LETTER FROM the president Season’s Greetings to our Ball Hockey Family! I would like to first extend to everyone our best wishes for a safe, happy and healthy holiday season! (Yes, the holidays are already here!). I hope this finds all of you well. When it comes to USA Ball Hockey, so many developments have taken place. There are a couple of huge announcements that I am excited to tell you about. The first is that we have officially opened registration for the 2021 calendar year. To some of the old-timers in ball hockey, this is a monumental event. For decades, we have been on a quest to finally find the vehicle to uniting our sport to play under one consistent set of rules, certify our coaches, certify our referees, insure our players and to provide a safe and educational experience for all. That day is finally here. Thousands of hours have been put into this monumental task and I am proud to say that it is now officially here. There has been decades of groundwork laid to get to this point. Credit to that history goes to people like Ricky Laperriere, Jamie Cooke, Chris Housser, Jason Kelly, George Tarantino, JJ Deviney, Mark Madden, George Gortsos and of course Ray LeClerc, the father of this sport. I could continue to name all the people that have helped to put USABH in the position to reach this incredible milestone, but there would be thousands on that list. Congratulations to everyone from the past and present that have made this incredible event happen. My second announcement pertains to the growth of the sport. We have officially partnered with The EMPowerplay Project. The EMPowerplay Project is an emerging youth sports initiative whose mission is educating, motivating and ultimately empowering kids (and young adults) through the participation of sports. EMPowerplay facilitates the implementation of state-of-the-art ball/dek hockey rinks across the country, ultimately enabling the introduction and growth of ball/dek hockey to millions of kids nationwide. In other words, if you've always wanted to own your own rink and run ball/dek hockey leagues but have no idea how to get started, EMPowerplay are the people to set you on the path and guide you to make that happen. Believe me, it's way more possible than you think. Check out the press release of our partnership on our website or go to empowerplayproject.com. Enjoy the second edition of the USABH Magazine! Best wishes, Chris Banks President [email protected] i USABH & EMP PARTNERSHIP By: Craig Stanton AIMS TO GROW HOCKEY USA Ball Hockey is firmly setting their sights on the future of the sport and committed to growing the game on the domestic (and global) sports stage. Along with new leagues and a comprehensive new registration format, a long term vision is being implemented to grow the sport. As part of USA Ball Hockey’s (USABH) overall expansion The objective of the strategic partnership is multifold but will growth planning they have joined forces with the emerging initially focus on growing awareness and participation of Ball/ youth sports initiative, The EMPowerplay Project (EMP), to DEK hockey in conjunction with developing a network of dramatically expand the landscape of Ball/DEK hockey in the standardized, state-of-the-art, cost-effective, sanctioned rink United States. The strategic partnership, known as The EMP/ destinations throughout the country. USABH Alliance, will escalate USABH’s efforts to support communities by organizing programs that develop players, USABH is endorsing EMP rinks and its ideology to all existing coaches, officials, and facilities with the goal of competing at teams and leagues as well as all future USABH affiliate the highest level in world competition. franchises and teams. EMP, in addition to including and promoting USABH to EMP rink development partners in 2 need of programming support as well as a one-stop “Our goals of putting a resource for registration and coaching, bring a wealth “The EMP/USABH hockey stick in every kid's of experience and execution in branding, marketing, hands and helping to strategic planning and corporate sponsorships to the Alliance will nurture inclusivity within partnership. the game and youth exponentially help sports in general aligns “The EMP/USABH Alliance will exponentially help us raise the bar and well with USABH” said us raise the bar and grow ball hockey in America,” Kelly K, Founder and CEO said Chris Banks, President USABH. “Their passion grow ball hockey in of EMPowerplay. “We are resonated with our leadership and along with setting thrilled to be teaming up a rink standard for all levels of USABH participants, America” with USA Ball Hockey and we will greatly benefit from their expertise in branding, embarking on this journey marketing communications and development.” - Chris Banks, together”. What is Empowerplay USABH President EMP’s rink formula is Repurpose + Reuse EMPowerplay is an emerging Youth Sports initiative, = Community Goodwill & Unrecognized Revenue. Real who through various project partners and philanthropic and sustainable growth exists for the countless older or partnerships, facilitates the implementation of state of the unused rinks, tennis parks, shopping centers/ strip malls art multi-sports rinks across the country – these projects are made possible through the generous donations of both private donors, EMP, as well as the many initiative collaborators who graciously donate land, resources and time. EMP was founded by established entrepreneur Kelly K, (President/ CE0, kkz cb2o), an influential branding,creative and business development individualist with comprehensive know-how and award-winning initiatives across a myriad of environments including media, music, entertainment, sports, social and consumer products. A few years later Kelly connected with the like- minded Craig Stanton, a highly respected, visionary, strategic communications executive, whose background is working with Fortune 50 companies and sports luminaries on landmark global product launches, initiatives and baseball parks throughout the Nation and North and media campaigns. Craig helped build the Ice Hockey America. Within the current marketplace there are countless In Harlem charity for over 30 years and sits on their Board unrecognized revenue streams waiting to be captured, by of Directors. simply repurposing under-utilized land, parking lots, square footage, etc. Their ideology is based on the facts that the Youth Sports Industry is broken and millions upon millions of kids are The DNA of an EMP rink is multipurpose and modular by getting left out of the programming, or simply cannot design, making for a cost-effective asset investment for any afford to take part. EMP’s sole mission is educating, public and or public-private project. A simple transition that motivating and ultimately empowering kids through the not only creates much-needed 365 sports and recreation participation of sports and for the EMP/USABH Alliance, solutions but impactfully helps to build vital community DEK/Ball Hockey is at the core of that initiative. goodwill through an initiative like this. Though some timelines 3 vary, average projects run 10-12 weeks in duration - from EMP project partners have identified a number of additional green light to completion. sites throughout the U.S. where these multi-sport rinks will be constructed. Plans are in motion to launch 30 rinks USABH/EMP Alliance throughout the states of Washington, North Carolina, Texas and Arizona and more during the next 3 years alone, The USABH/EMP alliance came together for a myriad of including the twin rink EMP/USABH ALLIANCE Destination reasons: both USABH and EMP are intrinsically involved in Southern California, scheduled to open in 2021. in developing hockey and youth sports throughout North EMPowerplay continues its regular and ongoing discussions America and each are committed to both the growth (of the with NHL teams around the country as the initiative’s footprint sport) at the local level as well as the development of the continues to flourish across the U.S. and Canada. overall program on an international scale. With EMPowerplay’s encompassing formula, cities, There is much in the way of symmetry between USABH townships and private facilities throughout the Nation can and EMP,, but most importantly, the collective mission for now meet the demands of the populous for their sports inclusivity and introduction (to hockey/youth sports/the EMP needs while introducing the greatest sport on earth to the incubator for related technology for those that cannot play) millions of people who for whatever reason, never had the --- It’s all about access. Create it for those either unaware it opportunity before. exists or no means to get it. For EMPowerplay and its project partners this isn’t about THE EMP/USABH alliance will soon be launching “Grow creating the next superstars of DEK or ice Hockey - on The Game Day” – a nationally sponsored series specifically the contrary, it’s all about helping nurture the next wave of created as a nationwide/touring event that ‘introduces’ character-driven citizens and potential future leaders. the sport as well as the collective mission/ideology, EVERYWHERE – including intrinsic and extremely important tertiary/secondary markets. In fact these markets are where EMPowerplay sees itself building the majority of its facilities around the country. While rink implementation is seeing significant growth in some bigger cities as well, the smaller markets will make up the bigger part of the story and this is where USABH membership thrives. 4 5 By: Ian Gordon The Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning are a prime example to the idea that hockey knows no boundaries. Though Tampa Bay might not freeze into an outdoor rink in the not so chilly Tampa winters, the Lightning are still finding ways to share their love for this wonderful game with their community.