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.
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?
I highly recommend coming as I can personally say this event was the highlight for me last season. If you decide to come here’s what you need to know:
• Location is Runestone Community Center and Ice Arena located at 802 3rd Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308. Phone: 320-763-4466.Update 12/27/2013
• We have two hours of ice reserved both days from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
• The play will be “Jamboree” style which means players will be grouped by ability level and not by their home teams.
• For those who want to spend the night we have reserved a block of 20 rooms at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria. Call the hotel at 320-763-6577 and ask for the “MN Special Hockey” block. You will then receive the discounted rate. Very important... the reservation deadline is Friday, December 6th. Any unclaimed rooms will go back to general inventory after that date. Rates are 109.99 standard rooms with poolside costing an addition $20.00.
• We will not be providing transportation (a bus) to this event.
• Please let Joe Kelly know if you will be attending this event at jkelly@schererbros.com. Joe will also be able to answer any questions you might have.
Message from Tom Schuneman (dad/board member/volunteer):
... Shock Doctor, the leading company in protection products for athletes and the manufacture of the #1 mouthguard in the world, has come forward with a generous offer of sponsorship to MN Special Hockey. They will be providing each of our athletes a Shock Doctor String Backpack gift bag! Each gift bag will include a Shock Doctor Mouthguard and an Anti-Microbial Mouthguard carrying case! I have seen the string backpacks and they are very cool. This is a very generous gift that I am sure our athletes will be excited to get. All thanks to the Shock Doctor company!
We have a limited number of gift bags, but expect that all of our registered players will be able to receive one at their first practice. Because these bags need to be organized and distributed, all players must be registered by Sunday, Nov. 4th to receive one. MN Special Hockey registrations received after Nov. 4th will not likely receive this cool and generous gift from Shock Doctor.
Our first practice is with Polars on Nov 10, Blaine Super Rink 7 from 4:50pm CST - 5:50pm. [1]
We are doing pretty well on registration but if you haven't registered yet and are interested please let me know (jfaughnan@gmail.com). This year Nick U will be coaching!
Our calendar is up to date [2] with our games and practices. We will be playing and practicing out of Bielenberg arena. We've had problems in the past with that arena canceling our practices, John F will call ahead to confirm for each event there.
The Alexandria tournament is Dec 28/29. Jan 4 is a special event with Minnehaha Boys High School hockey. Our season ends March 2nd. March 15/16 is the Madison Tournament and the USA Disabled Hockey Festival is April 10-13. This year it will be in Marlborough Massachusetts.
Volunteers: Please complete the USA Hockey portion of the registration and the MN Background Check Form before the season begins. (thanks!)
See you all soon!
[1] http://www.mnspecialhockey.org/event/show/57891781
[2] http://www.mnspecialhockey.org/page/show/990919-eagles-2013-2014-
