Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Hockey Jersey orders: we can only do replacements as part of pre-season signup

Many of us had thought it was possible to order replacement hockey jerseys during the season. It turns out that this is quite expensive -- our supplier charges a different rate for a small number of jerseys than for a standard order.

So we can't order replacement jerseys other than during initial registration.

We are looking into recycling some older jerseys (changing names), but those are mostly smaller sizes.

Friday, December 06, 2013

Spring Tournaments - We have two choices in 2014. RSVP by 12/27 (MA) or 2/1 (MI)

It is time to start thinking about the end of season tournaments. MN Special Hockey is going to participate in 2 tournaments this Spring.

The USA Hockey Disabled Festival is April 11th through April 13th in Marlborough Massachusetts (3 game tournament). MN Special Hockey will NOT be providing transportation to this event. But, will be offering $200 to each player that attends to help cover the transportation cost. If we have enough players that are interested in attending, we will form a team. If we do not have enough players to form a team, we will help the players find a team to play with. A few players have played with other teams over the years and made some lifelong friends.

The early registration deadline for this tournament is coming close, because of that we need a response from all players interested in attending by Friday, Dec. 27th. In order to receive the $200, you must respond by this deadline. 

The Special Hockey International (SHI) Tournament is May 1st through May 4th in Fraser Michigan (4 game tournament). MN Special Hockey will be providing a bus to this event. Each player and one parent/guardian/guest can ride the bus at no cost. Additional riders will be charged $150 each. Players that choose to fly to this event can send their hockey bags on the bus and ride the bus at no cost. We anticipate that we will have enough players for at least one team.

Because this tournament starts on a Thursday, the bus may have to leave on Tuesday evening (April 29th), it will be will leaving from one of our local rinks. It will likely return the morning of May 5th (after the last game on Sunday). Because of the organization effort for the bus and hotel, we need a response from all players interested in attending by Saturday, February 1st. If you do not respond by this deadline, there may not be room for you on the team, or on the bus. 

If you are interested in attending either or both of these tournaments, please respond to Jane Cashin (jocashin@comcast.net) with the following information: Which tournament? If Michigan, traveling by bus or flying? If bus, how many people will be riding?

Update on SHI in Michigan - Feb 1, 2014

The Special Hockey International (SHI) Tournament is May 1st through May 4th in Fraser Michigan (4 game tournament). We will play 4 games in 3 days, just don't know which 3 days (starting on Thursday or Friday). MN Special Hockey will be providing a bus to this event. Each player and one parent/guardian/guest can ride the bus at no cost. Additional riders will be charged $150 each. Players that choose to fly to this event can send their hockey bags on the bus and ride the bus at no cost. Because this tournament potentially starts on a Thursday, the bus may have to leave on Tuesday evening (April 29th), it will be will leaving from one of our local rinks. It will be returning after our last game.

Right now we do not have enough players to form a team. Without more players attending we may have to cancel the event, it would be the first time since we started traveling to a national tournament.

The registration, bus and hotels need to coordinated as soon as possible. Because of this, we need a response from all players interested in attending by Saturday, February 8th. If you do not respond by this deadline, there may not be room for you on the team, or on the bus. http://shidetroit2014.com/

Expect that the hotel costs will be around $400. Staying at the hotel for a total of 4 nights (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday). Players can share rooms to split the costs if they want. More hotel information will follow, we need to know how many will be attending before selecting the hotel.

If you are interested in attending this tournament, please respond to Jane Cashin (jocashin@comcast.net) with the following information: Traveling by bus or flying? If bus, how many people will be riding?