will know his name! Wishful thinking, right?

By Jim Clare, AHAI ADM Chairman - Try Hockey For Free (THFF) was held nationwide as USA Hockey celebrated the 10th year of this great program. Several Illinois sites participated and had great turnout. We are waiting on the final numbers and will share those with you soon.

One of our Affiliate Clubs had a few special visitors at their Try Hockey event. USA Hockey’s Ken Martel, Technical Director for ADM, and Dan Jablonic, Illinois' ADM Manager, were on hand at Darien Sportsplex to see the Chicago Hawks THFF Day in action. 

With over 60 participants, Melissa Surrette, Chicago Hawks President and Steve Poapst, Chicago Hawks Hockey Director, along with several coaches and players rolled out the red carpet for these new skaters. Stickers, free t-shirts and jerseys, and lots of fun on the ice made for a memorable day in Darien. We hope many other rinks take advantage of this program next season.

By Stephen Kerr - When Rob Barletta started a youth hockey program in Walpole, Massachusetts in 2001, USA Hockey hadn’t yet fully introduced the American Development Model. But Barletta’s program, initially known as Northeast Elite Hockey before morphing into Walpole Express Hockey in 2005, was already using many of the concepts that have become synonymous with ADM: 3-on-3, dry land skill sessions and games on the weekends.

By Stephen Kerr - When Rose King and Caroline Parks formed the all-girls Rose City Hockey Club in the fall of 2013, there were no girls teams in the state of Oregon. But they believed in the same vision that inspired the fictional character in “Field of Dreams” — If we build it, they will come. The launch of the RCHC almost reads like a Hollywood script. Its growth has been steady almost from the beginning. King still remembers the night back in 2013 when the idea for an all-girls program was born.

By Michael Rand - Go to any 8U hockey game and you’ll find youngsters cruising around and often crashing into each other. Don’t be alarmed: This is normal, and it is completely age-appropriate – the by-product of playing in small spaces, refining skills and learning the right ways to give and receive contact.

It’s not checking, per se, but it’s the next best thing, says Bob Mancini, a regional manager for USA Hockey’s American Development Model.

Q: My 10-year-old really enjoys hockey and would like to play more. I’ve heard that if we don’t play hockey year-round my child will be behind others their age. What are some of the factors to consider moving forward?

A: First, it is great that they enjoy the game of ice hockey and they should continue to play in an environment that fosters a fun, competitive environment that keeps them wanting to come back to the ice rink. 

By Michael Rand - It’s hard to imagine a 90-minute session on faceoffs – and only faceoffs – would be all that riveting, but several years after it happened Dan Jablonic still remembers it vividly. Oh, and it probably doesn’t hurt that it was led by Hall of Fame center Bryan Trottier. “All he did was talk about faceoffs,” said Jablonic, a regional manager for USA Hockey’s American Development Model. “So here’s a Hall of Famer, NHL level, but it was so cool how he related it down to younger players and what they could take away.” Many of those takeaways translate perfectly to 12U players as they begin to think about some of the nuances of the sport.

We continue to regularly monitor concerns associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) and wanted to take a moment to provide an update as it relates to USA Hockey activities, including upcoming District and National tournaments at all levels.

Our top priority, as you know, is the safety of everyone involved with USA Hockey. We’re extremely fortunate to have Dr. Michael Stuart from the Mayo Clinic as our chief medical and safety officer, someone who brings vast experience, connectivity across the country and world, and an even hand in helping guide our organization on safety-related issues.

Dr. Stuart, who is also a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation Medical Committee, has shared the importance that everyone follow certain guidelines and regularly visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization websites for additional information.

By Greg Bates - Goaltenders always deserve a little love. Steve Thompson knows that firsthand having played goalie at the Division I level for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

These days, Thompson is trying to get goalies all the attention they need. As USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) manager for goaltending, Thompson focuses on teaching coaches around the country to feel comfortable working with young players at that position.

2020 Level 5 Coaches Symposium Returns to the State of Hockey. Registration is now open for its 2020 Level 5 Coaches Symposium , which will be held Aug. 20-23 in Duluth, Minnesota, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.