THE FACTCAT Season Beginnings. Summer To-Do: Register Your Player with USA Hockey. Inside This Issue. June 2009

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1 Novi Youth Hockey Association Proudly serving the Novi area since 1998 Our 12th Season! Novi Youth Hockey Association Arena Drive Novi, MI Angela Petty Program Administrator Inside This Issue Season Beginnings 1 USA Hockey Registration 1 NYHA Goalie Clinic 2 Youth Drop-In Hockey 2 NYHA Game Day Power Shot 3 on 3 3 Learn To Play Hockey 4 Pre-Season Clinics 5 Required Equipment 6 House League Dues 6 Season Beginnings It seems like summer vacation is just getting underway...can you believe it s time to think about hockey already!?! We are getting this summer edition of THE FACTCAT out nice and early so you and your player can plan for their big comeback! The season begins in August. We have plenty of great programming to offer your player to prepare them for the upcoming season. Take a moment to review all of the opportunities. Prep clinics, drop in hockey, 3 on 3, a goalie clinic, and conditioning skates are just a few ways to get ready. Again this year, all players must register with USA Hockey (see article below) prior to the House Program Evaluation Skates which are scheduled for August (see page 7 for specific days and times). Players are required to attend BOTH evaluation skates. The coaches will be evaluating the players for different skills during each session. Failure to attend both evaluations can result in an incorrect evaluation of the player. Attending both evaluation skates ensures that the draft is fair and equal. Approximately half the annual dues are required prior to being allowed to participate in the House June Please remember to bring your checkbook or credit card the NYHA now accepts credit cards for payments!! After the House Evaluation skates, all players will be drafted onto teams. The first assigned ice for house divisions is Friday, August 28th. The NYHA cannot honor requests for players to be drafted onto the same teams. Our governing body, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association ( only allows siblings to be drafted to the same team. So take advantage of all the great programming we offer! See you at the rink! House Evaluations 7 Summer To-Do: Register Your Player with USA Hockey Add us to your address book To ensure that you receive future issues of the NYHA FactCat newsletter as well as important e- mails from the Novi Youth Hockey Association, we encourage you to add info@noviyouthhockey.org in your 's address book. Note that some internet service providers (ISPs) treat s that appear as mass s as SPAM so some of our communications may not be getting to you. Adding us to your address book will ensure that our s get to you. This was new last year...so this may sound familiar. Parents and players need to be aware that USA Hockey now requires all players both House and Travel to register with USA Hockey directly for the season through It is important to note that House players must register with USA Hockey prior to their on-ice evaluation with the Novi Youth Hockey Association in August. All players will be required to provide written proof of their USA Hockey registration at the evaluation check -in. Travel players should check with their coach about providing proof of registration. Prior to last year, the NYHA did the registering for our players. This is no longer allowed. The NYHA has put together simple instructions to guide you through the registration process. Those details can be found on the NYHA website at The USA Hockey online registration takes about five minutes to complete. Be sure to select the season during the registration process. Note that there is a $30 USA Hockey fee and a $5 Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) fee that you will be asked to pay.

2 PAGE 2 Youth Drop-In Hockey This was new last year, and we ve been asked to offer this again! This is a great way to get a few game situations in before the evaluations and draft. This program is offered to all registered NYHA players. These sessions will include a coach for each bench. Players should arrive 1/2 hour early with both a light and dark jersey along with full protective hockey gear. Each session is only $10, so plan to attend both. No checking!!! Mites and Squirts Saturday 8/1: 11:30am-1:00pm Saturday 8/8: 10:00-11:30am PeeWees and Bantams Saturday 8/1: 1:00-2:30pm Saturday 8/8: 11:30am-1:00pm Please Note: Players must be current members of USA Hockey to participate (see article on page 1). Refer to the NYHA website at for information on how to register for USA Hockey. Taystee-Freeze Or.Bring A Friend to Hockey!!! Want to introduce a friend to the game? Here s your chance to treat them. Bring them down for a free opportunity to get a taste for the game. They wear your equipment (rental skates will be available) and skate with seasoned instructors. Maybe they will decide to become part of the NYHA community! Saturday, August 1st from 5:00-6:30pm Friday, August 7th from 5:00-6:30pm Novi Game Day 2009 Mark Your Calendars!! In 2002, the NYHA started a tradition. The goal was to celebrate hockey for the love of the game. The NYHA Game Day has emerged as one of the key events on the Michigan hockey calendar. Game Day brings every player in the NYHA family to the rink on one day. Hockey games, contests, and celebrations of all types highlight this much anticipated event. Mark your calendars and plan to be there. You won t want to miss it!! TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH! Free NYHA Goalie Clinic All registered NYHA goalies, and those interested in trying out the position are welcome and encouraged to attend. John Damrath will be joined by goalies at the high school and college level to offer this free clinic to get our NYHA goalies ready for the season. Saturday August 1 and Sunday August 2 from 10:00-11:30am at Novi Ice Arena. Application forms can be found at and are due by July 25th! NYHA Travel Hockey Program Update The NYHA has a strong travel hockey tradition. Last year, the NYHA teams achieved success in Little Caesars, districts, states, and regional tournaments. For the season, there are 8 travel teams. Visit the NYHA website for tryout times, programming, and contact information. Be aware, tryouts are getting earlier every year. If you are interested, check the team websites now. Travel players pay their NYHA dues in four installments. This payment schedule is determined based on the cash flow requirements needed to pay the Association billings, particularly for ice. The first installment is due upon acceptance of an offer to play for the fall season. Travel players will not be rostered until the first payment is made and they are registered with the NYHA. Additionally, no player can practice with their team until the first installment is paid. Division Mite A & AA Squirt A & AA PeeWee A & AA Bantam A & AA 1st Payment - team acceptance - $ TBD 25% 2nd Payment - Due Sept 7th - $ TBD 25% 3rd Payment - Due Oct 15th - $ TBD 25% 4th Payment - Due Dec 1st - $ TBD 25% Final dues will be set when the number of participants are known and the ice contracts are completed. The final dues schedule will be published on the NYHA website. For , the cost of ice at the Novi Ice Arena has increased. Note: All players are also subject to a $125 resident/$150 non-resident fee upon acceptance of an offer to play for NYHA travel.

3 Power Shot 3 on 3 Hockey plus ON ICE SKILL DEVELOPMENT with Mike Donnelly! PAGE 3 A Special Event at a great value offered only through the NYHA! Get on the ice with Mike Donnelly for this 5-day program that includes three days of 3 on 3 hockey and two days of skill development! 3 on 3 hockey is an exciting, fast paced format that uses a unique concept which speeds up the game by reducing the size of the rink and taking out all the lines. A set of boards are positioned along the center red line splitting the ice so that two games can take place on one surface. The smaller ice surface forces players to react quicker and make plays under pressure. Players also get more puck action. Combined with the on ice instruction, this will help players improve: Stick Handling - Scoring - Passing/Playmaking - Decision Making - Protecting the Puck Playing FAST - Edge Work/Skating - Conditioning What is 3 on 3? Each team consists of: 9 skaters and one goalie. During the change, players coming off the bench pick up the puck from where it is and resume play. No stoppage of play, no off sides, and no icing. Penalties result in the awarding of a penalty shot to the opposing team. NO CHECKING OR HITTING ALLOWED IN 3 ON 3 GAMES. Bring Your Game To A New Level! Each Session of 5 Skates for ONLY $85 All skates at the Novi Ice Arena Please Note: Players must be current members of USA Hockey to participate (see article on page 1). Refer to the NYHA website at for information on how to register for USA Hockey. Power Shot 3 on 3 Hockey and Skills Development with Mike Donnelly Mite/Squirt Session 1: Monday August 17 Friday August 21 from 2:00-3:00 PM (M/W/F - 3 on 3) (T/TH - On Ice Skills) Mite/Squirt Session 2: Monday August 24 Friday August 28 from 2:00-3:00 PM PeeWee/Bantam Session 1: Monday August 17 Friday August 21 from 3:00-4:00 PM PeeWee/Bantam Session 2: Monday August 24 Friday August 28 from 3:00-4:00 PM (M/W/F - 3 on 3) (T/TH - On Ice Skills) (M/W/F - 3 on 3) (T/TH - On Ice Skills) (M/W/F - 3 on 3) (T/TH - On Ice Skills) Player s Name: Age: Date of Birth: Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) Day Time Phone: ( ) Contact Person: Send completed form and $85 or $170 check payment to: NOVI YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Arena Drive Novi, MI (248) Those who choose to pay by credit card, please go to the website at for the proper authorization form. Websites To Bookmark Volunteers Plan to Contribute at Some Level! The time and effort of dedicated volunteers make the NYHA the vibrant success it is today. The efforts of all, no matter how large or small, add to the experience which sets the NYHA apart. We have an immediate need for volunteers to assist at the Evaluation Check-in. Additionally, assistance is needed to conduct the Conditioning Skates, on and off the ice. Later in the year, the NYHA s Game Day offers many possibilities to volunteer time and be part of a memorable event. Each team requires parents to assist with social activities, managerial tasks, tournament planning, equipment repair, scorekeeping, locker-room keys, and water bottles. Your time is valuable to us. If you are able to assist, please contact the NYHA office at or us at info@noviyouthhockey.org.

4 PAGE 4 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Why does my child have to attend both evaluation skates? The first skate evaluates skating ability, speed, etc. The second skate concentrates on hockey ability. By reviewing both areas, the draft process is ensured equality. What happens after the evaluation skates? After the evaluation skates all players are drafted onto teams using rules and guidelines drawn up by MAHA (our governing body) to ensure fairness. Once drafted, the new coach should contact you with the date of the first practice. All teams will have ice times over the Labor Day Weekend. Can my child be drafted on the same team as my neighbor or by a certain coach? MAHA (Michigan Amateur Hockey Association) stipulates that only siblings can be drafted onto the same team. Unlike other sports, requests for friends or neighbors to be drafted together cannot be honored. Will my child skate on the same days each week? To ensure fairness, ice times are rotated through the entire Association. This allows every team to enjoy the infamous 6:00 am hockey practice! Why does the team need additional funds beyond the normal Association dues? The Association dues cover paying for ice time for regularly scheduled games and practices, home ice referee fees, and game jerseys. Other costs such as referee costs for scrimmage games, tournament fees, team-related equipment, or team social functions are not covered by the NYHA. These contributions are team coordinated. What is S.T.A.R.? The MAHAsponsored S.T.A.R. (Shared Tolerance Appreciation and Respect) program is designed to inform players and parents of the need to keep hockey fun. S.T.A.R. is designed to make sure everyone understands their responsibilities. What is the Little Caesars League (LCAHL)? All NYHA house (above Mite Division) and travel teams not only play other NYHA teams but play teams from other local associations. The 31-year-old LCAHL administers this league. Why do Midget Division players have to pay their entire dues upfront? This is to financially protect the NYHA. In the past, players have committed to teams only to leave if the player makes a varsity or junior varsity team leaving the Association to make up the dues difference, or more drastically fold the team. Learn To Play Hockey Program The NYHA in conjunction with Tim Horton s is proud to bring our youngest hockey players this great program. Consider this the next step after players have completed a learn to skate program. The focus is on the fundamentals of skating and puck skills. The class is open to players ranging in age from 4 to 8. Players will be divided according to age and skill level. There are two sessions offered. All skates are tentatively on Tuesdays in the early evening hours. The first session begins on September 15th and ends on December 22nd for a total of 15 skates and the second session begins January 5th and ends March 30th for a total of 13 skates. Please Note: Players must be current members of USA Hockey to participate (see article on page 1). Refer to the NYHA website at for information on how to register for USA Hockey. All skates are at the Novi Ice Arena. Players signing up for both sessions by September 1 will receive a 10% discount. The NYHA is proud to announce Mike Donnelly will return as head instructor. Mike is an NHL veteran and scout for the LA Kings. Mike also operates the Power Shot Hockey Academy, a center for off-ice training. Player s Name: Age: Date of Birth: Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) Day Time Phone: ( ) Please Indicate Session(s): Session 1: $300 Session 2: $260 Contact Person: Total Paid: Send completed form and check payment to: NOVI YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Arena Drive Novi, MI Those who choose to pay by credit card, please go to the website at for the proper authorization form.

5 Novi Youth Hockey Association PeeWee and Bantam Checking Clinics PAGE 5 Topics Covered Skating, Strength, Balance Angling Timing and Position Receiving a Check Proper Checking Technique Purpose of Checking Cost per Class = $20 All skates at the Novi Ice Arena Total Cost : Class 1: August 16th 5-6:30 PM : Class 2: August 23rd 5-6:30 PM Total Amount Enclosed: $ Player s Name: Age: Date of Birth: Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) Day Time Phone: ( ) Contact Person: Send completed form and check payment to: NOVI YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Arena Drive Novi, MI Those who choose to pay by credit card, please go to the website at for the proper authorization form. Please Note: Players must be current members of USA Hockey to participate (see article on page 1). Refer to the NYHA website at for information on how to register for USA Hockey. Novi Youth Hockey Association Mite, Squirt, PeeWee, and Bantam Divisions Prep Clinics NYHA s Fall Prep Clinics a great way to get ready for the fall season Skating, shooting, and passing drills run by a skilled instructor All skates at the Novi Ice Arena Mite Clinics Tues, Aug 4th & Wed, Aug 5th 5:00 to 6:00pm Total Cost $45 Check here ( ) Squirt Clinics Tues, Aug 4th & Wed, Aug 5th 6:00 to 7:00pm Total Cost $45 Check here ( ) PeeWee Clinics Tues, Aug 4th & Thurs, Aug 6th 7:00 to 8:30pm Total Cost $55 Check here ( ) Bantam Clinics Tues, Aug 4th & Thurs, Aug 6th 8:30 to 10:00pm Total Cost $55 Check here ( ) Player s Name: Age: Date of Birth: Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) Day Time Phone: ( ) Contact Person: Send completed form and check payment to: NOVI YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Arena Drive Novi, MI Those who choose to pay by credit card, please go to the website at for the proper authorization form. Please Note: Players must be current members of USA Hockey to participate (see article on page 1). Refer to the NYHA website at for information on how to register for USA Hockey.

6 PAGE 6 Required Equipment Full protective ice hockey equipment is required for all NYHA players. Roller hockey equipment is not acceptable. All players require the following: helmet with full face guard, mouth guard, neck guard, protective cup and supporter, shoulder and shin pads, hockey socks, hockey pants, gloves, stick, and skates. Neck guards and mouth guards are mandated by the NYHA and are required every time an NYHA team takes the ice. Additionally, if a player wants to be evaluated as a goalie, the following equipment is required: goalie pads, chest protector, and trapper/blocker. At the Mini-Mite, Mite, and Squirt levels, the NYHA provides each team with a set of goalie-specific equipment. If your player requires goalie equipment for evaluation purposes please contact Mark Berke at mberke@noviyouthhockey.org. Bob DeSpirt (President) Michael Robinet (Vice President) Mark Kubitskey (Secretary) Chris Mitchell (Exec. Treasurer) Jeannine Makowski (Assoc. Treasurer) Tentative House Dues & Payment Dates Prior to the first evaluation skate (see Page 7), please check in near the Novi Arena lobby. Bring your USA Hockey Registration confirmation to the first evaluation skate. Each player will receive an Evaluation Number, needed for both evaluation sessions (this will adhere to the back of the jersey). House dues for the season will be divided into three installments. The first payment is due at the first evaluation skate and is approximately 50% of the total dues. Remaining payments are due per the schedule 1st Payment - 2nd Payment - Division Due Eval Skate Due Oct. 15th Mark Berke Todd Martin Dave Mueller Amy Smith Bob Tripi Harry Youmans 3rd Payment - Due Dec. 1st What s the difference between the NYHA, Novi Ice Arena, and Suburban Ice Farmington Hills? The NYHA is a non-profit organization which administers and oversees several youth hockey teams both house and travel levels and a Learn To Play Hockey program. NYHA is managed by an all-volunteer elected board who work throughout the year to bring hockey to the youth of the Novi area. Novi Ice Arena is the primary home arena of the NYHA. Every year, the NYHA purchases over 3,000 hours of ice at the Novi Ice Arena. Owned by the City of Novi, the arena is managed by the Suburban Sports Group. Suburban Sports Group is a private business entity providing full service consulting management and ice-sport programming services. Suburban Sports Group also operates Suburban Hockey which develops and operates instructional and competitive hockey programs. Suburban Ice Farmington Hills is a privately owned ice arena and is managed by the Suburban Sports Group. below and collected by your team manager. The first installment of dues must be paid before the player skates in the evaluation. This payment schedule is determined based on the cash flow requirements needed to cover the Association s commitments, particularly the purchases of ice and jerseys early in the season. The NYHA accepts checks and credit cards for dues. Only one check per player. Credit card payments include a cost recovery fee. Make checks payable to NYHA and place the player s name on the check memo field. Those who choose to Tentative Total Dues pay by credit card, please go to the website at for the proper authorization form. Mini-Mite $350 TBD TBD TBD Mite $400 TBD TBD TBD Final dues will be set when the number Squirt $625 TBD TBD TBD of participants are known and the ice PeeWee $675 TBD TBD TBD contracts are completed. The final Bantam $825 TBD TBD TBD dues schedule will be published on the Midget B $1,750* <----- Entire dues are payable at Evaluation NYHA website. For, the Midget BB $1,000* <----- Entire dues are payable at Evaluation cost of ice at the Novi Ice Arena has increased. *For Midgets, the entire season s dues are payable at the evaluation. These dues are tentative and will be reevaluated based on the number of participants and ice as- The NYHA Board The NYHA Board consists of the following elected volunteers: signed. NYHA Mission Statement The NYHA Organization is committed to cultivating and developing youths in the sport of Ice Hockey. This is achieved through dedicated volunteers teaching and improving hockey skills in an atmosphere that promotes good sportsmanship. This model provides each and every person within the Novi Youth Hockey Association, the opportunity to learn, grow and enjoy the game of hockey.

7 PAGE 7 Novi Youth Hockey Association Season Conditioning and House Evaluation Skate Schedule Below is the NYHA House Evaluation and Conditioning Skate Schedule. Conditioning skates are at the player s option, but are a great way to prepare for evaluations. Evaluation skates are held by division and last name of the player (check the evaluation date and time with bolded letters for last names). Each player has two (2) scheduled evaluations. ARRIVE AT LEAST 45 MINUTES EARLY TO COMPLETE CHECK IN AND PAY FEES. All conditioning and evaluation sessions are at the Novi Ice Arena Mini-Mite Division (2003 & 2004 Birth Years) Conditioning Skate ($10) 1 hr-conditioning Sun, August 9 12:00-1:00 PM EVALUATION A - K Mon, August 10 5:00-6:00 PM EVALUATION A - K Mon, August 17 6:00-7:00 PM EVALUATION L - Z Mon, August 10 6:00-7:00 PM EVALUATION L - Z Mon, August 17 7:00-8:00 PM Mite Division (2001 & 2002 Birth Years) Conditioning Skates ($10 Each) 1 hr-conditioning Sun, August 2 5:00-6:00 PM 1 hr-conditioning Sun, August 9 1:00-2:00 PM EVALUATION A - E Tues, August 11 5:00-6:00 PM EVALUATION A - E Tues, August 18 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION F - MA Tues, August 11 6:00-7:00 PM EVALUATION F - MA Tues, August 18 5:00-6:00 PM EVALUATION MC - Z Tues, August 11 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION MC - Z Tues, August 18 6:00-7:00 PM Squirt Division (1999 & 2000 Birth Years) Conditioning Skates ($10 Each) 1 hr-conditioning Sun, August 2 6:00-7:00 PM 1 hr-conditioning Sun, August 9 2:00-3:00 PM EVALUATION A - D Tues, August 11 6:00-7:00 PM EVALUATION A - D Tues, August 18 9:00-10:00 PM EVALUATION E - J Tues, August 11 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION E - J Tues, August 18 8:00-9:00 PM EVALUATION K - N Tues, August 11 8:00-9:00 PM EVALUATION K - N Tues, August 18 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION O - Z Tues, August 11 9:00-10:00 PM EVALUATION O - Z Tues, August 18 6:00-7:00 PM Peewee Division (1997 & 1998 Birth Years) Conditioning Skates ($15 Each) 1.5 hr-conditioning Sun, August 2 7:00-8:30 PM 1.5 hr-conditioning Sun, August 9 3:00-4:30 PM EVALUATION A - E Thu, August 13 6:00-7:00 PM EVALUATION A - E Thu, August 20 9:00-10:00 PM EVALUATION F - MA Thu, August 13 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION F - MA Thu, August 20 8:00-9:00 PM EVALUATION MC - R Thu, August 13 8:00-9:00 PM EVALUATION MC - R Thu, August 20 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION S - Z Thu, August 13 9:00-10:00 PM EVALUATION S - Z Thu, August 20 6:00-7:00 PM Bantam Division (1995 & 1996 Birth Years) Conditioning Skates ($15 Each) 1.5 hr-conditioning Sun, August 2 8:30-10:00 PM 1.5 hr-conditioning Sun, August 9 4:30-6:00 PM EVALUATION A - H Mon, August 10 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION A - H Mon, August 17 9:00-10:00 PM EVALUATION I - P Mon, August 10 8:00-9:00 PM EVALUATION I - P Mon, August 17 7:00-8:00 PM EVALUATION Q - Z Mon, August 10 9:00-10:00 PM EVALUATION Q - Z Mon, August 17 8:00-9:00 PM Midget B Division (1993 & 1994 Birth Years) Conditioning Skates ($15 Each) 1.5 hr-conditioning Sun, August 2 8:30-10:00 PM 1.5 hr-conditioning Sun, August 9 6:00-7:30 PM EVALUATION A - J Tues, August 11 8:00-9:00 PM EVALUATION K - Z Tues, August 11 9:00-10:00 PM Midget BB Division ( Birth Years) Conditioning Skates (See Midget B) Evaluation Skate Wed, August 12 8:30-10:00 PM The alternative evaluation time for all divisions is: Sunday, August 2nd from 6:30-7:30 PM. If you cannot attend either of the evaluation skates, you must contact the NYHA well in advance to be scheduled into the alternative evaluation at info@noviyouthhockey.org. Your first payment is due at that time. NOT ATTENDING ANY EVALUATION SKATE PLACES A PLAYER AT A DISADVANTAGE IN THE DRAFT.

8 Your preseason edition of the NYHA FactCat has arrived! Another season of exciting hockey is right around the corner... Look inside for: House League Evaluation Schedules Conditioning Skate Times NYHA s 8th Annual Game Day Prep and Checking Clinic Times The Popular Learn To Play Hockey Program Youth Drop-In Hockey Power Shot 3 on 3 Hockey NEW!! Pre-Season Goalie Clinic! NEW!! Bring A Friend to Hockey! Return to: Novi Youth Hockey Association Arena Drive Novi, MI 48375