AAU Sports for all, Forever December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

Editor

Keith Kloock 21220 Wellington Woodhaven, MI 48183 (734) 692-5158

Published monthly for the benefit and interest of AAU Ice Hockey participants.

AAU Leagues, Administrators, as well as Team Coaches and/ or Managers are encouraged to submit articles and notices to: [email protected]

Coming soon to aauicehockey.org the AAU Nationals application package

The application package for the AAU National Championships is still being developed as this newsletter is going to press. However, the entire package will be available very soon (on or before December 15th) and will be found on the aauicehockey.org website. AAU teams may apply for entrance into the National tournament. As a formality, even teams that have already won their berths through National Qualifier tournaments, State Championship tournaments, Regional Championship tournaments and/or as their League Representative will still need to apply, in order to show that their team does in fact wish to participate within Nationals. However, teams who have already qualified will be accepted and seeded rather quickly. Please be aware that teams who have not already qualified may still be selected for participation based upon such factors as, their region, their records in leagues or tournaments, etc. Detailed information is already available at: aauicehockey.org/doc/mite-squirt-2014-nationals#content The Mite classification will include several separate competition levels. The numbers of competition levels for the Squirt and PeeWee classifications will be announced on the website on or before December 15th as well. Teams interested in participating at Nationals are asked to continue checking the website. AAU Ice Hockey Page 2 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

AAU Hockey Welcomes former NHL player Mike Hartman as National Hockey Development Director The AAU National Hockey Program is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Mike Hartman as the “’AAU National Hockey Development Director”’. Mike Hartman, former professional athlete, is the founder of BetterLifeTraining.com, a Certified Aniological Practitioner, life coach, success coach, a member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and author of ‘100 Ways To Become Your Personal Best’. Mike is also a former professional hockey player who played with the , Winnipeg Jets, and the Champion . AAU National Hockey Chair, Keith Noll commented, “AAU Hockey is honored to have someone of Mike Hartman’s knowledge and background join the AAU sports family”. Noll went on to state, “Hartman’s philosophy fits in with AAU President Henry Forrest and the AAU’s leaderships position for all athletes.” When asked about his appointment, Mr Hartman stated, “I’m very excited to be the AAU National Development Director.” “My vision is to help hockey players become their personal best on and off the ice.” www.BetterLifeTraining.com Hartman commented further, “I believe that amateur sports is all sbout the kids, building relationships, proper skill development and most importantly having fun!” AAU Ice Hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in the AAU that currently features 650,000 athletes and coaches in over 35 sports. To learn more about the AAU sports program and Ice Hockey go to: www.aausports.org and for additional information on Mike Hartman’s professional background go to: www.aauicehockey.org Keith Noll, AAU Nationals Hockey Chairperson

- See more AAU Ice Hockey appointments on page 7 - AAU Ice Hockey Page 3 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

Motown Showcase The inaugural Motown Showcase results are now in the books. This Veterans Day weekend (Remembrance Day in Canada) brought 12 Mite Major and 6 Squirt Open AAU teams together in suburban Detroit from as far away as the Colorado, Texas, New York and Ontario. The Showcase provided a great opportunity for fans to compare competition levels, which will be valuable for seeding AAU Nationals. Mite Major (Novice) At the Mite Major level, the Illinois Steel made an early statement by going 3 and 0 during their round- robin play, with 20-20 hindsight having arguably one of the toughest schedules of the tournament. The Steel followed up with a 5-1 semi-final victory over the Ice Hogs (a very tough Michigan team). Ice Hogs #19 Logan Barnes scored what turned out to be the only against the Steel during the tournament at 3:39 of the second period. The Illinois Steel 4 goal effort of #27 Jacob Jastrzebski’s was simply too much for the Ice Hogs to overcome on this day. Handing the Hogs their only loss of the tournament. The win advanced the Steel into a rematch with the DSC Revolution (another strong Michigan team) for the showcase Gold Medal game. Earning the playmaker was #88 Ryan Morgan who dealt out assists to his teammates in route to the Gold (his 7th assist of the tournament). While #90 Jeffery Dublo earned his 4th shutout of the tournament. Squirt Major (Atom) The Squirt division was big success for the Rocky Mountain Snow Kings based out of Aspen, Colorado. The mixed-age Squirt team (2003-2004s) went 5 and 0 on the weekend. Defeating Detroit area International Stars, Burlington Griffins White, Burlington Griffins Black, Barrie Dragons, and the Wheatfield Blades in the final. Each of the Snow Kings players registered points throughout the weekend, making their undefeated status a total team effort. "The tournament was well run and a great experience for the kids to compete against kids from other states and Canada. Great that AAU is providing kids an opportunity to compete nationally as well" said Craig Furstenau who coaches the Kings. Of course, due to the Gold Medal wins of both the Illinois Steel and Rocky Mountain Snow Kings they are awarded berths to their respective AAU Nationals Championships on the March 6-9, 2014 weekend in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Watch for the next Motown Showcase on the MLK holiday weekend of January 17-19, 2015. AAU Ice Hockey Page 4 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

SLCYHL excited with new AAU partnership written by Matt Mackinder of RubberHockey.com In life, change is inevitable, sometimes it’s embraced and other times it’s fought. In the case of the Salt Lake County Youth Hockey League (SLCYHL), major changes this season have been welcomed by all involved in the organization. For the 2013-14 campaign, the SLCYHL decided to affiliate itself with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) this year and to leave USA Hockey. The AAU, founded in 1888, is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States and is dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. According to County Ice Center hockey coordinator Joe Bernardy, affiliating with the AAU was an easy decision. ”We did it principally because the philosophies of USA Hockey and Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation hockey program began to diverge,” explained Bernardy. On what the AAU can offer the SLCYHL, Bernardy stresses autonomy. “The AAU basically allows an organization to run its own program how it believes is in the best interests of its participants and coaches, as well as the organization itself.” Bernardy said, “That’s what’s most important from our perspective.” Out west, the Western States Hockey League is an AAU-sanctioned league, as is the Midwest Junior Hockey League and Northern States Hockey League, so the organization is beginning to establish its footprint in hockey. “As a recreational-level hockey program, the AAU fits the model of recreational level of play we want to accomplish in our program.” he said. As an AAU-based program, Bernardy hopes to see the SLCYHL continue to improve on its registration statistics.

- continued on page 5 - AAU Ice Hockey Page 5 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

“Our youth program has somewhat leveled off,” explained Bernardy. “Girls hockey, although small, is showing an increase. Our adult hockey is also experiencing growth and close to maxing out. Youth hockey in this area has various competing factions for the same pot if kids, it’s a numbers game.” That’s said, the sport appears to be gaining cautious momentum across the state. “Hockey overall is growing slightly or has leveled off a bit,” Bernardy said. “Adult hockey continues to grow and a new program is attempting to start up and evolve in Cedar City (just north of St. George in the southern part of the state), but it’s at a high elevation, so it gets the winter Utah climate.” “If they can get the university involved (Southern Utah University), I think it’ll take off. Maybe St. George will come back with a rink. It had a temporary one a couple years back.” But like many other regions around the country, attracting players to the game is an uphill endeavor considering all the other sporting options people have at their disposal. “Utah, with its large families, look for inexpensive entertainment and participation, so soccer is huge,” said Bernardy. “Basketball is huge with the NBA’s Utah Jazz at the pinnacle, and every LDS ward house has a basketball floor in the church facilities. College football also takes center stage, so coverage of our ECHL pro team (the Utah Grizzlies) is very, very limited.” “There are things that need to be done to increase hockey awareness, but that all takes time and money. All the state organizations are doing the best they can with what they have to work with.” What is Bernardy’s outlook on the immediate and distant future of the SLCYHL? “We’ll be her,” said Bernardy. “With a little luck, we might even get an additional sheet of ice put in County Ice Center in the next 5-7 years. The rinks are owned and operated by Salt Lake County.” “It’s imperative we operate and provide fair and equal opportunities for all groups, individuals and participants. Youth hockey in our facilities is doing pretty well, and we’ll continue to provide the high-quality programs for our patrons.” youthhockey.slco.org AAU Ice Hockey Page 6 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

RAPID FIRE JOINS AAU ICE HOCKEY

Rapid Fire Hockey, www.rapidfirehockey.com a non-profit youth hockey organization based out of Superior Wisconsin with over 400 youth participants, has officially license their program with the AAU. AAU National Hockey Chair, Keith Noll commented, “AAU Sports is very pleased to have the Rapid Fire organization join the AAU Ice Hockey program.” “Rapid Fire will offer their student-athletes an excellent ice hockey program, including skill development that the parents are looking for.” Rapid Fire Hockey was established in the spring of 2012 as a summer hockey program designed to give any player in the Superior Wisconsin, Duluth Minnesota and surrounding areas an offseason hockey option that not only provides the players with a means of playing games, but also an option for quality skills development. Rapid Fire Hockey is the only summer hockey option in the area that focuses primarily on skills development during the spring, summer and fall. Due to the unique focus on development that the program provides, Rapid Fire has seen remarkable growth in its first two seasons. Summer 2013 Rapid Fire Hockey consisted of 13 AAA teams and experienced a great deal of success in tournaments. Rapid Fire Hockey believes that all players, not just the top players, deserve the opportunity to develop their hockey skills. Therefore every player that participates in the program receives the same development opportunities with the same development personnel, through the duration of the summer time-frame. Rapid Fire’s membership with AAU, will take the next step in the evolution of youth hockey in the Superior Wisconsin, Duluth Minnesota and surrounding area as it provides an opportunity for the program to run year round and extend these development opportunities and philosophies. Rapid Fire Hockey is committed to providing the very best development environment for its players, teams and coaches. 2014 will be an exciting change for Rapid Fire Hockey and its members. We look forward to the opportunities and challenges that this opportunity will provide. Leadership with the Rapid Fire Organization stated “we are grateful for this opportunity and are looking forward to a long, mutually beneficial, relationship with the AAU”. For additional information on the AAU Sports programs go to www.aausports.org including the AAU Ice Hockey program, www.aauicehockey.org AAU Ice Hockey Page 7 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

New Director of Wisconsin Youth Hockey Appointed written by: www.aauicehockey.org Keith Noll, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Hockey Chair announced today that Adam Bachand, has been appointed as the Director of Wisconsin Youth Hockey for the AAU Ice Hockey program in that state.

New Director of California Youth Hockey Appointed written by: www.aauicehockey.org Riverside, Ca. – Keith Noll, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Hockey Chair announced today that Empire Hockey League (EHL) commissioner, Matt Dunaev, has been appointed by Noll as the Director of California Youth Hockey for the AAU Ice (Mite & Squirt) National Hockey program in Southern California. Noll commented, “Dunaev played an integral role in the formation and development of the EHL, involved with program director meetings and bringing AAU ice hockey to California”. The EHL has already expanded from its Southern California base to Las Vegas, NV, and is currently hosting two National Qualifying tournaments in its inaugural season. Dunaev recently stated, “It is my goal and vision that with the continued success of the EHL and support of AAU that we are going to send teams from southern California to the National Championships in 2014 and beyond.” Matt Dunaev has been the Hockey Director for LA Kings Icetown Riverside since 2008 and has coached youth hockey since 1999. Since becoming the Hockey Director at Icetown, Dunaev has created alliances and partnerships with professional team organizations including the Los Angeles Kings and Ontario Reign, which helped grow memberships at Icetown by over 80%. Contact information for Matt Dunaev, [email protected] or 951-637-3070.

Tournament is approved as a National Qualifier The Cleveland Mite Shootout has now been approved as a National Qualifying tournament. The tournament is scheduled for February 22-23, 2014 at North Olmsted, Ohio. The already SOLD OUT tournament will serve as another pathway to the AAU 2014 National Championship). For further information contact: [email protected] AAU Ice Hockey Page 8 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

Blue On Black, whisper on a scream written by Keith Kloock @ Hockey-Michigan.org No this isn’t an article about the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, although their Blue On Black is certainly a world-class song. Last month Keith Noll (our AAU Hockey national chair) received an email concerning how AAU playing rules apply to the debate in Mites over the usage of the Official Black Puck versus the light- weight blue puck. This article responds, attempting to clarify these concerns. Apparently, some AAU coaches have been giving younger referees some grief, demanding to utilize a Blue puck unless someone can show rules requiring the use of a Black puck. First a word about referees. No referee (young or old) is ever obligated to prove or show in writing any given rules to a coach. Referees are not here to educate our coaches. And we should all consider that many referees (young and old) work across platforms in both AAU Hockey, USA Hockey and very often High School and other formats. It is our AAU coaches who are obligated to understand what rules are in force within the area that we are playing. In general, it is a good practice for opposing coaches to get onto the same page prior to any game and have a meeting of the minds with the referees about which playing rules should be in use. I’ll guarantee that the Referees will appreciate this preparation. To clarify, the light-weight blue-puck rule is strictly a USA Hockey fabrication and departure from the standard Official Puck. AAU Hockey does not observe this USA Hockey blue- puck deviation. Very much in the same manner that AAU Hockey does not observed the USA Hockey deviation into Cross-Ice. AAU Hockey certainly does not prohibit Cross-Ice or the use of a light-weight blue-puck. However, neither of these deviations from traditional hockey should ever be viewed as being the standard within AAU Ice Hockey. However, AAU Hockey does permit our States, Leagues and Tournaments to establish their own local playing rules, provided that they do not compromise any safety rules. An example within Michigan, the main league (MAYHL) has made Black pucks the standard, but it allows its coaches to mutually agree to use Blue pucks. If coaches can not both agree to use a blue-puck then the standard Official Black Puck must be used. Other leagues have adopted similar rules. If a State, League or Tournament does not adopt local playing rules to the contrary, then AAU National Championship Rules would be the default rules within any AAU programs, not the USA Hockey departure from the norm. In other words, the black-puck would be the default standard. AAU National Championship rules are published on the new website at: www.aauicehockey.org These rules specify the use of Black Pucks for Mites. As do the rules from many state organizations (such as Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma and Texas). AAU Ice Hockey Page 9 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

A A U M i t e - S q u i r t Q u a l i f i e r To u r n a m e n t s This page will continue to be updated as additional Qualifiers become available.

Qualifying Tournaments have been announced from several AAU Hockey Districts and Regions. Teams will be selected through a number of pathways including these remaining Qualifier Tournaments and through participation within various AAU sanctioned leagues throughout the United States. 15th Annual Coyotes Cup Dec. 27-30, 2013 Phoenix, AZ Squirt & PeeWee Qualifier Jan. 24-26, 2014 Dallas, TX For additional information President’s Cup Feb. 14-16, 2014 Tulsa, OK Keith Noll [email protected]

AAU Pacific Regional Feb. 14-17, 2014 Riverside, CA Bernie McBain Cleveland Mite Shootout Feb. 22-23, 2014 N.Olmsted, OH [email protected] AAU National Ice Hockey Championships will be held from March 6-9, Keith Kloock [email protected] 2014 in Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota. Mite teams and Squirt teams will compete within several competition level.

A A U S t a t e C h a m p i o n s h i p s To u r n a m e n t s This section will continue to be updated as additional Championships become available.

AAU 2014 Michigan State Championships February 14-17, 2014 Mites & Squirts @ greater Detroit, Michigan rinks (exact location TBD)

AAU 2014 Illinois State Championships February 14-16, 2014 Mites & Squirts @ greater Chicago, Illinois (exact location TBD)

AAU 2014 Colorado State Championships February 21-23, 2014 Mites & Squirts @ Denver, Colorado

www.acejerseys.com (800) 830-0753 9-5 est Proud national sponsor of AAU Hockey AAU Ice Hockey Page 10 December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

A A U M i t e - S q u i r t L e a g u e s This page will continue to be updated as additional league information becomes available.

8U Prep League www.nsyf.org Massachusetts. Offering opportunities at the 8U classification. American Revolution (ARSS) www.americanrevolutionhockey.com Louisiana, Oklahoma & Texas. Offering opportunities at the 8U through 18U classifications. Choice League www.minnesotamadehockey.com Minnesota. Offering opportunities at the 8U through 12U classifications. Canadian Independent (CIHF) www.cihfhockey.com Ontario. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 18U classifications. Eastern Amateur (EAHA) www.eahahockey.org Connecticut. Offering opportunities at the 8U through 12U classifications. Empire Hockey League (EHL) www.empirehockeyleague.com California & Nevada. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 8U classifications. Greater Niagara (GNAHL) www.eteamz.com/greatniagaraamateurhockeyleague New York. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 10U classifications. Hockey Colorado www.hockeycolorado.org Colorado & Wyoming. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 12U classifications. Hockey Illinois www.aauhockeyillinois.org Illinois & Wisconsin. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 8U classifications. Michigan Amatuer (MAYHL) www.mayhl.com Michigan & Ohio. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 18U classifications. New England (NEAHL) www.neahl.org Maine, Massachusetts & New Hampshire. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 18U classifications. North East Hockey League Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island & Vermont. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 18U classifications. Redline Metros (RLAC) www.rlacmetros.com Maryland, Virginia & greater Washington DC. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 18U classifications. Salt Lake County (SLCYHL) www.youthhockey.slco.org Utah. Offering opportunities at the 8U through 14U classifications. Tulsa Jr Oilers www.tulsajroilers.com Oklahoma. Offering opportunities at the 6U through 10U classifications. AAU Ice Hockey Sports for all, Forever December 1, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 9

N a t i o n a l M i t e - S q u i r t C o m m i t t e e AAU National Hockey Chairperson Committee Vice-Chair & Michigan Keith Noll Keith Kloock 2409 Stout Rd., Suite #1 21220 Wellington Menomonie, WI 54751 Woodhaven, MI 48183 (715) 231-4000 (734) 692-5158 Editor [email protected] [email protected] Keith Kloock 21220 Wellington Woodhaven, MI 48183 Committee Vice-Chair & Minnesota AAU Hockey - Pennsylvania (734) 692-5158 Bernie McBain Charlie Sgrillo 7300 Bush Lake Rd. AAU Leagues, Administrators, as well as Team Coaches and/ Edina, MN 55439 or Managers are encouraged (952) 746-9033 to submit articles and notices to: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

AAU Ice Hockey AAU Hockey – National Support Staff Amateur Athletic Union Trevor Hartwig Crystal Mannino PO Box 22409 (407) 934-7200 (407) 828-2660 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (407) 934-7200 [email protected] [email protected] aausports.org

Keith Noll National Hockey Chairperson AAU Ice Hocke y Leagues & Websites (715) 231-4000 AAU Ice Hockey on Twitter twitter.com/AAUIce www.aauicehockey.org www.aauicehockey.org Ron White Scholastic Juniors (UHU) Director WNYHSCHL: www.eteamz.com/wnyhschl (714) 231-2531

Long Island, NY: www.longislandhshockey.net Mike Hartman Junior Hockey Development Director (704) 752-8101 MWJHL: www.mwjhl.com [email protected] NSHL: www.northernstateshockey.com WSHL: www.wshl.org Trevor Hartwig Staff Member (407) 934-7200 [email protected]

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