2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:00 PM Page COV1 2008/2009 ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:00 PM Page COV2 2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:00 PM Page 1 Contents Message From Our Leadership . 2 Membership Development . 3 American Development Model. 4 HISTORY OF USA HOCKEY Players . 6 Hockey has been part of the American sporting culture since before the turn of the 20th century. Once considered a regional sport limited to cold- Officials and Coaches . 8 climate locales such as New England, Michigan, Minnesota and New York, today USA Hockey has members in all 50 states. Player Development. 10 With the advent of inline hockey, ice is no longer a necessity to play the National Teams . 12 game. All-purpose facilities continue to operate across the country, providing more playing opportunities for participants. Volunteers . 14 USA Hockey, Inc. was established in 1937. In 1990-91, USA Hockey had just Marketing, Sponsorship & Events. 15 over 200,000 registered members while in 2008-09, the organization had a membership base of nearly 600,000. Special Events . 16 Core Values Bob O’Connor Resource Center. 18 The following core values of USA Hockey have been adopted to guide associations in their planning, programming and play, both now and in the Statements of Financial Position . 19 future. Sportsmanship – Foremost of all values is to learn a sense of fair play. Become humble in victory, gracious in defeat. We will foster friendship with teammates and opponents alike. Respect for the Individual – Treat others as you expect to be treated. Integrity – We seek to foster honesty and fair play beyond mere strict interpretation of the rules and regulations of the game. Pursuit of Excellence at the Individual, Team and Organizational Levels – Each member of the organization, whether player, volunteer or staff, should seek to perform each aspect of the game to the highest level of his or her ability. Enjoyment – It is important for the hockey experience to be fun, satisfying and rewarding for all participants. Loyalty – We aspire to teach loyalty to the ideals and fellow members of the sport of hockey. Teamwork – We value the strength of learning to work together. The use of teamwork is reinforced and rewarded by success in the hockey experience. MISSION USA Hockey, Inc. is the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States. Its mission is to promote the growth of hockey in America and provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. 1 2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:00 PM Page 2 A MESSAGE FROM OUR LEADERSHIP Ron DeGregorio Dave Ogrean President Executive Director 2008/09 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Ron DeGregorio The 2008-09 season was filled with golden moments that indeed help validate the Treasurer hard work that our countless volunteers at every level across the country put forth Jim Smith in advancing our great sport. Secretary Despite some of the economic challenges facing our country, we continued to Bill Hall expand hockey’s reach while retaining those whom we have touched in the past. Vice Presidents Perhaps the most expansive and important initiative moved forward in 2008-09 John Beadle was the launch of the American Development Model, a program supported by the Dan Esdale National Hockey League which, for the first time ever, provides local associations David Klasnick across the country with an age-appropriate blueprint for optimal athlete Peter Lindberg development. Larry Reid Anthony Rossi Meanwhile, Hockey Weekend Across America marked its second year in 2009, giving us a chance to celebrate those who have made hockey such an important part Director Representatives of our lives while providing a vehicle to expose our sport to previously untouched Joe Baudo audiences through grassroots outreach. Brad Bekkedahl Roger Mauritho Additionally, we launched our Come Play Youth Hockey campaign, a program geared to complement the OneGoal initiative in attracting four- to eight-year-olds to Athlete Representatives our sport, while educating parents about the benefits that hockey provides to their Shawna Davidson children both physically and mentally. Chris Imes Mike McNeill As you may know, it was a year of unprecedented success for our national teams, and we are looking forward to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games as an unparalleled Chairman of the Board platform to gain visibility for our sport and organization. Walter L. Bush, Jr. We hope you enjoy a more in-depth look at USA Hockey and its successes in 2008- Executive Director 09 in the following pages. Dave Ogrean 2 2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:00 PM Page 3 2008/09 Statistics MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT USA Hockey launched its membership development department in June Total membership – 574,781 2008 with the mission to drive USA Hockey grassroots membership growth and retention initiatives and further develop ice hockey in the United States. The department is focused on the acquisition and retention Youth Players – 339,280 of players at the youth level. With the emphasis centered around growing membership in the four-to- Adult Players – 126,695 eight-year-old entry level category of players, the 2008-09 season included a three percent growth in the six-and-under category and a one percent increase in the eight-and-under age category. Coaches – 55,448 The task of growing participation in youth hockey is one that requires cooperation on all levels of the sport. USA Hockey is committed to providing districts, affiliates and local associations with the tools, resources Officials – 26,866 and programs to attract new participants. Inline members – 26,492 HIGHLIGHTS n Created and launched a “Come Play Youth Hockey” campaign to attract new participants to youth hockey in the four-to-eight year- Numbers include 59,506 female players old category. n Introduced the national “2 & 2 Challenge” to encourage local associations to focus on both acquisition and retention at the youngest age levels. n Established a program services division to work with youth associations in specific regions of the country. n Undertook a comprehensive research project to uncover trends in membership and provide solutions. n Created an online resource center for local youth association leaders. n Developed “best practice” materials to assist associations on the most efficient ways to manage and grow their organizations. n Assisted in effort to increase number of OneGoal starter equipment sets in the U.S. to over 14,000, providing opportunities for more kids to try hockey without the cost of purchasing equipment. What will youth hockey bring out of your kid? 3 2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:01 PM Page 4 AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL Likely the most significant USA Hockey initiative in a generation, the American Development Model will help associations across the nation provide the best possible learning environment for youth players. The American Development Model, launched in January ADM REGIONAL MANAGERS 2009, provides local associations nationwide – for the first- Joe Doyle (Rocky Mountain & Pacific Districts, Mont., Wyo.) time ever – a blueprint for optimal athlete development. Guy Gosselin (Minn., Wis., N.D., S.D., Neb., Iowa) The ADM is based on long-term athlete development principles and is focused on age-appropriate training. Roger Grillo (Massachusetts & New England Districts) With the endorsement of the National Hockey League, the Jim Hunt (N.Y., N.J., Eastern Pa., Del., Va., D.C., Md.) initial emphasis of the ADM is to assist associations across Bob Mancini (Mich., Ill., Mo.) the country in implementing the principles of the program, particularly at the youngest age levels. Scott Paluch (Mid-American & Southeast Districts, excluding Del., Va., Md., and D.C.) Ken Martel, director of the ADM for USA Hockey, has comprised a high-profile team of regional ADM managers, Specifics of the ADM, including objectives each responsible for assisting associations in a specific associated with each age group, can be found at region of the country. admkids.com. THE PROGRAM “ IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. THE PRINCIPLES ARE DEAD ON. BRIAN BURKE General manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team 4 2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:01 PM Page 5 I AM POTENTIAL The “I Am Potential” campaign continues to be used to generate awareness of the ADM across the country. 5 2009 Annual Report_Layout 1 12/21/09 12:01 PM Page 6 PLAYERS Fun. An opportunity to compete. Exercise. Life-long friends. Playing hockey provides that and much more for those young and old, male and female, able-bodied and disabled. Hockey is truly a sport for everybody. YOUTH JUNIOR With the introduction of the American Development Model, Growing to 199 teams in six different certified levels of the nearly 340,000 boys and girls youth players will have competition in 2008-09, USA Hockey’s junior program the opportunity to be trained in a system utilizing long-term continues to excel as an important part of the American athlete development principles, including age-appropriate Development Model ladder. learning. National champions in 2008-09 included the Indiana Ice in The ADM includes cross-ice hockey for young players, which Tier I; the St. Louis Bandits in Tier II Junior A; the New provides a landscape for better learning and reduced costs. Hampshire Junior Monarch in Tier III Junior A; Suffolk PAL from Tier III Junior B; and the Chicago Royals from Tier III Each year, USA Hockey provides a national championship Junior C. program for multiple age levels. In 2008-09, more than 2,400 players participated and the following national The junior program’s impact on college hockey continues to champions were crowned: be significant.