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Dear USA Hockey Coaches and Officials, On behalf of USA Hockey, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your involvement with our programs and your dedication to the great game of hockey. We realize the commitment you have made contributes positively to numerous participants and this effort has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. We hope that your season, thus far, has been filled with enjoyment for everyone. As the 2008-09 season approaches the half way point, we thought it would be important to remind you to enforce the Standard of Play Initiative that was instituted by USA Hockey for the 2006-07 season. We recognize that maintaining the Standard of Play Initiative is a tough job and it is easy to relax or stray away and revert back to the way it was . . . that is human nature. It is difficult to stay the course, but we need your help and appreciate your efforts in maintaining the same level of excellence that we have had the past two years. We would also like to take this opportunity to re-emphasize the commitment USA Hockey has made to create a safe, enjoyable and positive hockey environment for everyone. Your role in this process is vital to our success and we are asking you to review some important points that will help you continue to be successful. As part of this review, please be sure to pay special attention to the Standard of Play materials that can be found on USAHockey.com by clicking here. For coaches, please take a few minutes to review your role in teaching hockey skills in an enjoyable and positive way. Evaluate the emphasis you have placed on your team and compare that to the USA Hockey ideals presented to you through the various coaching resources you have received. This is also a good time to review expectations as it relates to sportsmanship and fair play with both your players and the parents from your team. For officials, now is the time to refresh your knowledge of the rules and renew your commitment to the Standard of Enforcement Initiative in doing your job on the ice, which is to simply enforce the rules of the game to the best of your ability. In doing so, pay special attention to the USA Hockey "Points of Emphasis" for the 2007-2009 seasons, which includes intimidation tactics such as the late avoidable check, contact after the whistle, stick work and Standard of Play infractions. USA Hockey's volunteer leadership is still committed to eliminating these tactics from the game and officials are expected to do the same. Finally, both coaches and officials are asked to renew their commitment to communicating with each other and working together to create a positive hockey environment. We also ask for your diligence in playing the game within the rules established by USA Hockey. As a reminder, it is not acceptable to vary from the established rules because it may be more convenient. We are counting on you to uphold the best interests of the game, whether you personally agree with them, or not. As always, please use any of the resources available to you to assist you. USAHockey.com is continually updated with new material. Your educational manuals and publications are also up-to-date and share the ideals and goals of USA Hockey while your local volunteer leaders, or national office staff, are only a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can do to assist you. Once again, thank you for your involvement with our game. Keep up the great work and best wishes for the remainder of the season. Respectfully, Mark
Tabrum and Matt Leaf |
