Shakopee Youth Hockey Association- Mite Program Guidelines Program subject to change at any time due to D6/SYHA/Minnesota Hockey program changes

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1 Shakopee Youth Hockey Association- Mite Program Guidelines Program subject to change at any time due to D6/SYHA/Minnesota Hockey program changes Welcome to the Shakopee Youth Hockey Association! We are thrilled to have you in our community. Below, please find important information that will help you to navigate through your first season. Additional information can be found on the Mite Page on the SYHA website ( If you have additional questions, please reach out to our Mite Director, Dereck Grosskurth at or (952) Program Objectives: To provide an enjoyable introduction to hockey for players of all abilities. Shakopee Youth Hockey Association (SYHA) will teach the fundamentals of individual skill development such as skating, balance, agility and puck possession/control. SYHA will stress participation and engagement and will provide a healthy environment for fun and learning. SYHA will provide an opportunity for all to play at each level. Philosophy: The Mite Development Program is the fundamental stage of the SYHA. Creating a positive, healthy environment for the youngest members of SYHA is essential to a player s long-term participation, growth and successful experience in hockey. The Mite Development Program will focus on individual age appropriate skill development for all players based on USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM). The ADM encourage a noncompetitive environment in which children and youth can learn the basic skills without the distractions that are often associated with an overemphasis on winning. Mastery of the fundamental skills and the fun of playing are essential to the development of a lifelong interest in hockey. Enjoyment and recreation are the focal points of the guidelines for youth hockey issued by USA Hockey and the SYHA Board. More information on the ADM can be found on the ADM page at USAHockey.org Program structure: The structure of the Mite Development Program is important in creating a successful experience for all players and parents. SYHA realizes that families are stretched in many directions and is committed to creating as cost-efficient and familyfriendly environment as possible. The Mite program will be divided into 6 (3 boys, 2 girls and one co-ed) classifications in order to serve the varying degrees of age, skill and ability of the participants. Team placement is determined by on-ice evaluation for Intermediate and Upper Mites/8U, but not for Mini-Mite/6U or the Rookie Mite Program. Following the preseason evaluation, participants in the Shakopee Mite Program will be placed into groups based on ability. A minimum level of proficiency will be expected before players move to the next level in order to ensure that every Mite possesses the basic fundamentals of skating, balance, agility and puck control. The importance of overall body control will be stressed at every level. The goal is to ensure that every player is ready to compete at the highest level as they grow and develop. Player Development: The SYHA Mite Development Program, based on USA Hockey s ADM, is centered on skill repetition, small area drills, station work and cross ice games. Practices are designed according to the ability level of the skaters in each group and will concentrate on the individual development of each player above all other interests. Player development is based on the following beliefs: Along with the hockey skills that are being taught, the Mite Development Program is committed to developing the life skills identified in the Philosophy section. Participants will be taught the proper way to perform skills. Practice makes permanent, not perfect. By learning to perform skills correctly, players will eliminate the formation of bad habits. Muscle memory is developed through repetition. Skills must be practiced repeatedly until performing each skill becomes second nature. The more times players practice the fundamental skills; the more success they will feel which translates into fun. Limited games. Full-ice game situations are not the best way to develop skills and often end up not being as fun as people hope. Instead, the Mite Development Program will employ various cross-ice and small area games which are shown to develop individual and team skills, promote creativity, increase involvement, and provide more opportunities for players to touch the puck. The SYHA Mite program will utilize a practice to game ratio of 3:1 once games begin

2 Evaluations & Team Assignments- Intermediate/Upper Mites and 8U: Intermediate and Upper Mite Boys Intermediate and Upper Mite boys will participate in timed evaluations and small area/ cross-ice games in late October (exact dates and times TBD) to determine their assignment to either an Intermediate or Upper Mite Team. Level assignments are based strictly on the results of these timed drills and small area/ cross-ice games. At each level (Intermediate or Upper), teams will be equally balanced by skill. 8U Girls Teams: 8U teams will be equally balanced by skill. There will be no "A" or "B" team or "Upper" and "Intermediate" levels 8U girls will participate in timed evaluations in late October (exact dates and times TBD) to help ensure that teams are equally balanced by skill level. Skill levels on teams at each level will be equally balanced based on evaluations. Teams will be determined by the Mite Coordinator and based on evaluations. Team Assignments will be posted to the Mites page on shakopeehockey.com in early November. Players will stay with their assigned team for the entire season. Players will NOT be on 2 teams. Season Schedules: Team schedules for the remainder of the season will be available shortly after teams are posted. The season runs through early March. Teams will practice twice each weekend. Scheduled times will vary from week to week. Practices will typically have multiple teams sharing the ice. Teams may also have up to 1 additional practice during the week. Timing TBD. Outdoor ice will begin as soon as it is ready and run until the city closes the outdoor rinks (mid to late February). These will be optional, supervised, unstructured, cross-ice, shinny/pond hockey style sessions. Dates/times TBD. Intermediate/Upper Mites and 8U will have 10 sessions of E-train which will be scheduled TBD. Games: In December, 1 or 2 cross-ice in-house "games" days will be scheduled. Beginning in January, teams will play games against other nearby associations. Schedule is TBD. All players will have equal playing time and lines will switch every minute, at the buzzer. Throughout the season, coaches may spend an additional small portion of their practices on scrimmages. However, the focus of the time on the ice will be developing skating and hockey skills Team Assignments- Mini-Mites and 6U: Teams There are no evaluations at the Mini/6U level. Teams will be determined by the Mite Coordinator with input from coaches. Team Assignments will be posted to the Mites page on shakopeehockey.com by early November. Players will stay with their assigned team for the entire season. Season Schedules: Team schedules for the remainder of the season will be available shortly after teams are posted. The season runs through early March. Teams will practice twice each weekend. Scheduled times will vary from week to week but will typically be between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Practices will typically have multiple teams sharing the ice. Outdoor ice will begin as soon as it is ready and run until the city closes the outdoor rinks (mid to late February). These will be optional, supervised, unstructured, cross-ice, shinny/pond hockey style sessions. Dates/times TBD. Games: We will designate specific days for games between the Mini Mite or 6U teams sharing the ice. All players will have equal playing time and lines will switch every minute, at the buzzer. Scores will not be kept. Hockey is about fun at this age. With no score posted, most of the kids come off the ice happy, feeling confident about their skills and certain that their team was successful. Throughout the season, coaches may spend an additional small portion of their practices on scrimmages. However, the focus of the time on the ice will be developing skating and hockey skills.

3 Rookie Mites: Required equipment: Helmet with approved facemask and mouth guard Elbow pads, Shin Pads and Shoulder Pads Supporter with Cup (boys) Breezers (pants) Hockey Skates and Hockey Gloves Hockey Stick straight Neck guards must be worn (District 6 rule) Mouth guard with strap attached to mask Suggestions for Purchasing Hockey Equipment Many children will be playing hockey for the first time. In the past, some parents have been confused when buying their child s required equipment. The following helpful hints may assist you in selecting the proper equipment. Size: Do not purchase any equipment, particularly skates; with the thought in mind that your child will grow into them. Helmet (recommended BLACK): Most helmets allow for size adjustments and may be worn for several years. H.E.C.C. approved helmets are MANDATORY. Face Masks: Full facial protection is required and must be approved for competition by USA Hockey. Neck guards are a District 6 requirement Mouth guard: a colored (not clear) mouth guard must be attached to the facemask of the helmet Elbow Pads: Should fit snug to the elbow area of the arm. Shoulder Pads: The cap of the pad should cover the shoulder. Straps under the arms should come down far enough to protect the collarbone and chest. (Recommend for Mite 2 and 3 levels) Hockey Gloves: Should fit snug to the hand to allow good stick control. They should have ample room for the fingers and thumb and must not be too snug in the wrist area. Be sure the cuff comes up far enough to adequately cover the wrist. Shin Pads: Must allow full protection and freedom of movement to the knee. A shin pad that is too long will interfere with the movement of the ankle. Hockey Stick: Should be cut to fit the height of the player. The stick shaft, while extended straight up & down in front of the player with the tip of the blade touching the ice, should be between the chin and the nose measured with skates on. Cutting the stick just below the nose can also make the measurement with shoes on. A junior stick for young players will allow for greater puck control and will have a narrower handle that will fit the hand better. The stick blade and the end of the shaft should be taped for better control. (No plastic street hockey sticks or plastic blades.) Breezers: Should be four to six inches larger than the player's waist size, worn with suspenders or belt. Proper length will extend several inches over the shin pad to provide full protection to the leg. The top padded portion of the pants should cover the hips, lower ribs, and kidneys. Hockey Skates: Skates are the hockey player s most important piece of equipment. Without properly fitted skates, the young hockey player is at a tremendous disadvantage. Skates should not be bought several sizes too large so a player may grow into them. Oversize skates will retard the skating development of the youngster. Skates should be slightly smaller (approximately one size to half size) than the normal shoe size. They should fit snugly with just one pair of socks. Push the toes all the way to the front of the boot. At the heel area, there should only be enough room for a pencil to fit between the heel and the back of the boot. When properly laced, players should not be able to lift their heels and their toes should be able to move. Rapidly growing youngster may outgrow more than one pair of skates in a season. Skates need to be sharpen every week or two. Other equipment which may be needed: hockey bag, tape, extra skate laces, skate guards (to protect the blades) and a towel to wipe off skates. Here is an article by Scott Paluch, Equipment Manager for USA Hockey with more information regarding purchasing equipment: Full equipment is required. Equipment rental available for the season for $25. Contact Jim jim.grabianowski@gmail.com

4 SYHA provided equipment: Jersey and hockey socks Goalie equipment consisting of leg pads, chest & arm pads, blocker glove, catcher glove and stick is provided by SYH Coaching Development and Support: For many players and parents, the coach will be their first contact with the sport of hockey. The impression the coach makes upon players and parents will have a lasting effect on their perception of the game of hockey and SYHA. It is critical that we have coaches who can relate to children and teach the skills that will ensure ALL participants are successful and enjoy their experience playing the game. The coach plays a prominent role in the lives of players in the program and helps to shape their view of hockey by his/her actions and attitudes. Coaches will be the first point of contact for players while on the ice and should teach the players to: Play for the love of the game. Respect the opponent, officials and facilities. Work for the good of the team. Play within the rules of the game. Be humble in victory and graceful in defeat. Always conduct themselves with honor and pride. Love the game. Volunteering to coach children is a worthy task that demands responsibility. The SYHA is committed to working with and supporting all individuals willing to take on the responsibilities of coaching in the Mite Development Program. To fulfill that commitment, SYHA will: Train coaches how to teach skills properly. Provide resources for coaches to use in planning practices and teaching skills. Hold meetings prior to the season to explain the program and what is expected of coaches. Provide a mechanism to support coaches throughout the season and keep them on track and enthused about the program. Encourage coaches to stay the course skill development is the single most important aspect of the program. Develop a coaches curriculum that will give all coaches access to a wide variety of drills and exercises that will help them teach the specified skills. Promote USA Hockey s Coach s Code of Conduct Parent Involvement: The success of the Mite Development Program relies greatly on the commitment and conduct of parents. We ask that you help support the programs in the following ways: Ensure that your player is at practice on-time and ready to skate. Communicate directly with coaches whenever you have a question or concern. Conduct yourself in a positive, healthy way by following USA Hockey s Parents Code of Conduct. Players require a good example as opposed to criticism. Help make your child s participation rewarding for all participants. Be understanding and supportive of the coach and the officials. The coach is a volunteer and is giving his/her personal time, at his/her expense, to help provide a positive experience for your child. Support and assist the program in a positive manner. The parent is the most important example to which a child can relate. Be everything you want your child to be. If you have any questions or concerns about the Mite Development Program, feel free to bring them to your child s coach or the Mite Director.

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