COLORADO SPRING, Colo. - USA Hockey's Board of Directors made few changes to the playing rules at the organization's Annual Congress, held June 3-6 at the Crowne Plaza in Colorado Springs, Colo. “We’re focused on making sure the rules in place promote skill development and safety,” said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. “Overall our board felt that the playing rules needed little modification.” Much discussion at USA Hockey's Annual Congress surrounded the implementation of the new American Development Model. The ADM, for the first time, provides local associations and affiliates a blueprint for optimal athlete development. The ADM focuses on age-appropriate training and is based on long-term athlete development principles. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding the American Development Model,” said DeGregorio. “While it will take time to fully implement and will continue to evolve, the ADM is a very positive step forward for our organization and has received favorable reviews across the country.” In other business: • USA Hockey announced it will conduct a Tier II girls' national championship for the first time and also high school national championships for prep and varsity divisions. Dates for all USA Hockey National Championships for 2009-10 are below: | Date | Division | Location (City/Rink) | | March 12-14 | High School (Prep) | TBA/TBA | | March 25-30 | Tier III Junior (A, B & C) | Marlborough, Mass./New England Spts Ctr | | March 26-28 | Women's (Senior A,B,C) | Green Bay, Wis./Cornerstone Community Ice Arena | | April 7-11 | Tier I Girls (12U, 14U, 16U, 19U) | Green Bay, Wis./Cornerstone Community Ice Arena | | | Tier II Girls (12U, 14U, 16U, 19U) | East Lansing, Mich./Suburban Ice | | | Tier I Youth (12U,14U) | Williamsville, N.Y./Amherst Pepsi Center | | | Tier I Youth (16U,18U) | Woodridge, Ill./Seven Bridges Ice Arena | | | Tier II Youth (12U) | Reston, Va./SkateQuest Reston & Ashburn Ice House | | | Tier II Youth (14U) | Wayne, N.J./Ice Vault Ice Arena | | | Tier II Youth (16U) | West Chester, Pa./Ice Line Quad Rinks | | | Tier II Youth (18U) | Rochester, N.Y./ESL Sports Centre | | April 8-11 | Adult Elite & U.S. Checking | Fond du Lac, Wis./Blue Line Club | | April 14-18 | High School (Varsity) | Bensenville, Ill./Edge Ice Arena | | April 15-18 | Adult 30&Over, 40&Over | Tampa, Fla./Ice Sports Forum | | April 22-25 | Adult 50&Over, 60&Over | Tampa, Fla./Ice Sports Forum | | April 28-May 2 | Tier II Junior A (NAHL) | Wenatchee, Wash./Town Toyota Center | | April 29-May 2 | Women's Rec. 40&Over, 50&Over | Ellenton, Fla./Ellenton Ice | | May | Tier I Junior (USHL) | TBA/TBA |
• DeGregorio was unanimously re-elected as president of USA Hockey. Additionally, John Beadle was re-elected as vice president/adult council chair and Dave Klasnick was re-elected as vice president/youth council chair.
• USA Hockey’s slate of re-elected and newly elected athlete directors were announced and include: Jim Campbell, Ted Drury, Sarah Hood Fraser, AJ Mleczko Griswold, Jamie Hagerman, Barry Richter, Kevyn Adams, Manny Guerra and Chanda Gunn. • Phil Verchota and Jack McCatherin were elected as directors at-large. John Tobin was elected district director to the executive committee and Manny Guerra was re-elected athlete representative to the executive committee. • DeGregorio presented President’s Awards to Scott Monaghan, director of operations for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program; Kim Folsom, manager of international administration; and Mike Mulhall, a member of USA Hockey’s Board of Directors from the Southeastern District. • Jim McGlynn was elected director emeritus. ABOUT USA HOCKEY
USA Hockey Inc., founded in 1936 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States. With a membership of nearly 600,000 players, coaches, officials and volunteers that span all 50 states, USA Hockey seeks to promote the growth of hockey and provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. For more information, visit usahockey.com. |