Sports for all, Forever AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Revised 6-18-14 Year 3, Wrap-Up

AAU - North American Championships for Squirts and PeeWees

AAU Hockey appointed an AAU National Championship Committee, which has been developing plans for our 2015 Squirt and PeeWee Editor Championships. Keith Kloock The Committee has renamed this premiere national level event to the 21220 Wellington AAU Ice Hockey - North American Championships, which will now Woodhaven, MI 48183 (734) 692-5158 welcome our AAU Canadian members into the Championship Tournament as well as our US-based clubs. Published monthly for the benefit and interest of AAU The Committee has selected March 27-29, 2015 as the date and the Ice Hockey participants.

Greater Niagara Amateur Hockey League (GNAHL) as the host AAU Leagues, Administra- organization (within the Buffalo NY region). tors, as well as Team Coaches and/or Managers Recognizing the great nationwide expansion of AAU Mite Full-Ice are encouraged to submit Hockey, it’s now time to begin moving opportunities for hosting AAU articles and notices to: [email protected] national level events into other regions to help build programs at other age classifications. Western New York is centrally located for many of our existing AAU Ice Hockey programs in Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Metro New York, New Haven CT, Ontario, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and greater Washington DC, which are all within relatively close commuting range. The Committee has selected a non-checking version of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) playing rules, which provide for: Full-Ice, Black Pucks, a 9-Dot Faceoff system and Delayed Off -sides. The Committee has also elected to host multiple competition levels within six separate age classification, providing a more inclusive format for our members. PeeWees will include: PeeWee Major = 12U (2002), PeeWee Mixed = 11U-12U (2003-02) and PeeWee Minor = 11U (2003). Squirts will include: Squirt Major = 10U (2004), Squirt Mixed = 9U-10U (2005-04) and Squirt Minor = 9U (2005). Please be aware that the Mite classifications of the AAU Ice Hockey - North American Championships will be hosted within the greater Minneapolis-St.Paul area on March 5-8, 2015 and will again in conjunction with the Let’s Play Hockey Expo. Mark your calendars and watch for additional details, as they are released at: aauicehockey.org Page 2 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Year 3, Wrap-Up

AAU begins Adult Hockey for 2014-2015! AAU will begin our long awaited Adult Hockey (non-checking) for the 2014-2015 season, providing a great many benefits including, in part: 1) lower cost AAU memberships ($25 for adult athletes), which can also provide access to many other AAU sports (including Inline Hockey, Men's Basketball, etc) with no additional membership fees, 2) lower cost licensing fees for Clubs, Leagues and/or Tournaments, 3) world-class insurance coverage for AAU participants and facilities, 4) a greater voice and control by local facilities, leagues and programs. Those wishing to create an AAU licensed Adult Ice Hockey league and/or tournament and/or for information on forming an AAU Club (Team) then please feel free to contact: Keith Noll at (715) 231-4000.

Thanks to our AAU Players, Parents, Coaches & Families! As our third Hockey Michigan season comes to a close, we at your state association wish to thank you all for making 2013-2014 a great season and for helping to grow AAU hockey in Michigan. AAU Mite hockey began right here in southeastern Michigan for the 2011-2012 season, with only 11 league teams at the 7U Travel level and 13 at the Mite B level, plus 4 Mite B teams within an Upper Peninsula league. These teams provided Full-Ice hockey opportunities to 505 Mite players during our first regular season, mostly of the 2004 birth year (as well as a few 2003s and 2005s). That first AAU season was a scary venture. A “Field of Dreams” type scenario of “Build it and they will come”, which at that time was a tremendous leap of faith on the part of our parents and coaches. AAU hadn't been involved in youth ice hockey for many decades and the game was being dominated by a monopoly. Yet over 500 kids came to play Real Hockey and have some fun. Today those first 2004s remain as many of the top skaters and most highest skilled players within the State of Michigan. During our second season we quiety went about with more than double our size to just over 1100. In addition, AAU Mite full-ice hockey began to spread throughout other states and into additional age classifications as well. Now in our third season, (thanks to all of you) Hockey Michigan has more than double again to over 3000 members participating within 92 AAU Clubs. We now find Mini-Mites, Mites (having 55 teams at the 8U level within Southeast Michigan alone), Squirts, Juniors and even JV-Prep teams all participating within AAU hockey. Something that many claimed could never have happened. And similarly, AAU Hockey has been doubling each year at the national level as well. Reaching well over 21,000 members this season, while hosting National Championship tournaments at Mite, Squirts and Juniors. Plus AAU Hockey has now gone international by welcoming our new Canadian members from the Canadian Independent Hockey Federation (CIHF) with affiliates throughout Ontario including members in Barrie, Burlington, London and Toronto. For 2014-2015, watch for our AAU Ice Hockey - North American Championships. Page 3 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Year 3, Wrap-Up

During the first two seasons of Hockey Michigan, as your state youth hockey director I found myself acting as the janitor, as well as the chief cook and bottle washer for our state association. While administering the league, State tournaments and Regional tournaments. I was more then happy to put in the time and effort. However, I had been stretched pretty thin (despite being terrible over-weight) and frankly I’m not sure how well that I could have managed during this season’s expansion, if I was forced to continue these operations alone. Fortunately, volunteerism has expanded as well as our membership. Lee Shifflett resigned from a position that he very much loved (as the president of the Wyandotte Warrior Hockey Association) and he took up the task of creating a new AAU based youth hockey league. That league is called the Michigan Amateur Hockey League (MAYHL), which most of you participated in. Lee’s move effectively doubled the labor force available to AAU Hockey programs within Michigan. Lee’s efforts with the MAYHL allowed me the time and space necessary to begin expanding our AAU state association and to help grow AAU Hockey regionally and nationally. In essence, allowing me to serve in more of a force multiplier function with the freedom to search for additional volunteers. Gerry Lullove then came aboard with Hockey Michigan to serve as our Director of Standards & Compliance. Gerry brought to the table his long history of service and experience within youth ice hockey covering all age classifications, including Juniors (with his tenure as the founder of the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League in 2008 and his service as their Commissioner from 2008-2012). Gerry’s vast experience within the game and his administrative capabilities have aided in strengthening our AAU Ice Hockey programs and leagues in Michigan. Gerry’s primary role has been to chair the state ice hockey Infraction Committee, which conducts hearings concerning: Match Penalties, Sport Rules, Entry Requirements and/or Operating Rules related to the sport of hockey in accordance with the procedures detailed within AAU National Policy XI. It should be noted that Gerry also served as the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee during the Mite-Squirt National Championships in Minnesota. In addition, Gerry aids the AAU Inline Hockey program for the state of Michigan as well as the AAU National program. Yet, Gerry went way beyond his primary role, helping in almost every aspect of Hockey Michigan as well as helping out the AAU National Committee. Dane Baruzzini volunteered to assist the MAYHL with the administration of their Mite AA (2005) Lake Michigan and Lake Huron divisions. And by all accounts from Lee Shifflett as well as feedback from several coaches within those division, Dane has done a first-class job. Ultimately, it is our volunteers like Lee, Gerry and Dane who will set the tone for the evolution of our AAU youth hockey programs in Michigan. A tone based upon the concept of providing opportunities and service to our players, parents and coaches.

Your volunteerism had a lot to do with this year’s success. Yet, AAU Hockey could neither exist or expand without our players, parents, coaches, managers, volunteers and family members. Sincere thanks from Hockey Michigan (AAU), Keith Kloock Page 4 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Year 3, Wrap-Up

Why do we volunteer, providing an alternate path for youth hockey? Some of us no longer have children playing youth hockey. My own son’s final youth hockey was played during 1990-1991 season and my grandson no longer lives in southeast Michigan. So why volunteer for a lot of work with no pay. Well the simple answer is that someone has to. Otherwise thousands of kids will be denied Real Hockey and sometimes there are different kinds of rewards in life, beyond the almighty dollar. Here is an example of payment. One weekend several months ago, the MAYHL was hosting their league Playoff Finals. So on a Saturday morning, I quickly answered the last few emails about the up and coming AAU Nationals and also the AAU Michigan State tournaments, turned off my computer and left for the rink to see if the league needed any help. After talking receiving a few updates from Lee, I then decided to watch some Real Mite Hockey and maybe take a few pictures. By simple luck, I began watching a Mite 8U travel game between the Canton Crush and the Vehicle City Ice Hogs (2 very good teams). I’ve talked to both coaches in the past but I had never seen either team actually play or had I met any of the parents associated with the teams. The game was already 3-1 when I began watching. However, the underdogs wouldn't quit and they came fighting back to tie the game 3-3 late in the third period. It was fun to watch and great to see young kids that simply refuse to give up. That’s just one of the lessons that we hope kids will learn from sports. However, as a batch of us adults stood by watching these smiling kids battle back and forth during 2 overtime periods, some of the parents started commenting that they guess we should all be arrested for child abuse, because their kids were having too much fun playing Real Hockey. Late in the second OT the Vehicle City Ice Hogs won the game.

However, this was only the first in a best of 3 series. So the same teams met again later that same day. And in an even tighter game it was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time. Yet another OT, with the Hogs winning again. While handing out medals the Canton Crush coach publicly commended Vehicle City for being a great team (a classy display of our Positive Coaching Alliance principles). Page 5 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Year 3, Wrap-Up

Hockey Michigan 3rd Annual State Championships helps our Michigan National Guard friends & families

Dateline Farmington Hills Michigan March 14-16, 2014: Following a long tradition of hockey families helping others, this year Hockey Michigan adopted the Michigan National Guard Family Fund in an effort to assist them in they mission to provide Michigan National Guard Families who experience sudden & unexpected financial difficulties with temporary financial assistance. Please consider a donation to the Michigan National Guard Family Fund. One hundred percent of this not-for-profit fund goes to financially struggling families of deployed Michigan National Guard members. Please fee free to contact the Family Fund at (517) 481-8358 and/or send donations by check or money order to: Michigan National Guard Family Fund State Family Programs Office 3423 N. Martin Luther King Blvd Lansing, MI 48906 Thank you! to the young women and men of the U.S. Navy Sea Cadet Corp Color Guard who volunteered to help benefit National Guard families. Page 6 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Year 3, Wrap-Up

AAU 2014 Michigan State Champions

Medal 7U (2006) Open 7U (2006) A 8U (2005) B

Gold Livonia Rockets Downriver Warriors Motor City Wolves

Silver Canton Crush Dearborn Cobras Livonia Grizzlies

Bronze Motor City Wolves Port Huron Northstars Wyandotte Vikings

Copper Brighton Rebels Trenton Trojans Dearborn Spitfires

Mite Minor (7U) Open After going 11-0 and finishing 1st overall in their MAYHL division and their Silver Medal appearance at AAU Nationals only one week earlier, the Livonia Rockets captured Gold and the Michigan State Championship at the 7U Open (2006) classification with a 6-1 victory over the silver medalist Canton Crush.

Mite A (2006) The Downriver Warriors made it a clean sweep at States with a close 4-3 victory over the Dearborn Cobras 06. The Warriors had been grinding out a 3-0 lead with goals in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Until the Cobras took control late in the 3rd. At 4:43 left in the game the Warriors secured an insurance goal, which became the game winner and earning the Mite A State Championship.

picture not available at press time

Mite B (2005) The Motor City Wolves scored in the 2nd and Livonia Grizzlies scored half way through the 3rd for a 1-1 standoff. And it looked like a possible OT until 0:36 of the 3rd when the Wolves score the game winner to win their first ever Mite B State Championship. Page 7 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Revised 6-18-14 Year 3, Wrap-Up

AAU Michigan 2014 Annual Report - Ice Hockey Introduction Our first Ice Hockey report was issued in May of 2012, following our very first season of operations. I reported at that time that here within Michigan the sport of Ice Hockey had suffered an exodus of over 13,000 youth players (33%) leaving Ice Hockey during the prior 10-year period. Also that the District affiliate of the National Governing Body (NGB) had just issued a Cross-Ice mandate, which threatened to accelerate that exodus. This led to the hurried formation of Hockey Michigan (AAU), in order to offer Michigan children traditional grass-roots Ice Hockey “the Real Ice Hockey” and hopefully to begin rebuilding Michigan's Ice Hockey community. We had faced a host of challenges during our first season, which included:  Rumors (that teams wouldn't be able to get ice-time or referees).  Threats (against referees, associations, coaches & players that they would be suspended and/or blackballed from the NGB and/or its District affiliate).  Fear of retaliation (by rinks, referees, associations, coaches and parents). Despite creating our AAU Ice Hockey program in a hurry and at that time being very much alone as the only AAU Mite Full-Ice Hockey program within the US, we very much succeeded against all odds. Today it is my pleasure to report that we haven't merely succeeded. AAU Ice Hockey has spread from Michigan to become a nation-wide AAU Hockey program. We are thriving!

Membership During our first season, we far exceeded any hopes for AAU memberships. During our second season we almost doubled and began spreading beyond Michigan's borders. During our third season we have more than doubled and have spread nation-wide.  During 2011-2012, Hockey Michigan (AAU) finished the season with 924 members, 683 players, 241 adult volunteers on 31 clubs. Almost all were at the Mite (8U) level.  During 2012-2013, Hockey Michigan (AAU) finished the season with 1414 members, 1125 players, 289 adult volunteers on 44 clubs. Mostly Mites (8U) and some Juniors (20U).  As of May 1st 2014, Hockey Michigan (AAU) currently has 3003 members, 2239 players, 764 adult volunteers on 92 clubs. And unlike during 2011-2012, Hockey Michigan now has members participating at Juniors (7 teams at 20U) and Junior Varsity (20 teams at the HS level).  In addition, AAU Ice Hockey at the national level presently boasts well over 21,000 members. It is important that AAU Ice Hockey is expanding nationally.  Lastly, during this 2013-2014 season, a large group called the Canadian Independent Page 8 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Revised 6-18-14 Year 3, Wrap-Up

Hockey Federation (CIHF) with teams in Barrie, Burlington, London and Toronto Ontario saw the success of our Hockey Michigan (AAU) operations and have joined AAU Hockey, bringing thousands of members from 8U through 18U. And now several other Canadian groups are also considering a switch to AAU.

Successes We've hosted State and Regional tournaments each season. And this season AAU Ice Hockey held our first National Championships (although held in Minnesota, not Michigan).  Each year we've enjoyed growth well beyond all expectations.  We held State & Regional Championships each season and have used events to help raise donations of needed materials & funds to aid US troops serving overseas. This season our 2014 State Championships partnered with Michigan National Guard charities to help our Guard families.  Despite rule changes reversals at the NGB's District affiliate during our second season, apparently in response to our growth, we continued to grow.  Year three saw the creation of a new AAU league (the Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League) and volunteers began coming forward to help with our state operations.  During 2013-2014, five of our Hockey Michigan teams attended the AAU inaugural Mite National Championships. Despite a strong field with 25 Mite teams from 11 states around the US competing at 4 competition levels, the DSC Revolution (Bloomfield Hills, MI) defeated the Vehicle City Ice Hogs (Flint, MI) finishing Gold and Silver at the Mite AA level. Similarly, the Dearborn Cobra Selects (Dearborn, MI) defeated the Livonia Rockets (Livonia, MI) finishing Gold and Silver at the Mite A – Tier 2 level. Michigan athletes captured 50% of the first AAU National Championships as well as 50% of the Silver Medals.  Also during 2013-2014, at the Junior level the Midwest Junior Hockey League continues to grow and is currently home to 7 Michigan teams as well as 1 team from Illinois. This year 2 of our Michigan teams participated within the second AAU National Championships this year, again held in Las Vegas, NV. The Soo Firehawks advanced all the way to the Semi Finals before bowing to the El Paso Rhrinos. The Traverse City Hounds made their second appearance at Nationals.

The Future Despite the rumors, threats and misinformation suffered by AAU members and those who have considered memberships within AAU Hockey, over the past few years, there have been improvements such as the issuance of the USA Hockey Guidelines Regarding Non-Sanctioned Play during the 2011-2012 season, which although it is not a great policy, it does prohibit its officers and affiliates from punishing any of its members for also participating within AAU Hockey. Page 9 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Revised 6-18-14 Year 3, Wrap-Up

Hockey Michigan (AAU) very much needs to expand into other classifications such as 6U, 10U and eventually 12U in order to take the next step in our evolution. 6U: During the 2013-2014 season, we did manage to field 2 teams at the 6U classification. This coming season we hope to field a 6-8 team 6U division. The Buffalo NY and Chicago IL areas are also fielding a few 6U teams. Our friends at the CIHF in Ontario will be as well. In addition, we at Hockey Michigan have been developing a handbook called the AAU Ice Hockey 6U MultiSport Concept, which will try to build youth ice hockey by introducing very young players to Floorball, Half-Ice Hockey and Traditional Full-Ice Hockey as a MultiSport concept. We may also bring Inline Hockey and Box Lacrosse into the mix as well. The idea is that Ice Skating is a very difficult skill to master and those who can't skate have great difficulty having fun until the can skate. By bringing related sports into our program, we hope to bring players to our sport in a fun and substantially cheaper program, while they are still learning to ice skate. Long-term, we hope that this concept can draw more children to Ice Hockey, as well as to other related AAU sports. 9U & 10U: During the 2013-2014 season, we fielded only 2 teams ay the 10U classification. However, we also fielded 26 teams at the 8U classification (2005 birth years) within SE Michigan alone. The traditional monopoly fielded very few and most of their also participated within AAU. This 2005 birth-year age group will advance into the 9U-10U classifications for the 2014-2015 season and this is viewed as our best opportunity to date for creating an AAU 9U program in Michigan. In addition, AAU Hockey has appointed a Squirt-PeeWee National Championship Committee, which has chosen the AAU Niagara District (Buffalo, NY) to host the AAU Ice Hockey – North American Championships in late March of 2015. Being within relatively easy commuting range of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Ontario and our own Detroit, we intend for this location to encourage AAU participation at the Squirt and PeeWee classifications in all of these strong ice hockey markets. It would be difficult for Hockey Michigan to continue doubling our membership numbers each season if we remained primarily at 8U, 20U and JV. By adding the 6U, 9U and 10U age classifications this would help to assure our long-term growth. We would likely double again for 2014-2015. Adult Ice Hockey: For the 2014-2015 season, AAU Hockey will soon announce Adult (No-Check) Hockey. Many people are not aware that historically around 40% of Michigan's Ice Hockey 50,000+ athletes have been adults. Hockey Michigan doesn't expect a sudden mass switch to AAU Hockey among current Adult athletes. Adult programs are very often less involved at the state and national levels and more often operate locally. Very much like the grass-roots nature of AAU. So it is expected that we will see programs coming to AAU over a course of time. Yet, similar to the 6U MultiSport concept, AAU does have the ability to welcome Adult athletes to both Ice and Inline Hockey for a single membership fee. Some Adults already play both. Others may begin to as they learn they can participate within both for a single low-cost fee. And obviously this may very well aid in the growth on Inline programs as well.

Page 10 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Revised 6-18-14 Year 3, Wrap-Up

Summary Each season, especially here within southeastern Michigan and more recently statewide, word has been spreading that AAU members are experiencing a far greater voice concerning the operation of Hockey Michigan and have much greater freedom and control over their own local programs and leagues. In addition, the nightmare scenarios that had been threatened and the many other dangers that were alleged and spread through misinformation by detractors of AAU Hockey have not come to pass. This has created a “boy who cried wolf” scenario, where those who insist upon spreading such misinformation and threats are now losing all credibility in the eyes of the ice hockey community. As a result, the Michigan ice hockey community is beginning to realize that AAU Hockey is a viable, long-term alternative option. Ultimately, at some point I believe that enough members will join AAU Hockey within Michigan and at large enough cross-section of classifications that monopolist tactics will change to a more cooperative approach, as is typically seen within other sports throughout the United States. Actually, as is envisioned by the Ted Steven Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.

Respectfully submitted, Keith Kloock AAU Hockey, Michigan (aka, Ice Hockey Director) [email protected] Page 11 AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Year 3, Wrap-Up

AAU Michigan – Ice Hockey Annual Meeting & Election This summer the AAU Michigan - Ice Hockey Committee is be hosting their Annual Meeting on:

Saturday Aug. 2nd 2014 @ 11:00am at the Westfield Activity Center (East Room) (located at 2700 Westfield in Trenton Michigan)

The Westfield Center shares a parking lot with the Trenton Veteran's Library at West Rd and Westfield Rd. Directly across the street from the Trenton High School football field (and across West Rd from Trenton’s Kennedy ice rink).  All AAU Members participating or interested in AAU youth ice hockey are welcome to attend.  On any matters requiring a vote, each AAU (ice hockey) Club will be permitted to cast one vote (with voting rights held by the listed Club representative).  Meeting scheduled from 11:00am – 2:00pm.  Election of the AAU Michigan – Ice Hockey Director will take place. Please note that a formal announcement will be released soon by AAU Michigan accepting Nominations for this election. Please note that as soon as regular business is completed then the floor will be opened for discussions and questions concerning the 2014-2015 season. Sports for all, Forever AAU Hockey, Michigan May 14, 2014 Year 3, Wrap-Up

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

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

Keith Noll National Hockey Chairperson (715) 231-4000 www.aauicehockey.org

Ron White Juniors (UHU) Director (714) 231-2531

Mike Hartman Hockey Development Director (704) 752-8101 [email protected]

Trevor Hartwig Staff Member (407) 934-7200 [email protected]

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