FAC eoff
FACeoff Volume XVIII Issue 8 April, 2016
The Official Scorecard of Moorhead Youth Hockey MYHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2015-2016 Brian Stavenger President Executive Committee Equipment
Reviewing and Planning Season
Brent Teiken Vice President Gaming Liaison, Finance Executive Committee
I hope you are all enjoying spring as we have turned the page from a great hockey season! This becomes a time of reviewing and planning for the Board, the staff and me. In addition to our annual meeting, election of new board members, and monthly board meetings, there are many other committee meetings to ensure we build upon the things we do well and develop new ideas that will help us grow and improve:
Mike Simonich Treasurer, Finance Executive Committee Equipment Chair
Executive Committee – The executive committee meets to identify key initiatives for the upcoming year that will keep MYHA on track with our strategic plan and start the budgeting process.
Anne Norris Gaming Manager Rob Gramer Executive Director Julie Durgin Board Secretary, Office Manager Dennis Bushy Arena Manager, Scheduler Angie Searls Membership Sara Owen Fundraising Josh Krieg Membership Mark Hendrickson Fundraising Johnathan Judd Corey Delorme Tournament Co-Directors Jeremy Gregoire Hockey Director Jon Ammerman Hockey Committee
Tournament Committee – the tournament committee meets to review what went well and areas for improvement in our tournaments, and is already preparing to fill next year’s tournaments. Membership Committee – the membership committee meets to review things that impact our members such as registration, volunteer responsibilities, member communications, community outreach, picture schedules, banquets, etc. Fundraising Committee – the fundraising committee meets to review our overall fundraising initiatives to improve what we currently have in place as well as develop new ideas that will help bring maturity to our financial structure and continue to keep hockey accessible and affordable for our kids in Moorhead. Staff – In addition to supporting these committees and executing their plans, the staff is working on improving our internal business processes so we can enhance our ability to deliver great service to our members. And, Mr. Bushy and the arena staff are working on arena maintenance and improvements to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our players and families that will help provide a great experience at the rink. Enjoy all your spring and summer activities! We look forward to seeing you back at the rink next year!
Emily Sell Hockey Committee
Off Season Office Hours 8:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday Phone: 218.233.5021
Rob Gramer MYHA Executive Director
FOMO and Youth Sports Specialization By Michael Rand - Special to USA Hockey Dr. James Andrews, who has performed countless career-saving surgeries on top-level athletes and is perhaps the most famed sports surgeon on the planet, was recently quoted in the Orlando Sentinel as saying, “Don’t treat 6- and 7-year-old kids like they’re professional athletes. They’re not ready for that level of high-intensity training.” He extended that message for youth athletes at older ages, pleading for time off between seasons and within sports to help curb the rash of injuries incurred by young athletes. Still, parents are reluctant to heed the advice. So let’s amplify it with another source: Dr. Jason Richardson, a former Pan-Am Games gold medal-winning BMX racer who now works with athletes of all ages and disciplines. We’ll start here: “I can point to a number of pro athletes I know who took some time off and that was maybe to play another sport or do something else and came back to it and they were better,” he says. Fear of Missing Out Still not convinced? Well, let’s keep going and examine the reasons why. Part of it could be coming from a place of fear. “The fear of missing out is the exact reason that some parents – and kids to a certain degree – want to stick with one sport,” Richardson says. What he means is parents can have the best intentions and even be aware of potential risks associated with early specialization but still be driven to make decisions because they’re trying to keep up with those around them. “Your kids are playing sports, and it becomes almost a status thing to be on a travel team or club team. I’m learning as a parent there are different ranges of that,” Richardson says. “There is this fear that everyone else is playing and getting better and receiving coaching and all of the above.” Adds Richardson: “As great as Malcolm Gladwell is as a writer, the 10,000 hours thing has been taken too far,” referencing a work by the author that builds a case for 10,000 hours of practice being the hallmark for success in any given discipline. Physical Impact The impact of early specialization on young bodies can be seen in repetitive stress injuries. “If that’s all you do, your body tends to morph into that position,” Richardson says. “So you develop these strengths, which are great, except for the fact that the more you develop those strengths the more you develop compensations.” Participating in a wider range of athletic activities, on the other hand, helps build complementary muscles and skills. “You’re recruiting, literally, other muscles – some supportive – to develop in a more complete way,” Richardson says. “And from a brain standpoint, I think you’re able to look at your core competency from a different perspective. So I do think it’s healthier. … I think you can have a focus. You can have the one thing you like and go for. But I do think some breaks and diversity is not only warranted for health reasons but also to help you excel in the thing you really like to do.” Richardson gave an example from his own life. He initially rejected the idea from a health practitioner that yoga would be a good supplement to his BMX racing. As years went by and nagging injuries mounted, he got off the bike, tried yoga and felt better. “My body needed to spend time in the opposite position it was used to,” he says. Mental Impact The mental impact of avoiding early specialization, too, cannot be overstated. Richardson, 41, again draws on personal experience. “I always raced, but while a lot of my peers were doing it on a national level at a younger age, I was not. It was my hobby. I was into skateboarding, running around the neighborhood,” Richardson says. “I stayed refreshed. By the time I got back on my bike, I was appreciative of it.” While Richardson understands that the natural athletic seasons of his youth might have given way to a new type of thinking, he also finds it “ridiculous that we have to remind ourselves” that too much of something can be a bad thing. “I think it’s sucking the fun out of it for a lot of children and it’s too much, too soon,” he adds. “If we’re talking about children and their development, it stands to reason we want them to have a healthy development.” As for the argument that kids want to be on the ice all the time … “Even then I think it’s the parent’s responsibility to say, ‘Hey, let’s take a break this time and do this.’ Just to break it up a little,” Richardson says. “It doesn’t mean you’re discouraging them, just redirecting.” And at the end of the day, you’ll develop a healthier child from a mental and physical standpoint – and quite possibly a better player, too. Thanks, Jeremy Gregoire, Hockey Director
Mark your Calendar: Check our website for exact practice/game times and more info! May 2………...…MYHA Annual Meeting May 18..…………………...Board Meeting May 30 ...….Office Closed-Memorial Day www.moorheadyouthhockey.com
RECYCLING NOTICE: You are welcome to bring your aluminum cans to Minnkota Recycling and tell them they are for Moorhead Youth Hockey. Moorhead Youth Hockey will receive the rebate check back from the cans. Thank you!! DON’T THROW THOSE DEAD INK CARTRIDGES! Please turn in your used printer ink cartridges to the drop off box in the MYHA lobby. We earn cash for each one we turn in for recycling/ refilling so it's an easy way for us to make money for our organization! Accepting small and large cartridges! (sorry, no toner tubes or tanks) Lisa Schmidt
OFF SEASON OFFICE HOURS 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday through Thursday
PLAN TO ATTEND: Moorhead Youth Hockey Association’s ANNUAL MEETING Monday, May 2, 2016 7:00 pm Moorhead Youth Hockey Arena South Rink
Parents! Out for a relaxing evening? Stop by one of the MYHA supporters and have fun playing bingo or pull tabs! Gaming is a vital component to reducing costs of youth hockey for the members of Moorhead Youth Hockey Association. Please consider patronizing one of our MYHA gaming sites:
Mainline Dave’s Southside Tap Moorhead Billiards Red Hen Tap House
MEETING NOTICE The Board of Directors of Moorhead Youth Hockey meets on the third Wednesday of each month. At each meeting the financial records of the association and its gaming subsidiary are available to review by the members of the association. All members are invited to attend. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 18th at 7:00pm, in the MYHA Boar d Room. If you would like to be added to the agenda please contact Julie Durgin at 233-5021 or email [email protected] at least one week prior to the meeting.
ATTENTION ***ROOKIE ***MITE***8 U*** (AND SUMMER Squirt / 10U)
Tobolt has set the date for the equipment exchange!! Thursday, May 19th @ Hockey Zone 415 Main Ave—Moorhead, MN
Moorhead Hockey Girls Club For 2016-2017 levels—8U, 10U, 12U, 15U, High School This program will feature 18 1-hour ice sessions and 12 30-minute off-ice sessions. Part of the time will feature skill based drills and part will feature game time. The emphasis of the game time will be to teach the game through game situations. The games will consist of half and cross-ice set ups. The off-ice sessions will count towards the MYHA puck challenge. *Groups will be split by age and skill ability. You will receive an email for which group your child is in for on-ice and off-ice sessions. Check the newsfeed for more info!
Cost (Includes 18 ice sessions, 12 off-ice sessions, and a jersey) Early bird pricing (Before May 20th): $150 May 21st or later: $175 Dates set are: June: Sundays, (5th, 12th, 19th) Mondays (6th, 13th, 20th) and Thursdays (9th, 16th, 23th) July: Sundays (10th, 17th, 24th) Mondays (11th, 18th, 25th) and Thursdays (14th, 21st, 28th) September: Mondays (5th, 12th, 19th) and Thursdays (8th, 15th, 22nd)
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Any questions can be directed to Emily Sell at 701-770-7242 or [email protected]
Mite/8U Q-and-A: Go Climb a Tree By Roger Grillo, USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager Q: Now that hockey season is over, what is the most important thing that I can do as a parent
to assure my child is ready for next season? A: When we’re talking about young athletes, especially young hockey players, the most important
thing you can do during the offseason to ensure your child’s continued hockey development is to take a break from hockey. I know this might sound counterintuitive, but it’s true. Science tells us that 8U hockey players are in their suppleness window of trainability in relation to long-term athlete development principles. This means that athletes in this age group are especially receptive to flexibility training and initial development of all-around athleticism. It’s a time when these young athletes can more easily engineer their bodies to be injury-resistant, stronger and more coordinated, the benefits of which extend into adulthood. Because of this, it’s important that 8U players take advantage of this heightened state of suppleness receptivity. The best way to do it is by experiencing a variety of sports and physical activities. Doing so forces young athletes to use diverse body movements and muscle groups, which is absolutely critical to building the strong base of flexibility and athleticism necessary to reach full potential in hockey. Additionally, varying the type of physical activity also reduces the risk of overuse injuries that single-sport specialists often suffer. I’ve met very few, if any, elite hockey players who weren’t exceptional athletes at their core. They became great athletes by experiencing multiple sports as young kids, and many have told me that playing multiple sports helped them become better hockey players. Beyond the physical benefits of taking an offseason break from hockey, there are important emotional benefits, too. A change of sporting scenery is especially valuable for children. It keeps them fresh and excited for each new season. That renewed passion fuels their development. So as the weather gets nicer and the hockey season ends, have your kids go out and experience some variety this offseason. Swimming, baseball, lacrosse, gymnastics, tennis or even climbing trees – these are all great for helping your 8U child become the best hockey player they can be. Believe it or not, zipping up the hockey bag and stuffing it in the offseason attic can be the most beneficial thing a parent can do for their young player’s hockey development. Thanks, Jeremy Gregoire, Hockey Director
The Rink Report…… The off-season is still a busy time at the rink. We are ripping out the flooring in the locker rooms, making way for the new and improved. Lockers and the hallways are getting a fresh coat of paint, and new benches will be installed. We just held the Valley Vintage 40th Annual Car Show, and it was a great success! Ice will start going back in towards the end of May so we are ready for Pepsi Cup Tournaments in June and Blueline Hockey School which starts June 6. Dennis Bushy, Arena Manager
Moorhead Youth Hockey 707 SE Main Ave. Moorhead, MN 56560 www.moorheadyouthhockey.com RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Minnesota Wild Learn to Play Hockey Program-Coming to the Moorhead Youth Arena this fall!! Over 700* boys and girls ages 5-8 (born between August 1, 2008 and August 1, 2011) will discover the sport of hockey through four (4) hours of introductory practices in their own, complete set (includes skates) of Total Hockey CCM “Little Wild” branded hockey equipment thanks to the combined efforts of the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Hockey, CCM, and Total Hockey.
*Must be a NEW hockey player in Minnesota to participate. NOTE: This program is in NO WAY a part of Moorhead Youth Hockey. It is presented by the Minnesota WILD in conjunction with Minnesota Hockey.
The Official Scorecard of Moorhead Youth Hockey MYHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2015-2016 Brian Stavenger President Executive Committee Equipment
Reviewing and Planning Season
Brent Teiken Vice President Gaming Liaison, Finance Executive Committee
I hope you are all enjoying spring as we have turned the page from a great hockey season! This becomes a time of reviewing and planning for the Board, the staff and me. In addition to our annual meeting, election of new board members, and monthly board meetings, there are many other committee meetings to ensure we build upon the things we do well and develop new ideas that will help us grow and improve:
Mike Simonich Treasurer, Finance Executive Committee Equipment Chair
Executive Committee – The executive committee meets to identify key initiatives for the upcoming year that will keep MYHA on track with our strategic plan and start the budgeting process.
Anne Norris Gaming Manager Rob Gramer Executive Director Julie Durgin Board Secretary, Office Manager Dennis Bushy Arena Manager, Scheduler Angie Searls Membership Sara Owen Fundraising Josh Krieg Membership Mark Hendrickson Fundraising Johnathan Judd Corey Delorme Tournament Co-Directors Jeremy Gregoire Hockey Director Jon Ammerman Hockey Committee
Tournament Committee – the tournament committee meets to review what went well and areas for improvement in our tournaments, and is already preparing to fill next year’s tournaments. Membership Committee – the membership committee meets to review things that impact our members such as registration, volunteer responsibilities, member communications, community outreach, picture schedules, banquets, etc. Fundraising Committee – the fundraising committee meets to review our overall fundraising initiatives to improve what we currently have in place as well as develop new ideas that will help bring maturity to our financial structure and continue to keep hockey accessible and affordable for our kids in Moorhead. Staff – In addition to supporting these committees and executing their plans, the staff is working on improving our internal business processes so we can enhance our ability to deliver great service to our members. And, Mr. Bushy and the arena staff are working on arena maintenance and improvements to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our players and families that will help provide a great experience at the rink. Enjoy all your spring and summer activities! We look forward to seeing you back at the rink next year!
Emily Sell Hockey Committee
Off Season Office Hours 8:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday Phone: 218.233.5021
Rob Gramer MYHA Executive Director
FOMO and Youth Sports Specialization By Michael Rand - Special to USA Hockey Dr. James Andrews, who has performed countless career-saving surgeries on top-level athletes and is perhaps the most famed sports surgeon on the planet, was recently quoted in the Orlando Sentinel as saying, “Don’t treat 6- and 7-year-old kids like they’re professional athletes. They’re not ready for that level of high-intensity training.” He extended that message for youth athletes at older ages, pleading for time off between seasons and within sports to help curb the rash of injuries incurred by young athletes. Still, parents are reluctant to heed the advice. So let’s amplify it with another source: Dr. Jason Richardson, a former Pan-Am Games gold medal-winning BMX racer who now works with athletes of all ages and disciplines. We’ll start here: “I can point to a number of pro athletes I know who took some time off and that was maybe to play another sport or do something else and came back to it and they were better,” he says. Fear of Missing Out Still not convinced? Well, let’s keep going and examine the reasons why. Part of it could be coming from a place of fear. “The fear of missing out is the exact reason that some parents – and kids to a certain degree – want to stick with one sport,” Richardson says. What he means is parents can have the best intentions and even be aware of potential risks associated with early specialization but still be driven to make decisions because they’re trying to keep up with those around them. “Your kids are playing sports, and it becomes almost a status thing to be on a travel team or club team. I’m learning as a parent there are different ranges of that,” Richardson says. “There is this fear that everyone else is playing and getting better and receiving coaching and all of the above.” Adds Richardson: “As great as Malcolm Gladwell is as a writer, the 10,000 hours thing has been taken too far,” referencing a work by the author that builds a case for 10,000 hours of practice being the hallmark for success in any given discipline. Physical Impact The impact of early specialization on young bodies can be seen in repetitive stress injuries. “If that’s all you do, your body tends to morph into that position,” Richardson says. “So you develop these strengths, which are great, except for the fact that the more you develop those strengths the more you develop compensations.” Participating in a wider range of athletic activities, on the other hand, helps build complementary muscles and skills. “You’re recruiting, literally, other muscles – some supportive – to develop in a more complete way,” Richardson says. “And from a brain standpoint, I think you’re able to look at your core competency from a different perspective. So I do think it’s healthier. … I think you can have a focus. You can have the one thing you like and go for. But I do think some breaks and diversity is not only warranted for health reasons but also to help you excel in the thing you really like to do.” Richardson gave an example from his own life. He initially rejected the idea from a health practitioner that yoga would be a good supplement to his BMX racing. As years went by and nagging injuries mounted, he got off the bike, tried yoga and felt better. “My body needed to spend time in the opposite position it was used to,” he says. Mental Impact The mental impact of avoiding early specialization, too, cannot be overstated. Richardson, 41, again draws on personal experience. “I always raced, but while a lot of my peers were doing it on a national level at a younger age, I was not. It was my hobby. I was into skateboarding, running around the neighborhood,” Richardson says. “I stayed refreshed. By the time I got back on my bike, I was appreciative of it.” While Richardson understands that the natural athletic seasons of his youth might have given way to a new type of thinking, he also finds it “ridiculous that we have to remind ourselves” that too much of something can be a bad thing. “I think it’s sucking the fun out of it for a lot of children and it’s too much, too soon,” he adds. “If we’re talking about children and their development, it stands to reason we want them to have a healthy development.” As for the argument that kids want to be on the ice all the time … “Even then I think it’s the parent’s responsibility to say, ‘Hey, let’s take a break this time and do this.’ Just to break it up a little,” Richardson says. “It doesn’t mean you’re discouraging them, just redirecting.” And at the end of the day, you’ll develop a healthier child from a mental and physical standpoint – and quite possibly a better player, too. Thanks, Jeremy Gregoire, Hockey Director
Mark your Calendar: Check our website for exact practice/game times and more info! May 2………...…MYHA Annual Meeting May 18..…………………...Board Meeting May 30 ...….Office Closed-Memorial Day www.moorheadyouthhockey.com
RECYCLING NOTICE: You are welcome to bring your aluminum cans to Minnkota Recycling and tell them they are for Moorhead Youth Hockey. Moorhead Youth Hockey will receive the rebate check back from the cans. Thank you!! DON’T THROW THOSE DEAD INK CARTRIDGES! Please turn in your used printer ink cartridges to the drop off box in the MYHA lobby. We earn cash for each one we turn in for recycling/ refilling so it's an easy way for us to make money for our organization! Accepting small and large cartridges! (sorry, no toner tubes or tanks) Lisa Schmidt
OFF SEASON OFFICE HOURS 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday through Thursday
PLAN TO ATTEND: Moorhead Youth Hockey Association’s ANNUAL MEETING Monday, May 2, 2016 7:00 pm Moorhead Youth Hockey Arena South Rink
Parents! Out for a relaxing evening? Stop by one of the MYHA supporters and have fun playing bingo or pull tabs! Gaming is a vital component to reducing costs of youth hockey for the members of Moorhead Youth Hockey Association. Please consider patronizing one of our MYHA gaming sites:
Mainline Dave’s Southside Tap Moorhead Billiards Red Hen Tap House
MEETING NOTICE The Board of Directors of Moorhead Youth Hockey meets on the third Wednesday of each month. At each meeting the financial records of the association and its gaming subsidiary are available to review by the members of the association. All members are invited to attend. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 18th at 7:00pm, in the MYHA Boar d Room. If you would like to be added to the agenda please contact Julie Durgin at 233-5021 or email [email protected] at least one week prior to the meeting.
ATTENTION ***ROOKIE ***MITE***8 U*** (AND SUMMER Squirt / 10U)
Tobolt has set the date for the equipment exchange!! Thursday, May 19th @ Hockey Zone 415 Main Ave—Moorhead, MN
Moorhead Hockey Girls Club For 2016-2017 levels—8U, 10U, 12U, 15U, High School This program will feature 18 1-hour ice sessions and 12 30-minute off-ice sessions. Part of the time will feature skill based drills and part will feature game time. The emphasis of the game time will be to teach the game through game situations. The games will consist of half and cross-ice set ups. The off-ice sessions will count towards the MYHA puck challenge. *Groups will be split by age and skill ability. You will receive an email for which group your child is in for on-ice and off-ice sessions. Check the newsfeed for more info!
Cost (Includes 18 ice sessions, 12 off-ice sessions, and a jersey) Early bird pricing (Before May 20th): $150 May 21st or later: $175 Dates set are: June: Sundays, (5th, 12th, 19th) Mondays (6th, 13th, 20th) and Thursdays (9th, 16th, 23th) July: Sundays (10th, 17th, 24th) Mondays (11th, 18th, 25th) and Thursdays (14th, 21st, 28th) September: Mondays (5th, 12th, 19th) and Thursdays (8th, 15th, 22nd)
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Any questions can be directed to Emily Sell at 701-770-7242 or [email protected]
Mite/8U Q-and-A: Go Climb a Tree By Roger Grillo, USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager Q: Now that hockey season is over, what is the most important thing that I can do as a parent
to assure my child is ready for next season? A: When we’re talking about young athletes, especially young hockey players, the most important
thing you can do during the offseason to ensure your child’s continued hockey development is to take a break from hockey. I know this might sound counterintuitive, but it’s true. Science tells us that 8U hockey players are in their suppleness window of trainability in relation to long-term athlete development principles. This means that athletes in this age group are especially receptive to flexibility training and initial development of all-around athleticism. It’s a time when these young athletes can more easily engineer their bodies to be injury-resistant, stronger and more coordinated, the benefits of which extend into adulthood. Because of this, it’s important that 8U players take advantage of this heightened state of suppleness receptivity. The best way to do it is by experiencing a variety of sports and physical activities. Doing so forces young athletes to use diverse body movements and muscle groups, which is absolutely critical to building the strong base of flexibility and athleticism necessary to reach full potential in hockey. Additionally, varying the type of physical activity also reduces the risk of overuse injuries that single-sport specialists often suffer. I’ve met very few, if any, elite hockey players who weren’t exceptional athletes at their core. They became great athletes by experiencing multiple sports as young kids, and many have told me that playing multiple sports helped them become better hockey players. Beyond the physical benefits of taking an offseason break from hockey, there are important emotional benefits, too. A change of sporting scenery is especially valuable for children. It keeps them fresh and excited for each new season. That renewed passion fuels their development. So as the weather gets nicer and the hockey season ends, have your kids go out and experience some variety this offseason. Swimming, baseball, lacrosse, gymnastics, tennis or even climbing trees – these are all great for helping your 8U child become the best hockey player they can be. Believe it or not, zipping up the hockey bag and stuffing it in the offseason attic can be the most beneficial thing a parent can do for their young player’s hockey development. Thanks, Jeremy Gregoire, Hockey Director
The Rink Report…… The off-season is still a busy time at the rink. We are ripping out the flooring in the locker rooms, making way for the new and improved. Lockers and the hallways are getting a fresh coat of paint, and new benches will be installed. We just held the Valley Vintage 40th Annual Car Show, and it was a great success! Ice will start going back in towards the end of May so we are ready for Pepsi Cup Tournaments in June and Blueline Hockey School which starts June 6. Dennis Bushy, Arena Manager
Moorhead Youth Hockey 707 SE Main Ave. Moorhead, MN 56560 www.moorheadyouthhockey.com RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Minnesota Wild Learn to Play Hockey Program-Coming to the Moorhead Youth Arena this fall!! Over 700* boys and girls ages 5-8 (born between August 1, 2008 and August 1, 2011) will discover the sport of hockey through four (4) hours of introductory practices in their own, complete set (includes skates) of Total Hockey CCM “Little Wild” branded hockey equipment thanks to the combined efforts of the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Hockey, CCM, and Total Hockey.
*Must be a NEW hockey player in Minnesota to participate. NOTE: This program is in NO WAY a part of Moorhead Youth Hockey. It is presented by the Minnesota WILD in conjunction with Minnesota Hockey.
