Welcome the 2015-16 season with the Atom Stars!
Hello Everyone,
We start up Saturday October 3rd at the Dundas Olympic Arena at 7pm. Our normal practices will be in Ancaster and in the morning however the Spring Valley renovations are not quite done yet. I will ask everyone if they can make it for 6:30pm so we can all meet each other, hand out socks/jerseys and answer any questions you may have.
You coaching staff are as follows:
Head Coach: Graham Pascal
Team Trainer: Corey Clanfield
Bench Manager: Open
Ice Helpers: Open
Please read the rest of the letter carefully
For the Kids
We will be reiterating 4 points with the kids continually over the year, please review with them as well:
1 Try your best in all practices and games
2 Listen to all the coaches and referees
3 Be good sports with your own teammates, other players, coaches and referees
4 Have fun playing the best game on the planet
Positions
For the beginning of the year we will rotate players on defense and forward positions then, based on their performance and their preferences they will be placed in a specific position to further develop.
Fair play (or Equal Playing Time)
I believe very strongly that these rules should always apply in house league. We roll the lines throughout the entire season and do not use power play or penalty kill units. We will do our best to provide equal playing time for all of the kids. Sometimes, it’s difficult to provide the exact amount of time for each player in any particular game because of penalties or odd numbered line combinations that arise when we don’t have 3 full lines. Over the course of the season, playing time should all even out.
Safety
I will not tolerate horseplay in the dressing room or on the ice (especially with a stick). I ask you to reinforce this with your child as I will be doing the same and may ask those to sit on the bench if I see them acting inappropriately. I will speak with the kids about this at the first practice.
Concussion base tests
All kids born anytime on or before December 31, 2005 are required to do an Impact Concussion base test found on the website, this is free and mandatory by the start of the season. The league will not allow your child to get on the ice until they complete this test.
For the Parents
We need your help!!!
AMHL is run through volunteer efforts. We need a bench manager and 1-2 ice helpers for practice. Both these roles will require a police check and the online Respect In Sport-Activity leader course (I will provide links to those interested). It takes all of us to run a hockey season in a good way and I have had the most success with teams that have more parent involvement. We also need someone to run the score clock every time we are the home team (I have printed instructions for it).
Please let us know if your child cannot make a game
We spend time setting the lines and positions before the game to ensure equal playing time and it makes it difficult to change the lineup at the last minute. Give us as much notice as possible. Even 1 hour before game-time is better than no notice at all.
Game times
I would like the kids ready to play and have a minimum of 15 minutes to reinforce some of the objectives before each game, so once your player is dressed and they have everything they need then please wish them luck and go out and get ready to watch the game. We will always leave the dressing room for games as a team.
Equipment check
Please ensure they have a water bottle that is clearly labeled, preferably the smaller diameter one with the long spout. Mouth guards and neck protectors are mandatory for all players. They can’t go on the ice without them.
Team extra fees
I would like to ask everyone to bring $20 to the first practice; this will cover names getting printed on the jerseys, some potential gym time and our end of the year party.
Let's have a safe, fun and amazing hockey season!
Coach Graham