Read about the sweeping changes to the player evaluation and placement process.

The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award By Scott Angell, Director of Marketing and ‘Youth Hockey Excellence since 1970’ Communications

Serving the towns of Acton, Boxboro, Bolton, The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award was created by the USA Harvard, and Lancaster Hockey Foundation to honor women’s intercollegiate ’s most outstanding player for her accomplishments and Around the Boards contributions to her team and the sport of ice hockey. The newsletter of Acton Boxboro Youth Presented annually since 1998, the award is one of collegiate Hockey Association athletics highest honors, joining the coveted Hobey Baker, and Heisman Trophies. The stunning trophy crafted by Tiffany & Volume 5, Issue 3 – March 2003 Co. and an annual ceremonial event are sponsored by the USA Hockey Foundation, The Foundation and is presented by ChevronTexaco Corporation.

“To give less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” -Steve Prefontaine, legendary long distance runner

"You'll never catch me bragging about goals, but I'll talk all you want about my assists." -

"Forget about talent; worry about results." -Bobby Orr

"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine on why he played pro baseball rather than pro hockey The

Named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier, candidates for the Features award must compete for a varsity women’s ice hockey team at a. The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award a NCAA member institution. The selection criteria includes – Scott Angell outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, Learn about the women's equivalent of the Hobey Baker performance in the “clutch”, personal character, award, given to the most outstanding player in women's competitiveness, and a love of hockey. Additional college hockey. consideration is given to academic achievement and civic involvement. Each year USA Hockey, the National Governing b. Extracurricular Hockey – Hank Hamilton Body for the sport of hockey in the US, will ask the Women’s Evaluate all of the options available this spring and Division I intercollegiate varsity ice hockey coaches to summer for hockey camps, clinics, leagues, and training nominate up to two players from their team for consideration. programs. The player’s names are then placed on an official ballot and the coaches are asked to vote for 10 finalists across the country. c. Squirt 2's State Tournament Ride – Vic Otero These results are then tabulated and forwarded to the selection Read all about the Squirt 2 team's fantastic ride through the committee comprised of Division I coach’s, members of the State tournament media community, and a representative of USA Hockey. This

twelve-person committee will determine the four finalists and Departments the recipient of this prestigious award. · Meet the Board – Chris Renzi Past recipients of the award include (Potsdam, Meet Chris Renzi, ABYHA’s Director of Finance and NY) from the University of New Hampshire in 1998. During hockey parent. the season Brandy lead the Wildcats to a 29-5-3 record and is one of the school’s all time leading points leaders with 240 · Meet the Board – Mark Souliotis including a school record 129 career goals. Brandy also led her Meet Mark Souliotis, ABYHA’s Director of Business team to the ECAC and the inaugural National Championships Activities, ABYHA Equipment Manager, coach, and in women’s intercollegiate ice hockey that same year. In 1999 hockey parent. the recipient was A.J. Mleczko (Nantucket, MA) from Harvard · ABYHA Board News University. In her senior year for The Crimson, she broke both the ECAC and record for points in a single season – New Player Evaluation Process with 109 including 36 goals and 73 assists. She was also a member of the 1998 Olympic Hockey Team that won the gold We are heading into the final stretch of the 2002-2003 ABYHA medal in Nagano Japan. In the first critical game against hockey season and it’s time to start thinking about Canada, she registered two consecutive assists including one on "extracurricular hockey." This is any type of hockey activity the that later proved to be the game winner. Goaltender outside of ABYHA practices and games such as spring and Ali Brewer (Racine, WI) was named the 2000 winner of award summer leagues, summer hockey camps, hockey clinics, while leading the Brown Bears of to an training programs, and even informal play such as stick overall record of 21-3-3. During the season, she registered an practice, roller hockey, and street hockey. The purpose of this exceptional goals-against-average of 1.33 and holds the all time article is to list the many youth hockey programs that are team record for 35 career shutouts. During one span in the available in the region that run during the spring and summer season she did not allow a goal for over 376 minutes of play. months. The 2001 recipient, Jennifer Bortteli (Winnepg, Manitoba), The reasons to participate in a spring or summer hockey played her collegiate hockey at and was a program vary from player to player. A young player finishing member of the Canadian National Team. During the ‘00-01 up a year of Mosquitoes might want to significantly enhance season, she was the top scorer in the ECAC with 35 goals and skating and other basic hockey skills in preparation for Mites. 29 assists. At the time of the award through 28 games Jennifer A hockey camp at the end of the summer would be ideal for had registered 77 points including 41 goals and 36 assists to this purpose. A Midget player might be interested in an intense become only the third player in school history to record more conditioning program to get ready for the high school hockey than 200 career points. (Snohomish, WA) season. And participating in a spring or summer league allows won the award in 2002 and led the ECAC in scoring with 31 the fun of playing ice hockey to continue after the regular goals and 22 assists including 8 game winning goals to lead the season is over. nation is this important statistic. Her clutch performances also led the Huskies to the national championship game. All of A Word of Caution – Coaches and hockey experts alike stress these student-athletes’ accomplishments will certainly promote the importance of players avoiding "hockey burnout." This the explosive growth of women’s ice hockey and their happens when the ambitious player (or for that matter, his or achievements have been recognized with their sports highest her parents) feel the need to practice and play hockey all the honor. time at the expense of other aspects of life in order to get a leg up on the competition. Eventually, hockey is no longer fun but Patty Kazmaier-Sandt was a native of Concord MA where a chore and quite often this player will quit the game she graduated from The Middlesex School in 1981. Patty was altogether. Accordingly, youth hockey players should not play an outstanding student-athlete having excelled at field hockey, hockey all year round. Just like professionals, kids need an off ice hockey, and lacrosse. Athletic achievement is inherent in season in which to rest, recharge their batteries, and look the Kazmaier family and her sister, Kathy, was a standout forward to the following season. Kids should also be involved goalie at the University of New Hampshire. Her father, Richard in a wide variety of other activities including other sports. Kazmaier, was the 1951 recipient of the Heisman Trophy while Remember that the best athletes are the well-rounded athletes. playing football at . Patty’s academic and As an example, playing in an informal spring hockey league athletic accomplishments continued the family tradition at along with a traditional spring sport (e.g., baseball, soccer, Princeton where she earned four varsity letters in women’s ice lacrosse) and attending a hockey camp at the end of the hockey anchoring a defense that led her team to three summer with eight weeks off in between is more than enough consecutive Ivy League Championships (1981-82 through hockey in the off season. 1983-84). In her senior year, Patty was named to the ECAC First Team, Ivy League First Team, and was the Ivy League’s Types of Programs and Activities – Over the past twenty Most Valuable Player. She was also involved in theater and the years or so, hockey player development has increasingly literary magazine at Princeton and graduated in 1986. Patty become a big industry offering a bewildering selection of Kazmaier-Sandt passed away in February of 1990 after a long hockey camps, clinics, training programs, and leagues. struggle with a rare blood disease at the age of 28. Her Training can be found to meet the needs of nearly all players husband, Mark Sandt, her daughter, Serena Sandt, her parents, and their families: Richard and Patricia, and five sisters survive her. · Young beginners through Midget AAA. For those of us that had the privilege of knowing Patty, it is · Skill-specific training such as power skating, stick comforting that her memory is immortalized in this prestigious handling, goaltending, and conditioning. award in the sport she loved. She certainly excelled in · Once per week clinics to intense 30-hours-per-week athletics, academics, and was truly an exceptional person. camps. Each year we have the opportunity to remember her by the · Low cost local day camps to sophisticated overnight recognition of an extraordinary student-athlete in women’s camps in Canada or Sweden. intercollegiate varsity ice hockey with The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. Day Camps – A day camp is defined as any type of training program that meets at the same location, for two or more hours per day, for four or more consecutive days. Players are

dropped off and picked up on the same day. However, there is Extracurricular Hockey no definite distinction between a day camp and clinic. What By Hank Hamilton, Associate Director of Marketing and some hockey schools call a camp, others call a clinic. Communications Camps provide general hockey training, sometimes called total skills development, or specialty training such as power staking, stick handling, defense, shooting, goaltending, and playing hockey, making the experience similar to attending conditioning. Just like our winter leagues, camps offer sessions a general boarding camp. for different skill levels (e.g., beginner, intermediate, elite) to ensure maximum benefit and enjoyment for all participants. · A cultural learning experience for camps located in a foreign country. For a Canadian camp, the player will be The following are points to consider when selecting a hockey exposed to a culture where hockey is more than a game, camp: but a way of life. Clinics – A clinic is a training program that meets periodically, · Location – Is the camp location near your home or typically once a week for an hour. Like camps, clinics often workplace for convenient pickup and drop off? Don’t rule concentrate on a specialty such as skating or conditioning. out a camp near your summer home or vacation spot (e.g., Many clinics are run during the hockey season which can make Cape Cod). a nice complement to team practices for specific skill · Schedule – A camp session usually lasts one week. Is development. Much of the criteria used in selecting a hockey there a session that fits into your summer or school camp should be applied in selecting a hockey clinic. vacation plans? What are the hours of operation? Are Private Lessons – For those with deep financial pockets, you looking for a full-day or a half-day session? Some private lessons with a top-notch instructor provides the ultimate camps also meet in the evening. Also note that camps are in hockey development. Strengths and weaknesses are held during the December, February, and April school continually evaluated in order to tailor the lessons to meet the vacations as well. player’s exact needs. Lessons can be arranged for a single · Cost – Prices vary widely. Be sure that if you’re paying player or for a small group of players. Only a few hockey more, you’re getting more. schools offer private lessons. While some advertise offering private lessons, others will provide them occasionally under the · Ice time – Just because a camp is in session for eight hours right circumstances (e.g., availability of ice time). Also, a day does not guarantee a lot of ice time. While off-ice private lessons are available from freelance hockey instructors activities (lectures, training videos, conditioning workouts, as well. etc.) can be quite valuable, for low quality programs, off- ice activity serves as filler in between on-ice activities. Be Leagues – Playing hockey in a spring or summer league should sure to ask for the number of on-ice hours per day and a be done purely for the fun of it. Few leagues offer practices or detailed description of the off-ice activities. make serious attempts at coaching players. Most leagues provide games only, usually one game per week. While · Instructors – Who will be performing the direct hockey skills can improve in playing in such leagues, don’t instruction? The camp owner or director? Professional sign up with the expectation of improving at the pace hockey instructors? Or high school kids? While it’s okay experienced during the winter season. Also, a player should be to have less experienced instructors helping out, the lead placed on a team commensurate with his or her skill level. If instructor should always be a person with extensive placed in a league where games are played at a slower pace hockey coaching experience. Also, be sure to ask for the than a player’s winter league, skills can regress and bad habits ratio of instructors to campers. can develop. · Focus – Most hockey programs have a focus or specialty. Informal Hockey and Off-Ice Training – Ice hockey is one of Programs often concentrate on training young players, those sports like skiing or bobsledding where playing older players, or elite players. Some programs concentrate informally is next to impossible. With baseball, you can go out on specific skills such as skating. Some programs on in the backyard for a game of catch. With basketball, you emphasize fun, others tout intense workouts. Be sure that can shoot hoops on the driveway or get a pickup game going the focus of the camp meets the needs, capabilities, and the down at the local schoolyard with friends. Much of the skill desire of the player who will be attending. development in many sports takes place in these informal · Reputation – There is no better way to determine the settings. Because this type of play is easy to arrange, it can be quality of a hockey program than to ask those who have done quite frequently. However, since hockey is played on ice attended previously. Ask friends or teammates about a at the tune of $120 to $250 per hour, there is little opportunity program that you are interested in. for casual play apart from practices, games, clinics and camps. However, there are inexpensive and readily accessible ways of Boarding Camps – The hockey programs offered at boarding building hockey skills in the off season while at the same time camps are similar to those of day camps. So why pay the extra having some fun: cost of a boarding camp? What does a boarding camp provide that a day camp does not? · Playing street hockey or roller hockey. Street hockey develops stick handling, passing, playmaking, and · More time available during the course of the day for shooting skills. It also improves conditioning. Roller instruction, though usually not for additional on-ice hockey provides all of the benefits of street hockey plus it instruction. develops skating skills since in-line skating is very similar to ice skating, as it employs the same basic motions and · The thrill and the life experience of spending a week or muscle groups. more away from home. · Playing pickup hockey at a “stick practice” comes as close · Recreational activities such as swimming, boating, and to old fashioned pond hockey as you can get. The Valley land sports. This adds a dimension of fun outside of Sports Arena in Concord holds stick practice sessions on Greg Carter’s European Hockey – Programs: day camps Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the summer (general, skating, stick handling), spring league, clinics, private months. The cost is $5 for two hours, helmets required. lessons; Locations: Concord, Burlington, Marlboro, Salem, NH; Web: www.gchockey.com. · Public skating at NVO keeps the skating legs in shape. Or, Comments: The hockey school that provides ABYHA skills head down to the Minuteman Bike Trail in Bedford for an sessions and player evaluations offers extensive year-round in-line skating excursion. programs that emphasize technique and skill development. The · For older players (i.e., Bantams and Midgets), a physical summer camps are intense and provide 30 hours of on-ice conditioning program can drastically improve hockey training. No other hockey camp in the industry offers this performance. Activities include weight training, running, much time on the ice making the Greg Carter camp a great track workouts, and plyometrics. Consult fitness value. However, realize that 6 hours of on-ice activity per day professionals or texts on hockey conditioning, especially is a lot and might be too much for some. The spring league, regarding weightlifting, before starting a training program. which offers skill sessions in addition to the games, continues Incorrect technique can lead to sub par results, or in the to be quite popular among ABYHA players. worst case, a severe injury. The Hockey Academy – Programs: clinics (learn to skate, The List introduction to hockey, general, girls, goaltending, specialty, elite); leagues (beginner, 3 vs. 3); Locations: Tyngsboro, The following is an exhaustive list of the hockey schools and Dracut, Billerica; Web: www.thehockeyacademy.com. organizations that provide one or more of the following Comments: A well established hockey school that offers programs: day camps, clinics, leagues, and private lessons. For programs for both kids and adults and sponsors the highly practical reasons, boarding camps are not listed unless the regarded Waterville Valley tournaments. Offers an extensive organization is listed for the types of programs specified above. selection of training clinics for beginners through elite and The February, 2003 edition of the American Hockey magazine covers specialties such as goaltending, checking, skating, and has a sizeable list of boarding camps and day camps. Also, The shooting. Hockey News lists camps on their web site, www.thn.com. Bay State Hockey – Programs: clinics (introduction to hockey, All of the programs listed below are located within a 30 to 45 goaltending, power skating, conditioning); spring and summer minute drive from the Acton/Boxboro area. Since we only leagues (beginner, Mite through Bantam, high school, JV); have the two rinks nearby, NVO and Valley Sports, driving Locations: Marlboro, Chelmsford, Burlington; further might be a necessity in order to find a suitable hockey Web: www.fmcarenas.com - follow the link to “Bay State program. The distance undertaken is up to the parents and the Hockey.” player. For selecting an all-day hockey camp, a camp close to Comments: Bay State Hockey is run by the Facility Manage the parent's place of work can actually be more convenient than Corporation. FMC manages many of the rinks in a camp near home. , including three in our area. Their responsibility For each hockey organization, the following information is is book the ice and make rinks profitable during the spring and provided: summer months. As a result, the hockey clinics and leagues they offer are low in cost and an exceptional value. · Locations in our area. Locations and programs outside of the area are not listed. Wright Hockey School – Programs: school vacation camps, · Types of programs available at the locations listed. clinics, private lessons; Locations: Woburn, Stoneham; Web: · The organization’s web site to get more information and to www.wrighthockey.com. register. Comments: A relatively new hockey school, Wright Hockey is growing rapidly in popularity. Run by Matt Wright, a star on · Comments about the program. the 1995 BU national championship team, this school primarily Disclaimer: The hockey organizations listed here are not in any offers individualized private instruction at their state-of-the-art way endorsed by me or by ABYHA. Careful research is Woburn facility featuring synthetic ice and video analysis. required to determine the overall quality and suitability of a Training sessions are typically ½ hour long, with one instructor program. and one or two students, concentrating on general or specific skill development such as shooting, skating or checking. Finally, if you know of any good hockey organizations that are Because synthetic ice is far less costly than real ice, the fees are not listed here, please send the information to modest. [email protected]. National Cross Ice Hockey League – Program: leagues (3 vs. NVO Summer Hockey School – Programs: day camps 3); Locations: Marlboro, Concord (details TBD), Walpole; (general, girls); Location: Boxboro; Web: www.nxhl.org. Web: www.nashobavalleyolympia.com. Comments: The XHL games are 3 vs. 3 cross ice games very Comments: Sponsored by our local rink, the Nashoba Valley similar to the exciting ABHYA 3 vs. 3 games that began this Olympia, and run by renowned coach Don Pacific, each session year. There is no scorekeeping, no stoppage in play, and no of this camp meets for about two hours daily for two weeks. coaches. The purpose of XHL games is the same as our 3 vs. 3 One of the sessions is for girls only. This camp stresses fun as games: skill development with continuous action. An XHL much as it does skill development and it delivers on both demonstration will be held on June 22, 2003 at the New counts. This is an outstanding camp for young players fresh England Sports Center in Marlboro. out of Mosquitoes. Look for the camp brochure at NVO sometime this spring. Pro Ambitions – Programs: day camps (summer, school Kelly’s Hockey – Programs: day camps (general, elite); vacation, general, elite, specialty, goaltending), boarding camps Locations: Dracut, Marlboro, Natick; (general, AAA, goaltending), clinics (elite); Locations: Web: www.kellyshockey.com. Concord, Marlboro, Natick, Stoneham, Andover; Flanagan Hockey School – Programs: day camps (youth, Web: www.proambitions.com. junior high school, high school); Location: Dracut; Web: Comments: Owned and operated by Jeff Serowik, a local kid www.flanhockey.com. who made it to the NHL ranks, Pro Ambitions provides many different types of summer camps to meet the needs of players Lovell’s Hockey Schools – Programs: camps (general, elite, of all levels and skills. There many sessions in the above girls), clinics (elite, girls), private lessons; Locations: locations from which to choose. The day-long camps typically Marlboro, Natick, Quincy; Web: www.lovellhockey.com. feature 4 hours of ice time. The “express camps” feature 2 Garry Hebert Hockey – Programs: camps, clinics; Locations: hours of ice. Reading, Marlboro, Quincy; Web: www.garryhebert.com. Rick Heinz Hockey Schools – Programs: day camps (goaltenders, defensemen, forwards), boarding camp New England Edge Hockey Clinics – Programs: day camps (goaltenders); Locations: Burlington, Marlboro, Saugus; (elite training), clinics; Locations: Saugus, Dracut, Worcester; . Web: www.rickheinz.com. Web: www.needge.com Comments: A large, well established hockey school with International Hockey Academy – Programs: day camps, locations all over the USA and Canada. clinics; Locations: Reading, Brookline, Dorchester, Walpole, Superskills Hockey – Programs: day camps (general, elite, ; Web: www.i-h-a.com. power skating, goaltending, girls – Katie King camp); clinics Hockeyworks – Programs: clinics, spring league, summer (power skating, checking, goaltending, defensemen, forwards, league; Locations: Eastern Massachusetts; summer conditioning, beginner); Locations: Salem, NH, Web: www.hockeyworks.com. Chelmsford, Andover; Web: www.superskillshockey.com. Comments: Superskills offers a range of camps and clinics for Ice Works – Programs: camps (general boys, general girls, all age groups and skill levels. The Daccord Goalie Camp is high school conditioning); Locations: Marlboro, Fitchburg, run by well known goalie coach Brian Daccord. Olympic Wilmington; Web: www.iceworksusa.com. hockey gold medallist Katie King offers a camp for girls. Martian Hockey – Programs: summer clinics (Mites, Squirts, Turcotte Hockey School – Programs: day camps (stick Peewees, goalies); Location: Andover; handling, elite), boarding camps (stick handling); Locations: Web: www.martianhockey.com. Concord, Andover, Saugus; Web: www.turcottehockey.com. Comments: Fun clinics for the younger players. The last Comments: A specialty hockey school that concentrates on session features the “Martian Cup” tournament. developing stick handling skills. Although this venerable New England Sports Center – Programs: spring league (high school has been around for more than 30 years, the offerings school), summer league (youth hockey, high school); Location: remain simple: All camp sessions are one week long, three Marlboro; Web: www.nes.com – Follow the “EVENTS” link hours per day, in locations all over the USA and Canada. from the home page and then follow the “NYHL Summer Laura Stamm International Power Skating System – League 2003” link. Programs: clinics (power skating – beginner through advanced, Comments: The web site does not contain all the information. girls); Locations: Concord, Marlboro, Chelmsford; Web: Flyers are available at the rink or call Debbie Hogan or Brian www.laurastamm.com. Paul at 508-229-2700 for more information. Comments: In the early 1970’s, Laura Stamm, a figure skating Salem Icenter – Programs: day camps (general, elite 1989- instructor, was recruited by the Rangers to develop 1994 birth years), clinic (elite conditioning), spring league, skating instruction for their new players. The techniques and summer league (high school); Location: Salem, NH; methods she developed for NHL professionals become known Web: www.the-icenter.com. as power skating and is widely taught today to hockey players Comments: Run by the management of the Icenter rink in everywhere. Her clinics are held all over the USA and Canada Salem, NH. Steve Kasper, formerly a player of the Boston in the spring, summer, and fall. Bruins, is the director of the hockey programs. Dynamic Skating – Programs: day camps (specialty), boarding North Shore Hockey – Programs: camps and clinics (all camps (specialty, girls), clinics (skills), private lessons; positions, ages, skill levels, all skills taught, boys and girls), Locations: Saugus, Marlboro; Web: www.dynamicskating.com. spring and summer leagues, girls league; Locations: Reading Comments: Boarding camps, day camps, and weekly clinics and others; Web: www.eteamz.com/northshorehockey. devoted to hockey skill development, especially skating. The weekly skills sessions in Saugus allow walk-ons. The New England Predators – Program: summer hockey league (Squirts, Peewees, Bantams); Location: Lawrence; Robby Glantz International Power Skating – Programs: Web: www.nepredators.com. clinics (power skating, stick handling/checking); Locations: Comments: One of the few summer leagues that feature Marlboro, Wilmington; Web: www.robbyglantz.com. practices and emphasis on instruction. Of course it costs more Comments: Instruction for power skating and other skills with than most. locations all over the USA and Canada. Louis Chabot’s Summer Hockey Schools – Programs: day The Ponds of Norwood – Programs: clinics (skills, girls skills, camps (goaltenders, defensemen, forwards); Locations: goalie, learn to skate, learn to play hockey), leagues (Mites and Lawrence, Malden; Web: www.louischabot.com. Squirts 3 vs. 3), day camps; Location: Norwood; Web: www.thepondsofnorwood.com. Boston Junior Bruins – Programs: day camps (general elite, Comments: One of the instructors is Paul Cannata. He helped defensemen elite, Midget training), clinics (skills, skills elite); get ABYHA started with the 3 vs. 3 games and wrote the Location: Marlboro; article, The Value of Small Area Games in Ice Hockey Web: www.bostonjuniorbruins.com – Choose the Development. Another instructor is Laurie Baker, a member of “Camp/Skills” selection under the “PROGRAMS” menu. the USA women's Olympic hockey team. Comments: This hockey program sponsors the Junior Bruins, a junior hockey team in the Eastern Junior Hockey League. The Sharper Edge Skating School – Program: April vacation organization holds hockey camps and clinics, mainly for elite camp; Location: Concord; Web: (none); Phone: 978-369-0088. players but some are open to all skill levels. Comments: Sharper Edge primarily provides skating instruction but also offers a hockey camp for young players Smushkin's Hockey School of Excellence – Programs: spring (Mosquitoes and Mites). The camp meets for 6 hours on vacation camp, summer day camp; Locations: Lowell, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of April vacation. Call for Tyngsboro; Web: www.hockeyagility.com. more information. Applications are available at Valley Sports. Comments: Dr. Smushkin, a Soviet trained sports scientist, provides a very unique approach to hockey training. His Stick With the Edge – Program: training camp; Location: programs emphasize hockey agility along with visual thinking Concord; Web: www.stickhandling.com. skills. His web site is a fascinating read! Acton Indoor Sports – Program: day camp (roller hockey); StickMaster Hockey – Programs: day camps (general); Location: Acton; Web: www.actonindoorsports.com. Location: Dracut; Web: www.stickmasterhockey.com. Goaltending University of Massachusetts at Lowell Athletics – Programs: Bertagna Goaltending and Defense Schools – Programs: day summer camp; Location: Lowell; camps (goaltenders, defensemen, girl goaltenders); Locations: Web: www.goriverhawks.com/youngstars/summercamps.htm. Marlboro, Burlington, Milton; Comments: UMass Lowell sponsors summer camps in a variety Web: www.bertagnagoaltending.com. of sports, including hockey. Note that the web site has not yet Comments: Run by renowned goaltending coach Joe Bertagna, been updated for summer 2003. this hockey school is entering its 30th year. Babson College – Programs: day camp (general), boarding Puckstoppers – Programs: clinics and day camps for goalies; camp (girls); Location: Wellesley; Web: www.babson.edu – Locations: Woburn, Marlboro, Wilmington, Salem, NH; Search for “camp” from the home page and follow the links to Web: www.puckstoppers.net. “Youth Ice Hockey” or “Girls Ice Hockey.” Comments: Clinics are held at their Woburn facility that Route 1 Hockey – Programs: spring league; Location: Saugus; features synthetic ice and shared by Wright Hockey. Web: www.route1hockey.com. The Complete Goaltender – Programs: goalie clinics; Comments: Full teams accepted. No provision for individual Location: Dracut; Web: www.thecompletegoaltender.com. applicants. POPA Goaltending – Program: goalie camp; Location: Hockey North – Programs: spring, summer, and fall high Marlboro; Web: www.popagoaltending.com. school leagues; Location: Saugus; Web: www.hockeynorth.net. Comments: This goaltending school also provides Internet- Rob Barletta’s Hockey School – Programs: day camps (total based instruction and sales of instructional video tapes. skills, stick handling, defensemen), boarding camps (total Conditioning skills, elite), clinics (skills); Locations: Canton, Walpole; Web: www.rbhockey.com. Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning – Programs: clinics (conditioning – off ice), private training; Locations: The Canton Sportsplex – Programs: day camps (skills, Winchester, Lawrence, Canton; Web: www.bodybyboyle.com. defensemen, stick handling), clinics (skills, goaltending, Comments: Mike Boyle is a well known strength and conditioning); Location: Canton; conditioning trainer. He has trained many professional Web: www.cantonsportsplex.net. athletes, including the . These training clinics Milton Academy Summer Hockey Camp – Location: Milton; are ideal for the serious high school age player to prepare for Web: www.milton.edu – Search for “camp” from the home the upcoming season. page and follow the link to “Summer Programs.” Complete Athlete – Programs: clinics (conditioning – off ice, Dexter & Southfield Schools Hockey Camp – Location: speed and power); Location: Bedford; Brookline; Web: www.southfield.org/summer/summer.html. Web: www.completeathlete.org. Comments: A full-day hockey camp where each session lasts two weeks. It combines hockey camp activities with general day camp activities such as swimming, land sports, and cookouts. Boys and girls attend separate sessions. Squirt 2's State Tournament Ride By Vic Otero, Squirt 2 team parent would hold off a determined Wellesley team and advance to a meeting with Twin City from the Leominster/Fitchburg area. The Squirt 2 team had a fantastic run through the State Tournament after receiving a berth as a result of being the Going into the finals against a very strong Twin City team, AB District 8 runner up. The team was having a great season but team felt they could skate with Twin City but knew they would would need to step things up to make its mark in the States. be facing a very strong goaltender. Twin City broke the ice in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Shortly afterward, Joseph It all started on Friday night, February 28, with a tough Otero found an opening and took it from his own blue line and opponent Needham at the St. Sebastians rink in Needham. AB scored on a nifty upper corner shot. True to form, the first jumped all over Needham early but could not crack the period was a two way defensive battle that ended in a 1-1 tie. outstanding netminder for Needham. After a scoreless first The AB defense which consisted of Sean Ohanian, Alex period, Brooke Simpson took a pass from Pat Lortz and Sean Goldman, David Spears, Alex Loebs and John Reilly were Ohanian to break the ice. From there it was all defense both being asked to hold off a very quick Twin City offense. Loebs ways. The AB defense (Sean Ohanian, Alex Goldman, Dave played great defense the entire tournament, even though he was Spears, Alex Loebs, and John Reilly) would not allow battling flu-like symptoms the entire weekend. Matt Dayton, Needham get close to the AB goalie Ethan Chadwick. A late Conner Arnold would test the Twin City netminder a number open net goal by Pat Lortz solidified the win. AB had won of times in the second period but to no avail. The second their first State game. period ended in a 1-1 tie. Going into the final period, the AB skaters looked a bit fatigued but battled hard with the AB started out early Saturday morning with a tough game leadership of Sean Ohanian and Scott Maxwell. With six against Westfield. Offensively, they bombarded the Westfield minutes left, Twin City took advantage of an AB breakdown in defense and finally scored in the second period by way of a their own end and never looked back. AB would put on an Joseph Otero wrist shot. Shortly after that, they would strike onslaught of offense but the Twin City goalie turned away all again with another Otero goal with the feed from John Reilly. 20 shots. The final score was 3 -1. It was a great ride by a The third and final goal came on a Pat Lortz bomb from Otero. great group of kids that never gave up. Head Coach Kelly Defensively, the AB five were impressive only allowing two Ohanian was extremely proud of her team's effort and reminds shots to find goalie Chadwick. them that they will get another shot at Twin City in the New After winning two games in less than 24 hours, they were being England Championship in March. Coach Steve Arnold could asked to play a third game on Saturday afternoon. A win still lose his hair this season. would mean an automatic berth into the State Semifinals. With a Lower Cape team in their sight, they would need to shake any fatigue, and boy did they. Sean Ohanian started the barrage with a great rush from his blue line past three defenders, deking Meet Chris Renzi – ABYHA Director of Finance the goalie, and firing a low backhand shot to the lower corner By Scott Angell of the goal. The next three goals came from the Scott Maxwell and Conner Arnold duo, with Maxwell scoring twice and ATB – How long have you been affiliated with the ABYHA assisting on the Arnold goal. Justin Stewart would add two program and what have your roles been over the years? more goals to his total. Matt Dayton had one goal and two Chris – This is my son Nicholas' fourth season in ABYHA and assists. The Otero, Simpson and Lortz trio got in on the my third year serving as a board member. The only role I have scoring late in the third period with Simpson and Otero scoring. filled has been that of Director of Finance. This is also my son The team gelled offensively with numerous players registering Jakes' second year in LTS and Alexandra's second year as well on the scoring sheet. And Ethan Chadwick would register his for both LTS and Mosquito. third shutout in a row. AB wins 10-0 and advances onward. The AB skaters would have to muster all the energy they could to play a very strong Wellesley squad. Matt Dayton opened things up quickly with a goal from Justin Stewart and Bowen Tibbitts. Wellesley came back within minutes to tie the score. Things stayed quiet the rest of the first period. In the second period, Wellesley would strike again to make it a 2-1 score. Pat Lortz would tie things up by crashing the net and knocking in a rebound. Once again Wellesley would take the lead with a beautiful backhand shot that would find a small crack in an almost impenetrable Ethan Chadwick. With AB down 3 to 2 late in the second period, Bowen Tibbitts would rifle a shot from the right side that found a small opening, assisted from Justin Stewart and Al Loebs. In the third period, AB would rely on Ethan Chadwick and its defense to keep Wellesley at bay. With five minutes left in the game, Pat Lortz would score again from Joseph Otero and Al Loebs. The final minute of play seemed like it took and hour, with Ethan Chadwick Chris Renzi, Director of Finance making four incredible saves in a period of 30 seconds. AB ATB – What are some of the highlights of your experiences in our program? Chris – Some of the highlights I have been involved with are Mark – I have been involved with ABYHA since I moved to the Jerry Melanson night which was a huge success. I have Acton nearly 5 years ago. I started and continue to this day also been involved with streamlining and updating the try-out coaching in the LTS program and coaching various Mite teams process to make it more efficient the night of the try-outs along with the Squirts this year. ATB – How did you become involved with the Board of ATB – What are some of the highlights of your experiences in Directors? our program? Chris – I was first asked to serve on the Board by Marilyn Mark – Some of my best experiences have been with the Auclair who was running LTS at the time. The current families when the team goes away for a tournament. It is an Director of Finance, Tom Curtis, was stepping down because opportunity for everyone to get together outside the rink and bill collecting was becoming quite tedious. Ironically, I was for the kids to goof around as friends. the only one at the board meeting that cold March night that wasn't already a board member. I have enjoyed making a contribution and was happy to be asked. ATB – Can you detail the responsibilities of your role(s)? Chris – My responsibilities include all the finances surrounding the program. This includes accounts receivable, accounts payable, and budgeting for the upcoming season. Accounts receivable entails mailing to each player in the Mite thru Midget division statements when payments are due. I also work closely with Rob Conery, tournament director, to enroll the teams in their desired tournaments. ATB – In your role what would you consider some of the important elements that will lead to success? What are the challenges? Chris – The area in which I would like to see more Mark Souliotis, ABYHA Equipment participation is from parents. I don’t want my role to be a Manager and Director of Business “nasty bill collector.” It is uncomfortable to be calling parents Activities asking for payments or telling them that their child cannot attend the next practice because their bill hasn’t been paid. ATB – How did you become involved with the Board of Instead, I would like it if the parents were proactive and Directors? notified me well in advance of the due date. We have always Mark – Like most current and past board members; by being at made arrangements with families who have been upfront and the rink, being involved and willing to help where possible. honest. We never want to see a child miss a hockey experience, but we do appreciate a call instead of us “chasing ATB – Can you detail the responsibilities of your role(s)? you down.” Mark – As the Business Director, I am essentially responsible ATB – What do you enjoy most about your volunteer work at for fundraising activities for the program including ABYHA? coordinating the photo sessions for the team pictures. In addition, I am the Equipment Manager, responsible for Chris – I enjoy seeing the kids with a smile always on their purchasing and distribution of the team equipment (pucks, face. I never want to see anyone disappointed. Hockey is a water bottles, white boards, first aid kits, etc.) and goalie great sport – fast and fun. I even started playing myself last equipment if necessary. The purchasing, silk screening and year and really enjoy it. This is my second season on a distribution of player shirts is also required. women’s hockey team. I believe in team spirit and team concept. I also enjoy listening to member’s feedback to try to ATB – In your role what would you consider some of the make the program better. I think it’s very important for us to important elements that will lead to success? What are the consider the majority of the memberships opinion to help us set challenges? future goals for the program. I would also like to see more Mark – The fundraising activities have been somewhat members coming to the annual meeting – while we all can’t be neglected in the past. With all the fundraising activities by coaches, it’s nice if you can contribute in other ways. other groups along with the considerable cost to play hockey,

program fundraising is a difficult area to address. The motto for this year has basically been to ‘crawl before we walk,’ that Meet Mark Souliotis – ABYHA Director of Business is, to focus on a few activities, see what does and doesn’t work. Activities and ABYHA Equipment Manager The biggest challenge is to keep the program costs as low as By Scott Angell possible. ATB – How long have you been affiliated with the ABYHA The key to success as Equipment Manager is to make sure program and what have your roles been over the years? everyone has what they need in a timely manner. The biggest challenge this year was to make sure we had enough goalie equipment for everyone who needed it. The age change had a significant impact on the number of Squirt players and hence communication of the evaluation process, the tryout process, the need for 6 Squirt teams. Addressing and accounting for the the coaches review process, and the final rosters. goalie equipment needs is the most difficult as we go from Communication – The entire process will be detailed in the season to season. program’s newsletter, Around the Boards, handed out in the ATB – What do you enjoy most about your volunteer work at registration packages, and posted on the bulletin board at the ABYHA? rink. Mark – This is an easy answer, it is the kids. I have helped Tryouts – Changes in this part of the process include two one- lots of kids in the LTS program (not quite as many as Bob and hour sessions for each player at each level of play as opposed Jerry) start skating by pushing the chair. When they make to the current 1½ hour current format. The first one-hour those first steps and then their first length of the ice without it, session will have 35 players on the ice broken into four skill that makes it all worth it. Not to mention the smiles by the stations. This will allow each player to have plenty of parents who are just as excited as the kids are. opportunities to perform the skills as opposed to standing in line. It will also allow multiple opportunities to display their ATB – There has been a great deal of change in youth hockey skills as opposed to a single opportunity to do so. The second over the recent years. What do you like about the direction of hour session will be the same group playing in cross-ice 3 vs. 3 the program, Mass Hockey, and USA Hockey in general? hockey for the entire hour in one-minute shifts. This format Mark – The program has been much more informative. I significantly increases the “game” situation portion of the remember when I first came to live in Acton. Learning the ins process with more ice time for each player. In addition, the and outs of the program seemed so difficult initially, but all you format concentrates the competition in a manner that each have to do is to ask questions, check out the bulletin board at player will dramatically increase their time with the puck and NVO and of course the website. The website has been a playmaking, etc. tremendous help in getting the word out and up-to-date Coaches Review – The coaches review process starts with the program information. end of the year evaluation from the coaches that have been with

the players for the last 8 months. These evaluations are completed independently by the coaching staff of each team. ABYHA Board News After the tryouts, the head coaches meet with the Program Compiled By Scott Angell Director and Director of Hockey and review the collated data Bylaw changes to be voted on in Annual Meeting from the coach’s evaluations and tryout data. At this time, – March 5th preliminary placements are made. An all coaches meeting is then held to review and make any changes in the rosters. The ABYHA’s Board of Directors announces its recommendations rosters are then sent out by the first week of May. for changes in the program’s bylaws to be voted on in the annual meeting. The Board, led by Lisa Tugal, met several Final Rosters – The rosters will be finalized after the deposit times in recent months and consulted with several experts payment period concludes. Any changes that need to be made within the Mass Hockey governing body for our district. The at that time will be completed. The final team roster and end result has been drafted and circulated to the membership. coaches for the team are then set for the upcoming season. If the changes are approved they will then be sent to Mass There will be no fall movement. Hockey registered and certified as ABYHA’s bylaws of record. The Board would like to thank the individuals from the committee for their time and to the individuals that submitted Sweeping Changes Announced in the Player feedback and suggestions within the membership. Evaluation and Placement Process The Board also feels it is important to explain the current By Dave Peduto and Mike Carroll player placement process to all members. The player After receiving feedback on player movement this past fall evaluation is a lengthy process that begins late in the previous regarding tryouts and final placement, a sub-committee was season. There are 9 basic steps to the player placement process formed to review how the current process is done and could be as follows: improved upon. The committee led by Dave Peduto, Director 1. The first step to this process starts with independent player of Hockey, also included Kelly Ohanian, Charlie Davis, Bob evaluations by their current coaching staff. This is a very Cellucci, Scott Angell, Jan Sacco, and Ken Chadwick. The detailed year ending player evaluation that covers 18 committee had representation from the coaching ranks, parents different hockey skills for players and 21 different skills and board members. In addition, feedback from the for goalies. The player evaluation aspects of hockey membership was sought via the web site and presented at the include agility, mental skills, stick handling, game committee meetings. situation, attendance, and independent comments from The charter of the committee was to decide whether to scrap their coaches. The goalie evaluation aspects of the current system or improve it. Two meetings were held to goaltending include agility, telescoping, angles, stick ensure we were able to speak with the membership and control, attendance, and independent comments from their adequate time was spent discussing each part of the process. coaches. The committee unanimously agreed the current process is 2. The second step, conducted late in the spring, is the basically sound but required “fine tuning.” The areas discussed ABYHA Tryouts. The evaluation of the ABYHA tryout were broken down into four categories including the process is conducted by the Greg Carter European Hockey School coaching staff. The Greg Carter European Hockey School coaching staff is used as a third party evaluation process for all the players. The ABYHA tryout process is conducted in two sessions. The first session again concentrates on hockey skills and the second session is an actual scrimmage to simulate game conditions. In addition, there is a separate evaluation conducted for all AB Squirt, Pee wee, Bantam, and Midget goalies. 3. The third step is to tabulate the tryout data and rank each player based on their tryout number and total score. The initial roster for each level is then determined. Upon completion of this step, each player’s name is added to his or her tryout jersey number. 4. The forth step is to combine the year-ending evaluation for each player. This is conducted by averaging each player’s score provided by the independent year-ending coaches’ evaluation. 5. Step 5 is conducted by comparing the averaged year- ending coaches’ evaluation totals to the tryout rankings. This is an equally important step in order to determine a player’s ranking to his or her peers when placement is conducted. This step will also factor in if a player had a poor tryout. 6. Step 6 is conducted late in the spring. The ABYHA coaches meet to review the placement and make any recommendations on roster changes. Please note all recommended changes are looked at in order to determine if a player should be moved. All recommended changes are conducted provided there is data to support the additional movement. 7. Step 7 - Upon completion of the ABYHA roster, coaches are then selected for each team. 8. Step 8 is conducted by informing all players of their placement, the coaching staff, and league they will be participating in. 9. Step 9 - The ABYHA rosters are printed for signature for all levels.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for articles for future editions, please contact Scott Angell, ABYHA Director of Marketing and Communications or Hank Hamilton, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications. Hank and Scott can be reached at [email protected].