Updated: JANUARY 2021 Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Department 740 W. Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 381-7865 [email protected] 2020 Dear Hockey Parents, On behalf of the Coaching Staff, we would like to welcome you to the 2020-2021 Town of Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Program. The coaches will be emphasizing skating, stickhandling and passing skills to insure that our participants continue to improve as hockey players while also enjoying their time on the ice. We have adapted our program to meet the requirements of social distancing on the ice. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we have established protocols for the health and safety of our participants. These protocols are explained in detail in this manual. We are offering the program as we normally do in its entirety from November to March, although this year we have divided the season into two sessions. This will give those who are not able to participate early in the season the ability to still join the program later into the season. As we did last year, we will be evaluating all participants at the beginning of the season and placing them in the proper groups. This will ensure our coaches are working on the right skill levels based on each group’s abilities. We will continuously evaluate the players throughout the season and if necessary reassign them to a more appropriate group. This year we have added an additional time slot to our sessions to accommodate making each group sizes smaller per time slot. Times for groups are subject to change if minimum enrollment per time slot is not reached. Our coaching staff understands that by teaching children how to play properly, players will learn the game of hockey and the sport will be more enjoyable for everyone. To accomplish these goals, the coaching staff incorporates the station-based skills from USA Hockey to teach your child skating fundamentals and the basics of hockey according to their ability. Players will receive instruction, which they will find both challenging and stimulating. A major emphasis will be placed on turning weakness into strength and players will be encouraged to learn the concept of hockey as a team sport while working together towards a common goal. Unlike previous years, where we encouraged parent volunteer coaches, we will not be using the assistance of volunteer parents on the ice this year. This will help us limit the exposure to the players and the staff. We are looking forward to the 2020-2021 hockey season! Sincerely, Vicky Laoutaris Vicky Laoutaris Recreation Supervisor PROGRAM INFORMATION RECREATION HOUSE HOCKEY PROGRAM Ages 5 – 15 Day: Saturday and Tuesday Time: See schedule in this manual Dates: Full season: November 7 - March 16, 2021 Session 1: November 7 – January 12, 2021 Session 2: February 9 – March 30, 2021 Full Season Per Session Fee: Resident $960 $550 Rye Neck Resident $1,060 $600 Non Resident $1,100 $620 Players will be playing on both Tuesdays and Saturdays each week. Station based skills practice and Cross Ice Games will be organized (games may be restricted based on NYS guidelines). This program places emphasis on sound fundamental USA Hockey certified instruction and basic hockey strategy. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: All players will be evaluated and placed in a group by ability. Evaluations will be conducted during the first 2 dates of the season. The Hockey Director reserves the right to assign players as necessary. Note: Membership to USA Hockey is recommended although it is not required to participate in the program this year. GROUP DESCRIPTIONS (Times are subject to change if minimum enrollment numbers are not reached) ALL-STAR GROUP Players must be proficient in skating, hockey skills and knowledge. Will be high tempo skating and hockey skills. Tuesdays: 7:30 – 8:25pm Saturdays: 10:00 to 10:55 am PREMIERE GROUP Players should be able to skate and have some hockey skills/knowledge. Will focus on skating & hockey positioning and strategy. Tuesdays: 6:20 – 7:15 pm Saturdays: 11:10 to 12:05 pm ELITE GROUP Players that have never played hockey and have little skating experience. Will concentrate on learning power skating techniques. Tuesdays: 5:15 – 6:05 pm Saturdays: 12:20 to 1:15 pm NEW - PROTOCOLS FOR HOCKEY PROGRAM Our primary concern is the health and safety of our hockey players, coaches and all of their families. During these challenging times, we are taking all possible measures to protect everyone who enters our facility. We ask that if you or your child or a family member are showing signs of any illness, (ex. any cold or flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath or other respiratory problem) to please stay home. Players may not return until they are symptom free and fever free (without the use of fever reducing medication) for 24 hours. Please adhere to all the CDC guidelines for COVID- 19; 14 day quarantine if you or anyone else you have been exposed to or have tested positive for COVID-19 and do not return until your symptoms have fully cleared. The program will strictly follow the guidelines of the State of New York and the Town of Mamaroneck pertaining to COVID-19. Please contact Vicky Laoutaris, Recreation Supervisor if you have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19 immediately. Upon arrival, please enter through the main entrance of the ice rink facility. A new Exit has been designated to the facility. Please follow signs posted throughout the facility. 1. The rink currently has limited facility occupancy, which may require limiting spectator attendance. Only coaches, players and one parent/guardian will be admitted to the rink. Parent/Guardians may be restricted to staying during sessions if maximum capacity is reached for the facility. 2. Players must complete prescreening forms each day to participate. 3. Parents/Guardians entering the facility will be required to complete a COVID-19 waiver. 4. Everyone in the rink (except players while on the ice) will be required to wear a mask at all times in the facility. 5. Players may not enter the building until ten (10) minutes prior to their scheduled ice time. 6. Players must wear masks when off the ice and when using the restroom. 7. Locker Room facilities will not be available. All players will be expected to arrive at the rink fully dressed. (We recommend that all players use walkable skate guards to accommodate them being able to walk when not on ice). Skates, helmets and gloves can be put on at the rink. 8. No sharing of equipment allowed. 9. No lost and found. Articles left in the facility will be disposed of. 10. Water fountains are closed; however, the bottle fill station will be available. Bring your own water bottle. No vending machines or concessions stand available. 11. Players will line up by the designated entrance by the ice and remain there until instructed by the coaches to enter the ice surface. 12. Spectators must maintain social distancing and not stand near the boards. 13. After the conclusion of the session, players and their parent/guardian must leave the building via the designated Exit doors promptly at the conclusion of the session. 14. Please follow all posted signage throughout the rink. Covid-19 is a fluid situation, please be advised that our guidelines and operation may be subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the Town of Mamaroneck in order to maximize customer and employee safety. Management reserves the right to ask anyone not following facility protocols to leave the premises. We know these are trying times and we appreciate your cooperation. GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION AND FITTING OF EQUIPMENT: The Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Department’s Youth Hockey Program is part of USA Hockey and the following equipment is mandatory for anyone participating. A USA Ice Hockey approved helmet and full face guard (clear plastic or a cage), a colored mouth piece which must be attached to the face guard, ice hockey gloves, ice hockey elbow, shin and shoulder pads, ice hockey pants, supporter and protective cup (boys), pelvic protector (girls), neck guard, ice hockey stick and skates, ice hockey socks to cover shin guards. Please be advised that helmets, neck guards and colored mouthpieces (attached to the faceguard) must be worn at all times that the player is on the ice, on the bench or in the penalty box. If not worn, the player will be required to leave the area until the necessary equipment is in place. These requirements are to minimize the potential for serious injuries. Children love to jump over the boards and have no control of their skates. Skates are sharp and can easily slice through skin. The most common injury in ice hockey is a concussion. The helmet and mouthpiece are worn to minimize the possibility of sustaining a concussion. Based on experience, our Coaching Staff strongly suggests that the following be purchased before the start of the season: 2 extra mouthpieces skate hook (for tightening laces) skate stone (for taking nicks out of the blade) a small towel to wipe off the blades 1 extra pair of skate laces and 4 rolls of tape for sticks and shin guards Walkable skate guards for walking off ice. For older players, if they have short cuffs on their gloves, parents should consider buying wristbands with protective plastic inserts. LIST OF EQUIPMENT: 1) Helmet, Face Mask and Colored Mouthpiece Obtain a helmet and mask that provides full facial protection. Obtain a colored mouthpiece that attaches to the face mask. 2) Chin Strap/Neck Guard Must be attached to the helmet and NOT be removed.