SPECIAL AUGUST EDITION

As we reach August, the start of another exciting hockey season is rapidly approaching. USA Hockey’s Program Services division looks forward to working with our local associations to offer all of our hockey players and families a great experience in hockey.

To effectively grow the game, and your local association, the focus needs to be on both acquiring new kids in hockey and retaining your players from last season. Over the past 10 years, we have unfortunately seen a decline in new hockey players and an even more critical number is that 43% of kids that get started in hockey are out of the game by age 9. This shows us that retention is just as critical to the health of your association as the acquisition of new players.

2 + 2 = Growth of the Game

Together, we can increase participation with a simple 2 + 2 National Challenge. We are asking each local association to acquire two more players and to retain two more players than last year. For a full explanation of the 2 + 2 National Challenge, please click here.

ACQUISITION:
Finding New Players

USA Hockey’s Program Services department has created an online resource center to share successful growth models developed by local programs to draw new players to hockey. In addition, we have developed tools such as the Come Play Youth Hockey Campaign and the Digital Ink “Web to Print” portal. To learn more about these programs, including the “Try Hockey for Free” clinic, please click here.

RETENTION:
Keeping Current Players

Each season over 40,000 kids stop playing youth hockey. Many families forget to sign up before the start of the season and do not return to hockey primarily because they figure it is too late to play. This loss can be reduced significantly with an easily managed plan; there is no better follow up than an invitation to play for the upcoming season with a personal phone call.

For the step-by-step model to invite players back to your association, please click here.

Contact Your Program Services Representative (by district):

Kevin Erlenbach
(719) 538- 1119
Atlantic, Central, Minnesota, New England, Northern Plains, Southeast

Kevin Kavanagh
(719) 538-1115
Massachusetts

Courtney Welch
(719) 538-1118
Michigan, Mid American, New York, Pacific, Rocky Mountain

Make a TAPE to TAPE Pass

We encourage you to distribute this newsletter to as many people in your association as possible. Board members, hockey directors, coaches, parents and players can all benefit from information in TAPE to TAPE. We thank you for your commitment to hockey and your help in sharing best practices with others in your association.

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