Hockey photos and next practice

Reminder: the next practice is at a different time:

Sunday, March 26; 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE)

The schedule is here.

We've been taking pictures of our participants - mostly players and some of our coaches and volunteers. The photos are on a password protected web site: Minnesota Special Hockey (SmugMug). You can order copies of prints from the web site. I don't get any money for this, the web site gets the money. You can also (free!) download low, medium, high or full (highest) resolution images if you are a computer person or know someone who is.

If you want to order prints or download them you will need the password. You can ask at practice or email me (jfaughnan@spamcop.net) and I'll send it to you.

I do have some additional images to upload, I hope to do that tonight.

Practice prep: tape helmet and stick

For practice and scrimmage, we're supposed to:

1. have players practice wearing gear at home (we stick with the minimum for now -- helmet, gloves, skates. We'll move up if Tim can tolerate this.)
2. using masking tape, label front of helmet and stick with player's first name
3. boys are supposed to wear an athletic cup (see #1)
   

Photos from 3/5 practice and scrimmage

I've ordered prints of the 121 photos from the 3/5 practice. I should have them for the 3/19 scrimmage and I'll bring them in to distribute to friends and family.

Opening night worked well

The opening night seemed to go well. The rink was divided into 3 sections, skaters, beginners and sled. We had a good number of volunteers, with at least one aide per player. The hour session was split between practice and scrimmage.

I took a lot of pictures and we'll figure out the best way to distribute those to participants.

Welcome Letter and Waiver to Complete

February 28, 2006

Dear Hockey Players:

Welcome to the 2006 Minnesota Special Hockey Program, sponsored by Minnesota Hockey, Edina Adaptive Recreation & American Special Hockey. We have a new website thanks to John Faughnan, please log on to www.mnspecialhockey.org for additional program information.

We have 27 skaters registered for the program. We also are sharing 1/3 of the ice with a Sled Hockey program offered through Courage Center. With this being the first time Ice Hockey for Individuals with Disabilities has been offered for Minnesota we did not want to turn anyone away. Because we have so many people this is going to be a busy program. Our future goal is to have a number of programs throughout the Metro Area. Please bear with our growing pains. We have plenty of volunteers so the program should be a huge success.

Please see the Map for the Richfield Ice Arena, you can also log on to www.rinkfinder.com to get directions.

You should be ready to get on the ice at 5:30 p.m. It will take 30-45 minutes to get equipment on so please show up 45 minutes early. When you enter the Main Lobby for the Arena we will be in Rink #1 (to the left), each week there will be a sign posted announcing which locker room we will be in. All skaters need to wear skates, a helmet and gloves; skaters should also have a stick. Other equipment is encouraged, but now required. If your skater does not have full gear remember it will be cold on the ice, have them wear their snow pants and winter coat.

Our Main Coaches are Geri-Anne, Rick, Chris, and Bill. They are all experienced hockey coaches who will bring a lot of knowledge and information to the program. Volunteer coaches under 18 are required to wear a helmet, coaches 18 & older are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. If you purchase a used helmet we would be happy to reimburse you for the cost.

Program Dates:

Sunday, March 5; 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 12; 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 19; 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 26; 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE)
Sunday, April 2; 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 9; 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

If you have not had time to complete the assessment form, please complete the attached assessment form and bring it with on Sunday, this will help our volunteers, and make the program more successful for your skater. We also need each skater and volunteer to complete the USA Hockey waiver form (PDF), if this form is not completed the skater will not be allowed on the ice.

We are all looking forward to a great program! Please also contact me after the first week if you have any ideas, or suggestions to make our program better. As I said earlier this is new to Minnesota and we want to make sure it is a positive experience for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns please call me at 952-826-0433.

Sincerely,


Susie Miller, CTRS
Adaptive Recreation Supervisor
City of Edina

(The Microsoft Word version of this document is here.)

The Richfield Ice Arena: Directions and Details

rinkfinder.com - The Richfield Ice Arena has links to maps and directions. It sounds like a neat place to visit during the summer too. Here's an excerpt:

Richfield Arena has two regulation sheets of ice and is open year round and includes a full scale hockey retail store 'Hat Trick Hockey'.

The arena is located 5 minutes from the Mall of America in Veterans Memorial Park. The sight includes an outdoor pool with waterslides and a zero entry wading pool with a water playfeature, an outdoor miniature golf course, picnic shelter, large handicap accessible play feature, walking and roller blade paths.

... The arena offers open skating and skate rentals, adult open hockey, womens open hockey and youth skating lessons.

Volunteers will be present to help with directions to locker rooms and wheelchair access.