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Were you born in the 40's or 50's? I was. I followed the "Original 6" NHL hockey teams through season after season. Tim Horton, Bobby Baun, Maurice Richard. Then came Bobby Orr, Wayne and Mario, too. We watched all these great players banging and crashing through playoff after playoff. Cheering with every hit. Recall the hit on Gretzky in Toronto by an unknown Leaf that almost knocked Gretz out. It was a good clean hit - no elbows, no stick a good open ice hit.

Hitting or body contact is one of the tactics of hockey. Good clean hits, executed for the right reasons and timed properly is the essence of hockey. Take body contact away and you get those good skills showing up but the game lacks that intensity.

Having played hockey for over 40 years (yes I'm showing my age, now) I have grown up with contact hockey. It was always thus! So as Hockey-Alberta sets in motion a planned approach to reintroduce checking into Atom hockey I am relieved that we are putting contact back into the game.

Some of the concerns:

Injuries

In body checking players do get hurt. I received bruised ribs one time while the other guy dislocated his shoulder. It was a hard hit delivered by me but I was back in the game the next day. Tough? Not really, I just loved the game.

Habits

Taking contact out of lower lever hockey (12 years and younger) is a detriment to those young players who form their hockey habits at a younger age and it becomes difficult to change and begin hitting at an older age.

Risk Management

To manage risk when bringing contact back into hockey there needs to be proper coach, referee and player training. The phasing of contact back into hockey is a good approach but Hockey-Alberta seems to be going backwards working the phasing into Bantam and Pee Wee as well, where checking is already instituted.

Referees

Hockey-Alberta is proposing to change rules to make body contact safer and reduce injuries. While this is a worthy cause, it is not necessary if only the referees called the existing rules according to the rulebook. The young referees coming into the system need to be taught about proper checking techniques so they can recognize an improper one and call it according to the rules, accordingly.

Coaches

There is an initiative to put coaches through another day of training on checking. So far coaches or team reps must have Coach Level and/or Initiation Level coaching certificate (2 1/2 days), Harassment and Abuse training (1day) and Safety Program training (1 day) and meetings with parents, their hockey association, etc., before anyone hits the ice. This has been recognized as excessive from much feedback to the powers to be and improvements are on the way.

Research

Hockey-Alberta is proposing to continue ongoing research into injuries from contact hockey and so it should. However realize the results will show that body contact causes injuries. Surprised? Don't be, it's part of the game. Get over it.

With proper training in body contact, allowing kids to learn contact during their formative years in hockey, calling the penalties for improper checking according the current rules and continuing a research initiative will result in a better game with full contact as it was way back when I was growing up.

Volunteering

Did you know that there are about 41,000 hockey teams in Canada? Each team needs at least one and usually 3 or more volunteers to run the team. I won't go into the duties of all these volunteers but it works out to over 120,000 volunteers, every year, just so our kids can play hockey. Think about it! 120,000 people needed to run our hockey teams in Canada! Now, take into account the behind the scenes volunteers in every association and then all the other sports, (soccer, baseball, lacrosse, football etc.) clubs and associations that also need volunteers as well as hospitals, schools and daycares. The list goes on and on.

I'm sure that you can imagine, from these numbers that there is a shortage of volunteers. Plus, volunteering seems to be declining in recent years for no apparent reason. If you're not contributing by volunteering, here are just some of the excuses we've heard over the years...

"I'm not going to put up with angry abusive parents."
"Its too expensive to coach with all the courses you have to take."
"I don't have time with all my kids going in different directions."
"The work load is to much for me to volunteer for that job."
….the list goes on.

What part can you play in volunteering?

As a volunteer for many years in a hockey association I can honestly say that there are a lot of reasons other than the above for not volunteering. Now your probably saying "Are you trying to discourage us from volunteering?" No! On the contrary! There are more reasons "to" volunteer, than not!

Putting your skills to good use
Everyone has a particular skill that can be used in a volunteer capacity. Maybe your career isn't using that particular skill and volunteering gives you a chance to use it.

Volunteering allows you to complain, officially
We have all complained about how an organization is run, how a coach handles situations, or how did my child get put on "that" team! Volunteering allows you to not only complain but to do something about it. As a minimum it allows you to understand why things are done the way they are.

Making changes to things that you observed from the sidelines
As you sit on the sidelines or stand with your nose on the glass, we all see things that we know we can do better. Then "DO IT". Volunteering allows you to try your hand at making things better. Making those changes you feel necessary.

Satisfaction of a job well done
Everyone needs to know they have done a job and done it well. Satisfaction comes with completing a job to the satisfaction of the membership of your organization. Get Involved!

Working with other dedicated volunteers
Dedicated volunteerism is contagious. That enthusiasm you get from someone who selflessly goes beyond what you thought was enough work. You learn how dedicated some people are and they become your mentor. We all need good mentors. Volunteering provides great mentors.

Networking
Networking is the essence of business. Whether it's a company, an association, or just meeting new friends, networking is always interesting. As you volunteer, you will meet such a different group of friends who can contribute in numerous ways in the association, in business or as you meet in the local shopping mall.

There are many more reasons to volunteer but as you contemplate your son or daughter's participation in their next sport, think about all the work that goes on behind the scenes and the hours of volunteering that happens without your knowledge. Why not get involved?

If you choose NOT to volunteer feel free to use the above excuses but please don't complain. Complaining without volunteering is one of the biggest problem volunteers have. Please join in and find out where your strength's lie.

For some inspiration please read about Bruce Page and Jim McGinnis, two exceptional volunteers highlighted on our website at:
http://www.on-icemagazine.com/volunteers.htm

If you want to recognize a volunteer who has stood out among others please contact us at:
http://www.on-icemagazine.com/Contact_Us.htm
We will publish your article on the site.

Change causes controversy!
In the 2002/2003 season, all age categories are changing, making this one of the major changes in the Canadian hockey world.

The age change proposal was first tabled at the May 1999 CHA meeting in
Ottawa and was submitted by the Ottawa District Hockey Association. (ODHA)

The proposal was to increase the number of years that a player stays at Midget level to three years from two. This change will affect all other age divisions!

One major factor for the age change was that the professional scouting minimum age criteria was 15 years and scouts were observing these players in the Bantam ranks and missing the 16/17 year olds playing in Midget. On the other side, 17 year old Midgets were leaving Midget to play in the Junior ranks. The overall affect was to significantly reduce the midget ranks of skilled players.

Using a local hockey association ratio of the percentage of Midgets this translates to a national percentage 8.3% of the 600,000 Canadian players or 50,000 players that will be specifically affected by this age change. The remaining 550,000 players will also be affected in the efforts to accommodate the Midget requirements. You can form you own opinions around that one!

The three-year age grouping for the Midget age group is different than all the other groups that remain at a two-year commitment. Hockey associations now have to determine how to split up the midget category. Do they go with one three year group, a one year group and a two year group or three one year groups. In some associations a new Juvenile category has been created.

From a social perspective, there will be players spanning three different grades in
school, which can be a big difference at that age. From the size perspective most 15,16 and17 year olds have reached a growth level that starts to even out for all of them. This is not as significant an issue now.

The affect on the other age groups may raise concerns as the change takes affect in the 2002/2003 season. In Bantam, the number of players will increase. This puts pressure on associations to find additional, later time-slot, ice times when there was very little to begin with. Bantam levels tend to use a longer ice time for games. Pee Wee players will now be 11and 12 year olds and the size difference may be minimized, as players at this age have not begun their growth spurt yet. Novice and Atom players will find a slight change for the first year, at least because they will be playing with different kids than last year.
Initiation players will not have the 7-year-olds to compete with and so should improve their skills by competing with players who are closer in age.

With this major change, many Hockey Associations are taking the opportunity to make other significant changes that may go unnoticed because of the controversies generated from the age change. Contact is now allowed at the Atom (9-10 year olds). This is not such a big issue because contact should be allowed at all levels. The younger players don't hit that much, if at all and the game is easier to call from the referee's perspective. A new Juvenile category may be added in some associations. This adds confusion about tournament eligibility across associations when the age groups conflict. Recreational Leagues (no playoffs, no hitting, no slap shots, etc.) are springing up and taking away from the numbers of mainstream players. This may be a positive step because it allows the "non-competitive" players to play the game at their own pace. In effect, this may increase the number of players in the game.

The controversy that these changes cause will require associations to deal with more issues than they normally deal with, however with the normal cool heads that parents have throughout the hockey world the changes will go smoothly.

Won't they! ED.

In September you begin to run around gathering up equipment, new or used, for
your young player and then the "evaluation" process begins. In October
exhibition games are held to ensure you son or daughter is placed on the correct
team for their skill level. November begins the season, along with games,
practices, the travel, the cold the snow. Christmas shopping starts in December
and the rush is on. The first half of the season is over. In January we are all back
at the rinks with new equipment and lots of enthusiasm. Minor Hockey Week -
the biggest tournament in Canada sees all minor hockey players playing their
hearts out. The March playoffs begin and everyone is cheering for their team to
win, or at least earn a reasonable place in the final standings, for summer
bragging rights.

Whew, it's over! The hockey season is finally done! No more rinks, cold, snow,
rink food! It's done! Not so! The NHL playoff run is just starting! Team Canada is
playing an international tournament in Sweden, the Junior A's are playing for the
Royal Bank Cup in Halifax and the AAA Midgets are playing to earn the Air
Canada Cup in Bathurst NB. We all watch in earnest our beloved home team,
either NHL, Team Canada, Jr. A or Midgets in the final run to their playoff spot,
not thinking that we have over three more months of hockey left. Three more
months of trying to tear your self away from the tube. Two NHL hockey games
per night - that's 6 hours of TV without the pre and post game shows. Then
there's Team Canada, Junior A's and Midgets.

You have just spent two nights a week over seven months in an arena, now you
have to watch 6 hours a night of hockey on TV. I say, "have to" because most
stations carry the game and preempt your favourite program, and because you
just can't tear your self away from the excitement of watching the action.

June will be here fast enough and, hopefully, a Canadian team will win the
Stanley Cup. The hockey season will finally wind down for another year. The kids
will be out on their bikes and skateboards or off to camp, maybe a hockey camp.
Its time to enjoy the great weather, the great outdoors. This new season
requires a different focus on safety, particularly on bicycles and there is a great
article on bike safety this month.

Watch out. There's only two and a half months to the start of the next season.
Enjoy the short summer. ED.

ARE YOU AN ADULT?

Are you adult enough to keep your cool?

Some people lose it occasionally and there are rules to govern this behaviour. I have to confess, I have been thrown out of a couple hockey games in my career, and it's not a pleasant experience! Normally you learn your lesson from your suspension and life goes on.

However when your behaviour goes beyond "losing it" and things get out of hand what happens?

As an executive of a Hockey Association, I have recently had the unpleasant experience of being involved in the suspension of two parents. In all my 40 plus years of hockey and other sports experiences I have never witnessed the type of behaviour on or off the ice that I did with these two parents. I will not get into the details but suffice to say that both parents were suspended from any minor hockey arena their children play in until the season is over! And, should the behaviour continue in contravention of the suspension then the player is suspended, and on down the line to the coach and then the team. I have yet to see it go beyond the parent, but stranger things have happened.

Those are the rules! Parents and players are required to sign a FairPlay Pledge Form at the beginning of the season. This document clearly outlines what is acceptable behaviour and it is critical that the parents be held to these disciplines not only to maintain order inside and outside the arena, but also to set the example for the players, their children!

When a parent's unacceptable behaviour isn't dealt with, what kind of message does this give to the rest of the players and parents? Although it is not an easy decision to make to suspend a parent, it is one that must be made and enforced so that the message is clear that the behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Now here is the editorial message.

Keep your cool.

Act like a "grown up".

Be aware that your behaviour is being observed by the players, coaches and parents of both teams!

CHEER!

Cheer for everyone, groan for the missed goals and celebrate the great goals…on both teams. Why not? They're only kids and it's only a game!

Cheer for the referee calls too. There will always be some calls you don't agree with but you're not out there with the whistle! It's not easy being a ref! Try it sometime. And remember some of the refs are kids too and they do hear you.

And lastly, coaches, your behaviour on the bench is reflected in your player's actions, whether you like it or not. If you want to see what you're like, watch yourself in your players. I have heard of a survey taken long ago where kids responded that the person they most looked up to most was a hockey coach, then a teacher then a parent, in that order. Something to remember. ED.

MINOR HOCKEY WEEK MEDALS

I recently attended a level 6 Pee Wee Minor Hockey Week GOLD MEDAL hockey game and was reminiscing about my playing days in Pee Wee.

The game was well played a few usual penalties, some good goals and great plays as best they could at a Pee Wee age. I waited around to the end of the game and watched as the MVP trophies were handed out to the delight of the player and the glee of the parents.

I watched as the announcer handed out the medals to the players on the winning team. Each player fondled his or her medal with the expertise of a gold smith, checking every word and feeling the weight of the medal. Then triumphantly stringing the medal around their necks like true champions, as if they had won the Olympic gold medal. Well, they did win a gold medal! Pee Wee Gold Medal champs in Minor Hockey Week! Something they will remember forever.

The announcer then began handing out medals for the other team; the silver medal champs in Minor Hockey Week. Again each player began to fondle their medal but not with the same enthusiasm as the Gold Medal winners but ecstatic about receiving a medal just the same.

All the parents were so proud of their player, win or lose.

As we were leaving I commented to another parent saying that when I played, many years ago our team was lucky to receive a trophy let alone an MVP medal and individual player medals for winners and losers alike! Oh well, things change and for the better. Now isn't that what hockey is about? ED.