December/January 2018

THE BATTLE CRY v17.18.3 ______Letter from the Travel Coordinator

GGHA Travel Hockey Update I hope that everyone had a relaxing break and getting back into shape for the second half of the 2017/18 season. I joined the GGHA Board as the Travel Coordinator in October. I have been involved with the Travel program since moving to Greenville 3 1/2 years ago, acting as an assistant coach for the U14 and U16 teams. Hockey has always been in my blood, born and raised 30 minutes west of Toronto. Both our son Ian and daughter Hannah have played hockey with the GGHA and/or High School, and I participate in the adult league. As the Travel Coordinator, I work with the travel teams to ensure their season goes smooth, assist with laying out the plan for the season, make they are operating with their budget and help to work through challenges that may arise during the season. It has been quite a season for Greenville Road Warriors Travel Teams so far. Our travel players have been playing at A level in the CHL league games at all levels. All teams have been very competitive and are 1st or 2nd in their divisions, and hoping to secure spots for CHL or CAHA tournaments at the end of the season. League stats are as follows: Squirt A 8-1-0, PW A 3-3-3, Bantam A 6-0-0, 16U A 4-0-0. Many non-league games have played against higher level teams at tournaments or exhibition above and beyond the CHL league and Greenville has been very competitive. Teams represented Greenville at tournaments this fall, Charleston, Raleigh, and at the Swamp Rabbit Classic hosted at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Our travel teams look forward to the rest of the season. Tournaments are scheduled for Clearwater Beach, Athens (Outdoor Tournament), Virginia Beach, Washington, DC, and Tampa and of course hopes all teams will be able to compete in the championships games! On behalf of the GGHA I would like to thank all our coaches and team managers for all your hard work, we could not have a program like this without

1 you. Also a big thank you to the U10 Squirt sponsor, Builders FirstSource. www.bldr.com.

Good luck to all the travel teams in the New Year, we know you will represent Greenville well!

Geoff VanderVeen Travel Coordinator You can contact me at [email protected] ______

FLU GUIDELINES

Its flu time and according to several of our Hockey moms and dads that work in area doctors’ offices and hospitals, the flu is running through Greenville.

USA Hockey, with guidance from its Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Stuart, has issued the following information regarding the H1N1 infection, including some basic recommendations to reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection.

USA Hockey recommends:

 Provide individual water bottles. Do not share water bottles.  Regularly wash hands.  Clean workout gear for each practice/competition.  Keep gloves on during the traditional handshake with opponents.

Individuals with influenza may develop typical signs or symptoms of: fever (102°degrees F or greater), cough, muscle aches, runny nose, headache, or sore throat with the potential for more serious complications, including pneumonia.

This year’s influenza virus strain has particularly targeted children and young adults. Transmission of influenza virus may occur from the day before the onset of symptoms and during the 5-7 days that these symptoms are present.

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Infected individuals should stay home until signs and symptoms have resolved and they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours. The 24-hour no-fever timeline should be achieved naturally, without the aid of fever reducing medications.

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A special thank you to all the 2017/2018 Sponsors Youth Hockey is growing in Greenville with your help!

If your company is interested in sponsoring the Greater Greenville Hockey Association, please email [email protected] to learn about opportunities or speak to your player’s coach or manager for opportunities specific to your player’s division.

3 HOW TO MOTIVATE YOUR CHILD

By Touchpoint Media, by Jeremy Gregorie, Hockey Director of the Moorehead, MN Youth Hockey Association

It’s no secret that parents and coaches both play a key role in the development of next generation of hockey players.

But no matter how much we love, encourage and support our kids, the secret to their successes – now and tomorrow – is helping them truly become the boss of themselves. “We all want our kids to be motivated,” said Dr. Dan Freigang, Ph.D., a sports psychologist for USA Hockey and youth coach who specializes in self-confidence, team-building and elite sports performance. “Self-motivation is based on two things: what players choose to do, and how much effort they put toward those situations.

“For example, when a kid chooses hockey, we know that he or she likes hockey,” he continued. “However, when coaches and parents see that same player consistently getting to practice early, carrying their own gear and practicing on their own time, that means the intensity of his or her motivation is high.”

Motivational Myth As a parent or coach, you probably already know that your kids don’t have singular motivation. Where one child might be physically skilled, with his or her sights set on being the best player, another simply takes joy in being part of a team.

That’s OK, Freigang said.

“It’s not something where a coach gives a player motivation – that’s a myth,” he said. “Motivation is an internal experience.”

The key in helping young players develop is to first recognize that there are different types of internal motivators.

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Then create a culture of learning and growth that is open and attractive to all kids.

“Coaches and parents must create an environment that allows each player to have experiences where they improve their skills, where they’re truly the boss of themselves, and where they can develop their identities within a social group (their team).”

Reinforcement Is Key That’s a breeze when your kid is full of positivity, drive and self- motivation. But what if you have a player who – regardless of talent level – is simply a handful?

As coaches, it’s important to find something in training, culture or competition that allows each player to experience a little success. That doesn’t mean they become the star of the team – it means they’re invested in what they’re doing.

“What you reinforce is what you’ll get,” Freigang said. “For example, if all you do is make a kid skate lines for not trying, his or her motivation goes down.

“The old idea of punishing hockey players by doing hockey things is ridiculous – they’ll just grow to hate the game.”

The best coaches, Freigang said, teach 100 percent of the time. “Let’s say you have a player who normally gets to practice two minutes before it starts,” he said. “Then, one day, he gets there 15 minutes early.”

It’s time to positively reinforce what you want to happen.

“Something as simple as a pat-on-the-back, or letting them lead the warm-up that day, serves as social reinforcement,” Freigang said. “You’re praising and reinforcing the desired activity.”

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In a high-achieving, learning environment like this, coaches can begin to let their players make choices that affect everyone – i.e. letting them choose the drill or game to finish practice.

“When you give an 8-, 10-, or 15-year-old a choice like that, you’re raising their autonomy and level of respect for themselves,” Freigang said. “That’s leadership, and the best way to get their motivation up.”

The same thing goes for parents and their children at home.

How Can Parents Help? “Really good sports programs don’t separate out coaches from parents,” Freigang said. “It’s not an ‘I’m the coach, I played, so I know everything’ relationship – that doesn’t work.” Most coaches spend just four to five hours a week with their teams, so that leaves a lot of time that’s unstructured. How can parents contribute?

“The two things a parent can manipulate are the degrees of support and control they give their children,” Freigang said. “This includes things like making sure they have the right equipment, getting them to practices and games on time, finding a place for them to shoot pucks at home and encouraging them.”

So what’s the right amount of support and control?

Support should be constant – but honest – while control varies with age. The older your kids are, the higher their self-motivation should be (if they’re truly enjoying the sport) – and the less you’ll need to control every aspect of their environment. Kids need good sleep, a good diet and a place to play and work on their skills.

They’ll have more fun – all while raising their personal intensity, self- motivation and overall love for the game.

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Greenville Swamp Rabbits Purchased by South Carolina Pro Hockey Wednesday, January 3, 2018 The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, announced today that the organization has been purchased by a new multi-member ownership group led by Steve Donner and have taken the controlling interest of the ECHL club. The sale was completed with previous owner Fred Festa’s company Chestnut Street Sports, LLC. and has been approved by the ECHL’s Board of Governors in a unanimous decision. The new ownership group, South Carolina Pro Hockey, LLC., has also negotiated a contract extension with the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the next three seasons.

“On behalf of the ECHL Board of Governors, I would like to welcome the new ownership group,” ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said. “We are excited by their plans for the market. We would like to thank Fred for his considerable efforts on behalf of the Swamp Rabbits and the ECHL.”

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In conjunction with the purchase, Donner has taken over operation of the club from President and General Manager Chris Lewis and will locally control the Swamp Rabbits hockey team as President and CEO of the South Carolina based ECHL franchise. As the new President of the club, Donner has already established a permanent residence in Greenville with his wife and children.

“There are a few key messages that we want to send out to the Greenville community,” said Donner regarding the organization’s future. “First, the team is staying in Greenville. As owners, we believe in the market and are excited to have extended our lease with the arena. Second, as leader of the ownership group, I am immediately taking residence in Greenville. Being a part of the Swamp Rabbits was both a business opportunity and a quality of life opportunity for my family. We are excited to be here and become a part of the Greenville community.”

The Swamp Rabbits are offering fans the chance to meet the Swamp Rabbits new owner at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena this week. Donner will be at Greenville’s Saturday night game for introductions on the concourse outside section 100. Additionally, season ticketholders will be contacted by their account representatives regarding a special meet and greet in a “town hall format” with Donner before Sunday afternoon’s home game.

“We want to show (Greenville) that we are going to be a relationship organization moving forward,” Donner continued. “Fun and entertainment will be a big part of our focus here. We want to be a competitive organization both on and off the ice, striving for championships and surrounding the team with a very entertaining atmosphere in the building.”

The first item of business by the new ownership group was to extend the team’s lease with the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The two parties have come to an agreement to extend the lease through the 2020-21 season, keeping hockey in The Upstate. The Swamp Rabbits new ownership group is “excited to have worked with Bon Secours Wellness Arena General Manager Beth Paul on adjustments that will benefit both the arena and the Swamp Rabbits organization in building the team’s business model for future success.” The new lease also represents a true partnership opportunity between the arena, the team, and The Upstate community.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits,” says General Manager of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Beth Paul. “We have a strong relationship with the team and look forward to continuing that with the

8 (Continued from page 8) new team ownership. Hockey is a great asset to Greenville and to the arena and we look forward to many more winning seasons with the Swamp Rabbits.”

“Advancing the lease was ultimately important to us,” said Donner. “We didn’t buy the team as a relocation opportunity. We bought the team as a great opportunity in Greenville and wanted to make a statement. The best way to prove that is to commit to a multi-year lease with both the building and the community.”

Donner is no stranger to success in professional hockey and has over 27 years of experience in professional sports. The Rochester, New York native served as team owner, president and CEO of the AHL’s Rochester Americans for 13 years from 1995 to 2008. Donner’s early efforts were rewarded in 1996 for his contributions to the league, earning recognition as the most outstanding executive through the James C. Hendy Memorial Award. The Amerks went on to capture the 1997 Calder Cup Championship that season, one of ten championships that Donner has been a part of throughout his career.

Prior to his work in Rochester, Donner was the Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the inaugural season of the NHL franchise. He helped improve the organization and build its average attendance from 10,000 fans in the inaugural season of 1992, to over 22,000 fans in the club’s second season. Since his tenure with the Americans, Donner has been a part of multiple ventures in Florida including the start-up of the Orlando City Soccer Club.

- - - - - Steve and the entire SC Pro Hockey partnership group have already shown tremendous interest and commitment to helping GGHA grow hockey in Greenville. Members of the GGHA Board of Directors have had multiple conversations with Steve, and Craig Waldrop, another of the SCPH partners. We look forward to building a great partnership with the Swamp Rabbits in the coming years. Steve is already in market and has attended GGHA functions. His wife and 13-year old son will be relocating to Greenville and we look forward to welcoming them into our Hockey Family as well. If you see Steve around, be sure to say “Hello”.

9 New to Hockey? …What all that arm waving means

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2017/2018 Greenville Road Warriors Girls team - Head Coach Matt Hoyle

GGHA GIRLS HOCKEY

These Greenville players represented GGHA's first all-girls program on December 30, 2017, at the Greenville Snowball Fest! It was a great day of hockey in the southeast as GGHA hosted the first all-girls tournament in state history!

The Warrior Princesses debuted in awesome new pink and purple jerseys sponsored by Gate Industries and Nic Applegate, hockey dad of Mite Select player Charles.

4 teams made up of 42 young ladies from 3 states participated.

Huge thank you to Ginnette Romkey for organizing, to Beth Paul and BSWA for supporting our girls hockey team, and Five On Fifty and Gate Industries for sponsoring our girls' uniforms. Thank you to 12U players Anthony Holleran, Lake Kellermyer, Joseph Craddock and Willem Romkey for volunteering to officiate the games. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this important event possible. So proud of our hockey community and our Warriors. #GoWarriors #PlayLikeAGirl

11 2ND ANNUAL GREENVILLE REINDEER GAMES

The second annual Reindeer Games were a huge success. Mite Select played hard at our Reindeer Games. We hosted Charleston, Greensboro, Cape Fear, Pineville, and Charlotte. The team is learning a lot! Thank you to 14U players Ryan DeBruyn and Cian Erdley for volunteering one of the few Sunday's they have off to referee our games. As well as the siblings who rocked the 50/50 Raffle and Bake sale for us! The Charleston Jr Stingrays were the winners of the 2018 Reindeer Games. We had a fantastic turn out and appreciate all that came to support our littlest Warriors.

2017/2018 Greenville Road Warriors Mite Select team – Head Coach Kevin Hansen

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12 Giving Back to the Community

Over forty of our players volunteered at the Skate Roll & Stroll event on December 26, to support local Special Needs children. They represented our hockey community well. We are all proud of these kids!

Swamp Rabbit Season Ticket Census

If you are a Swamp Rabbits Season Tickets holder, please consider notifying us how many 2017/2018 Season Tickets you and your family hold. GGHA can be given credit for the total number of season tickets our members hold and this total number goes toward credit for earning our organization ice time at the Arena through the Swamp Rabbits organization. Please email the name of the ticket holder and number of tickets to [email protected] Thank you

13 THANK YOU TO THE SWAMP RABBITS WHO CAME OUT TO GGHA PRACTICES ON December 13th

Thank you to all the Swamp Rabbit Players that have come out to our Road Warrior and Jr Swamp Rabbit practices. It means so much to our hockey community to see our Swamp Rabbits supporting Youth Hockey! #GoRabbits

Get to know our Swamp Rabbits…

Swamp Rabbits that helped out at the December 13 practices

Curt Gogol #14 Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB, CAN

Evan Jasper #10 Position: Forward Hometown: Whitby, ONT, CAN

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Swamp Rabbits that helped out at the December 13 practices

Nick Betz #25 Position: Forward Hometown: Detroit, MI, USA

Brock Beukeboom #23 Position: Defensemen Hometown: Rochester, MI, USA

Don’t Forget: Skating on the Big Ice this Sunday, January 7th following the Swamp Rabbits Game against the Norfolk Admirals. Game time is 3:00 pm. Skating on the big ice immediately following. Be sure to bring your skates to the game and hit the ice with the Swamp Rabbits after the game for free! Skate rentals are available for $3

15 TIPS AND TRICKS EVERY DEFENSEMEN SHOULD KNOW By Ken at HowToHockey.com Being a great defensemen isn’t about the hits or the shots it’s about being the entire package. When I was on the ice I knew what was going on in both my own players’ heads and my opponents. I had the tools and I used them all with great success. In this article I will try to show you a few easy skills, and a few difficult skills that can greatly increase your ability to play defense and love of the game. Defense is typically for the grinders and fighters, guys who want the big hits and the big shots. But there will always be 2 or 3 defensemen on every team who play for the true meaning of the position. The purpose of defense is to stop anything and everything from getting remotely close to the net and to be able to set up and assist their forwards. Big hits are part of playing defense, however I have seen the following scenario too many times. The defensemen will pinch for the big hit to make everyone cheer only to see a two, and sometimes three on one result immediately afterwards. Big hits are a part of the game and give both the fans and players something to talk about but always remember your main job as a defense. Stop the players, stop the pucks. DEFENSIVE TIPS Keep your Head on a swivel I have always been taught and trained to keep my head on a swivel. This means that when there is a play going on the offensive end behind the net I am not transfixed I am watching where my players are, and what the defensive team is doing. Using your feet in Hockey Too many players only use the stick as their tools. I consider myself to have three sticks on the ice at all times. You can hold a puck between your feet easier than any stick and they are great tools to stop even the most complex deke. This is one skill you should always master. Keep your stick on the ice Don cherry (and Red Green!) said it so it’s got to be true. In all honesty your stick does no good when it’s not on the ice. It’s like taking the sword away from the night or the guns away from the soldier. Know your goalie A goalie is a defensemen’s best friend and to be the best at your job you need to know their weaknesses and strengths. If your goalie has an amazing glove but an atrocious blocker you’re going to want to try to keep shots to the glove side and if all possible block any chances for a blocker side shot.

16 (Continued from page 16) A defensemen must also be talking to their goalies at all times. If they can’t see they’ll tell you, if the see a play being set up make sure they yell at you it will allow you to be one step ahead. Also ask a goalie about the breakouts they are always watching the game and half the time they aren’t in the action and can pick up on certain plays the other team might be trying which will give you a chance to intercept and stop them. Your defensive partner Just like the goalie you must know your partner and their style. I remember playing with one defensemen that, for the life of him could not keep a puck in the offensive end. I would always be 5 to six feet off the blue line whenever he got the puck in preparation for a 2 or 3 on 1 and it helped my team more times than I could count. I also remember having a partner that I could rely on completely, he would always make the plays and if I ever got caught he would back me up. This knowledge of the partner’s should always affect how you approach the puck in any situation. Keep your eyes on the body Never allow a forward to mesmerize you with a puck, focus on an x right between their shoulders. If you look at players eyes or at the puck your will be beaten. Remember to use your peripherals, their great tools to get a quick poke check when the forwards doesn’t expect it Defensive Tricks The glass – Here is a neat tip, when I am retrieving a puck from a dump in or on the power play I always look into the glass to see who’s behind me. Ninety percent of the arenas I have been in have a great reflection and you can see your forwards setting up and even their forwards trying to rush you. Doing this allows you to have an advantage and will create a lot of great passing opportunities. Always play smart Here is a well-known fact, most forwards don’t enjoy scoring garbage goals. They want the pretty passes and magic plays so that they can talk about them with their friends. Use this to your advantage. A key tool for a defenseman is to be able to give that perfect passing lane to the forwards only to shut it down the minute they try to use it. Defensive hockey is very important to learn at any stage in a hockey player’s life. Practicing alone is not enough to improve your game, you must study the game and learn the proper techniques before you can utilize them on the ice.

17 G-FORCE – GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

Greenville Hockey – G-Force – Undefeated in SCSHA Play for the 2017/2018 Season – Head Coach John Chesare

Greenville Hockey – G-Force – Junior Varsity – High School Development players (Not all players pictured)

18 G-Force High School Hockey SCHEDULE (home games in YELLOW)

Fri 1/5/2018 9:45pm Columbia Greenville G-Force The Pavilion - Greenville Fusion

Fri 1/26/2018 9:45pm BE/PG United Greenville G-Force The Pavilion - Greenville

Fri 2/2/2018 9:45pm Stratford Greenville G-Force The Pavilion - Greenville Knights

Fort Dorchester Carolina Ice Palace - Fri 2/9/2018 9:30pm Greenville G- Force Patriots Charleston

Fri 2/23/2018 9:45pm Wando Greenville G-Force The Pavilion - Greenville Warriors Make up Game for December 8th postponement to be scheduled GGHA Travel Teams – Road Warriors Home CHL Ice Schedule

The following Road Warriors Carolina Hockey League (CHL) Home Games will be played at the Pavilion during the 2017/2018 Season (subject to change. Please check website to confirm schedule)

GGHA CHL Games at Home: Date Time Team Opponent

20-Jan 4:40 pm 10U - Squirt Charleston 21-Jan 7:30 am Pineville 11:25 am Charlotte Rush

27-Jan 4:40 PM 14U - Bantam Charleston COME OUT 28-Jan 9:30 AM 14U - Bantam Charleston AND SUPPORT 3-Feb 4:40 PM 16U - Midget Carolina Eagles OUR ROAD 4-Feb 9:30 AM 16U - Midget Carolina Eagles WARRIORS! Check out the www.GreenvilleHockey.com website and team schedules for other home games.

TRAVEL TEAMS – CURRENT STATS U10 are 19-8-0. Squirts are currently ranked #1 in CHL SQ-A-Lower division with 8-1-0 record in CHL league play. Squirts will compete in the next CHL league weekend in Greenville, January 20-21.

U12 are 5-11-6. PeeWees are currently ranked #2 in PW-A South division 3-3-3 in CHL league games with next CHL games scheduled for January 27-28 at the Pineville Ice House

U14 are 6-3-0. Bantams are currently #1 and undefeated in CHL League play 6-0-0, with next league weekend scheduled for January 6 at the Pineville Ice House. Bantams will host CHL games at the Pavilion on January 27-28.

U16 are 16-9-1. Midgets are currently undefeated in CHL League play, with next home league games are scheduled for February 3-4 at the Pavilion

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4-0 Winners of the Inaugural Swamp Rabbit Classic - GGHA U10 Squirt Travel Team – Head Coach Brian Dona

Winners of the Wishbone Classic Tournament - GGHA 16U Travel Team – Head Coach Randy Gunton

20 Summer Camp June 11-15, 2018 Erik Nates Euro Hockey will again bring his Total Skills Development camp to Greenville this June. The camp is a weeklong camp, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am – 3 pm, at the Pavilion

Total Skill Development During this camp, students are able to focus on individual skill development in all aspects of the game. Fundamental skills like skating, stick handling, shooting, passing, and checking are taught during each specialized hour, first through controlled instruction and then through repeated drills that enhance understanding and mastery. Finally, students are taught to incorporate the skills they have learned into game situations-and become more complete hockey players. Erik’s innovative training system challenges each student to the best of his or her ability. European equipment, including parallel bars and springboards, are some of the methods we use to help students develop their skills while having fun and enjoying the game.

Erik Nates Camp at the Pavilion Summer 2017 ______GGHA 2017 Holiday Camp

GGHA hosted a trial holiday camp over 2 days during break. 40 players from 8U to 16U participated, and the camp sold out in less than 2 hours. The trial program was offered to travel players this time, however we have hopes to expand this to all levels of play. Thank you to Coach Kovalcik for offering his power skating and off ice expertise to the group. There was overwhelming positive feedback given upon completion. GGHA board is working hard to offer more varied programming to all of our players. Excited to see what the future holds for us in this area.

21 WATER BOTTLE

Studies have shown that drinking a glass of water can accelerate brain function up to 14 percent. In a hockey game, that can be the difference between making a play and missing it, so not only are there health benefits associated with consuming water, there are performance benefits, too.

Having their own personal water bottle on the bench helps keep kids hydrated, while also making them less likely to share cold and flu viruses with teammates. Make sure the bottle is cleaned regularly.

It’s also a good idea to make the water bottle distinctive, either in color or by adding the player's name. You want it to be easily found in a crowd.

BEFORE YOU COMPLAIN

By Special to USA Hockey There’s nothing quite like watching your own kids play sports. There’s also nothing that taints the experience faster than a parent or two yelling from the stands or trash-talking the coaches or volunteers behind people’s backs. We’re all entitled to our own opinions, but when it comes to youth sports, can’t we all work together?

It’s easy to complain, but complaining accomplishes nothing. So ask this question when it comes to youth sports: “Before you complain, have you volunteered yet?”

In many cases, the parents who yelled and complained the most never stuck around to help. They rarely volunteered extra time to help with fundraisers, events, etc. They rarely showed up to the meetings, cooked food or helped carpool.

In today’s fast-paced life, we’re all busy and we understand that youth sports can take up even more of our time, but volunteer opportunities come in a variety of commitment levels.

It’s important to get involved, make the effort, build relationships and enhance the overall experience. It’s a chance for parents themselves to become part of the team; to become part of the family.

22 Volunteerism is the engine that drives the youth sports experience. That is especially true when it comes to hockey. The more volunteers we have, the lower the cost for everyone in the association. Every time you pitch in, the association, the team and the kids benefit. And let’s not forget about the ultimate volunteers: the coaches.

14 Ways to Volunteer  Food prep. Bring snacks to games or tournaments, host the team for a cookout or spaghetti dinner, or organize a potluck.

 Offer assistance with team or association fundraising events/campaigns.

 Carpool. Offer transportation services to and from games and practices.

 Record stats during the games.

 Run the scoreboard and game clock.

 Be a penalty box attendant (and hope your player doesn’t visit you).

 Assist with travel arrangements for games and tournaments when needed.

 Organize a social event for the team or even just the parents when appropriate.

 Recruit. Help spread the word of hockey to other families in your neighborhood. Assist or lead the association’s efforts to get more kids playing hockey. [Volunteer to work the Concourse Table at Swamp Rabbits Games to help build awareness of Youth Hockey in Greenville]

 Offer to help with the end-of-the-year awards banquet.

 Help identify, order and pick up team apparel for the season.

 Coach.

 Serve on the association’s board of directors.

 [Volunteer to assist with GGHA Hockey Swap (in August)] If you’re looking for a different way to contribute, just ask. The coaches will likely have something they need help with if you let them know you’re interested. They will be grateful you did.

Youth sports can be a wonderful experience for all when we work together. No matter what sport or season it is, we ask you to revisit this:

“Before you complain, have you volunteered yet?”

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THANK YOU Parent Coordinators and Coaches! It’s not always an easy job…and is often a thankless one… We want you to know that we APPRECIATE YOU! Thank you SO MUCH for your time and talents! The Greater Greenville Hockey Association is AWESOME because of YOU!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED To create a great youth sports experience for our kids, it requires a ton of effort. While it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy watching your child play, most youth sports programs can’t exist without people jumping in to volunteer their time. This can be to help run the score clock or monitor penalty boxes during games. It can be helping out with fundraising projects or helping the coaches gather gear for the on-ice practices. For those with professional expertise, maybe assisting with the youth association’s board to provide operational advice can be a way to contribute. Our kids' youth sports experiences are often defined by the quality of the adults involved, so get in there and help make a difference.

The Greater Greenville Hockey Association is an All-Volunteer organization and we can always use extra help to make things run smoothly.

Volunteer Opportunities:  U6 & U8 Board Assembly for cross ice practices and games (There will be special training for these jobs)  Scoreboard and sound system operations for home games  Dressing Room Monitor for practices and games  Swamp Rabbits home game concourse grass roots – sharing information and recruiting youth players  Try Hockey for Free Events – November 4, March 3, 11 am – 1 pm  Girls Hockey clinics  Team Parent  …and more. Ask your players coach or team manager how you can help!

All Volunteers age 18+ who have contact with players must have USA Hockey Background check and complete the USA Hockey Safe Sport online module. Register as a volunteer at USAHockeyRegistration.com

24 HOCKEY IN GREATER GREENVILLE: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY HOCKEY (League: ACHA)

Clemson University’s Club Hockey team is currently 5-9-0 MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Upcoming Home Games for the Clemson Tigers at the Pavilion

University of Georgia Clemson University Fri, Jan 19 9:45 pm The Pavilion

North Carolina State Univ. Clemson University Sat, Jan 20 9:45 pm The Pavilion

http://clemsonthockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/clemsonhockey

UPCOMING HOME SWAMP RABBITS (League: ECHL-South)

Greenville Swamp Rabbits are currently 16 W, 13 L, 2 OTL, 1 SOL Currently ranked #3 in ECHL South.

January 2018 Home Games:

Saturday January 6, 2018* Atlanta Gladiators

Sunday January 7, 2018 Norfolk Admirals

Friday January 12, 2018 Orlando Solar Bears

Friday January 19, 2018 Atlanta Gladiators

Saturday January 20, 2018 Atlanta Gladiators

Sunday January 21, 2018* Atlanta Gladiators

Tuesday January 23, 2018 Norfolk Admirals

* GGHA will have players on ice for Intermission Skates on January 6th (Girls) and on January 21st. Come out and support our Junior Swamp Rabbits!

25 US Olympic Hockey Rosters

Men’s Roster The men’s roster includes 15 players with NHL experience, led by Brian Gionta (Rochester, N.Y.), who will serve as team captain of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Gionta has played 1,006 regular-season games and captained both the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres in his career. He is the lone player on the U.S. roster with Olympic experience, having played for Team USA in 2006.

“We really like our roster,” said Jim Johannson, general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “It’s a group that brings versatility and experience and includes players who have a lot of passion about representing our country.” The U.S. has won 11 medals in the Olympic Winter Games, including gold in 1960 and 1980.

The opening game for the U.S. men in the in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games is set for Feb. 14 against Slovenia.

26 US Olympic Hockey Rosters

Women’s Roster The women’s roster features 23 players, including 10 returning Olympians and six two-time Olympians (2010, 2014) in Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.), captain Meghan Duggan (Danvers, Mass.), Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho), Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson (Grand Forks, N.D.), Monique Lamoureux-Morando (Grand Forks, N.D.) and Gigi Marvin (Warroad, Minn.). “Today we took another step closer towards achieving our ultimate goal, which is to bring home a gold medal from South Korea,” said Reagan Carey, general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team and also the director of women’s hockey for USA Hockey, “We’ve had an exceptional four months in Wesley Chapel leading up to this point and are confident that these 23 women give our country the best opportunity to reach the top of the podium in February.” The U.S. has medaled in all five Olympic Winter Games since women’s ice hockey was introduced in 1998, including gold in that inaugural year.

The U.S. women open Olympic play on Feb. 11 against Finland.

27 US Olympic Hockey Schedule

US Men’s Schedule

DATE OPPONENT ROUND TIME (LOCAL/ET)

Wed., Feb. 14 Slovenia Preliminary 9:10 p.m./7:10 a.m.

Fri., Feb. 16 Slovakia Preliminary 12:10 p.m./10:10 p.m. (Feb. 15)

Sat., Feb. 17 Russia Preliminary 9:10 p.m./7:10 a.m.

Wed., Feb 21 TBD Quarterfinals TBD

Fri., Feb 23 TBD Semifinals TBD

Sat., Feb. 24 TBD Bronze-Medal Game 9:10 p.m./7:10 a.m.

Sun., Feb 25 TBD Gold-Medal Game 1:10 p.m./11:10 p.m. (Feb. 24)

US Women’s Schedule

DATE OPPONENT ROUND TIME (LOCAL/ET)

Sun., Feb 11 Finland Preliminary 4:40 p.m./2:40 a.m.

Tues., Feb 13 Russia Preliminary 9:10 p.m./7:10 a.m.

Thurs., Feb. 15 Canada Preliminary 12:10 p.m./10:10 p.m. (Feb. 14)

Sat., Feb. 17 TBD Quarterfinals TBD

Mon., Feb. 19 TBD Semifinals TBD

Wed., Feb. 21 TBD Bronze-Medal Game 4:40 p.m./2:40 a.m.

Thurs., Feb. 22 TBD Gold-Medal Game 1:10 p.m./11:10 p.m. (Feb. 21)

28 2017/2018 Weekly Hockey Practice and Game Times

29 [email protected]

HOUSE COACHES: Kevin Hansen Head Coach U6 & U8 [email protected] Matt Fay Assistant Coach U6 & U8 [email protected] Don DiComo Head Coach U10 & U12 [email protected] Brian Brandon Assistant Coach U10 & U12 [email protected] Matt Hoyle Assistant Coach U10 & U12 [email protected]

HIGH SCHOOL COACHES: John Chesare Head Coach High School [email protected] Fiore Menconi Assistant Coach High School [email protected] Jeff Reynolds Assistant Coach High School [email protected] Pete Just Assistant Coach High School [email protected]

2017/2018 GGHA Board Members President: Al Mina [email protected] Vice President: Ginnette Romkey [email protected] Hockey Director: Darren McNaughton [email protected] Secretary: Lesley Craddock [email protected] Treasurer: Brianna McCunn [email protected] Travel Coordinator: Geoff VanderVeen [email protected] House Coordinator: Kurt Romkey [email protected] High School Coordinator: Jake Yenser [email protected]

Ice Scheduler: Tim Lucas [email protected] Web Master: Robert Judd [email protected] Registrar: Ginnette Romkey [email protected] Swamp Rabbits Liaison: Brian Gombash [email protected] Website: http://greenvillehockey.com

Submissions for the next edition of The Battle Cry are due January 31, 2018 Submissions may be edited for grammar or for space. Submissions will be considered, space permitting. Consider submitting Pictures, team updates, Player Profiles, Coaches profiles, drawings, etc. Send submissions for consideration to [email protected]

Parents and Players are encouraged to join our closed (private) Facebook Group to share information and pictures of our players and teams. Request to Join: GGHA - Youth Hockey in Greenville SC

Public Pages for our Programs on Facebook are also available. Feel Free to follow and share: Greenville Road Warriors - GGHA Youth Travel Hockey Junior Swamp Rabbits - GGHA Youth Hockey - HOUSE Division

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