September 2018

THE CRY v18.19.2 ______Letter from the President

Hello everyone!

In my family we have 4 seasons: hockey, hockey, waiting for hockey, and hockey. I am so excited that the wait is over! Bring on the cold rink, bring on the cheering, BRING ON THE BIG SMILES!! Over the next month we will see more and more activities with GGHA as our High School, travel and house programs hit the ice. It’s a great time of year as the kids get back to the sport they love!

For those who are new to GGHA, I am your acting President. I have held various roles over the past 8 years including Registrar, Fundraising Coordinator, Vice President, Team Manager, Coach (for girls  ) and most importantly to me “hockey mom” to Willem and Kate. In the spring, one of my first actions as President was to organize a GGHA strategic planning meeting and invited several community members to attend. That event kick started several new initiatives including Hockey101, Referee recruitment, 10U House Select/Travel and 12U House Select/Travel teams. It’s very important that we look at increasing numbers of players at all ages as well as diversifying programs.

In the Spring, your GGHA Board of Directors was also busy applying for grants through the Carolina Amateur Hockey Association. We submitted 4 grants in total, and were successful with our Try Hockey for Free Events as well as Growing the Game- tending. We also received Gold Status through USA Hockey for the 2 and 2 Challenge and received funds to some much needed equipment.

We continue to grow our relationship with Steve Donner and the Swamp Rabbits. We are excited to partner with them for several events this season. We are also pleased to announce that our new House Select/B travel teams will be named the Jr. Swamp Rabbits.

Our continued mission will be to provide your child with a love, appreciation, and knowledge of the sport, the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship, the development of leadership skills, and commitment to community service. We seek to provide a fun environment for players of all ages, levels of skill and commitment, with equal opportunity for all.

I love our hockey community and I am very excited by all of the programs we have initiated for this upcoming season! Please remember that your GGHA Board of Directors is here to support each and every one of you. Please feel free to contact me or other members with any ideas or suggestions.

Have a wonderful season!

Ginnette Romkey GGHA, President

1 IT’S NOT TO LATE TO SIGN UP TO PLAY OR PLAN TO COME OUT AND BE A SPECTATOR, BUY LUNCH, or BID ON SILENT ACTION ITEMS. GGHA GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER SUNDAY, September 9, 2018 9:30 am Registration; 11 am Shotgun start

The tournament will be held at Southern Oaks Golf Club 105 Southern Oaks Drive, Easley, SC $100 single Player; $400 for team of 4

Playing in the tournament gets YOU: - 18 holes of tournament golf - Free lunch - Free dinner - On course beverage - Chance to win on course hole prizes - Chance to win raffle prizes - Chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place payouts - Free 18 hole golf certificate from Southern Oaks for future round of golf (must purchase golf cart) All proceeds benefit GGHA, supporting our mission to provide affordable and accessible hockey experiences for Upstate youth.

We hope that you will come out and enjoy a beautiful fall day of golf while supporting youth hockey. Online registration for signing up players or teams at GreenvilleHockey.com Direct questions to [email protected]

Silent auction items include: Big Green Egg, Three nights at Folly Beach House (one row off beach, 4 bedroom/2 bath; Sep-Apr), 2 West End Zone Clemson vs Louisville football tickets with Lot 25 parking pass, 4 Furman game tickets, 4 Wofford game tickets, Original Artwork, 4 tickets Martin Lawrence Show (10/26/18), various Greenville area Restaurant Gift Certificates ($25-$50 each), Feathering The Nest Gift Basket including Home Design Consultation, Boozey Gift Basket (booze, stools, glasses, and more) , Lottery Gift Basket, wine and much, much more.

2 NEW FOR 2018-2019 Season GGHA Beginners Hockey

NEW MEMBER DISCOUNT FOR GGHA FOR BEGINNERS

GGHA is now offering a beginner discount to Mite and Mini-mite players who are new to GGHA. The first time a player registers for the Mite House program (Age 8 and under), the first 10 weeks of the 20 week house sessions will be at no .

NEW TO HOCKEY – SAVE $275

Register Today! GreenvilleHockey.com

USA Hockey Membership is required. Cost of USA Hockey Membership is $40 for age 7 and up. Age 6 and under are free. Go to USAHockeyRegistration.com to register.

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GGHA OFFERING FREE REF CLINIC Ever wish YOU could be a referee? Be involved? Make a little extra money? One of GGHA's missions is to grow the sport of hockey on all levels in Greenville. In order to do this we also have to support growth in officiating. GGHA is offering a FREE introductory Referee Clinic to be held at the Pavilion on Saturday, September 8th. The ref clinic will help fill in the blanks on what is required to gain your and top level information on how to ref. Please sign up on greenvillehockey.com (click on "Registration Now Open" button.) Age 14 and up, and Adults. Cost: free 8:30 - 9:15 Classroom 9:30- 10:30 Ice 10:45-11:00 Wrap up Equipment: , skates ------There is also an official USA Hockey Level 1 seminar on Sunday, September 9th being held at the Pavilion. The USA Hockey seminar on Sunday is one of the requirements to gain your crest. Limited seats are still available. Learn more and sign up at USAHockey.com/officials

3 10 Benefits of Your Child Playing Hockey 1. Team Play: Playing hockey is a great way for your kid to learn about teamwork. Being on a team with other players gives your kid a chance to learn about how a team can come together and work towards a common goal. Passing, communicating and encouraging each others are skills that should be taught while playing on a team

2. Dealing with Adversity: Everything in life doesn’t always go your way nor will it happen for your little hockey player. Losing games, getting penalties, not scoring or getting scored against are things that occur in hockey games. Not making a travel team is another chance to help your kid learn a lesson. These occurrences gives coaches/parents a chance to let the player know that the important thing is how they respond or react to these situations.

3. Respect for Others: Some games are won or lost by wide margins. Children can be taught to win or lose with dignity. Children are taught to shake hands and tell the other players “Good Game” regardless of the outcome.

4. Fitness: Childhood obesity is on the rise. With computers, video games, cell phones and other technological advances children are less active than they use to be. Physical exercise has many advantages and should be stressed at young ages. One hour of skating is plenty of exercise for a day and will most likely leave your child soaked in sweat.

5. Work ethic: Hockey players learn how to develop a solid work ethic. Ice time is 50 or 80 minutes long and coaches don’t like to waste valuable ice time. Players are taught to skate hard to the coach when a whistle is blown and quickly get set for the next drill in practices. In games coaches constantly use the quote “the hardest working team wins”.

6. Tournaments: Every year most teams play in tournaments or jamborees. These tournaments allow the players a great chance to spend time together and get know each other. There is much time spent together at the rinks, restaurants or hotels. At young ages players are constantly upsetting hotel employees by playing ‘mini-sticks’ in the hall ways.

7. Not looking for trouble: Hockey takes up 2 to 4 days per week. Think of all the negative things your child can’t get into while at the rink.

8. Friendships: The teams that play well and have success have chemistry. The players on the team enjoy each other and become good friends. Players on the same team develop strong friendships with each other that last a long time.

9. Competitiveness: Competition builds strength and character even in young children. Wins and losses are valuable tools of motivation even at small levels. Watch 5 or 6 year old hockey players race for the puck and you will see the value of competitiveness.

10. Windshield Time: The term was coined by a hockey parent to describe the hours of travel time to and from hockey rinks with his child. While sitting in your car, it is a great time to talk with your child about whatever is going on in his/her life.

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5

2018 Alumni Game

The 2018 GGHA Alumni Hockey Game was held on Tuesday, August 7th at 8 pm at the Pavilion. The event was a huge success. We had a great turn out. 33 players and full stands.

Game started with a great entrance for player introductions, with lights turned down and announcer introducing each player. Followed by national anthem. Big thank you to Zack Sprunger for announcing and doing bumper music for tonight's game. Swamp Rabbits organization was present with swag bag giveaway drawing and season ticket info. Skaters from Greenville Figure Skaters Club performed for the intermission entertainment. Casey Brown shared his Grrrowl Collection. Grrruff even made an appearance. Special thank you to Casey for all his hard work organizing a fantastic event. Casey has been organizing this event for Alumni for a few years and last year donated the funds raised to help off-set some of the expenses related to the High School Teams trip to Nationals. This year marks the first year the event was brought under the GGHA banner and Casey again organized the event and used it as a fundraiser for Greenville High School Hockey. Thanks to Harold Moore for working the clock and scoreboard, Jake Yenser and Pete Just for helping out, and anyone else who helped make this event a success. It was a Great game. Great pace. 7-7 at the end of regulation. Blue won in a shootout. And a few hundred dollars were raised for the High School program! Thanks to everyone who came out to play, everyone who came out to watch and all who donated to support High School Hockey in Greenville.

6 13 simple rules for hockey parents everywhere

By John Buccigross, ESPN.com (edited by Lesley Craddock from 2009 version, but still relevant)

…Why you should one day sign up your young son or daughter to play youth hockey at a local rink near you. If nothing else, it gets them away from electronics and teaches them a small slice of humanity that they can take forward through life, a life with more heart and less battery power. The rink's cold robs electronics of their battery power and signal reception, anyway.

So, if you are a first-time hockey parent, or dream of one day spending more than $10,000 and sacrificing weekends for a decade of glamorous youth or "minor" hockey, here are 13 important things you need to know about the youth hockey universe -- and hockey in general -- to help speed up the assimilation process in joining the "Congregation of Independent Insane in the Membrane Hockey Community Union" or COIIITMHCU.

1. Under no circumstances will hockey practice ever be cancelled. Ever. Even on days when school is cancelled, practice is still on. A game may be cancelled if the rink shuts down or due to inclement weather because of travel concerns for the visiting team, but it would have to sleet razor blades and bocce balls to cancel hockey practice at your local rink. It's good karma to respect the game.

2. Hockey is an emotional game and your child has the attention span of a chipmunk on NyQuil. The hockey coach will yell a bit during practice; he might even yell at your precious little Sparky. As long as there is teaching involved and not humiliation, it will be good for your child to be taught the right way, with emphasis.

3. Hockey is a very, very, very, very difficult game to play. You are probably terrible at it. It takes high skill and lots of courage, so lay off your kid. Don't berate them. Be patient and encourage them to play. Some kids need more time to learn how to ride the bike, but, in the end, everyone rides a bike about the same way. Your kids are probably anywhere from age 4-8 when they first take up hockey. They will not get a call from the new Boston University coach Albie O’Connell or receive Christmas cards from the Colorado Avalanche's director of scouting. Don't berate them. Demand punctuality and unselfishness for practice and games. That's it. Passion is in someone, or it isn't. One can't implant passion in their child. My primary motive in letting my kids play hockey is exercise, physical fitness and the development of lower-body and core strength that will one day land them on a reality show that will pay off their student loans or my second mortgage.

4. Actually, I do demand two things from my 10-year-old Squirt, Jackson. Prior to every practice or game, as he turns down AC/DC's "Big Jack," gets out of the car and makes his way to the trunk to haul his hockey bag inside a cold, Connecticut

7 rink, I say, "Jack, be the hardest, most creative and grittiest worker ... and be the one having the most fun." That might be four things, but you know what I mean.

5. Your kids should be dressing themselves and tying their own skates by their second year of Squirt. Jack is 67 pounds with 0 percent body fat and arms of linguini, and he can put on, take off and tie his own skates. If he can, anyone can. I don't go in the locker room anymore. Thank goodness; it stinks in there.

6. Do not fret over penalties not called during games and don't waste long-term heart power screaming at the referees. My observational research reveals the power-play percentage for every Mite hockey game ever played is .0000089 percent; for Squirts, .071 percent. I prefer referees to call zero penalties.

7. Yell like crazy during the game. Say whatever you want. Scream every kind of inane instruction you want to your kids. They can't hear you. In the car ride home, ask them if they had fun and gently promote creativity and competiveness, but only after you take them to Denny's for a Junior Grand Slam breakfast or QT for a Slurpee. Having a warm breakfast after an early morning weekend game will become one of your most syrupy sweet memories.

8. Whenever possible, trade in your kids' ice skates and buy used skates, especially during those growing years and even if you can afford to buy new skates every six months. Your kids don't need $180 skates and a $100 stick no matter what your tax bracket is. They will not make them better players.

9. Missing practice (like we stated above) or games is akin to an Irish Catholic missing Mass in 1942. We take attendance at hockey games very seriously. A few years ago the Islanders' Brendan Witt was hit by an SUV in Philadelphia. Witt got up off the pavement and walked to Starbucks for a coffee, and then later played against the Flyers that night. Let me repeat that: BRENDAN WITT WAS HIT BY AN SUV ... AND PLAYED THAT NIGHT! Re-read that sentence 56 times a night to your child when they have a case of the sniffles and want to stay home to play Fortnite.

10. Teach your kids not to celebrate too much after a goal if your team is winning or losing by a lot. And by all means, tell them celebrate with the team. After they score, tell them not to skate away from their teammates like soccer players. Find the person who passed you the puck and tell him or her, "Great pass." We have immediate group hugs in hockey following a short, instinctive reaction from the goal scorer. I am proud of my boy for a lot of things, but I am most proud at how excited he gets when a teammate scores a goal. He is Alex Ovechkin in this regard.

11. There is no such thing as running up the score in hockey. This is understood at every level. It's very difficult to score goals and unexplainably exhilarating

8 when one does. Now, if we get to 14-1, we may want to take our foot off the gas a tad.

12. Unless their femur is broken in 16 places, Mites or Squirts should not lie on the ice after a fall on the ice or against the boards. Attempt to get up as quickly as one can and slowly skate to the bench.

13. Do not offer cash (or Fortnite V-Bucks) for goals. This has no upside. Passion and love and drive cannot be taught or bought. I do believe a certain measure of toughness and grit can be slowly encouraged and eventually taught. Encourage your kid to block shots and to battle hard in the corners. It will serve them well in life.

Enjoy the rink. Keep it fun, keep it in perspective and enjoy the madness. In this digital world of electronics, you may find hockey to be the most human endeavor you partake in. Cell phones run on batteries. Hockey players run on blood. Blood is warmer. Welcome.

Girl's hockey! GGHA is pleased to announce that we will again offer an ALL GIRLS HOCKEY TEAM in Greenville for the 2018-2019 Season

Contact Ginnette Romkey with questions [email protected]

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What is the difference between GGHA House Hockey, House Select and Travel programs?

The GGHA House/Recreational Hockey is a developmental, hockey program for children ages 4-14. House games and practices are predominantly held at the Pavilion. There may be opportunities for voluntary participation in exhibition games and jamborees at regional rinks in the Carolinas. The purpose of House/Rec Hockey is to provide players with a fun, competitive experience where players can develop their game and advance to the next levels if they choose. During the Winter Hockey Season, the House/Rec program practices one night during the week and has gamedays on Saturday morning. Game days consist of round robin games in an intra-league format. There is one regular House/Rec season: October to early-March), plus Spring Skills (6- weeks late-April through early June) and Summer 3-on-3/4-on-4 (late June through July) are also offered.

The GGHA Select Hockey (CHL-B) is an add-on program (additional fee to cover costs only) for House/Rec players desiring additional games at a more competitive level. Select hockey season runs concurrently with the Winter House/Rec hockey season. GGHA has Select teams at the 8U, 10U and 12U age groups.

8U players are selected by the 8U coaches based on skill level to give the more advanced players opportunities for games against more advanced players. 8U Select plays in regional Jamborees in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee during the regular Winter Hockey season.

In year 1 of the Select program, the 10U and 12U Select teams do not have a tryout or coaches’ pick, but instead are a voluntary add on to the House/Rec program, with additional fee assessed. (Limit: 20 players per team). 10U and 12U Select will play in the Carolina Hockey League (CHL) “B” Division during the Winter House/Rec Hockey Season. The opponents and game locations are determined by the CHL and schedules are announced in advance of registration. In addition to the House/Rec Saturday morning gamedays, the 10U/12U Select teams will play in four, three-game round-robin CHL weekend series (three on the road and one at home). Pending season record, 10U and 12U teams could advance to the CHL “B” Tournament in late-February. Tournament location in NC or SC to be determined.

The GGHA Travel Hockey program is a competitive hockey program for boys and girls ages 7-16. Tryouts are required. Travel Hockey provides players with the opportunity to play at a more competitive level than House / Rec Hockey. The GGHA Travel Teams all

10 are designated “A” teams for the 2018/2019 Winter Hockey Season. All teams will play in the CHL “A” division. Approximately half of a Travel Hockey team’s games are held the Pavilion and half of them are held at rinks throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and beyond. Travel Teams typically play in 2-3 tournament during the season, with travel up to 8-hours. Tryouts are typically held in May, but opportunities for additional tryout prior to the season starting are at the discretion of the coaches and pending roster spot availability. The Travel season runs from September to March.

When are the practices and games held? Practices are held on weekday evenings, with exact day and times varying by age group). Games are conducted on the weekends (Saturday and/or Sunday; with some holiday tournaments or Jamborees, i.e., MLK scheduled for Friday-Sunday or Saturday- Monday). See chart for current practice and general game times. Times are subject to change. Every effort is made to maintain a consistent time slot for practices during the week and House/Rec gameday time slots on Saturdays.

GGHA will be utilizing the Bon Secours Wellness Arena ice as much as possible during the season (as Well schedule allows). Practices or games may be move to the The Well and a generous amount of notice will be given to parents. Please utilize the SI Play app to stay abreast of your player’s schedule and for team communication.

11 What are the age groups?

USA Hockey age groups are determined by birth year. For example in the 2018-2019 season the age groups are:

BIRTH YEAR AGE GROUP 2013-2012 U6 (Mini Mite) 2011-2010 U8 (Mite) 2009-2008 U10 (Squirt) 2007-2006 U12 (Pee Wee) 2005-2004 U14 (Bantam) 2003-2002 U16 Midget

GGHA currently does not offer 18U Travel based on number of available players in the market. We hope to again offer 18U team in the future.

GGHA does offer HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY for players in 8th thru 12th Grades. The team plays in the South Carolina Scholastic Hockey Association (SCSHA). All players zoned to attend a public school in Greenville County are automatically eligible to participate in the Greenville High School Hockey program. You do not have to attend a public school to play. Students enrolled in private school or homeschooled are also eligible. Players from outside Greenville County School District may play as a pool player, subject to SCSHA approval and team assignment. Participating players for High School Hockey are evaluated and rostered to the Greenville Varsity High School Team or assigned to the High School Development team based on ability. All Greenville High School team games are played in South Carolina on Friday evenings. Weeknight practice times vary. Pending team rank at the end of a successful season, the High School Team could advance to the South Carolina State Championship, and beyond that Tournament to the USA Hockey National Championship Tournament.

Why do I have to register with USA Hockey?

GGHA is a USA Hockey Sanctioned Program and the Pavilion is a USA Hockey sanctioned facility. All players participating in the Pavilion’s Learn-To- Play, GGHA House or GGHA Travel hockey programs are required to register by USA Hockey, Inc., the National Governing Body for the sport of in the United States. Its mission is to promote the growth of hockey in America and provide the best possible experience for all

12 members by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. Registration is free for U6 (mini-mite) aged players and $40 for all others. A full list of membership benefits can be found here: https://www.usahockeyregistration.com/images/Benefits.pdf

Is my child ready for GGHA’s House/Rec Hockey program? This depends. If your player is 4-8 yrs old and is currently enrolled, has completed or has already demonstrated skating and stick handling skills equivalent to the Pavilion’s Learn to Play Hockey program, then your child is ready. For players above the 8U age group, enrollment in or completion of the Learn to Play Hockey Program is recommended, but not required. Players 8U and younger can enroll in the GGHA “Hockey 101” beginners program, allowing for a 10 week “trial run” before committing financially to the House/Rec program. Our goal is for your child to have an enjoyable and enriching experience while developing his or her hockey skills.

I taught my child how to skate – OR- My child played inline hockey….does he or she still need to participate in the Pavilion’s Learn to Play Hockey Program? That depends on the age of your child and the level of skill he or she has acquired so far. A coach or the hockey director of the GGHA Youth Hockey program can assess your child’s ability to compete at the appropriate age level.

Now that we started playing in the GGHA House League, do we still need to continue with the Pavilion Learn to Play Hockey Program? Some house players continue to participate in the Monday evening Learn To Play program offered by the Pavilion as an opportunity for addition ice time, but it is not required.

Is checking and hitting allowed? During the Winter Season, checking is allowed at the U14 (Bantam) and above age groups. According to USA Hockey, the purpose of body checking in youth hockey is to separate the opponent from the puck. The purpose is not to intimidate, grind out or “make ‘em pay a price.” And it is certainly not to hurt anyone. This means that the right way also is the controlled way. USA Hockey takes checking education so seriously that they developed a 148-page publication just to teach this skill to young players.

What kind of equipment is provided? What do I have to buy? Each House/Rec player will receive a uniform jersey as part of his or her registration fee. Some loaner gear is available for the 6U/8U players. Very limited loaner gear is available at the larger sizes of the 10U/12U players. It is recommended that use of loaner gear be limited to one season, and that players begin investing in their own gear and return loaner

13 gear once they determine an interest and intent to continue to play the sport. This insures the maximum number of new players have an opportunity to take advantage of loaner gear. Travel Players must provide their own equipment. All equipment must be ice hockey certified. Full equipment consists of: an HECC-approved helmet with full face shield or cage, mouth guard, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, pants, shin guards, gloves, hockey socks, hockey skates and a stick. Males require an athletic cup. Females require a jill strap. Equipment may be any color, but please note that all travel players are encouraged to wear white and navy blue pants and gloves. Keep this in mind if you plan on transitioning from the house program to the travel program and begin investing in new or used gear.

A GGHA loaner gear bag typically includes helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin pads, pants, jersey and a stick. Players provide skates (rentals available thru Pavilion if needed), mouth guard, neck guard and jock/jill strap. The Association has quick- change goalie gear for those who are interested in trying that position out during House/Rec practices and Saturday morning gamedays. GGHA has very limited goalie gear for loaner. Talk to your coach if interested in trying the goalie position.

I’m interested in coaching or helping out. What do I need to do? USA Hockey and the Greater Greenville Hockey Association requires that all on-ice coaches go through the USA Hockey’s certification process. All coaches or assistant coaches must have a Background Check, complete Safesport online training and have age appropriate training module through USA Hockey. The Association will reimburse coaches who successfully complete USA Hockey’s training program as well as for the required background check fees. More information about USA Hockey’s certification program can be found here: http://www.usahockey.com/coaches/rules_and_requirements.aspx

There are several ways parents can assist the club’s activities off-ice by volunteering as team managers, game statisticians, website/SI Play app management for their team, dressing room/locker room monitor, score keepers, box attendant, team parent, pre- and post-game set-up and tear-down and other team activities, grassroots recruitment, fundraising, Board Member, etc. All volunteers must be registered with USA Hockey (free registration as “Volunteer”), have background check and completed the Safesport online training.

GGHA is an all-volunteer organization and we rely on the participation of parents to help keep the organization running smoothly.

Help us continue to GROW YOUTH HOCKEY IN GREENVILLE! Volunteer Today!

14 Youth Hockey Sponsorship Form 2018/2019 Season Planning is underway for the 2018/2019 Greater Greenville Hockey Association season. We are seeing increased numbers and are excited as the program grows. We are looking at increasing community sponsorship for our program and need your support! Our goal is to provide a unique athletic experience to the youth of the Upstate that focuses on leadership, team work and athleticism. We encourage and appreciate your support of this growing program as it will be instrumental in our success. We hope you see this as a wonderful opportunity to positively affect the lives of children who live in our community. For more information, please contact Lesley Craddock, GGHA Secretary at [email protected]

Please make checks payable to: Greater Greenville Hockey Association Federal Tax ID 26-0233382 501C3 Charity Please mail payment to: Greater Greenville Hockey Assoc., 2123 Old Spartanburg Rd, Box 147, Greer, SC 29650

Company or Organization Name Contact name Number Address E-Mail Address Sponsor Level: □ Platinum □ Diamond □ Gold □ Sapphire □ Silver □ Warrior □ Bronze □ White □ Other Amount: ______

Designation: □ GGHA General Fund □ (6U/8U) Mini-Mite/Mite House □ (10U/12U) Squirt/PeeWee House □ 8U House Select □ 10U House Select □ _12U House Select □ (10U) Squirt Travel □ (12U) PeeWee Travel □ (14U) Bantam Travel □ (16U) Midget Travel □ Varsity High School □ JV/High School Development □ Girls Hockey □ Silent Warrior □ Other______

ALL SPONSORSHIPS MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 15, 2018 TO GUARANTEE APPARREL LOGO ELEMENTS ARE FULFILLED FOR THE 2018/2019 SEASON

15 HOCKEY FOR DUMMIES CHEAT SHEET If you or your kid are playing hockey, you’re new to the sport or just want to understand the game, you need to know your way around the rink, how to shoot and pass the puck, what makes up a hockey penalty, the positions on a hockey team, and tips for getting prepared to hit the ice.

THE HOCKEY RINK An official NHL () rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide; an international competition rink is wider by 15 feet. The rink is divided by the red , has two blue lines, five face-off circles, the goals and the creases. Check out this hockey rink diagram:

SHOOTING AND PASSING THE PUCK IN ICE HOCKEY

Obviously, if you don’t score goals, you won’t win the hockey game. Make sure you’re passing and shooting the puck quickly and accurately to make the most of your hockey team’s offense. Use these guidelines to help:

 The younger the player, the shorter the pass.  Cradle the puck with your stick when you receive it.  Don’t pass to the player; pass to where he or she is going. And try to put the puck on the blade of the recipient’s stick.  Don’t pass over two lines; that’s against the rules, and the official will blow the whistle. Then he’ll call a face-off, most likely in your defensive zone.  Whenever possible, keep your passes on the ice. But if you must elevate the puck to get it to your teammate, try to make it land flat on the ice so it’s easier to receive.

ICE HOCKEY PENALTIES EXPLAINED

In ice hockey, a penalty results in a player spending time in the penalty box. Ice hockey has three types of penalties: minor, major, and misconduct. The harsher the penalty, the harsher the punishment. Hockey penalties include:

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 Butt ending: When a player jabs an opponent with the top end of his stick.  Checking from behind: Whistled when a player hits an opponent who is not aware of the impending contact from behind and therefore cannot defend himself.  Cross checking: When a player makes a check with both hands on the stick.  Elbowing: When a player uses his elbow to foul an opponent.  Fighting: Called fisticuffs in the National Hockey League rule book, it is assessed when players drop their gloves and throw punches at each other.  Hooking: When a player impedes the progress of an opponent by “hooking” him with his stick.  Interference: When a player interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who does not have the puck. Also assessed to a player who deliberately knocks the stick out of an opponent’s hand or who prevents a player who has dropped his stick (or any other piece of equipment) from picking it back up.  Kneeing: When a player fouls an opponent with his knee (of course!).  Roughing: Called when a player strikes another opponent in a minor altercation that the referee determines is not worthy of a major penalty.  Slashing: When a player hits an opponent with his stick, or “slashes” him, either to impede his progress or cause injury.  Spearing: When a player stabs at an opponent with the blade of his stick, whether he makes contact or not.  Tripping: When a stick or any portion of a player’s body is used to cause an opposing player to fall.

BASIC ICE HOCKEY POSITIONS EXPLAINED

An ice hockey team is made up of six players, each with a specific position and job. The job of offense is to score goals, and the defense is there to protect the goal. The following list describes each of the hockey positions:

 Goalie: Perhaps the toughest position in all of sports, the goalie is the one player who can control a team’s confidence. His job is to keep the puck out of the net, and if he’s good, he can take his team a long way. Good goalies win championships.  Defensemen: A team at full strength has two — one on the left side and another on the right. Nowadays, there are three primary kinds of defensemen. One is creative and offensive-minded; he likes to handle the puck and lead the team up ice, but is not too physical. Another is defensive-minded, a stay-at-home bruiser who plays a physical game and doesn’t often venture out of his zone with the puck. And there are those rare athletes who are a combination of the two.  Right wing: He works the right side of the ice for the most part. He needs to be a physical player who is good along the boards and in the corner. He is responsible for the opposition’s left defenseman in the defensive zone.  Left wing: Traditionally a left-handed shot, but the NHL is seeing more right- handers playing this position now, a practice picked up from the Europeans. A right-hander has a better angle to shoot from when he’s coming in on his wing. Like the right wing, he needs to be able to dig out the puck from the corners and battle in front of the net.  Center: He quarterbacks his club at both ends of the ice. Must be good at face-offs and passing, and it doesn’t hurt if he’s a good shot as well. Coaches want a lot of creativity in this position — and a lot of hockey smarts.

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TIPS FOR BECOMING A BETTER HOCKEY PLAYER

Make sure you’re prepared before you hit the ice to play hockey. Understanding the rules of ice hockey is only the first step toward becoming a great hockey player; you also need to know how to play safely and to show good sportsmanship:

 Learn to skate properly, even if you’re playing goalie. You can’t do anything in hockey if you can’t skate.  Make sure your equipment — whether it’s your skates, your stick, or your sweater (that’s what the pros call a hockey jersey) — fits well.  On the bench, be alert. Watch what the opposing team is doing, and be prepared to play both ways, offensively and defensively.  Don’t be a puck hog; pass to your teammates.  Don’t stay out on your shift for too long. If you’re working hard, an average shift on the ice should last no longer than a minute. Come off when it’s your turn.  Be ready when it’s your turn to go onto the ice.  Wear a helmet. But remember: Just because you have head protection, don’t think you’re invincible.  Be careful with your stick. Just because everybody wears headgear, don’t think they’re invincible either.  Don’t check people from behind.  Keep your head up when you’re going into the boards. If it’s tucked in, the chances of a serious head injury rise if someone hits you from behind.  Don’t yap at the ref or the other team. It’s okay to be emotional and pull for the people on your team, but don’t give the ref or the opposing players a hard time.  Get yourself in good physical shape.  Practice your shooting and passing.

HOCKEY PRACTICE DRILLS LEGEND Understanding the white board:

18 GGHA Players were all over the map this summer attending hockey sessions, c amps and clinics.

Cian and Logan Erdley (above) attended Penn State Hockey Camp; younger brother Finley Erdley (right) attended the Gretzky Camp in Nashville, seen here with Ty Gretzky.

GGHA Hosted a TPH Girls Clinic on August 25-26 to wrap up the summer 19 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 – August, November, March  Girls Hockey clinics  Team Parent  Golf Tournament Fundraiser volunteers  Skate-A-Thon volunteers  …and more. Ask your players coach or team manager how you can help!

All Volunteers age 18+ who have contact with players must 1. Register as a volunteer at USAHockeyRegistration.com 2. Have USA Hockey/CAHA Background check 3. Complete the USA Hockey Safe Sport online module

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GGHA SWAMP RABBITS OPENING NIGHT - On-Ice Opening Ceremony GGHA Players are invited to participate in the Opening Ceremonies of the Swamp Rabbits Season on Friday, October 12th - exact time tbd (between 6:30-7 PM). For ALL GGHA players (Junior Swamp Rabbits, Junior Road Warriors and Highs School) and their families, GGHA group tickets for opening night are Buy-One-Get-One FREE. The Swamp Rabbits would like our players from all age groups to come out on the ice during opening night. Players will go out on the ice IN SHOES NOT skates. Please plan to wear a GGHA Hockey Jersey (We are waiting to hear if there will be a limit on number of players on the ice. For now it will be first come, first serve.) SIGN UP GENIUS noted on Facebook Group Page or on GGHA website GGHA group tickets purchased through this link will allow our group to purchase tickets in 2 sections, 107 at the Zamboni entrance and 104 where the team comes out of the tunnel. If you already have opening night tickets or season tickets, you can still participate in the opening ceremony. Please sign up today. Link to purchase Buy-One-Get-One Tickets is on Facebook Group Page and on GGHA website

22 Pavilion Stick Time Schedule – September 2018 (Subject to change. Link for latest or call 322-PLAY to confirm)

------CLEMSON PLAYS GEORGIA TECH IN THEIR SEASON HOME OPENER AT THE PAVILION ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 at 10 pm

Clemson Hockey does not have their full schedule public at this time. The following dates are those where Pavilion has Clemson Game Times Blocked out. The full schedule with opponents will be distributed when available: Oct 26-27, 9:45 pm - 12:15 am Nov 30-Dec 1, 9:45 pm - 12:15 am Jan 11-12, 9:45 pm - 12:15 am Jan 25-26, 9:45 pm - 12:15 am

23 2018/2019 COACHING STAFF 6U/8U HOUSE – Kevin Hansen 8U Select– Kevin Hansen 10U/12U HOUSE – Don Dicomo 10U Select – Zach Lincolnhol 12U Select – Jeff Reynolds 10U – Head Coach Cameron Calder, Sr. Assistant Coach/Manager Henry Pellerin 12U Travel – Head Coach Brian Dona, Assistant Coach David Ireland, Manager Mindy Rock 14U – Head Coach Kurt Romkey, Assist. Coaches Matt Kellermyer & James Clark, Manager Tim Lucas 16U – Dale Caray, Assistant Coach Casey Brown, Manager Alan Johnson High School – John Chesare, Manager Pete Just

Balance of House Coaches and all assistant coaches are still to be announced

2018/2019 GGHA Executive Board Members President: Ginnette Romkey [email protected] Vice President: Don Dicomo [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: Kevin Hansen [email protected] High School Coordinator: Jake Yenser [email protected]

2018/2019 GGHA Non-Voting Board Members Immediate Past President: Al Mina Greenville County Rec Representative: George Fowler BS Wellness Arena Representative: Swamp Rabbits Representative:

2018/2019 GGHA Support Volunteers Goalie Advocate: Kurt Romkey [email protected] Ice Scheduler: Tim Lucas [email protected] Web Master: Robert Judd [email protected] Registrar: Ginnette Romkey [email protected] Skate-A-Thon Chair Kristina Lucas [email protected] Swamp Rabbits Liaison: Brian Gombash [email protected] CHL Vice President Representative: Al Mina CAHA South Carolina Rep: Jake Yenser Website: http://greenvillehockey.com

Submissions for the next edition of The (November 2018) are due November 1st. 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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