Fundraising - sell chocolate bars

Susie Miller writes ...

Besides giving us free ice time (see regularly updated tournament post) the Anoka Area HOckey Association has given us 55 boxes of 50 candy bars which are sold for $1 each.

We will retain all proceeds; it's 100% profit with the ability to make $2750 for our program. We are hoping people would be willing to help sell the candy bars at ...

1. This weekend is the youth hockey state tournaments. There are tournaments all over the metro area. If you are able to spare a couple hours at any

point over the weekend visiting one of the rinks it would be a great way to make money for the program, PLUS market the program to other MN Hockey players.

2. Take a box to see at work, to family, at a local business, anywhere you feel you could.

If you think you could help with this please contact Susie Miller at mnspecialhockey@gmail.com or call 612-325-3392. I will be happy to deliver

or meet somewhere to deliver the boxes. Please, please, please help if you can.

USA Disabled Hockey Festival 2011 Summary Updated 3/18/11

This USA Disabled Hockey Festival post will be updated as we head towards the festival. During that time dated material will be removed and new material will be added. Click links for more information.

Minnesota Teams

MNSH rules require us to field an "A team". We have two - the Wild and the North Stars. The Wild draw from the Polars, Eagles and The Raptors, the North Stars draw from Polars, Stinger and Wildcat.

The remaining Stingers and Eagles will play as separate teams in the 'B' division.

The remaining Polars will play in the 'C' division and the remaining Wildcats and Raptors are combining to make another team in the 'C' division.

Apparel Order and MN Wild game option

Minnesota WILD game offer: March 31st, 2011 Minnesota WILD ticket have special offer to all USA Disabled Hockey Festival participants.  The Minnesota Wild is offering tickets to the game against the Oilers on Thursday, March 31st.  All festival participants, families and friends who may be arriving on that Thursday can take advantage of this offer, that will also help to support the 7th Annual event.  Just click on the link, www.wild.com/usa, to choose your tickets and enjoy the State of Hockey in what has been described as the best arena in the country.

Clothing and Festival gear will be sold on site (pre-orders have closed).

Game Events

Game Schedule: Games start Friday around 11:20am and end Sunday pm.

Social Event invitation - Friday April 1

Team Photographer with Stanley Cup and raffle

A schedule for team photos with the Stanley Cup will be ready the week before the event.  We will hold a 50/50 raffle along with prizes for all those at the Super Rink that weekend.

Festival Transportation We will be offering accessible transportation between the hotels in Bloomington and Roseville and the Super Rink.  The schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 & SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2011

BUS	LOCATION
8:00 AM	Bloomington
8:30 AM	Roseville
9:00 AM	Blaine
10:00 AM	Bloomington
10:30 AM	Roseville
11:00 AM	Blaine
2:00 PM	Bloomington
2:30 PM	Roseville
3:00 PM	Blaine
4:00 PM	Bloomington
4:30 PM	Roseville
5:00 PM	Blaine

Return
9:00 PM	Depart Blaine
Drop at Roseville
Drop at Bloomington

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2011

BUS	LOCATION
7:00 AM	Bloomington
7:30 AM	Roseville
8:00 AM	Blaine
1:00 PM	Depart Blaine
Drop at Roseville
Drop at Bloomington

Disabled Hockey Event: Social RSVP, Buddy Teams, Apparel, Volunteers

Lots of news from Jane Cashin on the national event ..

Order USA Disabled Festival apparel -There will be a very limited amount of apparel for sale at the festival… you must pre-order it at this website!

and

Invitation to Social Event Friday April 1 -7:30-9:30

All USA Disabled Festival Teams are invited to a social event after the Opening Ceremonies at the Schwan’s Super Rink on Friday night, April 1.

6:45 – 7:00 – Players and coaches seated in VIP/reserved area 7:00 – 7:20 – Opening Ceremonies 7:30 – 9:30 – Opening Ceremonies Social Event

Once the Opening Ceremonies are concluded the event floor will be open to all attendees.

The Social Event Includes: Food and beverages – hotdogs, chips, powerade and more! DJ and dance floor! Time for pin trading and getting to know players from other teams!

RSVP: In order to accommodate all of the teams in the VIP/reserved seating area, an RSVP is required by Sunday, March 27th.

Special VIP passes will be handed out to each team, all you need to do is respond with a number!

Please respond to Jane Cashin at jocashin@comcast.net with the number of coaches and players that will be representing their team.

and

Seeking local hockey teams as "buddy teams"

Buddy Teams are needed all three days of the event. Your group can sign up for one or more of the following times to volunteer to be a Buddy Team. Please select from the times below.

• Friday April 1: 9:00 to 12:00, 12:00 to 3:00, 3:00 to 6:00
• Saturday, April 2: 9:00 to 12:00, 12:00 to 3:00, 3:00 to 6:00
• Sunday, April 3: 9:00 to 12:00, 12:00 to 3:00

Please email Suzy Lindeberg at slindeberg@comcast.net with a contact name for the group, email address for the group contact person, day/time you would like to volunteer and an estimated number of people you will be bringing with you.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - see attachment and read on -

We got a few volunteers to sign up on Sunday, but we need many more.  I have said it before, the success of this tournament depends a lot on its volunteers.  Please give some of your time to make this event special for all of the players and families!  Please ask your friends and family to volunteer some of their time.

Contact Suzy Lindeberg at slindeberg@comcast.net

Provide the following information:

• Volunteer Name:
• Email address:
• Team associated with (if any):
• Day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday):
• Time (Morning, Afternoon, Evening):

Schedule

All of the teams will be playing during the day on Friday.  It is a great excuse to skip out of work and school!  I will forward the schedule when it has been finalized.

Minnesota WILD game offer:

March 31st, 2011 game deal: Minnesota WILD ticket have special offer to all USA Disabled Hockey Festival participants.  The Minnesota Wild is offering tickets to the game against the Oilers on Thursday, March 31st.  All festival participants, families and friends who may be arriving on that Thursday can take advantage of this offer, that will also help to support the 7th Annual event.  Just click on the link, www.wild.com/usa, to choose your tickets and enjoy the State of Hockey in what has been described as the best arena in the country.

 

 

 

Alexandria Tourney - Details and please reply Susie Miller

This weekend we have an out of town tourney in Alexandria Mar 12-13.We have been making room reservations at the Holiday Inn, I know one family is at the Super 8. Details and directions are below. There's still time to join us!

Alexandria Tourney Questions - please respond to Susie Miller by Tuesday March 8th - mnspecialhockey@gmail.com

1. What team do you play for during the regular season? (Raptors, Eagles, Polars, Stingers, or Wildcats)

2. Susie will be making Door signs. What is your skaters number & name that is desired on the hotel door sign? i.e. #35 Joey

3. Are you staying at the Holiday Inn?

4. Are you interested in going to the Blizzard game? ($10 per person)

Event Summary

http://www.mnspecialhockey.org/event/show/21443349?dy=12&mth=3&yr=2011

March 12-13 Alexandria, MN

Hotel Rooms Reserved at Holiday Inn Alexandra $101.99 + tax 320-763-6577 Block: MN Special Hockey

Questions? Call Susie at: 612-325-3392

Alexandria Schedule:

• Game Times: Saturday 1 p.m. & Sunday 11 a.m.
• Pizza Party: Saturday 5:30 p.m.
• AAA Blizzard Game (optional): Saturday 7 p.m. (http://alexandriablizzard.pointstreaksites.com/view/alexandriablizzard)

Runestone Community Center Arema

802 3rd Ave. West, Alexandria, MN 56308

http://www.arenamaps.com/arenas/1070.htm

http://goo.gl/maps/cftQ (Google maps)

Rink Directions (traveling from MSP)

• Take I-94 exit 103.

• At the stop light turn right onto Highway 29 north.

• Take 29 north through downtown to the stoplight at the intersection of 27/29/Broadway and County 82/3rd Ave. W.

• Take a left onto 82/3rd Ave. W.

• At the next stoplight take a left. RCC will be in view.

Holiday Inn Alexandria

5637 Highway 29 South, Alexandria, MN 56308

(320) 763-6577

wwwhialexandria.com

http://goo.gl/maps/TFTg (Google maps)

Directions from Rink to Holiday Inn

802 3rd Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308

1. Head east on 3rd Ave W/Co Rd 82 NWtoward Fairgrounds Rd 0.7 mi

2. Turn right at MN-27 W/MN-29 S/Broadway St 2.2 mi

3. Slight left to stay on MN-27 W/MN-29 S 1.2 mi

5637 Minnesota 29, Alexandria, MN 56308

http://goo.gl/maps/Jtse (Google maps)

Feb news: Alexandria tourney, National Disabled Hockey Festival Apr 1-3, End of Season games March 6, Change in board and presidency

Lots of news this month ...

1.       Alexandria Tourney Mar 12-13
2.       National Tournament Disabled Hockey Festival Apr 1-3
3.       End of Season Celebration March 6th
4.       Changing President of MN SH and 11 Who Care

1.       Alexandria out of town tourney is on for Mar 12-13! Be sure to book your rooms. Since this is our first tournament, and many have vacation plans already, our teams will be small so we will merge teams together as needed. Next year we plan to schedule our tournament during the season and hope to have a much better turnout.

• March 12-13 Alexandria, MN (Calendar entry)
• Games: Saturday Afternoon & Sunday Morning.
• Hotel Rooms Reserved at Holiday Inn Alexandra $101.99 + tax 320-763-6577 Block: MN Special Hockey
• Questions? Call Susie at: 612-325-3392

2.       Disabled Hockey Festival April 1-3 – At this point you should all know about the tournament and that we are part of the hosting committee. Each family should plan to volunteer 3-4 hours during this tournament. We will be in touch soon with specific volunteer opportunities. This tournament will be staffed 100% by volunteers from various organizations including ours.  Remember, the success of every tournament is dependent on its volunteers.

Lastly we all know about the Disabled Hockey Festival April 1-3 (calendar).  There's more information on the official site. We are sending 4 teams including many Eagles. We'll have more information closer to the event. Jane Cashin writes:

3. Our end of season games, celebration and team photo will be March 6th.

All families should plan to be at this event from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. (First game starts at 1:50pm)
Please print out the Picture order form 2011 and be ready to order your pictures that day.  Bring cash/checks.

• What: End of the year celebration! And, Team Photos
• When: Sunday, March 6, 1:30—4:00 p.m.
• Where: Fogerty Arena, 9250 Lincoln St., Blaine
• Please invite family, friends, and even potential new players! This would be a great opportunity for your friends to watch and see if this is something they would like to do.

Schedule

• 1:50 ~ Polar/Singers  Individual Pictures – off ice, please be ready for pictures with jerseys on
• 1:50 ~ 2:25 Raptor Vs Wildcats
• 2:30 ~ 3:00 Total Organization photo and individual team photos on the ice!
• 3:00 ~ Raptors/Wildcats  Individual Pictures – off ice
• 3:00 ~ 3:30 Polars Vs Merged Team of Players from the other teams
• 3:30 ~ 4:00 Eagles VS Stingers

4.       Board position change over – Last fall, Susie completed her 3 year volunteer position as President/Executive Director of MN Special Hockey (MSH). Not wanting to give up total participation in MSH, Susie reran as a Board Member and will continue an active role with the MSH program. Jane, who has also been volunteering with this program since it started, agreed to take on even more responsibilities and become the new President of MSH.

Note from Susie Miller

As the outgoing President I can honestly say I have never been involved with such an amazing program and such an amazing group of people. Every time I am able to attend the Sunday afternoon games or practices I am thoroughly impressed with the active participation of the players, parents and other volunteers. On the ice, the skill development is so impressive, off the ice, the relationships that are developing are awesome! I have had the pleasure of getting to so know so many players and I LOVE to hear all of the stories of their reasons for playing.

I recently found out I am a recipient of the 11 Who Kare award. Bill Marshal (Becky’s ideaJ) nominated me for this award for founding MN Special Hockey. I am incredibly honored to receive this award, but it is also an award that should be going to all of the other volunteers and quite frankly, the entire program. Everyone here cares about their fellow teammates, coaches, and even opponents. This is what MN Special Hockey is and why I am so proud to be a part of it. For those that had known, I promised I would send out the times.

The show will air this Sunday during the 10 pm extra, Monday at 5:15am and the following Saturday morning between 8-10 am. Thank you again for being such an amazing group to be a part of. I am proud and I hope all of you are too. I am grateful to Jane for her willingness to step forward. We are lucky to have her lead us for the next 3 years!

Note from Jane Cashin  –

As the new President I am very happy that Susie is remaining very involved.  This program would not be what it is without all the hard work she has done over the years.  I am very proud of this program and proud that I have been involved with it since the very beginning.  I get emotional when I think about all the wonderful players, parents and volunteers that have made Minnesota Special Hockey the best hockey program in the State of Hockey!  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or suggestions.