WHAT S NEW AT YOUR RINK Jerry Murphy

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1 Newsletter Date: INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 What s New at Your Rink 1 Message from the President 2 Youth Hockey News 3 Boys Ice Hockey News 4 Girls Ice Hockey News 4 Girls Instructional Hockey 5 Figure Skating News 6 Youth Hockey Standings 7 Spotlight on Gayle & Bob Mone WHAT S NEW AT YOUR RINK Jerry Murphy The Arena is introducing power skating clinics at $10 per clinic on the following dates: 1. Saturday, January 10:40 AM 2. Sunday, February 2:10 PM 3. Monday, February 2:10 PM 4. Saturday, February 2:10 PM 5. Saturday, March 11:50 AM Pay for four clinics ($40) in advance and get the fifth clinic for free. The clinics will be run by the combination of MVRHS Girls Varsity Head Coach John Fiorito, MVFSC Coaches Beth O Connor and Jane Taylor. Classes have no age limits. 8 Mone Tournament The Arena will also be introducing checking clinics and a checking vs. body contact clinic specifically for Squirts and Pee Wees. The clinics will be run by Coach Andy Marek. The cost is $10 per session. Dates to be announced. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Jim Kelleher As a nonprofit An important part of the existence of the Martha's Vineyard Arena is the contributions of volunteers, whether it is a hockey coach, board member, or a committee member developing plans for a major addition. Put simply, the Arena could not survive without volunteers. As a nonprofit organization the Arena relies on volunteers to cover positions that would be paid MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA

2 organization the Arena relies on volunteers positions in other businesses. Being an ice skating arena on an island has its own set of obstacles. One issue is that we do not have the draw of participates that other communities receive; therefore our revenues are limited, which makes it difficult to have staffing for all our program needs. The user groups for hockey and figure skating do an extraordinary job in getting participation from volunteers, but all of us need more help. The Arena is always looking for new ideas, programs and other ways we can service our community, so if you find yourself looking for ways to improve your community, look no further than the MV Arena we welcome participation in all of our programs. Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy recreational facility for the youth and adults of Martha s Vineyard, while at the same time trying to keep ice-skating, figure skating, and hockey participation as an affordable option for Vineyard residents. The Arena Board has been working hard on a future business plan with the primary focus on the future. We can guarantee to you that your donations and volunteerism will be put to the most cost-effective way possible. This month I would like to thank all the past, present and future volunteers, and also all the financial contributors over the years; without you this amazing facility would not be possible. I wish all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. YOUTH HOCKEY NEWS Geoghan Coogan USA Hockey s American Development Model (ADM) stresses the benefits of providing a higher ratio of practice-to-game time on the ice, and the value of shrinking the space young players have to work with in order to increase the number of touches each player gets during practice. RINK DIVIDER SYSTEM The Rink Divider system is the premier way of dividing the existing full sheet of ice to create two smaller playing surfaces. The Divider itself is made of the same material as the boards that surround the rink; just a bit thinner. The system comes in approximately 15 pieces and locks together piece by piece. Once the divider is up, you can set up two games on the two smaller ice surfaces. Have you ever thought about running two practices at the same time, or running a practice while there is public or figure skating session going on at the same time? The Rink Divider system consists of a temporary wall that separates the rink into two or more individual ice surfaces while providing a safe and attractive barrier that can be quickly set up or removed between events. ACROSS ICE RINKS The divider system will increase the effectiveness of practices as there is less time chasing stray pucks. Younger players can play the game rather than just skating up and down a huge surface typically chasing the fastest skater. The divider system allows up to three different groups in their own small rinks within the larger surface, thereby increasing the number of users. The major benefit of the divider system will take place starting next season MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA

3 when all mite hockey games are played cross ice. Cross-ice does not necessarily mean you have to play side to side. It means you have to play on a smaller sheet of ice. By playing on the smaller surface you create better skill on many levels. Think of a Little League baseball field vs. a Major League baseball field. Think of running to first base, which is only 60 feet away as opposed to 90 feet away in Major League baseball. Having to play on a smaller sheet of ice promotes more touches of the puck and allows for more players to be involved in the game. It also forces the kids to constantly move because their space is limited. More shots are taken on goal as well, which allows the goaltender to hone his or her skillset as well. The goal of cross ice hockey is to develop better skill at the younger ages, which will translate to a better skillset when the players get older. By having the Divider system here on the Vineyard, our rink will be a place visiting teams will want to come and play, rather than playing with the soft bumper system that moves out of place and doesn t create a firm board for bouncing passes off or wrapping the puck around the boards. The divider is not just for mites. The use of a half rink is beneficial for several age brackets. The divider system will be used by Mites and Squirts to create these smaller surfaces thereby more intensified games. Potentially the divider system can be used for the Island League. Kids in the Island League will enjoy themselves and increase their skill level. Special thanks to Mite Coach, Geoghan Coogan, and the grant provided by the Farm Neck Association, proceeds generated from the Boston College camp and the generous donation from the Taylor Fund. The Varsity recently qualified for the postseason MIAA Tournament and stands tall with a 10-2 record. BOYS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS Matt Mincone The Boys Varsity High School Ice Hockey program has hit the halfway part of the season and continues to enjoy the benefits of our Arena. The ice and overall atmosphere around the rink is like being in an episode of Cheers. A community winter meeting spot where the best game on earth just happens to be played, come on down to the Arena and show your support as the Varsity is home for the entire month of February. The Varsity recently qualified for the post-season MIAA Tournament and stands tall with a 10-2 record. The program as a whole continues to climb the latter each day with an admirable work ethic exhibited by each player. We will host the Annual Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Tournament in February honoring his contribution and vision to our ice using community many years ago. We have Lynnfield High School, Weston High School and Westwood High School visiting the Vineyard to participate in the Tournament. GIRLS ICE HOCKEY NEWS John Fiorito MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA

4 The Girls Varsity team is on the season after their 2-2 tie on Saturday, January 12 at Martha's Vineyard Arena against Norwell. It was only the second home game of the season for the team, but they will be home for 9 of their last 11 games as they attempt to again qualify for the state tournament. Several seniors have stepped up and made huge contributions for the team so far this season. Captains Emily Cimeno and Kassidy Bettencourt pace the offense, and alternate captain Texe Craig holds down the back end in goal. Katy Smith is another invaluable goaltender, and Skylah Forend is a contributor up front, with Tayla Kuehne the lone senior defenseman. The Girls Varsity hosts their annual Nan Rheault Tournament the weekend of January 19 and January 20. Martha's Vineyard entertains league rival Scituate in the prime time opener Saturday at 8:00 PM, following the Peabody and Medway battle in the other opening round game at 6:15 PM. The Girls JV team won their home opener on Wednesday, January 9 at the Arena when they defeated Bishop Stang 4-3. Katy Smith and Jackie Hegarty played well in goal for the Vineyarders and four different goal scorers paced the offense. The Girls JV hosts two games on Saturday, January 19 during the Nan Rheault Tournament weekend. 1:00 PM against Needham and 9:45 PM against Scituate. Come on out and show your support! Please attend the MVRHS Girls Ice Hockey Winter Auction on Saturday February 2, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Edgartown Rod and Gun Club! It is an awesome Silent and Live Auction. GIRLS INSTRUCTIONAL HOCKEY Jeanne Ogden The Girls Instructional Hockey program is offered to all girls between the ages The five week program is offered during the week at no cost to the skaters. Yes, no cost! The skaters range from the beginner, skating in hockey skates for the first time, to the intermediate, with experience skating for a team. The program is directed by the Martha s Vineyard Regional High School Varsity Girl s Hockey Coach John Fiorito and Youth Hockey Coach Tim Begley. The funding for this important program is once again from a grant obtained from the Rocksprings Foundation. MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA

5 FIGURE SKATING NEWS Laura Bernard The Martha's Vineyard Figure Skating Club's second series of Learn to Skate/Hockey classes is underway! We have a lot of new skaters and we are excited to see their smiling faces every Saturday morning. Our hockey program teaches skaters the basics of hockey skating so they are ready to move into a hockey program with a strong, solid foundation of skating skills. Equipment is not required; sticks & pucks are not utilized. Enrollment is on-going. Please contact our program director, Jane Elizabeth Taylor, for more information. Jane can be reached at or via janelizabeth.taylor@gmail.com. Our freestyle skaters are preparing for their winter competitions. They will travel to the Skating Club of Boston in Brighton in early February, to the Frog Pond in Boston Commons in early March and to Rockland just before the annual Ice Show. We wish our skaters the best of luck and hope they MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA

6 all skate well and enjoy the competition experience. On February 20, judges from off-island will be at the rink to test our freestyle skaters that are ready to move to the next level. Testing can be a daunting process and we are proud of all our skaters that continue to work toward achieving their goals. The judges that will be here know our skaters well and they are excited to see the progress since the last time they saw our skaters on the ice. Looking ahead to our next club fundraiser, we will be having an On-Line Auction in February! We are currently accepting donations, if anyone wishes to donate an item to help support our programs. us at marthasvineyardfsc@gmail.com. April 6 & 7 is our 25th Annual Ice Show. It is sure to be a fun event for everyone! We will be recognizing each past show by skating one number from each production. We are always looking for volunteers and of course our alumni to join us. A lot of alumni have already reached out and are making travel plans - don't miss the fun and a spectacular showing of our greatest hits! YOUTH HOCKEY Source Youth Hockey Newsletter February 8th 10 th Eric B. Maclean Memorial Tournament Pee Wee & Bantam (NVL) MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA

7 SPOTLIGHT ON GAYLE & BOB MONE The Board of Directors Throughout the years that the Martha s Vineyard Arena s has been in existence, hockey and figure skating families continued to contribute to keep the Arena financially sound during the years that their children skate, whether it be in the youth and high school hockey programs or in the figure skating program. It is always nice and reassuring to have families stick around continuing their support of the Arena after their children have grown and gone on with their own lives. One family s support in particular, Gayle and Bob Mone, has enabled the Arena to survive in difficult financial times and flourish with their goodwill and abiding commitment. From the start of their sons youth hockey participation through the boys years playing in high school and beyond, Gayle and Bob s support has been legendary. Never ones to bring attention to themselves, they have showered the attention on the Arena, having a hand in fundraising hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of an organization, which is obviously important to them. Remember when Stuck on You was filmed on the Vineyard with scenes shot at the Arena? Gayle and Bob s longtime friendship with the Farrelly Brothers helped bring this exciting opportunity to the Arena and the Island. Ice Savours, the Arena s annual summer fundraiser was the brainchild of Gayle and Bob s. Their generosity has supported new skaters, which allowed them to be introduced into the MV Youth Hockey program and skating clinics. They were also responsible for creating the opportunity for our youth hockey teams to skate at Frozen Fenway. Each year our MV Youth Hockey Squirts skate with pride representing the Vineyard during the Ryan Mone Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament (see next article). Every December graduated Vineyard high school hockey players return to participate in the Ryan Mone Memorial Alumni game The Mone s stewardship may be quiet, but it is constant and far reaching, seen in so many ways each time someone takes a step into the Arena. It is a stewardship filled with feelings of gratitude for the memories the Arena has provided to their family as well as hundreds of families across the Island. The Board on behalf of the Vineyard thank you Gayle and Bob for all you have given to the Arena your generous time, talent, friendship, and stewardship continues to keep Martha s Vineyard Arena on solid ice for the current and future generation of skaters. MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA

8 SPECIAL MESSAGE MONE TOURNAMENT Ralph Stewart MV Times Reprinted from the MV Times The ninth time proved to be the charm for the Martha's Vineyard Youth Hockey Squirts, who for the first time won the Ryan Mone Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament with a 4-1 victory over the Warwick, R.I., Wave in the championship game Sunday morning (January 13) at the Martha's Vineyard Arena. The Vineyard Squirt B team won all four games over the weekend, taking the best shots that the Ocean Staters, Boston Bandits and Assabet Valley Patriots could throw at them. Gayle and Bob Mone, parents of Ryan Mone, were on hand at the Arena to present the runners-up and champions trophies. For the remainder of the article select this link. Congratulations! MV Arena located at 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs MA