Southern Minnesota Elite / Development
2013 Southern Minnesota Elite Hockey “Satellite Training Program” The Southern Minnesota Elite Program is entering its third season (Fall 2013). This elite program, started in 2011, was designed to give southern Minnesota hockey players a chance to develop their skills at an elite level of play. We will be working as a satellite program off of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League and the Elite Development League. With backing from both these leagues, we will continue to build a program where development at its highest level is the top priority.
SME Evaluation Camp Our 2013 season starts on Thursday, August 1st with the 2013 SME Evaluation Camp. We will skate twice on Thursday (mid-morning and early afternoon) and then again Friday, August 2nd (mid-morning). This evaluation camp will be the start of our SME season; however our practice schedule will not begin until Monday, August 26th. We will once again carry two teams (ELITE MAJOR & ELITE MINOR). Once registered, you will receive additional information regarding “SME Evaluation Camp” via email. PLEASE make sure your email address is legible on the registration form for contact purposes.
SME Player Development (GAMES) SME MAJOR in 2013
Our SME “MAJOR” team will continue to play the majority of their games verse teams within the Minnesota High School Elite Development League. These games provide a level of play that is much stronger and faster than the winter season, allowing our players to see and play against some of the best High School players in the Twin Cities Metro Area. We will be adding a few games outside of the “Elite D League” verse Shattuck St. Mary’s, Team Norway, etc… We hope to put together a series vs. Team Norway in Kasson like we did last season, but as of now nothing has been set up. The majority of our games stand to be played on Sunday’s. Starting Sunday, September 8th and ending Sunday, October 6th. There will be a few weekday games. Currently, we have 10 games scheduled. We are hoping to schedule 12 to 14 games this season.
SME MINOR in 2013 Our SME “MINOR” team does not play within a specific league. This level of play for our program will remain as it has for the last two seasons. Scheduling games for the “MINOR” team is an on-going task. We start in May, runs throughout the summer, adding as we go. In the past we have been able to schedule around six to eight games for this team. To enhance the SME “MINOR” “game” experience, we do schedule a few intra-squad games with our “MAJOR” team. The two teams are
broken up and then restructured allowing a competitive mix between the two teams.
SME Player Development (ON-ICE TRAINING / PRACTICE) A vast portion of player development in this program comes from our on-ice development / practice. Every player selected will have the opportunity to participate in approximately thirty plus hours of practice. The greater part of our practice sessions are 105 minutes long. These longer ice sessions allow us to cover and improve upon the many different areas of skill these players need to compete at the next level. The longer ice sessions allow us to get done in one night what might have taken two. We feel nights away from the rink are equally important to player development, allowing for rest when needed or continued off-ice training when desired.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on 2013 SEASON SME Evaluation Camp will be held Thursday, August 1st and Friday, August 2nd. Camp will be held at Dodge County Ice Arena. The address is 100 11th Street Northeast, Kasson Minnesota 55944. The cost to try out is $35. Players interested in trying out will need to send in a tryout registration form and check. Tryout players will also need to register as a player with USA hockey. This will cost an additional $50. This $50 will also cover any 2014 Advanced 15, 16, or 17 tryouts. Once registered, you will need to bring confirmation of registering before you are allowed on tryout ice. Evaluation times will be sent out once the SME registration and USA Hockey registration is received.
Visit the following web-site to register with USA Hockey: www.usahockey.org If you are selected to play on Elite “MAJOR” the cost will be $499. If you are selected to play on Elite “MINOR” the cost will be $399. Teams’ will be decided upon in the days following the Evaluation Camp. We are very excited to continue building an elite level program for Southern Minnesota. Steve Howarth will be handling the managerial duties. Doug Zmolek will be handling putting together a coaching staff. If you have questions by phone, please contact Steve Howarth (507-634-2222). Sincerely, Steve Howarth
SME Evaluation Camp Our 2013 season starts on Thursday, August 1st with the 2013 SME Evaluation Camp. We will skate twice on Thursday (mid-morning and early afternoon) and then again Friday, August 2nd (mid-morning). This evaluation camp will be the start of our SME season; however our practice schedule will not begin until Monday, August 26th. We will once again carry two teams (ELITE MAJOR & ELITE MINOR). Once registered, you will receive additional information regarding “SME Evaluation Camp” via email. PLEASE make sure your email address is legible on the registration form for contact purposes.
SME Player Development (GAMES) SME MAJOR in 2013
Our SME “MAJOR” team will continue to play the majority of their games verse teams within the Minnesota High School Elite Development League. These games provide a level of play that is much stronger and faster than the winter season, allowing our players to see and play against some of the best High School players in the Twin Cities Metro Area. We will be adding a few games outside of the “Elite D League” verse Shattuck St. Mary’s, Team Norway, etc… We hope to put together a series vs. Team Norway in Kasson like we did last season, but as of now nothing has been set up. The majority of our games stand to be played on Sunday’s. Starting Sunday, September 8th and ending Sunday, October 6th. There will be a few weekday games. Currently, we have 10 games scheduled. We are hoping to schedule 12 to 14 games this season.
SME MINOR in 2013 Our SME “MINOR” team does not play within a specific league. This level of play for our program will remain as it has for the last two seasons. Scheduling games for the “MINOR” team is an on-going task. We start in May, runs throughout the summer, adding as we go. In the past we have been able to schedule around six to eight games for this team. To enhance the SME “MINOR” “game” experience, we do schedule a few intra-squad games with our “MAJOR” team. The two teams are
broken up and then restructured allowing a competitive mix between the two teams.
SME Player Development (ON-ICE TRAINING / PRACTICE) A vast portion of player development in this program comes from our on-ice development / practice. Every player selected will have the opportunity to participate in approximately thirty plus hours of practice. The greater part of our practice sessions are 105 minutes long. These longer ice sessions allow us to cover and improve upon the many different areas of skill these players need to compete at the next level. The longer ice sessions allow us to get done in one night what might have taken two. We feel nights away from the rink are equally important to player development, allowing for rest when needed or continued off-ice training when desired.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on 2013 SEASON SME Evaluation Camp will be held Thursday, August 1st and Friday, August 2nd. Camp will be held at Dodge County Ice Arena. The address is 100 11th Street Northeast, Kasson Minnesota 55944. The cost to try out is $35. Players interested in trying out will need to send in a tryout registration form and check. Tryout players will also need to register as a player with USA hockey. This will cost an additional $50. This $50 will also cover any 2014 Advanced 15, 16, or 17 tryouts. Once registered, you will need to bring confirmation of registering before you are allowed on tryout ice. Evaluation times will be sent out once the SME registration and USA Hockey registration is received.
Visit the following web-site to register with USA Hockey: www.usahockey.org If you are selected to play on Elite “MAJOR” the cost will be $499. If you are selected to play on Elite “MINOR” the cost will be $399. Teams’ will be decided upon in the days following the Evaluation Camp. We are very excited to continue building an elite level program for Southern Minnesota. Steve Howarth will be handling the managerial duties. Doug Zmolek will be handling putting together a coaching staff. If you have questions by phone, please contact Steve Howarth (507-634-2222). Sincerely, Steve Howarth
