Saturday, September 15, 2012

Free hockey gear at Xcel Energy Center October 6th 9am - noon

I haven't heard that MNSH will be participating as a hockey association. I'll ask on Facebook if there are more details.

The Herb Brooks Foundation

The Minnesota Wild, Let’s Play Hockey and Minnesota Hockey announced a partnership for a fourth annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive. The drive will culminate in a public distribution on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Xcel Energy Center from 9 a.m. to noon.

Sponsors and partners for the program, in alphabetical order, include Berger Transfer, Boehm’s, FOX Sports North, Herb Brooks Foundation, Let’s Play Hockey, Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association, Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association, Minnesota Hockey, Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association, Minnesota Wild, Total Hockey, Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League and Westwood Sports.

Berger Transfer will place drop-off boxes throughout the Twin Cities at select arenas and hockey shops, beginning Thursday, Aug. 23, through Tuesday, Oct. 2. On Saturday, Oct. 6, the equipment will be distributed to hockey associations and individuals at Xcel Energy Center from 9 a.m. to noon. Goalie equipment, as well as sticks and helmets, are in the most need...

... For more information, please contact Doug Johnson of Let’s Play Hockey at (612) 729-0023.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Open skate and annual meeting Oct 7 2pm

From George Holden:

Our open skate and annual meeting will be Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Mariucci Arena at the University of Minnesota. We will meet at 2:00 in the arena stands for the annual meeting which will last less than 30 minutes.

Following that we'll put on the skates and have open skating until 4:00 PM.

Everyone is welcome to skate but you must be covered by USA hockey insurance or sign a waiver plus you must wear a helmet. No sticks or pucks. We expect Goldy Gopher and the U of M cheerleaders to be there to help us celebrate the opening of our 2012-2013 MN Special Hockey season!!

Registration for the 2012-2013 season is open!

The web site is slightly confusing, but the registration page has everything in one place. The Player registration process has two parts: USA Hockey Registration and then MNSH. Total cost is $160. (HINT: copy paste the player reservation number to a document so you can copy/paste it into the MNSH registration. Saves awkward typing.)

I don't know if/when registration closes. Our skills clinic is Oct 19-21 and registration is required to attend.

There is scholarship money available, but the $50 that USA Hockey and MN Hockey collect is not available for scholarship. You'll see the link for scholarship information after you complete player registration, on the billing page.

New players get a jersey. Returning players can buy a new jersey for $60.

Both the USA Hockey and MNSH registration make it easy to register two or more players. The option to add another player comes up after the first registration is done. When you're done be sure to print your order receipt.

During player registration you'll see medical information and consent to treat forms to print and to hand to coaches

Coaches and volunteers have to register and that includes a background check for adults and completion of a waiver of liability form. (Coaches have to pay $40 to register, volunteers are free but in theory volunteers cannot be on the ice.) (NOTE: As of 9/22 the background check link doesn't work, I've sent a note on to Colleen. I think this is the correct link. Look for the electronic registration link at the top, you don't need the PDF forms. It goes quickly.)

Some key points:

* Colleen Simcoe is our registrar. You can contact her at: colleen@mnspecialhockey.org with questions. Thank you Colleen!

* If you registered last year, most of the information for the fields is retained for this year. Remember to sign on to start the process.

* The completed Medical Information and Consent to Treat forms are to be given to your coach or manager at the first practice.

* USA Hockey requires a credit card to register, USA Hockey fees are $40, MN Hockey fees are $10, for a total of $50.

* Please complete Step 2!!! After you obtain your USA Hockey Confirmation number, you must then register with MN Special Hockey.

* You can pay MN Special Hockey fees by check or credit card, our fees remain $110.

* No player will be allowed on the ice until registered.

* You must be registered to participate in the MN Disabled Hockey Clinic on October 19th - 21st.

* Coaches and Volunteer registration information is also at the above link.