Osseo ∙ Maple Grove Hockey Association Operations Handbook Chapter 1

OMGHA Osseo ∙ Maple Grove Hockey Association Operations Handbook Chapter 1

OMGHA Mission The members of OMGHA will strive to provide a positive environment that promotes the development of hockey skills, good sportsmanship, competitive play and fun for all players.

OMGHA Goals Our goals as members of OMGHA are as follows: To provide a quality program at a reasonable cost Quality training for all players Consistent skill development Positive community representation Promote personal growth and positive attitudes Fun, fun, fun for all

1. The Official Handbook of OMGHA shall be the online posted version 2. All changes to the Handbook that are adopted by the Board of Directors shall be made to the Official Handbook within one (1) month of being passed by Board of Directors.

Updated 10/11/2020

1 Table of Contents Affiliated Organizations...... 4 Guidelines for Participation...... 4

1. PLAYERS ...... 4 2. COACHES ...... 5 3. PARENTS ...... 6 Rules & Regulations...... 7 1. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY ...... 7 2. RESTRICTIONS ...... 8 3. PLAYING ROSTER ...... 8 4. EQUIPMENT ...... 8

OMGHA SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT ...... 8 PLAYER SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT ...... 9 5. PLAYING RULES ...... 9 6. LEAGUE STANDINGS ...... 9 7. LOCKER ROOMS ...... 9 Locker Room Monitoring ...... 10 Parents in Locker Rooms ...... 10

Mixed Gender Teams ...... 10 Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices ...... 10 Prohibited Conduct and Reporting ...... 11

Compliance ...... 11 8. TEAM TRAVEL ...... 11 Team Travel ...... 12 Prohibited Conduct and Reporting ...... 13 9. SOCIAL MEDIA ...... 13 Social Media ...... 14 E-Mail, Text Messaging and Similar Electronic Communications ...... 14 Request to Discontinue ...... 14 Abuse and Misconduct...... 14 Reporting ...... 14 1. OBJECTIVE OF TRAVELING HOCKEY ...... 14

2. COACHES SELECTION ...... 15 4. TRYOUT PROCEDURES ...... 15 SIGN UPS AND QUALIFICATION ...... 15 BOYS YOUTH TRYOUT ELIGIBILITY POLICY ...... 15 GIRLS YOUTH TRYOUT ELIGIBILITY POLICY ...... 16

TRYOUT PROCESS ...... 17 TRYOUT EVALUATIONS ...... 17 INJURY AND SICKNESS POLICY ...... 17

2 POST TRYOUT ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS ...... 18

5. WAIVER POLICY ...... 19 General Policies...... 20 1. ROSTER SIZE ...... 20 2. ACTIVITY LEVELS ...... 20 3. PLAYER PARTICIPATION ...... 20 4. PAYMENT POLICY ...... 23 MONTHLY PAYMENTS ...... 23

SQUIRTS, PEEWEES, BANTAMS & GIRLS ...... 23 JUNIOR GOLD ...... 23

REGION AND STATE TOURNAMENT TEAMS ...... 23 YEAR END PAYMENTS/REFUNDS ...... 23 INJURY ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….24

5. EQUIPMENT POLICY ...... 24 6. SOLICITATION POLICY ...... 24 7. OMGHA Dry-Land Room Off-Season Use Policy ...... 24 8. REGISTRATION FEE REFUND POLICY ...... 26 9. VOLUNTEERING ...... 26

10. Privacy Policy………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………29

3 Affiliated Organizations

The Osseo Maple Grove Hockey Association (OMGHA) is a member of District 3, Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey (the amateur hockey sanctioning body for the United States). OMGHA has a single Affiliate Agreement with Minnesota Hockey but registers its players and manages its hockey programs based on the high school boundaries of the Osseo Senior High and the Maple Grove Senior High.

Under the Affiliate agreement with Minnesota Hockey, OMGHA is obligated to abide by and act in accord with the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, Playing Rules and Decisions of the Board of Directors of Minnesota Hockey and such documents and/or decisions shall take precedence over and supersede all similar governing documents and/or decisions of OMGHA. Further, OMGHA and its Board of Directors are obligated to assist Minnesota Hockey in the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, Playing Rules and Decisions of the Board of Directors of Minnesota Hockey. Please refer to the Minnesota Hockey Handbook for copies of the Affiliate Agreement and each of the Minnesota Hockey documents referenced above.

District 3 is operated by a District Director, an Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The following link will direct you to the District 3 website which provides greater detail about their operations: www.d3.pucksystems2.com/

Minnesota Hockey is an affiliate association of USA Hockey and is authorized by USA Hockey to govern and administer amateur hockey in Minnesota in accordance with USA Hockey regulations. The president of the United States Commission on Olympic Sports reported that USA Hockey is one of the best organized youth sports organizations in the country in meeting the test of a democratic structure. Minnesota Hockey is operated and governed by a Board of Directors elected by the various districts within Minnesota or appointed by the Executive Committee. The following is a link to USA Hockey: www.usahockey.com/

Guidelines for Participation

The guidelines presented on the following pages are specifically included in this handbook to help develop a successful hockey program and to help players, parents and coaches get the most out of their involvement. They are to be used as a ready reference for the players, coaches, managers and parents of all OMGHA hockey teams; A, B & C Traveling and House Leagues.

1. PLAYERS

Players who participate in OMGHA should consider it an honor and a privilege. With this privilege comes responsibility to teammates, coaches, parents and to the entire OMGHA hockey program, which you represent to other teams and communities. Among these responsibilities are:

1. Show respect toward opposing coaches and players and to game officials at all times. Understand the spirit of discipline and adhere to it. The use of profanity and/or gestures toward officials, players, spectators or coaches will not be tolerated. 2. Follow the directions of your coach and be willing to accept criticism of your shortcomings. 3. Be a team player and give due credit to your teammates. Do not criticize your fellow players and coaches. 4. Attend all scheduled team activities except when properly excused. 5. Always be properly prepared. Keep your game uniform clean, your equipment in good repair and your skates sharp. Bring two sticks to games and practices. 6. Be a competitor. You are expected to give your best at all times. Play hard but fairly. 7. Be gracious and courteous in victory and defeat. 8. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages or illegally using any controlled substance or tobacco products. Note- A coach, referee, or OMGHA board member has the authority to remove a player from the ice who in his/her opinion is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 9. Leave and keep locker rooms in a clean and orderly manner.

4 10. OMGHA players are prohibited from participating in helmet or locker room boxing. Such behavior will be grounds for disciplinary action by OMGHA including ineligibility from portions of upcoming games. 11. Line up and shake hands with the opposing team after all games. 12. Maintain good citizenship (i.e. Grades, attendance and conduct). 13. Maintain proper behavior that will reflect positively on OMGHA. Any damages assessed to OMGHA or an OMGHA team by any facility used by these teams, will be shared evenly by the parents of all players who were at the facility during that time, unless responsibility can be established. 14. Players must attend all scheduled practices and games, or notify the team coach to be excused. Players will be excused for legitimate reasons without penalty. Unexcused absences from scheduled practices and/or games can, at the option of the coach, make a player ineligible for portions of the next game. NOTE: IF PLAYERS ARE TO PERFORM AS PART OF A TEAM, AND GET THE MOST FROM THE GAME OF HOCKEY, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THEY ATTEND ALL POSSIBLE PRACTICES. PRACTICES ARE WHERE SKILLS ARE LEARNED AND MASTERED. GAMES ARE WHERE THOSE SKILLS LEARNED ARE APPLIED.

2. COACHES

A coach is responsible for the operation and conduct of his/her team. He/she is the teacher of skills and a developer of players; socially, psychologically and physically. The coach is responsible to the OMGHA Board of Directors. These responsibilities include:

1. Select a team manager and make sure he/she understands his/her responsibilities and carries them out throughout the season. 2. Hold a parent-coach meeting no later than two (2) weeks after the team has been formed have written team rules and discuss them with the parents at the meeting. Review with the parents and players the OMGHA Code of Conduct and have them signed. Also cover proposed budget and tournament schedule along with any other pertinent information. Traveling teams should try to have a traveling committee member present if possible. 3. Respect, encourage and compliment players. Use constructive criticism only. 4. Develop each player as much as possible within the limits of their physical and mental abilities. 5. Use proper control at all times, because the coach is the model for the player. 6. Enforce rules fairly, without prejudice toward any one player. 7. Show enthusiasm and make hockey fun. 8. Maintain team discipline. When a player is disciplined, the coach should fairly inform the player of the reasons for the punishment before leaving the arena. Matters of discipline should be discussed privately between the player and the coach. 9. Support the OMGHA philosophy. 10. Equal time for all players. (See traveling guidelines) 11. Strictly enforce the OMGHA prohibition on locker room or helmet boxing. 12. Enforce common rules regarding care of equipment and facilities which include the following: a) Restrain the players from damaging the rink, both indoor and outdoor; kicking the boards or related equipment with their skates or pounding them with their sticks. b) Return any OMGHA equipment and jerseys to the Equipment Managers immediately following the season. c) Do not damage locker rooms. Be sure your players leave locker rooms in a clean and orderly condition both home and away. d) Safeguard other facilities and equipment utilized. 13. Prepare for practice by developing a written practice plan and by arriving at the rink a minimum of 30 minutes before practice so that the players are monitored and advised on the details of the upcoming activity. If a Head Coach is going to be late, he/she must appoint an Assistant Coach or Team Manager to arrive early. 14. All teams shall have no scheduled ice time without proper on ice supervision due to the implied liability. Proper on ice supervision includes Head Coach and/or Assistant Coaches. 15. Non-rostered players shall not practice with any team. 16. Any player who is injured, or appears to be injured, must sit out at least one shift for observation. 17. Assure that all players line up and shake hands after every game. 18. Each Team will maintain a minimal medical supplies inventory. If no emergency medical personnel are available, the Coach or his/her Assistants should follow recommended medical procedures. However, in any

5 and all situations, the parent has the ultimate responsibility. (In House Teams don’t have – place in penalty box?) 19. All traveling Head Coaches will be required to attend a year end exit interview with the Traveling Committee to discuss the season just completed and their future coaching plans. 20. COACHES RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES a) To expect team members to show up 30 minutes before practices and be dressed and ready to listen 15 minutes before practice b) The right to exercise reasonable discipline over the team and for the team to respond to that discipline without any verbal or physical abuse. c) The right to penalize player’s shifts or games depending on the severity of the offense. d) The right to expect team members to be responsive to his/her instructions. e) Expect parents attend the games to provide whatever assistance may be requested of them. 21. Coaching Certifications a) ALL coaches are required by OMGHA, District 3 and USA Hockey to obtain appropriate certification(s) through the Coaching Education Program (CEP). Levels include: Level l, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5. This clinic style program is offered periodically at different sites in the area and consists of both on-ice and off-ice instruction. ALL coaches are also required to complete online specific age modules for each level they desire to coach (i.e. Squirts/U10…). The course registration fees are refunded by OMGHA upon proof of certification by the participant. 22. INJURIES – Coaches are required to protect the safety of all players on the ice – in the case of injuries coaches shall make sure the following steps are followed: a) The referee shall stop play immediately in the event of any injury unless the referee is convinced that the injury is not serious or that it is an attempt to delay the game. b) Coaches are advised NOT TO MOVE AN INJURED PLAYER until the extent of the injury has been determined.

23. COMPENSATION Each year, the executive committee approves coaching compensation as part of the annual budget process.

While subject to change each year, coaches can potentially be compensated for:

1) Serving as a Non-Parent Head Coach or Non-Parent Assistant Coach 2) Non-Parent Coaches Only - Travel expenses for out of town tournaments (hotel and mileage) 3) Non-Parent Coaches Only - Daily expenses, food and incidentals for out of town tournaments 4) Coaching certification costs 5) Coaching apparel

Please refer to OMGHA Financial Guidelines and Policies – Coaching Pay & Reimbursements for current approved coaching compensation which is located at: https://www.omgha.com/page/show/11654-omgha-coach- information

3. PARENTS

Being involved in OMGHA demands time and effort on the part of the parent. Parents, in no small measure, help determine the success of the hockey program by understanding the requirements of team participation. Some of the things that a parent can do to help their player and the team are:

1. Try to remain positive and remember hockey is a team sport. 2. Make sure that your player knows that win or lose, you appreciate the effort made. Praise, don't criticize. 3. Accept disappointment gracefully; don't pass it along to the player or team members. They probably already feel worse than you. 4. Get to know the coach. Discuss your problems or the progress of your player with him/her at the proper time. The proper time is NEVER right after a difficult defeat or in the company of players or other parents. 5. Appreciate the fact that the coach has the responsibility of an entire team in the locker room and on the ice. Activity and behavior of the player at all times is the sole responsibility of the parents. 6 and all situations, the parent has the ultimate responsibility. (In House Teams don’t have – place in penalty 6. If you are convinced something is wrong on your player's team, it is important you contact the appropriate level director on the OMGHA Board of Directors so your concerns can be addressed in a

timely fashion. Don’t let serious concerns linger, the OMGHA Board of Directors wants to take care of issues before they become larger problems. 7. Know the requirements of OMGHA hockey team participation and see that your player lives up to them. 8. Realize, for the good of your player and for your own peace of mind, that stardom in hockey is limited to very few. However, the game can be enjoyed by all that participate. 9. Parents are asked to conduct themselves in a sportsmanship-like manner and instill in their players the desire to reflect such sportsmanship. 10. Parents are expected to provide their players with the required equipment and assist them in taking proper care of their equipment as well as the public facilities used for games and practices. 11. Parents are responsible for providing or arranging transportation for their players. 12. Parents are to support the OMGHA philosophy of encouraging players to enjoy hockey as a sport and to have fun. Parents that place undue expectations on their players minimize the player’s enjoyment and development in the game of hockey. 13. Parents are expected to assist the team where needed. This includes coverage of the games, OMGHA Tournaments, District playoff games, and working in the concession stand. 14. Parents assist as minor officials to run the clock, operate penalty boxes, keep scorebooks, monitor locker rooms, sell tickets and also sell booster items. 15. Parents are asked to pay fees by the deadlines to ensure that their player remains eligible to participate with his or her team. Players must be registered prior to travel team tryouts. Players with unpaid fees for the current and/or prior season will not be allowed to participate in future OMGHA programs until all outstanding fees have been paid. 16. Ultimately the safety of the player is the responsibility of the parents. If a parent fears injury or witnesses’ poor sportsmanship, he/she has the right and responsibility to remove their child from playing under those conditions. 17. Any damages assessed to OMGHA or an OMGHA team at any facility used by these teams will be shared evenly by the parents of all players who were at the facility during that time, unless responsibility can be established. 18. Parents whose conduct reflects negatively on OMGHA will be referred to the appropriate level director or the OMGHA board for discussion and appropriate action. 19. The outer uniform for the travel teams is standard within OMGHA. Protective wear must at least meet USA hockey standards. For all traveling teams, parents must supply helmets and breezers in appropriate team colors (black.)

Rules & Regulations

1. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1. Boys Age - The player age groups for all players participating in the OMGHA hockey program under Minnesota Hockey sanction will be as follows: a. Mites I & II i.5 or 6 years old, on or before June 1 OR Entering Kindergarten or 1st grade fall of the current registration year. b. Supermites i.7 or 8 years old, on or before June 1 OR Entering 2nd or 3rd grade fall of the current registration year. c. Squirts i.9 or 10 years old, on or before June 1 of the current registration year. d. Peewees i.11 or 12 years old, on or before June 1 of the current registration year. e. Bantams i.13 or 14 years old, on or before June 1 of the current registration year. f. Junior Gold

i.15 years old on or before June 1 of the current registration year and currently enrolled in high school.

2. Girls Age -The age groups for all players participating in the OMGHA hockey program under Minnesota Girls and Women's Hockey (MGWH) sanction will be as follows: a. Girls Mites i.same as above (Boys) b. Girls U8 i.7 or 8 years old, on or before June 1 OR Entering 2nd or 3rd grade fall of the current registration year. c. Girls 10U i.10 years old or less before June 1 of the current registration year or in 4th grade. d. Girls 12U i.11 or 12 years old before June 1 of the current registration year or in 6th grade. e. Girls 15U i.13 or 14 or 15 years old before June 1 of the current registration year or in 8th grade. . f. Girls 19U i.19 years old or younger on June 1 of the current registration year

2. RESTRICTIONS

The following restrictions shall apply to ALL persons participating in the OMGHA program:

1. Any player using an assumed name, giving an incorrect age or address, registered and/or playing with more than one registered USA Hockey team during the OMGHA season will be ineligible and will be suspended for the remainder of the playing season. a. The OMGHA season for each team is defined as commencing with the first OMGHA league game and ending with the last OMGHA league playoff game, or tournament. 2. The use of an ineligible player in a scheduled OMGHA hockey game will cause automatic forfeiture of all games in which the ineligible player participated. If both teams use ineligible players, both teams will be charged with a loss and the game will not be replayed.

3. PLAYING ROSTER

1. Player must play for the team they are assigned by OMGHA. 2. Every attempt will be made by House Directors to assign players to teams in their park area, while still achieving balanced skill levels in all teams through skill evaluations. 3. Late Registration - Late registration may be taken until November 1, with approval of the League Directors. A late registration fee in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors will be charged in addition to the normal registration fee. Late registrants will be assigned to any team in any area at the discretion of the League and Level Directors.

4. EQUIPMENT

OMGHA SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT

1. The team coach or manager shall be responsible for assignment, maintenance and control of all equipment. All teams must use OMGHA supplied jerseys for league, tournament and playoff games. An equipment release form will be completed for all goalie equipment, which is to be returned to the association at the close of the season. It is the responsibility of the person who signs the release form at the time equipment is checked out to return it within 10 days of the conclusion of the hockey season. In order for a player to be eligible for the use of OMGHA owned equipment, that player must play within the OMGHA program during the time the equipment is used.

2. GOALIE EQUIPMENT may be leased from OMGHA for use during Off-Season leagues and hockey schools. The fee for this rental shall be $25.00. Please call OMGHA’s equipment manager for details on rental procedures. Goalies will not be allowed to register for the OMGHA Season until they are current with rental fees or have returned all their equipment from the previous Season. Goalie equipment will be made available for in Season use through the Squirt/U10 Level. Definition: “Season”- The official OMGHA sanctioned season. This can include 3 on 3 and other OMGHA sponsored programs. 3. All players on A, B & C Traveling Teams must wear assigned uniforms for scheduled games (jerseys, breezers etc.). a. Black helmets, gloves and breezers are mandatory.

PLAYER SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT

All OMGHA players must wear the following ice hockey equipment:

1. Shin pads 2. Elbow pads 3. Black Breezers 4. Shoulder Pads 5. Intra-oral mouth guards with some color 6. Black HECC approved helmets and face shields a. Helmet must be worn with chinstraps fastened during all games and practices. Mouth guard and helmet infractions may result in a 10-minute misconduct penalty in game situation. b. Goalies must wear HECC approved masks and head protection. The use of masks without head protection is prohibited. 7. Black Hockey gloves 8. Neck protectors are strongly encouraged for all players. 9. Protective cup (boys) or pelvic protector (girls) 10. Hockey sticks (no plastic blades)

5. PLAYING RULES

1. All traveling teams will play their games under the rules dictated by Minnesota Hockey/District 3. 2. Mites, Supermites and U8 will follow the OMGHA House Rules established by the OMGHA House Committee.

6. LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. All league standings will be determined by District 3’s current policy. 2. Score sheets for each game must be filled out by coaches from both teams after each game, signed by the referees and submitted to the League Administrator for posting on the status board. 3. Squirt/U10 level cannot report win/loss records in any published material (i.e. Let’s Play Hockey). Squirt/U10 level can report team win/loss record on OMGHA website only. No individual stats can be reported or published at the Squirt/U10 level. This policy shall not conflict with the policy established by Minnesota Hockey or USA Hockey.

7. LOCKER ROOMS

In addition to the development of our hockey players and enjoyment of the sport of hockey, the safety and protection of our participants is central to OMGHA’s goals. OMGHA adheres to USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program as a means to help protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of misconduct, including emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing. To help prevent abuse or misconduct from occurring in our locker rooms, OMGHA has adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is designed to maintain personal privacy as well as to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms.

At Maple Grove and Osseo ice arenas there are multiple locker rooms available for our program’s use. Some of the locker rooms has its own restroom and shower area/shares a restroom and shower area with one or more locker rooms. Some teams in our program may also occasionally or regularly travel to play games at other arenas, and those locker rooms, rest rooms and shower facilities will vary from location to location. OMGHA team organizers will attempt to provide information on the locker room facilities in advance of games away from our home arena. At arenas for which you are unfamiliar, parents should plan to have extra time and some flexibility in making arrangements for their child to dress, undress and shower if desired.

Locker Room Monitoring

OMGHA has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas (e.g., generally 30-60 minutes before and following practices and games). This allows for direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas might be the most effective way to prevent problems, we understand that this would likely make some players uncomfortable and may even place our staff at risk for unwarranted suspicion.

We conduct a sweep of the locker rooms and changing areas before players arrive, and if the coaches are not inside the locker rooms, either a coach or voluntary locker room monitors (each of which has been screened) will be posted directly inside of the locker rooms and changing areas during periods of use. Team personnel will also secure the locker room appropriately during times when the team is on the ice.

Parents in Locker Rooms

Except for players at the younger age groups OMGHA house program, we discourage parents from entering locker rooms unless it is truly necessary. If a player needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear, if the player is or may be injured, or a player’s disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach know beforehand that he or she will be helping the player.

Naturally, with our youngest age groups it is necessary for parents to assist the players getting dressed. We encourage parents to teach their players as young as possible how to get dressed so that players will learn as early as possible how to get dressed independently. In circumstances where parents are permitted in the locker room, coaches are permitted to ask that the parents leave for a short time before the game and for a short time after the game so that the coaches may address the players. As players get older, the coach may in his or her discretion prohibit parents from a locker room.

Mixed Gender Teams

Some of our teams consist of both male and female players. It is important that the privacy rights of all of our players are given consideration and appropriate arrangements made. Where possible, OMGHA will have the male and female players dress/undress in separate locker rooms and then convene in a single locker room before the game or team meeting. Once the game or practice is finished, the players may come to one locker room for a team meeting and then the male and female players proceed to their separate locker rooms to undress and shower, if available. If separate locker rooms are not available, then the players will take turns using the locker room to change. We understand that these arrangements may require that players arrive earlier or leave later to dress, but believe that this is the most reasonable way to accommodate and respect all our players.

Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices

Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room. It may be permissible to have the coach/team manager collect phones.

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting

OMGHA prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook. Participants, employees or volunteers in OMGHA may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates the USA Hockey SafeSport Policies. Reports of any actual or suspected violations should be directed through the OMGHA grievance code of conduct.

Compliance

For each team, the coach and/or team administrators shall be responsible for compliance with the locker room supervision requirements of this Policy. A coach and/or team administrator that fails to take appropriate steps to ensure the Locker Room Policy is adhered to, and any OMGHA participant or parent of a participant who otherwise violates this Policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

OMGHA’s Locker Room Policies will follow policies that may be issued by Minnesota District 3 Hockey, Minnesota Hockey and/or USA Hockey.

8. TEAM TRAVEL

OMGHA has some teams that travel regularly to play individual games, two or three games at a time, or in tournaments, OMGHA has some teams where travel is limited to only a few events per year, and some teams where there is no travel other than local travel to and from our own arena. OMGHA has established policies to guide our travel, minimize one-on-one interactions and reduce the risk of abuse or misconduct. Adherence to these travel guidelines will increase player safety and improve the player’s experience while keeping travel a fun and enjoyable experience.

We distinguish between travel to training, practice and local games or practices (“local travel”), and team travel involving a coordinated overnight stay (“team travel”).

Local Travel

Local travel occurs when OMGHA or one of its teams does not sponsor, coordinate, or arrange for travel.

 Players and/or their parents/guardians are responsible for making all arrangements for local travel. The team and its coaches, managers or administrators should avoid responsibility for arranging or coordinating local travel. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to ensure the person transporting the minor player maintains the proper safety and legal requirements, including, but not limited to, a valid driver’s license, automobile liability insurance, a vehicle in safe working order, and compliance with applicable state laws.  The employees, coaches, and/or volunteers of OMGHA or one of its teams, who are not also acting as a parent, should not drive alone with an unrelated minor player and should only drive with at least two players or another adult at all times, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the minor player’s parent.  Where an employee, coach and/or volunteer is involved in an unrelated minor player’s local travel, efforts should be made to ensure that the adult personnel are not alone with the unrelated player, by, e.g., picking up or dropping off the players in groups. In any case where an employee, coach and/or volunteer is involved in the player’s local travel, a parental release should be obtained in advance.  Employees, coaches, and volunteers who are also a player’s parent or guardian may provide shared transportation for any player(s) if they pick up their player first and drop off their player last in any shared or carpool travel arrangement.  It is recognized that in some limited instances it will be unavoidable for an employee, coach or volunteer of OMGHA or one of its teams to drive alone with an unrelated minor player. However, efforts should be

made to minimize these occurrences and to mitigate any circumstances that could lead to allegations of abuse or misconduct.

Team Travel

Team travel is overnight travel that occurs when OMGHA or one of its teams sponsors, coordinates or arranges for travel so that our teams can compete locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. Because of the greater distances, coaches, staff, volunteers and chaperones will often travel with the players.

 When possible, OMGHA will provide reasonable advance notice before team travel. Travel notice will also include designated team hotels for overnight stays as well as a contact person within OMGHA or the team. This individual will be the point of contact to confirm your intention to travel and to help with travel details.

 OMGHA will post specific travel itineraries when they become available. These will include a more detailed schedule as well as contact information for team travel chaperones OMGHA will make efforts to provide adequate supervision through coaches and other adult chaperones. OMGHA will make efforts so that there is at least one coach or adult chaperone for each five to eight players. If a team is composed of both male and female players, then we will attempt to arrange chaperones of the both genders. However, we rely on parents to serve as chaperones and may be limited in providing this match.

 Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with a minor player (unless the coach is the parent, guardian or sibling of the player).

 Because of the greater distances, coaches, staff, volunteers, and chaperones will often travel with the players. No employee, coach, or volunteer will engage in team travel without the proper safety requirements in place and on record, including valid drivers’ licenses, automobile liability insurance as required by applicable state law, a vehicle in safe working order, and compliance with all state laws. All chaperones shall have been screened in compliance with the USA Hockey Screening Policy and all team drivers shall have been screened and the screen shall include a check of appropriate Department of Motor Vehicle records. A parent that has not been screened may participate in team activities and assist with supervision/monitoring of the players, but will not be permitted to have any one-on-one interactions with players.

 Players should share rooms with other players of the same gender, with the appropriate number of players assigned per room depending on accommodations.

 The coach will establish a curfew by when all players must be in their hotel rooms or in a supervised location. Regular monitoring and curfew checks will be made of each room by at least two properly screened adults.

 The team personnel shall ask hotels to block adult pay per view channels.

 Individual meetings between a player and coach may not occur in hotel sleeping rooms and must be held in public settings or with additional adults present.

 All players will be permitted to make regular check-in phone calls to parents. Team personnel shall allow for any unscheduled check in phone calls initiated by either the player or parents.

 Family members who wish to stay in the team hotel are permitted and encouraged to do so.

 The team will make every effort to accommodate reasonable parental requests when a child is away from home without a parent. If any special arrangements are necessary for your child, please contact the team personnel who can either make or assist with making those arrangements.

 Meetings do not occur in hotel rooms, but the team may reserve a separate space for adults and athletes to socialize.

 If disciplinary action against a player is required while the player is traveling without his/her parents, then except where immediate action is necessary, parents will be notified before any action is taken or immediately after the action.

 No coach or chaperone shall at any time be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while performing their coaching and/or chaperoning duties.

 In all cases involving travel, parents have the right to transport their minor player and have the minor player stay in their hotel room.

 During team travel, coaches, team personnel and chaperones will help players, fellow coaches and team personnel adhere to policy guidelines, including, without limitation, the Travel Policy, Locker Room Policy and Reporting Policy.

 Prior to any travel, coaches will endeavor to make players and parents aware of all expectations and rules. Coaches will also support chaperones and/or participate in the monitoring of the players for adherence to curfew restrictions and other travel rules.

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting

OMGHA prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook. Participants, employees or volunteers in OMGHA may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates the USA Hockey Safe Sport Policies. Reports of any actual or suspected violations should be directed through the OMGHA grievance code of conduct.

9. SOCIAL MEDIA

As part of OMGHA’s emphasis on participant safety, communications involving our youth players should be appropriate, productive, and transparent. Effective communication concerning travel, practice or game schedules, and administrative issues among administrators, coaches, players and their families is critical. However, the use of mobile devices, web-•‐based applications, social media, and other forms of electronic communications increases the possibility for improprieties and misunderstandings and also provides potential offenders with unsupervised and potentially inappropriate access to participants. The improper use of mobile and electronic communications can result in misconduct. Adherence to a policy for mobile and electronic communication reduces these risks.

All electronic communications between coach and player must be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Coaches, players and all team personnel must follow common sense guidelines regarding the volume and time of day of any allowed electronic communication. All content between coaches and players should be readily available to share with the public or families of the player or coach. If the player is under the age of 18, any e-mail, electronic text, social media, or similar communication must also copy or include the player’s parents.

Social Media

For example, but not limited to Instagram, Facebook, Blogs and Similar Sites

Social media make it easy to share ideas and experiences. OMGHA recognizes, however, that social media, mobile and other electronic communications can be especially concerning where youth participants are involved.  Coaches are prohibited from having players joined to their personal social media page or any other similar social media application.  To facilitate communication, an official organization or team page may be set up and players and parents may join (i.e., “friend”) the official organization or team page and coaches can communicate to players though the site. All electronic communication of any kind between coach and player, including the use of social media, must be non-•‐personal in nature and be for the purpose of

communicating information about team activities or for team orientated motivational purposes.

E-Mail, Text Messaging and Similar Electronic Communications messaCoachesge, cteaonmte nmat bnetweageres na cnodac phlaesy/etears mma may unsaeg eer-smai andl apnlady teerx mt messaust beg ingon t-o•‐ cpoemmrsonunal icatein n.a tAlurel ea-n•‐d maibe flo arnd th ete xt purpose of communicating information about team activities. E-Mail and text messages from a coach to any youth player must include a copy to parents.

Request to Discontinue

Following receipt of a written request by the parents or legal guardians of a youth player that their child not be contacted by any form of electronic communication by coaches or other adults, the association, team and coaches and administrators shall immediately comply with such request without any repercussions for such request.

Abuse and Misconduct

Social media and other means of electronic communications can be used to commit abuse and misconduct (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such communications by any coaches, team managers, volunteers, administrators, officials, parents or athletes will not be tolerated and are considered violations of USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program, and OMGHA’s Code of Conduct.

Reporting

Infractions of OMGHA’s Mobile and Electronic Communications Policy should be reported to OMGHA’s SafeSport Coordinator. See Section IV of the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook for more information concerning r ep o r ti n g . An OMGHA participant or parent of a participant who violates this Social Media, Mobile and Electronic Communications Policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension, permanent suspension and/or referral to law enforcement authorities.

OMGHA’s Social Media and other means of Electronic Communications Policies will follow policies that may be issued by Minnesota District 3 Hockey, Minnesota Hockey and/or USA Hockey.

1. OBJECTIVE OF TRAVELING HOCKEY

It is the purpose of this traveling organization to provide, within the confines of OMGHA, a formal means of organizing, financing and directing youth traveling hockey in the Osseo/ Maple Grove High School Boundary area.

It is the intent of the program that all players that participate continue to have fun in an environment that promotes skill development and good sportsmanship.

The objective of the traveling program is to provide an opportunity for players to participate at a higher level that will challenge their skills while still allowing them to be successful.

These guidelines have been written to establish the methods through which these objectives are hoped to be attained. The guidelines are also intended to establish uniformly applicable operating procedures for the program.

2. COACHES SELECTION

Coaches Selection Committee is comprised of: 1. OMGHA ACE Coordinator. a. The ACE Coordinator serves as Committee Chairperson. 2. OMGHA Assistant ACE 3. Respective side (boys or girls) Vice-president’s 4. Respective side (boys or girls) Traveling Operations Level Director’s 5. President of OMGHA

Process: 1. Head Coaches will be approved by the OMGHA Board upon recommendation from the Traveling and Executive Committees. 2. Any member of the Association may submit the name of a coaching candidate to the OMGHA President, Vice- president’s or Level Director’s. 3. Youth Program: OMGHA will strive to select non-parent Head Coaches for as many of our teams as possible. Parent coaches will be selected if it is determined that they are the most qualified candidates. 4. Girls Program: OMGHA will strive to select parent Head Coaches for as many of our teams as possible. Non- parent Head Coaching applications will be accepted if it is determined that a qualified Head Coaching vacancy is forthcoming. OMGHA will strive to select non-parent Head Coaches at the U15A level. 5. Each team will have an Assistant Coach or Coaches and a Manager selected by the Head Coach and approved by the Traveling Committee. Assistant Coaches and Managers can be selected prior to tryouts if they are non- parents. Parents who wish to be an Assistant Coach or Manager may only be selected after tryouts are completed. 6. Girls Program: Non-parents who wish to be a Head Coach, Assistant Coach or Manager can be selected prior to tryouts. Parents who wish to be a Head Coach, Assistant Coach or Manager may only be selected after tryouts are completed.

4. TRYOUT PROCEDURES

SIGN UPS AND QUALIFICATION

All players intending to try out for traveling teams must meet the tryout eligibility requirements as explained in subsection below. Players must register through the designated OMGHA registration process and pay all of the applicable fees prior to tryouts. Registrations will not be accepted from individuals with outstanding debt to the Association. These include, but are not limited to, past due subsidy payments from the previous year, penalties due from failure to complete volunteer requirements or from failure to meet deadlines when turning in jerseys and equipment. At registration, parents will be required to acknowledge, in writing, the responsibilities required of them as members of the Association. Failure to do so will result in the player not being allowed to try out.

BOYS YOUTH TRYOUT ELIGIBILITY POLICY

SQUIRTS & 10U

Any player whose age falls within the Minnesota Hockey guidelines for Squirts & U10 or who is in the fourth (4th)

grade is eligible to try out for Squirt & U10 traveling hockey. They will be placed on a team according to their finish.

PEEWEES & U12

Any player whose age falls within the Minnesota Hockey guidelines for Peewees & U12 or who is in the sixth (6th) grade is eligible to try out for Peewee & U12 traveling hockey. They will be placed on a team according to their finish.

BANTAMS & U15

Any player whose age falls within the Minnesota Hockey guidelines for Bantams & U15 or who is in eighth (8th) grade is eligible to tryout for Bantam & U15 traveling hockey. They will play on the team according to their finish.

JUNIOR GOLD/U19/HIGH SCHOOL-DISTRICT 279 & OTHERS

The Traveling Committee as well as the High School coaches encourages all players with Bantam / U15 eligibility to continue in the youth program. Any player who tries out for any high school team after going through the youth tryouts will be removed from their Bantam / U15 team the instant they set foot on the ice for their high school tryout. They will have made their choice to try out for the high school team and they will not be allowed back on their youth team. The only recourse for them will be the Junior Gold / U19 program if they fail to make the high school team.

GIRLS YOUTH TRYOUT ELIGIBILITY POLICY

All girls are strongly encouraged to play in the girls program. Girls are allowed to play in the boys program, however once a girl participates in a tryout at any level of the boys program she loses her eligibility to play in the girls program for that season. Likewise, once a girl participates in a tryout at any level of the girls program she loses her eligibility to play in the boys program for that season. No girl may try out for more than one level of hockey within OMGHA, boys or girls. Any girl who registers after tryouts or does not participate in tryouts will be placed on the lowest level team of her appropriate age level.

GIRLS TRAVELING PLAY-UP POLICY

It is the policy of the Osseo-Maple Grove Hockey Association that each registered player will play in her age level as set forth by Minnesota Hockey Rules. Individual requests to play-up in the Girls Traveling Program will be considered by a Committee consisting of the VP Girls Traveling, applicable Level Director(s), ACE Coordinator, President and the respective head coaches of the player’s past and potential future team (if named).

Criteria for allowing a player to play-up will be based on the evaluation of the player’s skill and ability to contribute to the older team, the player’s emotional and physical maturity level compared to the older team’s players and number of players registered at each level. To be eligible to try-out for an older level, the play-up player must be projected to be a dominant player on the older team (e.g. a top 5 skater or top goalie). The Committee will also consider the balance between the best interest of a player requesting to play-up and the Osseo-Maple Grove Hockey Association teams at the applicable age levels. In addition, a player will not be permitted to move up more than one year in age. For example, a first year U10 cannot be moved to the U12 level.

Only requests submitted in writing by the participant’s parents or legal guardians will be considered. This request must be submitted and received by the VP Girls Traveling at least 30 days prior to the first day of try-outs. The Committee decision as to whether or not to allow a player to tryout at an upper level is final.

To make the A team of the upper level, the player must score in the top 5 (or top goalie) as evaluated by independent evaluators during the tryout. If the player does not score in the top 5 (or top goalie); the player will be placed on the A team at their current age level.

TRYOUT PROCESS

The Tryout Committee, chaired by the Vice President – Traveling Tryouts, shall determine the tryout process prior to sign ups and communicate the drills and format to the players and parents at the time of OMGHA registration. The tryout process will be evaluated and updated each year through dialogue with the ACE Coordinators, Traveling Committee, approved Non-parent coaches for the upcoming season.

All tryouts will be closed to observers for the following levels only: 1. Squirt 2. Pee Wee / U12 3. Bantam / U15

Parents may stay in the lobby of the arena, but cannot enter rinks. There are two exceptions to this policy: 1. Parents are allowed in the arena locker rooms to help their players get their equipment on. 2. During level appropriate extended tryouts when there are scrimmages against another team.

A traveling orientation meeting will be held each year to further explain tryouts and answer questions about tryouts and anything else relative to traveling hockey.

Once established, the tryout program will be followed. Variations will only be allowed with the prior consent of the OMGHA President. All players trying out need to attend all sessions applicable to their group or they will receive a zero for each night missed. Exceptions to this do occur from time to time and are covered in subsection F below. No player will be allowed to wear an OMGHA traveling jersey, an AAA or all-star jersey, a jersey with the player’s name or nickname or socks not worn by the OMGHA program. All players will be furnished with a reversible tryout jersey and tryout number. The tryout jerseys must be returned the last night of tryouts, failure to return tryout jersey will result in a $50 fine to be paid by December 31st of the season.

TRYOUT EVALUATIONS

For the skaters at each level there will be evaluators selected by the Tryout Committee. Every attempt will be made to get evaluators that can attend all sessions of the level they are evaluating. Evaluators can be selected from approved Non-parent coaching staff, external evaluators or independent evaluators. Independent means they cannot have a child in the tryout level or +/- two years from their child’s level of play, having minimal knowledge of the participants in the level they are evaluating. External evaluators are people from outside of OMGHA. At each level, a member of the Executive Committee, who does not have a player in that level tryout, shall be present to ensure that the scores are correctly tabulated and that the tryouts are being conducted according to the predetermined format.

The Executive Committee member, the Tryout Committee, and the OMGHA President will be the only people who will readily have knowledge of the player rankings and tabulations. The input of all electronic data into the tryout scoring system will be handled by an independent third party to the extent possible. Non-parent may be provided this information on a need to know basis. The tryout numbers of the players who have made the respective teams will be posted on the OMGHA website forty-eight (48) hours of the completion of the tryouts

INJURY AND SICKNESS POLICY

Sometimes situations arise during the tryout period which prevents a player from attending one, two or even all tryout sessions. These would include, but not be limited to, injury, sickness, death in the family, school function or religious event. It is not the intent of this program to have untimely sets of circumstances, which might befall some young individual to adversely affect their entire hockey season. Whereas it is impossible to cover every possible combination of events, the following guidelines act as the template around which decisions will be made regarding the placement of players on traveling teams even if they have missed part or all of the tryout. No matter what the set of circumstances, the traveling committee needs to know well in advance what the conflict is. This information needs to be relayed to the level of play Tryout Director either directly or via a committee member. Failure to do this will adversely affect the placement process. In the case of an injury there needs to be a letter from a Physician

stating the nature of the injury, the prognosis and when the player can return to hockey. Every attempt will be made to make decisions based on objective data.

MISSING ONE OR TWO SESSIONS

In all cases we will attempt to come up with a score for the night missed. If they miss out on some drills they can be made up at a later session or prior session if we know in advance. If they miss a scrimmage they will be given an identical score from a previous or later scrimmage of like value. Final tabulations should put the player very close to where they belong.

MISSING THREE OR MORE SESSIONS

If this is the player’s first tryout ever there will not be any objective information from a previous tryout on which to base a judgment. Therefore, this player may or may not be placed on a traveling team. For any other player who has had a previous tryout, there exists data showing how the player ranked in that tryout vs. other players in this tryout. This information and previous year(s) playing level(s) will be all that is looked at in basing the placement decision.

POST TRYOUT ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS

After tryouts have been completed for each level, each traveling team will strive to have at least fifteen (15) skaters and two (2) goalies per team. Once having been selected to an OMGHA Traveling team, a player can still be moved down and replaced after tryouts if the Head Coach feels the player is not able to play at that level. The following order of conditions must first be met. 1. Head Coach has one-on-one meeting with the affected player, parents and level director explaining the situation and what needs to be corrected to remain on the team. If the Coach feels the situation has not been resolved then: 2. Head coach notifies the Traveling Operations level director and the parent(S) of the player that a player movement is to be made. 3. The Traveling Operations Level director, Appropriate VP, and OMGHA President meet to finalize the removal of the player from the team. This process must be initiated by November 15th. After this date, a player can only be removed for disciplinary reasons. 4. Until finalized this entire process will remain confidential between the applicable OMHGA Board members, head coach(s), and family members.

Listed below are definitions of Move Up, Move Down, Dismissal and Definition of a Move.

1. MOVE UP: The OMGHA President, Appropriate members of the Traveling Operations Committee, the coach of the team the player will be moved to, the player's parents and the player must all agree to the move. 2. MOVE DOWN: The OMGHA President, Appropriate members of the Traveling Operations Committee, both coaches involved must all agree to the move. If any member of this group is a parent of a player involved in the move, he or she is not eligible to participate in the decision. 3. DISMISSAL: If a player presents and continues to have disciplinary problems, they may be removed from the program. The OMGHA President, Appropriate members of the Travel Operations committee, the OMGHA District 3 and Head Coach must all agree to the dismissal. 4. DEFINITION OF A MOVE: The movement of one player from one team to another; moving two or more players simultaneously (A to B, B to A); or adding an unregistered player.

A player cannot be moved down from the level they are required to play at per Minnesota Hockey age rules. The official date that a player is removed from a team will be determined by the following conditions:

1. VOLUNTARILY LEAVES THE TEAM: Written notice stating that they are quitting the team, dated, signed by both parents and mailed with a post marked date to the OMGHA Registrar. The post-marked date becomes the official date. 2. PLAYER INVOLVED IN ANY OTHER TRYOUT OUTSIDE OF OMGHA: The official date is the day the Travel committee becomes aware of the tryout. (See Section IV High School on page 25)

3. DISMISSAL: The official date is when the OMGHA President, Traveling Operations committee, the OMGHA District 3 Representative and the Head Coach of the player's team all agree on the dismissal 4. MOVE UP OR DOWN: The official date is the date that a player is removed from the team.

Once a player and his or her parents are offered to move up to another team and all other respective parties per the definition of Move Up agree to the move of the player, the player has 24 hours in which to agree to the move otherwise they forfeit their chance to move up and the next eligible player will be notified. After December players may not be replaced and the team may play with less than fifteen (15) skaters and not less than one (1) goalie. This would require Board approval per Section V-A below.

SQUIRT LEVEL and GIRLS U10: Up through December 15th will be replaced in the order they finished in tryouts.

PEEWEE AND BANTAM LEVEL U12, U15: Prior to December 15th "A" players will be replaced from those players that were involved in the last cuts from the extended tryout. The player to be moved up will be selected by the A Coach. "B" players will be replaced from those players at the next lower level in their tryout order.

SPECIAL GOALIE MOVEMENT: Movement of a goalie after tryouts have been completed is to fill a void at the next level; Squirt to Peewee B, Peewee to Bantam B and Bantam to Jr. Gold or to the next highest girls level. As an example, a Squirt goalie can move up and play at the Peewee B level if there are not enough Peewee goalies after tryouts to fill the necessary slots. At the same time this cannot be creating a void at the Squirt level, in other words there should be excess Squirt goalies. This same example applies to movement from Peewee to Bantam, Bantam to Junior Gold, and within the Girls program.

5. WAIVER POLICY

OMGHA waiver process follows the procedures of the Minnesota Hockey Handbook Section IV: Participation Rule and Waiver Process and the procedure of the District 3 Rules and Regulations chapter 3: Boundaries.

General Policies

1. ROSTER SIZE

The Osseo Maple Grove Hockey Program is committed to providing traveling hockey exposure to as many players as possible. Only the Peewee, Bantam, Girls U10, U12, U15 and U19 OMGHA Traveling Teams may have less than fifteen (15) skaters and two (2) goalies without review and approval by the OMGHA Board. Minnesota Hockey sets the maximum roster size. The Peewee, Bantam, U12 and U15 A teams will be structured to be competitively placed teams, which means the players may not get equal ice time. Roster size for Girls teams will be based on tryout numbers. The B level teams will be structured for development of hockey skills and players will have an equal opportunity to play.

2. ACTIVITY LEVELS

OMGHA suggests that, except for tournaments or rescheduled league games, a team must have no more than five (5) activities per week. An activity is defined as the convening of the team or some of its members at the direction of the coach or manager for the purpose of a game, scrimmage, practices or skill session.

The regulations for OMGHA Squirt and U10 traveling teams are as follows: The number of game days (league/tournament/exhibition games) is limited to 35 game days. Team managers must plan their seasons accordingly because this total MUST NOT be surpassed. Controlled scrimmages do NOT count toward the game day total.

The regulations for the remaining OMGHA traveling teams in regard to the total number of league games and scrimmages played in a season are set by Minnesota Hockey and MN Hockey District Three.

The regulations for all traveling teams regarding invitational tournaments is that a maximum of four (4) are allowed and it is recommended that only one (1) of those be out of town. For the Peewee, Bantam, 12U/14U Girls A level teams, the maximum number of invitational tournaments allowed is five (5). Any deviation from these maximums requires PRIOR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION from the Traveling Operations Committee. Authorization from the Traveling committee requires the level director to poll all team parents confidentially and gain majority approval. All added tournaments must be approved by the board during through consent business before the tournament date. District, Region and State Tournament play does not enter into these maximums.

Coaches should try to have at least one practice to every league game or scrimmage. Outdoor ice should be used whenever possible.

3. PLAYER PARTICIPATION

OMGHA Mission

The members of OMGHA will strive to provide a positive environment that promotes the development of hockey skills, good sportsmanship, competitive play and fun for all players.

OMGHA Goals - Our goals as members of OMGHA are as follows: o To provide a quality program at a reasonable cost o Quality training for all players o Consistent skill development o Positive community representation o Promote personal growth and positive attitudes o Fun, fun, fun for all

In order to reach our stated OMGHA Mission and Goals we will ask our coaches to do their best to ensure all players have a positive experience and enjoy the sport of hockey. We have put together the following positional and playing time policies for both our “competitive teams” and “development teams”.

Competitive Teams

For our “competitive teams” it is OMGHA’s philosophy that each player will have an opportunity to learn different positions in practice and in games to become well-rounded hockey players. Position play and rotation for “competitive teams” will be determined solely by the coach. The coach will decide on player positions that they feel will be beneficial to both the player and the team success.

For our “competitive teams” playtime may be increased or decreased for certain players during specific games and game situations. Goalie rotation will be determined by the coach and may not warrant equal playing time.

Competitive team coaches will have the ability to adjust ice time as the situation warrants at their sole discretion. Coaches may implement “special team” lines for power play and penalty kill situations. For all teams player Ice time may be affected for disciplinary reasons. The discipline should be related to player behavior, not performance of the player on the ice. Discipline should fit the code of conduct violation and/or team rules guidelines.

Competitive teams are as follows:  Peewees – AA and A  Girls U12 A  Bantams – AA, A and B1  Girls U15 AA  Jr. Gold – A

Development Teams

For our “development teams’ it is OMGHA’s philosophy that each player will have an opportunity to play different positions in practice and in games to become well-rounded hockey players. Coaches will do their best to have all players rotate between forward and defensive positions throughout the season and provide practice and game time at that position.

Playtime should be close to equal for all players over the course of the season including goalie rotation. All players should have opportunities to play special teams – both power play and penalty kill. The only situations that may warrant ice time adjustments would be at the end of a playoff or tournament game where the team has the opportunity to advance and/or play more games if the team wins or ties.

For all teams player Ice time may be affected for disciplinary reasons. The discipline should be related to player behavior, not performance of the player on the ice. Discipline should fit the code of conduct violation and/or team rules guidelines.

If a parent has concerns related to playing time or position policy during the season, the parent should follow these steps: 1. Follow the OMGHA 24-hour policy. Please wait 24 hours after a situation before raising the issue. 2. Ask the coach about the situation. Open communication between the coach and player or parent often will resolve the issue. 3. Contact the Level Director if the situation is not resolved after a conversation with the coach.

Developmental teams are as follows:  Squirts A, B, C  Girls U10 A, B, C  Peewees B1, B2, C

 Girls U12 B, C  Bantam B2, C  Girls U15 A, B, C  Jr. Gold B

4. PAYMENT POLICY

HOUSE REGISTRATION

During house registration, parents will be required to pay for the full season.

House fees are approved by the board each year as part of the annual budget process and are posted on the OMGHA website – under Registration: https://www.omgha.com/page/show/13333-registration-info

TRAVELING REGISTRATION

During traveling registration, parents have the option to pay in full or pay a registration fee, followed by 3 or 4 monthly payments depending on level. Monthly payments will be due on the 1st of each month. If a payment is missed and not paid by the 15th of the month, the player will not be allowed to participate in any further team activities until past due amounts are paid.

Depending on what team a player makes, a “roster fee” may be charged. This fee goes towards additional ice or tournaments that a specific team will get. The roster fee is due date will be specified by the team manager and likely occur at the first team meeting. Failure to pay a roster fee at the due date will result in the player not being allowed to participate in any further team activities until the fee is paid.

Traveling fees are approved by the board each year as part of the annual budget process and are posted on the OMGHA website – under Registration: https://www.omgha.com/page/show/13333-registration-info

TEAM FUNDS

A team may collect additional team funds that are generally used for referee cost for scrimmages, extra ice time at other rinks, team parties, meals at tournaments, team apparel, coach/manager gifts or team buses.

If there is a need for additional funds beyond board approved amounts (usually region or state tournament related), then approval by the team (parents/guardians) must be by vote, and agreed upon by super majority (76%). The vote will be administered by the Level Director(s), where all parties are represented, and votes are kept anonymous.

Team fund amounts are approved by the board each year as part of the annual budget process and are posted on the OMGHA website – under Registration: https://www.omgha.com/page/show/13333-registration-info

REGION AND STATE TOURNAMENT TEAMS

For OMGHA Traveling teams that qualify for the Region Tournaments and/or the State Tournament for their level, OMGHA will provide and fund ice time between the District Tournament and Region Tournament for Region Tournament bound teams, and practice time between the Region Tournament and State Tournament for OMGHA teams that qualify for their State Tournament.

OMGHA will also pay the Region and State Tournament entrance fees for each team that qualifies for those tournaments.

In addition, OMGHA approves of the team purchasing a State Tournament jersey to use and keep for the State 23

Tournament, if the team qualifies for State. The purchase must follow the team budget guidelines in the handbook under the TEAM FUNDS section. The Level Director will hold a confidential vote where ¾ of the team must support the purchase. The State Tournament jersey can be designed by the team, but must have the OMGHA logo on it and contain only the OMGHA colors.

INJURY

If a child is injured during the course of the hockey season and will NOT be returning to the team during the same season, your remaining player fees will be waived or a refund issued if paid in full at registration. All outstanding player fees will still be collected. This outstanding amount will include outstanding monthly payments and a prorated amount for the time your child played during the current month. If your player does return after having your payments waived, you will be expected to pay the waived amount back.

If your child is injured during the course of the hockey season and will be returning to the team during the same season, your player fees must continue to be paid.

If your player is injured and believed to be out for the year, contact the Treasurer to start the process.

5. EQUIPMENT POLICY

Being a part of the OMGHA traveling program means being in proper uniform. Jerseys and socks are issued to all players making a team and should be the only ones worn to all sanctioned events on your team calendar. Other mandatory equipment you will need to acquire is black helmets, black gloves and black breezers; white accent to the Brand lettering is permitted. Jerseys and any other equipment issued from OMGHA to be used during the hockey season need to be turned back in to the Association within 10 days following the end of the hockey season. Failure to do this will mean being assessed a fine of $300.00 to be added on to any year -end payments

6. SOLICITATION POLICY

Any solicitation that is not sanctioned by USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey or OMGHA Hockey must be submitted to the Secretary and approved by the President before distribution is granted.

7. OMGHA Dry-Land Room Off-Season Use Policy

During the OMGHA Off-season (April – September) OMGHA wants to provide the hockey players within the OMGHA association access to the dry-land room and the Goalie Confidence Crease on a first-come-first-serve-basis based on the following guidelines:

 Individual participants must have participated on an OMGHA team this past season  An individual player may sign up no more than two (2) sessions in advance and the player must be accompanied by an adult supervisor at all times while in the dry-land room.  An individual player must use the proper protective equipment (helmet w/mask, gloves, etc.) and hockey equipment as is typically used in the dry-land room.  Individual players must follow the dry-land room policy so that the room and its contents are not harmed or damaged in any manner.  Individuals not following the room guidelines will lose dry-land room privileges  Groups of players (Teams) must have an individual who participated on an OMGHA team this past season  Groups/Teams may sign up no more than two (2) weeks or four (4) sessions in advance and must be accompanied by an adult supervisor/coach at all times while in the dry-land room.  Groups/Teams that participate as part of a AAA program that are not for profit and have players that participated on an OMGHA team this past season will be allowed to participate on a first-come-first-serve basis and may sign up no more than two (2) weeks or four (4) sessions in advance and must be accompanied by an adult supervisor/coach at all times while in the dry-land room.

 Groups/Teams that participate as a for profit camp will be allowed to participate on a first-come-first-serve basis upon receipt of a $5.00 per player fee paid to OMGHA on a one time basis for off-season use. (Examples of Groups/Teams for profit include EuroAmerican Camps, STP, Scott Bjugstad’s shooting school, etc.)  Groups/Teams of players shall follow the same policies as individual players  Groups/Teams not following the room guidelines will lose dry-land room privileges

8. PLAYER FEE REFUND POLICY

To withdraw and request a refund, send an email to the Registrar. Following that, the Treasurer, using the email date, will calculate a refund based on the chart provided in the OMGHA Financial Guidelines & Policies - Refund Policy which is located at: https://www.omgha.com/page/show/13333-registration-info

The refund will be issued to the credit/debit card or bank account used for registration. Refunds are processed as time allows during the season.

OMGHA personal fundraising vouchers follow the same timeline. The vouchers are refunded as reinstated vouchers.

In the rare event a team is not formed, a full refund will be provided.

OMGHA does not refund the USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey registration fees.

9. VOLUNTEERING

Our Association operates solely on a volunteer basis. In order to provide quality programs and to create a positive, fun and quality environment for our players, we need help from every participating family. As a result, each family in OMGHA is required to work a MINIMUM OF 14 VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR A ONE PLAYER FAMILY

AND 20 HOURS FOR TWO OR MORE PLAYERS during the current hockey season. This amount is subject to change and will be communicated prior to registration and will be available on the OMGHA website. Families with more than two registered players will only be asked to work the volunteer hours with respect to the first two registered players.

Each registrant (family) will be required to:

Provide a personal check made payable to OMGHA in an amount of at least $500. This amount is subject to change and will be communicated at the time of registration and will be available on the OMGHA website. This check will be held as a deposit and WILL NOT BE CASHED unless the family does not satisfy its volunteer requirement (minimum of 14 volunteer hours, maximum of 20 volunteer hours per family) by the end of the season. A second check made payable to OMGHA in the amount of $500.00 will be collected for Traveling Teams for jerseys. This check will be held as a deposit and WILL NOT BE CASHED unless they fail to return their traveling hockey team jerseys. Upon completion of the volunteer requirement and the return of traveling jerseys at season end, the deposit checks will be voided and destroyed by the OMGHA Treasurer or Volunteer Coordinator.

Select the Buy Out Option when registering and make a payment of at least $500.00 per player (maximum of $1000.00 for two or more players per family).This amount is subject to change and will be communicated at the time of registration and will be available on the OMGHA website. This will then fulfill the requirement for the season. Buyout families must still post a player jersey deposit for each traveling player.

Volunteer opportunities are available in the following areas:

 Concession Stand

 OMGHA Tournaments

 Events/Activities (such as Registration, Tryouts, Mite Night)

 Other Areas - to be determined throughout the season.

Several roles within OMGHA will automatically satisfy the volunteer hour requirement due to the substantial time commitment required of members filling these roles. In addition to these roles receiving automatic completion of their volunteer requirements for the season, the following board positions will receive additional years benefit.

1. Voting Members – For every 1 year served in a voting board member position the board member will receive 1 year of volunteer hours waived (100%) to be used for each subsequent season after their completion of their term.

2. -Officers – All officer board member will receive lifetime exemption for all volunteer hours waived (100%) to be used for any subsequent season after their completion of their term. This benefit will be awarded retro to any officer having completed a minimum of two years of service on the OMGHA -Board of Directors as an officer.

Volunteer hours are provided by OMGHA to Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Managers as set annually during the budget process. The number of hours distributed to coaches and managers will be communicated at the beginning of the season.

 Head Coach hours are non-transferable to another team but may be split between Co- Head or Assistant Coaches.

 Assistant Coaches hours are non-transferable to another team and can be distributed in any manner between Assistant Coaches.

 Team Manager hours are non-transferable to another team but may be split between multiple managers.

Any changes to this distribution or policy must be approved by OMGHA’s Secretary

Volunteer Hours will be posted in DIBS (On-line Volunteer System). Families will be able to log into the DIBS system using their original login and password used to register their child and "claim" a volunteer position/opportunity. An e-mail reminder will be sent out one day prior to your assignment. DIBS will also track your hours and provide a

toolbar tracking percentage complete.

IMPORTANT: A “No-Show” fee may apply to any volunteer that is scheduled to work and then does not show up. The amount of the No-Show fee will be set at the beginning of each season and communicated on the OMGHA website. A volunteer scheduled to work must find a team member or other OMGHA member to cover the hours to avoid the penalty fee. Players may be removed from the ice and not permitted to participate until the “no show’ fee is paid, or special payment arrangements for payment are approved by the OMGHA Treasurer.

10. PRIVACY POLICY

It is the policy of the Osseo Maple Grove Hockey Association (“OMGHA”) to treat as private the information provided by our families during the registration process. OMGHA will not sell, distribute or otherwise provide to third parties, any information obtained through registration, except as required by District 3, Minnesota Hockey, or USA Hockey for official hockey-related business, or as otherwise approved by the Board of Directors. This information includes, but is not limited to, player / parent names, contact information, email addresses and dates of birth.

OMGHA will limit access to private information within OMGHA to only those individuals requiring the information to conduct official OMGHA business. Private information will only be accessed for official OMGHA business.