Allen Park Hockey Association

15024 Englewood Allen Park, MI 48101

News Letter

Greetings to all the Allen Park Huskies!

 

I hope you are all having a great summer.  The delivery of this newsletter is a sign that the 2010-2011 Hockey Season is about to start.  We are diligently preparing for a start of another competitive hockey season.  Let me take this opportunity to mention some important items from last year as well as highlight a few new items of interest.

 

First and foremost a sincere welcome back to all the past APHA member and also a sincere welcome to the new members of the greatest Hockey Association in Michigan! The Allen Park Hockey Association continues to be the shining star in District 2 in Michigan.  There were one of only five District 2 Hockey Associations showing positive growth in 2010 and the APHA was number one on that list!  Spread the word, the APHA is the place to be in District 2. 

 

Second, I would like to thank all the coaches and managers that dedicate their time to the players and teams in the Allen Park Hockey Association.  The APHA has done a great job selecting this year’s coaches.  The knowledge and commitment of our coaches is one aspect that separates the APHA from other Hockey Associations.  Aside from one very unfortunate event, the APHA has been represented admirable by it’s coaches and players.  Last year twenty-nine times Allen Park Huskies were crowned Champions in Tournaments, Leagues, Playoffs and Districts.  Two years ago the APHA sent it’s first ever team to Nationals.  This past year the APHA for the first time was represented in State Tournaments by a total of five teams.  The Squirt-B1 was the first house team to go to a State Championship.  The Squirt-AA and Midget-A teams made it to the State Semi-finals, losing to the eventual State Champions in their respective divisions.  Our Bantam-AA team made it to the State Finals losing to the eventual National Champion.  And not to be outdone the Peewee-A team successfully defended last years State Championship with the first every back-to-back State Championship for Allen Park Hockey!  Way to go Huskies!  We again will hold an Association Appreciation Day and Banner Raising Ceremony this year to celebrate our District and State Champions.  It will be an association-wide event with showcase games, open skates and, of course, the raising of our Championship Banners.

 

This year at the MAHA Summer Meetings it was obvious that the landscape of youth hockey in the United States is changing.  Some of the major changes to be aware of is the elimination of AAA hockey at the squirt level.  MAHA has also mandated cross-ice programs for all 6u age classifications.  That means from this year on all mini-mites will be playing cross ice games.  There is no longer an option for full ice hockey at the 6 & under age.    The focus now is on “athlete development” and USA Hockey is looking to deliver on that focus.  Catch-phrases such as “ice touches”, “puck touches” and “FUNdamentals” are being used to change the mindset of parent’s and coaches of our youth hockey players.  USA Hockey has introduced the American Developmental Model, (ADM) to help Hockey Associations develop their young athletes.  Many of you have already heard about the ADM.  This program is not entirely a bad thing for youth hockey.  Many other youth sports, baseball, basketball, soccer play their games on smaller fields.  Ask yourself why is this considered “antidevelopment” to youth hockey?  Please take a minute or two to visit the USA Hockey ADM presentation at www.admkids.com and see what the ADM Program is really all about.  There are many good aspects of the American Developmental Model and the many NHL and College Teams in the USA are supporting this program.  NHL Teams such as Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit are establishing cross-ice programs to support Associations that adopt this mode.  Detroit just this year established the Detroit Minor Wings Program to support the ADM.  The APHA will also be hosting and APHA - ADM Night in August or September.  This will be a great opportunity for parents and players to see first hand the American Development Model.  Bob Mancini, the ADM Regional Manager for USA Hockey will be on hand to present the philosophy behind the ADM as well as demonstrate on the ice the functionality of this program.  More information will follow.  The ADM is more than just cross-ice games.  It really is development oriented.  MAHA has already committed to implementing cross-ice games for 8u by the 2012-2013 seasons. 

 

Another first for the APHA was a free Novice Program.  Last year through, grants from USA Hockey and sponsors Park Athletic we were able to offer free hockey equipment, ice, jerseys and instruction to our newest little Huskies.  Last year 20 of our Novice Players were treated to a trip to Joe Louis Arena (also a first) courtesy of Tim Horton’s and the APHA.  They were able to practice at the Joe in the morning, come back later that afternoon for a great Red Wings Game and then play a cross-ice game during the second intermission in front of nearly 20,000 Hockey fans.  It was priceless to see the pictures of these future stars on the ice at the Joe!   The APHA’s goal is to repeat that again this year.  The Novice Program will also be adopting the ADM Program.

 

The Allen Park Hockey Association has submitted a letter of interest to MAHA requesting the opportunity to Host the Peewee Division State Tournament in Allen Park.  For those that were here to remember our Bantam AA State Tournament just over a year ago it was truly a great time.  Volunteers will be needed so if you are interested in helping please let me know. 

 

Lastly, but most importantly each of our APHA members is reminded to conduct themselves in a manner that exemplifies good sportsmanship.  This applies to every coach, parent, player, manager, and relative of the APHA.  Last year we as an Association had much to be proud of.  It also marked one of the lowest points in the history of not only the APHA but all of youth hockey in Michigan.  Having to step out on the ice and break up a fight between a group of adults (a term I use loosely) at a mini-mite game marked the darkest day I’ve had as President of this Association.  This tragic event made National News.  To have the Allen Park Hockey Association tied to it was an embarrassment to us all.  If I had one wish it would be to have every hockey parent be able to envision the horror I witnessed in the face of the little 4 year old I had to scrape off the ice and usher into the locker room so he wouldn’t have to see coaches and parent’s brawling on the ice.  Unfortunately it was not an isolated incident.  We had other parent’s cross the line last year   Each and every coach, parent and players has the responsibility to keep the integrity and reputation of the APHA to the highest level.  As parents and coaches, we are ultimately responsible for our own actions.  Remember that it is just a game played by a group of kids that just want to have fun.  Don’t make it bigger than it is.  Don’t let your emotions get the better of you and embarrass yourself, the APHA or, most importantly, your own kids.  Don’t react to another person’s “over-reaction”.  Be responsible for your actions and help diffuse bad situations rather than ignite them.  Please report any improper behavior to myself or any APHA Board member. Remember the APHA has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to this type of behavior.

 

Additionally, I urge every parent to get “actively” involved in the operation of this Association.  Participate, Volunteer, Vote.  Everyone is welcome to take an active roll regardless of residency or gender.  There is no experience needed, on-the-job training will be provided for free and the reward for being a part of a successful youth program is immeasurable.  Take the opportunity to make a difference!

 

For additional information, please visit www.allenparkhockey.com . Good luck to everyone on a successful and enjoyable season.

 

Rick Pinkowski

President

Allen Park Hockey Association