Stillwater Area Hockey Association

USA Hockey has updated coaching requirements starting for the 2011-2012 season.  Please go to the Minnesota Hockey website and review the CEP requirments and FAQ at

http://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_article/show/87499?referrer_id=80470

-OR-

SEE INFORMATION BELOW

Below is a document and FAQ regarding the New Coaching Education Program Requirements for this upcoming season. The document spells it out nicely but the high points are outlined below.  PLEASE READ...

• ALL coaches MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED CERTIFICATION LEVEL BY JAN 1 of the current season. If not in compliance, that coach will NOT be allowed to coach for the remainder of the season.
• All NEW coaches must enter USA Hockey's CEP Program at Level 1, and MUST continue their education each year until, at a minimum they achieve Level 3. Once level 3 is reached, periodic renewal (see attached document) is required for coaches who do not achieve Level 4 status.
• Coaches can only complete ONE LEVEL CERTIFICATION CLASS PER YEAR.
• Coaches who obtain Level 4 status are NOT required to attend any further certification clinics but must adhere to the age-specific requirement training modules.
• ALL coaches MUST COMPLETE ONLINE AGE-SPECIFIC TRAINING MODULES  specific to the level of play they are coaching. If you are coaching a mite and a bantam team you would have to complete both. Once you complete a module you will not have to take it again in the following years if you stay at that level.
• Coaches may complete more than one age specific module in one season and can complete these prior to taking the Level Certification Class.
• Review the Grandfather clause in the document below.

Age-Specific-Module Launch Dates

• Mite (U8), Squirt (U10) - Launched
• PeWee (U12) - September 20
• Bantam (U14), 16/18/19U. Midget - September 27 

Coaches can sign for Level Clinics at www.usahockey.com.  District 2 will be holding Level 1 & Level 2 Clinics in White Bear Lake. They will be limited to 50 participants. Coaches are able to sign up for other clinics across the metro.

Oct. 15th - Level 1 & 2 - Central Middle School, White Bear Lake

Nov. 5th - Level 1 & 2 - Central Middle School, White Bear Lake

Level 3 - TBD

All coaches and managers at all levels are required to submit the following:

Background Screening Form

AND

 Copy (front & back) of your USA Hockey Coaching Card

Absolutely NO non-rostered players are allowed on the ice (this includes younger/older siblings), for any reason, unless that player is a STUDENT COACH with properly submitted and signed paperwork in the team book.  This is a direct mandate by MN/USA Hockey and a major liability concern.  Non-rostered players are not covered while on the ice/bench under the USA Hockey liability insurance.  This policy must be strictly followed by SAHA and it's coaches.

Attention ALL SAHA Coaches:

SAHA supports the use of student coaches on our youth teams.  However, there are USA Hockey guidelines in place :

•  A Student Coach must be between the ages of 13 - 17 years old and currently registered through USA Hockey.
• Student Coaches may only work with players at least ONE full playing age level down (i.e. a Peewee age player may be a Student Coach at the Squirt or Mite level.) 
• Must complete the USA Hockey Student Coach Information FORM.   

If you are interested in having a Student Coach on your team, please submit the required FORM with the required signatures to Tammy Freeman so the paperwork can be processed and the student coach can be added to your teams roster.

SAHA appreciates the time and commitment that all of our coaches give to the program and do not want to make our hockey lives any more difficult, but we need to adhere to the rules regarding kids on the ice.

For consistency and fairness to all members we must enforce the student coach rules from USA and Minnesota Hockey.   A player between the ages of 13 and 17 who is currently properly registered with USA Hockey may serve as a student coach under the following conditions:

• Must attend a training session conducted by the local hockey association.
• Must always be under the supervision of a carded, screened adult coach during all practices, clinics, try-outs, and in the locker room.
• May help out at practices, clinics, try-outs only. (May not play during scrimmages or games).
• May not act as the head coach or assistant coach during practices or games.
• Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves, and skates while on the ice. Must wear helmet during games while on the bench.
• May only work with players at least one full playing age level down.
• The organization that is using the student coach must provide a form indicating on what team he/she is participating as a student coach, and, if applicable, what team he/she is properly registered/rostered as a player.
• Upon reaching the age of 18, the student coach must comply with all USA Hockey coaching and screening rules and regulations.

In addition all student coaches who meet the above criteria must be listed on the team roster for which they are a student coach.

Anyone who does not meet these criteria will not be allowed to skate, demonstrate drills or otherwise help coach any team on which they are not rostered.

Thank you! 
Have a great season!

Mike Timmons                                                                                               SAHA President