OneGoal Equipment Program Ordering Update

Orders are being taken now through March 1, 2009 for OneGoal starter equipment. Delivery date for this order is estimated for August 1, 2009. This year’s cost is $70 per set, which includes shin pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, pants, gloves, a helmet with cage and a bag. Equipment comes in both small (4-6 year olds) and large (6-8 year olds) youth sizes. Please visit OneGoal.com for details or email info@onegoal.com for an order form.

Connecticut Hockey Day Targets New Players

The Connecticut Hockey Conference (CHC) will offer “Connecticut Hockey Day” on January 10 to attract new kids to hockey. At ten rinks throughout the state, the CHC will host any 4-8 year old child who wants to try the sport for free.

CHC has purchased 200 sets of OneGoal equipment for the event. All participants will be given an introduction to the equipment and one-hour of ice time during the event. All new participants will receive a free ticket to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) game to cap off the 1st Connecticut Hockey Day.

Following Connecticut Hockey Day, the CHC will offer the OneGoal sets to local associations to support their efforts to bring new players to the sport. For more information, visit CTHockeyNews.com.

Young Blades Program Grows In Vermont

In St. Albans, Vt., the St. Albans Skating Association (SASA) purchased 40 sets of OneGoal equipment for their Young Blades initiation program. To help boost participation, the cost for a first year Young Blade player was set at $65, and the season would consist of approximately 23 ice times from October through February. The SASA board offered free use of the OneGoal equipment to the families. Then they went to work.

"Our numbers for the Young Blade program were down quite a bit last year," explained SASA President John Cioffi. "We only had 20 new kids sign up so We knew something had to be done."

"We promoted the program any way we could," continued Cioffi. "We solicited the youth recreation programs, day cares, preschools, and public schools with literature. In early October we did an hour long show on our local public access channel. We discussed local hockey and had a focus on the Young Blade program. We had guest appearances by some our high school players where they discussed growing up playing hockey and making life long friendships."

"People registered on our website and then we held an equipment night," said Cioffi. "The response was overwhelming. We had people lined up to get the equipment and so we had 5 adults fitting 4-8 year olds with equipment. We blew through 35 sets of equipment in about 1.5 hours. We eventually used up all of the equipment we had purchased and started a used equipment drive for other players. It was just an exciting start for the new season."

The Results?
"With the aggressive promotion and the addition of the free OneGoal equipment, our numbers jumped from 20 to 63 players," exclaimed Cioffi. "I am sure we will continue to offer this program in the future."

2nd Annual Hockey Weekend Across America is February 13-15, 2009

Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by Reebok, is a three-day nationwide celebration of the sport of hockey. Each of the three days associated with Hockey Weekend Across America has a theme, including Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey on Friday, Bring a Friend to the Rink on Saturday and Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes on Sunday.

“We look to build on the success of last year’s inaugural Hockey Weekend Across America,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “It’s important to engage the entire hockey community in this effort and, with the momentum built last year, we believe year two will only be better.”

HockeyWeekendAcrossAmerica.com will serve as the information hub for the event. It features material for download, including the event logo and poster. Anyone may download the artwork for the poster and have posters printed for use in conjunction with the event.

USA Hockey is conducting a contest for best Hockey Weekend Across America programming with the grand-prize winner receiving 25 sets of OneGoal starter equipment ($4,000 value), plus $2,000. Additionally, five runner-up prizes of $1,000 will be awarded. Click here to enter.

“We’re delighted to be involved with Hockey Weekend Across America,” said Gary Bettman, commissioner of the National Hockey League. “This special initiative helps the hockey community honor local legends, make new friends and enjoy a three-day celebration of the best sport in the world.”

Links of Interest

• Hockey classes filling up in Hoffman Estates (Ill.)
• Early $200K grant launches Wisconsin youth association's fund raising campaign
• New York parents start fund raising campaign for 2nd rink
• Youth sports in Massachusetts town not yet feeling pinch from economy...
• ...While it's a big topic of discussion for New Hampshire programs
• Enthusiasm sparks huge growth in Utah program
• Snider Foundation in Philadelphia partners to keep three rinks open

Introducing The Responsible Coaching Awards
:: Nominate Responsible Youth Coaches Today

Liberty Mutual is proud to support the men and women who volunteer their time to coach youth hockey. We recognize that these coaches are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, instilling in our children the lessons learned from sports both on and off the ice. That's why we've established the Responsible Coaching Awards – to recognize and celebrate these valuable coaches. If you know a coach that deserves recognition from your community for their commitment to responsibly in youth sports nominate them today at ResponsibleSports.com/award today!

Level 3 Coaching Recertification Update

As coaches attain the proper certification for the level of play that they are coaching, it is important to follow the requirements of their respective/affiliate. Alaska, Michigan, and the entire New England district will NOT honor online Level 3 recertifications received after December 31, 2008. Minnesota coaches will need to contact their district coach-in-chief as they will be handled on a case-by-case basis. All other districts will accept the online certification credit after December 31.

USA Hockey Off-Ice Training For The Complete Player And Coach

Based on the success of USA Hockey Skills and Drills for the Complete Player and Coach, USA Hockey is pleased to announce an off-ice companion, Off-Ice Training for the Complete Player and Coach.

USA Hockey, in conjunction with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), has developed a DVD-Rom with over 400 hockey-specific skills and exercises. Each exercise has been designed to improve a player’s strength, conditioning and agility which are crucial to on-ice performance.

Special features for your computer include:

• Detailed video and print explanations
• Print the drills and exercises
• Make a play list to create practice plans and training sessions

Score one today for $49.95, or package them together for only $89.95. For more information, visit www.usahockeyskillsanddrills.com for more information.

NHL Network To Televise IIHF World Junior Championship

USA Hockey announced a partnership with the NHL Network that includes unprecedented coverage of the IIHF World Junior Championships. The NHL Network will provide live television coverage of all U.S. games and all games of the medal round, including all quarterfinal and semifinal games, the bronze-medal game and the gold-medal game.

2009 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule (all times Eastern)
	Friday, December 26	USA vs. Germany	3:30 pm
	Sunday, December 28	USA vs. Czech Republic	7:30 pm
	Tuesday, December 30	USA vs. Kazakhstan	7:30 pm
	Wednesday, December 31	USA vs. Canada	7:30 pm
	Friday, January 2	Quarterfinals	TBD
	Saturday, January 3	Semifinals	TBD
	Monday, January 5	Medal Games	3:30 pm/7:30 pm

Play Like A Girl Newsletter

Play Like A Girl is an electronic newsletter created as a means of direct communication between the Girls'/Women's Section of USA Hockey and its members. If you do not receive this newsletter directly from USA Hockey and would like to, please click here to subscribe.

Registration Update as of December 16, 2008

Ice Player registration for the current season stands at just over 407,000 as of December 16. Over 85% of all registrations have been processed through online registration.

ATTENTION–All Program Registrars: Be sure to transmit all registrations through your program’s software and remember that you can update Coaching Education Program (CEP) information for all of your coaches directly through your software.

If you have any questions about the registration process or online registration, please contact Member Services at (800) 566-3288, ext 123.

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.

If you don’t already receive this newsletter directly from USA Hockey and would like to, please click here to subscribe.