ANNUAL REPORT NG LOVE OF THE IFELO SPOR A L T. ING OT OM PR E IL H W L E V U E S L A Y H R O E V C E K E T Y A P E R M O A V G I D E E S H T T H S T E C F E INC O N U N N O D C A T D I O N COVER N A ; F S O E R O T R H E E H S C I P P O M R Y T L O O F N I E C V E E H , O S R C E K D E A Y E I L N E A M M O E R C E I C B A E ; L H P E O L E P P S Y G O N U 2014/2015 Key Partners in Hockey OUR MISSION USA Hockey provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America; helps young people become leaders, even Olympic heroes; and connects the game at every level while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. With more players than ever before part of USA Hockey, record success in international competition and continued advancements in use of technology to help educate coaches, officials, parents and players, there’s much to celebrate as we look back on the 2014-15 season. Our on-going emphasis on growing the sport was evident this year, not only with the fact that a record 533,172 players were part of USA Hockey, but for the fifth straight Jim Smith Ron DeGregorio year, more than 100,000 kids ages eight and under played our sport. President, 2015-present President, 2014-15 In terms of gold medals, no nation enjoyed more success in the six major world championships than the United States. All total, the U.S. claimed four golds, with two coming on home ice as we welcomed the world in spectacular fashion at the brand new HARBORCENTER in Buffalo, New York, for both the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship and IPC Sled Hockey World Championship. Our nation also earned gold in the IIHF Women’s World Championship for the fifth time in the last six competitions and the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship for the sixth time in the last seven Dave Ogrean Executive Director seasons. And for the second time in three years, our U.S. Men’s National Team earned the bronze medal in the IIHF Men’s World Championship. Previously, we had not medaled in that event in two out of three years since 1952. 2014-15 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE We’re utilizing technology in cutting-edge ways, particularly through apps in support of our efforts in coaching and officiating education. In addition, our series of newsletters President has been an effective means of educating our various constituent groups, highlighted Ron DeGregorio by what we’re doing with age-appropriate training in youth hockey through the Treasurer American Development Model. Jim Smith And speaking of the ADM, we continue to receive affirmation of our efforts from many, Secretary including the U.S. Olympic Committee, which adopted the name, mark and premise of Bill Hall the ADM to utilize across the entire Olympic landscape in our country. Vice Presidents It’s been a terrific year for USA Hockey on all fronts. Enjoy the pages ahead as they John Beadle touch on many more of the wonderful happenings of the 2014-15 season. Charles Fuertsch Dave Klasnick Gavin Regan Larry Reid John Vanbiesbrouck Director Representatives Donna Guariglia Donna Kaufman Mike Mulhall Athlete Representatives Shelley Looney Kevin Miller Jenny Potter • PAGE 1 • PLAYERS The growing number of children playing hockey in the United States is a credit to the passionate efforts of volunteers nationwide, as well as to USA Hockey’s focus on safety, skill development and, of course, fun. In terms of safety, USA Hockey emphasizes both on-ice and off-ice protection through numerous initiatives, resources and enforcement. On the ice, USA Hockey’s vigilance is exemplified in part by the of creation and enforcement of rules, research and guidance from some of the nation’s leading medical professionals, and progressive coaching in the areas of body contact and injury prevention. Off the ice, USA Hockey has long had systems in place to protect its participants from physical and sexual abuse and other types of misconduct. USA Hockey SafeSport includes those long-standing policies, as well as additional enhancements like an electronic communication policy and a streamlined abuse-reporting system. Moving to player development, USA Hockey’s American Development Model, based on long-term athlete development principles, continues to positively affect the landscape of youth hockey in America. With the number of American children aged 8 and under playing hockey in excess of 100,000 for the fifth straight year in 2014-15, the base of the game continues to strengthen. “We’ve made great strides in exposing new kids to our sport,” said Pat Kelleher, assistant executive director of development for USA Hockey. “Whether through the ADM or events like the IIHF Girls Hockey Weekend or our Try Hockey for Free Days, or the countless other initiatives that make hockey an attractive option for kids and their families, we continually welcome new players to the game throughout every part of the country. It’s exciting to see the momentum grow. The future is bright.” Keeping children in the game is just as important, which is why USA Hockey’s youth initiatives emphasize engagement. “It takes something special to spark kids’ passion and keep their attention,” said U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick, a nine-time NHL All- Star and two-time U.S. Olympian. “USA Hockey keeps it kid-focused and development-minded; that keeps the kids coming back. And it helps them improve.” Nienet eosae velest quunte omnimus, te omnimus, quam nobis aut idi odit fugiaerrum rem ut fugitiae sam verum • PAGE 2 • “In a world where youth sports are under scrutiny, USA Hockey’s American Development Model has been an industry- leading program that has the best interests of kids in mind. The bottom line is, the ADM has found a way to develop skills, commitment and athleticism, all the while making it fun and entertaining for the athletes. It’s a fantastic program.” — U.S. Olympian Meghan Duggan 358,744 491,941 YOUTH PLAYERS PARENTS & VOLUNTEERS MORE THAN 23,186 1,000,000 OFFICIALS STRONG 174,428 ADULT PLAYERS 55,568 COACHES AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL: DOING WHAT’S BEST FOR KIDS USA Hockey’s American Development Model is a nationwide player- “The ADM has brought more kids to the game, kept more kids in the game development initiative launched in 2009. It emphasizes age-appropriate, and given them a more efficient pathway to develop their skills,” said Ron age-specific competition and training for children, with a heightened focus DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. “It’s great to see the leap forward on skill development. in skill development nationwide, and it’s exciting to think about all the potential these players have to take American hockey to new heights.” The ADM was founded on consensus sport science and child development research, the premise of which calls for creating fun, active environments Since its launch, the ADM has received national and international acclaim, focused on skill development and engagement – environments in which gaining support from the National Hockey League, the NCAA, the American every child can excel and reach their true potential. In short, it’s doing Hockey Coaches Association, the Aspen Institute and hockey parents alike. what’s best for kids, while also delivering an ideal hockey education. The Its success has also resonated with the United States Olympic Committee, positive effect on American hockey is already shining through from coast which adopted USA Hockey’s ADM name and logo in 2015 to represent to coast. American athlete-development efforts across its entire sporting landscape. • PAGE 3 • JUNIOR HOCKEY USA Hockey’s junior program provides opportunities for players ages JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUES 16-to-20 to hone and enhance their skills and is an important part of the IN THE UNITED STATES organization’s overall efforts related to player development. TIER I To put things in perspective, in 2014-15 alone, junior leagues had a hand in United States Hockey League helping 315 new players into NCAA Division I hockey and nearly 440 players onto NCAA Division III rosters. And, at the 2015 National Hockey League TIER II Entry Draft, a record 37 players who skated in the United States Hockey North American Hockey League League in 2014-15 were chosen. Overall, 47 players with ties to the USHL were selected along with five North American Hockey League players and TIER III four players who spent time in Tier III junior hockey. Eastern Hockey League Empire Junior Hockey League Player safety continues to be at the forefront at all levels of junior hockey Metropolitan Junior Hockey League and in 2014-15 enhanced efforts to affect behavior change was an on-going Minnesota Junior Hockey League priority. North American 3 Hockey League Northern Pacific Junior Hockey League In terms of competition, the culmination of the season included crowning United States Premiere Hockey League of champions at the Tier I, II and III levels. The Sioux Falls Stampede United States Premiere Hockey League – Elite captured the Clark Cup as the playoff champion of the USHL, the only Tier I league in the United States.