Coaches required to wear helmets.

troll21 · Post by **troll21** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:55 am

Hopefully the coach in chief will get the message that youth coaches do not want this. MNHOCKEY works for the youth and the volunteers that help the youth enjoy the greatest game. MNHOCKEY needs look and listen at the people that are funding Minnesota Youth Hockey. I can not believe that we, as parents and volunteers are paying for MNHOCKEY board members to talk about a subject that will only cause frustration and force individuals away becuase oif all the red tape involved to do a VOLUNTEER JOB! MNHOCKEY should look at other issue that will improve the game of hockey: Examples Change the offsides to delayed offsides How to keep the flow of the game going Spend more money on the average players vs. the select elite How to keep the cost down Help fund more arenas I know it has been said go to your district director with concerns and items can be brought up at the quarterly meetings. The problem is the district directors in the state. The have been around for awhile - the MNHOCKEY board has been around for awhile. There are no young individuals serving on MNHOCKEY. The MNHOCKEY board is a group of experienced individuals but its time to pass the torch!

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:08 am

Troll To address some of your points: District Directors: There are 12 DD's. I have been on the Board since 2000. Three have been on the Board longer. 8 for a shorter period of time. There are 6 VP's, the President, 8 other type of Directors or Officer positions. Total 27 board members - 12 are elected by the MN Hockey membership. Draw your own conclusions. Offsides - There has been no outcry (at least to me or directed to the Board in general) for a change in the offside rule. Flow of the game - not sure what you are addressing, but I am willing to listen. Money on avg vs. elite players. - As of last year's budget, almost all programs for elite were self supportive in terms of players fees and direct sponsors/gate revenue etc vs direct expenses. There is some indirect overhead cost that is absorbed through the general budget. Keeping the cost down - poor job. Funding new arenas - not sure how this would work, has never been addressed. Certain items that have been brought up by certain board members do not get much consideration, such as - Hosting and paying for an annual congress of local association reps to gather and meet and share ideas / have third parties present ideas on a variety of topics geared to local assn. Also at this time have the ability to present those concerns most affecting the local assn from the admin side, the coaching side, refs, etc... (note - President meetings have been held but too (IMHO)limited to who attended and the agenda was set and driven by MN Hockey.) Prepare media and other forms of recruitment material geared at addressing the issues of why parents are keeping kids out of hockey (cost, time, violence, etc...) and direct the promotions to places other than the local rinks (such as the youth baseball fields/soccer fields/schools job sites)and the MN Wild games. Address the issue of volunteer paperwork overload. Again, draw your own conclusions about my position.

SLP Coach · Post by **SLP Coach** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:01 pm

I have been coaching youth hockey for 3 years. Next season I will need to renew my level 3 to continue to coach. Even though I do NOT really look forward to going to the level 3 again (or for that matter taking the test to renew online) it really is only a short period of time. Think of the great amount of time volunteered over the course of the season as a coach. If you look at 2 days or about 12-14 hours, to go to these CEP clinics, as too much of a demand on your time, then maybe you don't really have the time to devote to these kids over the course of the season. Personally, I think the CEP clinics are a good idea. HOWEVER, I do also think that level 1 and 2 could be combined into 1 single day, as a majority of the information is the same in both clinics. Level 3 could be more coaching intensive in terms of hockey sense. I think a lot more coaches would be excited to go to a level 3 clinic if there was some good speakers that they can relate to. IE: college coaches from the area, possible current or ex-professional players and or coaches. Get these people to share coaching philasophies with youth coaches and get youth coaches excited. What is being "taught" now, just seems like a waste of time. I really don't want to get started on the whole "coach is required to wear a helmet" thing. But, basically, I see where MN Hockey is coming from, I just don't like the thought of having to wear a helmet to teach kids. Maybe football coaches should be forced to wear a helmet during practices and games too ---- Maybe teachers should be forced to wear a helmet in class or when they walk down the hall ---- seems a bit ridiculous doesn't it?

hawkfan70 · Post by **hawkfan70** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:21 pm

outcry #1 to change the offsides rule at least starting at PW level where everyone should pretty much have it down

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:17 pm

The point is to have defensemen learn to handle the puck - create time and space. Rather than a dump and chase mentality, you have a more skilled atttack (carrying the puck - passing the puck). If anything, a change at the Bantam A level would be warranted because of (hopefully) their ability and the time in the system that has forced them to handle the puck. And the fact they are moving into a system that allows dumping the puck.

Huckleberry · Post by **Huckleberry** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:17 pm

I think it is already mandatory in Mass. or so I was told. I believe there have been a couple cases where a coach was taken out from behind and fell on the back of their head and died. Think about it, the majority of coaches are parents, they died right in front of thier kid. I don't know if their are enough cases that it warrants mandatory helmets, but it won't make a difference to whether I coach or not. It may be something that is ultimately driven by lawyers just like every other law. A couple potential lawsuits, and people are scrambling to protect themselves.

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:34 pm

A number of years ago Minnesota lost a good friend and coach, his name Wes Barrette. Wes had been an active coach for 40 years and could skate. All he did one night was lift his skate to let a puck go by, lost his balance and his head struck the ice and he died a couple days later. For a fact his family and many friends wish he had been wearing a helmet. The latest coach was lucky.The main issue is the safety of all participants on the ice.The CEP program is mandated by USA Hockey and enforced locally. For those who have an interest look up on the Mn Hockey web site find where the winter meeting is and attend.You might be surprised.

puckboy · Post by **puckboy** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:58 pm

Greybeard- I see the meeting is in Maple Grove Jan 13-15. Are these meetings really 3 days long.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:00 pm

Maple Grove - Hilton Garden Inn Agenda is not released yet. Dates January 13 - 15 (Friday - Sunday) First committee meeting is usually at 7:00 pm on Friday until 8:30 or 9:00. Saturday starts at 8:00 am.

puckboy · Post by **puckboy** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:10 pm

are all meetings, including the committe meetings open to the public. I have never been to one of these- how many people typically attend these, not including the directors.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:08 pm

All meetings (except on occassion Grievance and personnel) are open to the public (actually the membership). The Board usually has 100% attendance (or replacement by proxy). There are several others that attend on a regular basis including Wally O'Dell, George Swentik, John Carter, Gerry Brown. Usually there are maybe 5 or 6 other people in attendance for the entire meeting. Others are there for one or more parts depending on their interest or participation. Frequently we have someone from USA Hockey (such As President Ron DeGrdario (sp?) twice in the last 18 months. There is usually 2 hours of meetings on Friday, 6 to 8 hours on Saturday, and the official meeting on Sunday running usually 8 to noon. Minnkota meeting follows the MN meeting on Sunday afternoon and can go for 2 to 4 hours. PLEASE attend for all or part of the meeting - the more people involved the better. And if you have an opinion - speak up.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:10 pm

And there is a hospityality room in the evening that the Board members pay for out of their pocket. Good chance to talk to people and have a refreshment at 'our' expense. So come on in... I put a lot more money in to the kitty than I drink or eat... so don't be bashful, it (in part) is on me.

joshdog · Post by **joshdog** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:50 pm

The story of the coach passing away is a sad one, no doubt. Injuries that occur are also nothing to scoff at. What i wonder is the number of event's as tied into injuries. Is it 1 for every 30,000 event's? I would guess it might be less. My point being that this isn't a common occurence that would require attention. The part about cep keeping coaches away is more geared to younger assistant coaches, or the guy's who we hope to be head coaches one day. I have alway's said that we should put more responsibility on the HEAD coaches and make them accountable for CEP and other stuff. I don't like the idea of 1st year coaches being head coaches at PW's or up. Give younger assis. coaches more time under other coaches and then make the cert. mandatory as they move into head coaching position's. The offsides? DUH! What will bantam's be doing next year? There are already too many whistles in youth hockey, this one is a no brainer. I know the argument about NZ transition's and I don't buy it. With tag up you still work transition's, it's all about puck control. The Ruskies would dump puck's in at times and put puck's in the corner at times also, they just learned earlier that puck control was better and that when possible transition deeper and keep control when you can. Don't slow the game down, speed it up. Tag up is a no-brainer. Put it in at PW's when real hockey start's.

mnwild · Post by **mnwild** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 5:48 pm

I could fall and slip in my office at school does that mean I should wear a helmet while I teach. The point is accidents happen on the job everywhere everyday. How/when does it stop? No coffee in the break room because somebody might burn themselves. come on there is a risk just getting out of bed in the morning. Let coaches decide if they feel the need to wear a helmet.

Ice Dad · Post by **Ice Dad** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:38 am

Goofy as it looked the first time I saw it, it unfortunately makes sense. Collisions are the first way it could happen, but who hasn't caught on edge trying to skate backward to get out of the way? You fall backward and squarely hit the back of your head on the ice and it can do some damage, even kill you. The biggest issue unfortunately is peer pressure in this man's sport of ours. Look how slow anyone in the NHL is to adopt face shields. Yet common sense says, with stick blades ans flying pucks HOW CAN YOU NOT want to protect your face.

MN HOCKEY NUT · Post by **MN HOCKEY NUT** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:15 am

If pros put on face shields, you will see the number oc concussions go way up in the league. As so as everyone has on a shield, everyone is a tough guy with way more shots to the head. Look at the college game, every check ends up with somebody getting there arms up high. Why do figure skaters not have to wear helmets? This seems just as logical then, but you don't hear anyone scream for that.

zeph517 · Post by **zeph517** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 11:01 am

I emailed MN Hockey yesterday and Hal emailed me back. He's already made his mind up and is all for it... and said that a $90 helmet on a coach could prevent kids from having to see a guy down and out on the ice. Who's gonna buy the $90 helmet for all the coaches that don't have one? I think we all know the answer to that one.

troll21 · Post by **troll21** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 11:13 am

With MNHOCKEY or Hal already having made up their mind, this shows that they have there own agenda and do not listen to the members. This thread is now over 3 pages long and I think eveyone is in agreement that its a bad idea. Leave it as a choice for the coach. We do not need another restirction on volunteer coaches. -An independent winter AAA hockey league is looking better all the time.

SEMetro · Post by **SEMetro** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 11:47 am

MN Hockey really should get a regulation on cups for coaches at the same time this helmet issue is resolved. Damn lawyers.

CoachGuy · Post by **CoachGuy** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:28 pm

Like I said if we are reimbursed by minnesota hockey I will wear it, but I'm not buying one. I've still got an old school pro-tec, doubt that will cut it though. Might fit a special needs kid, and funny that's how this board is treating its coaches.

joshdog · Post by **joshdog** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:32 pm

Does any one know if Hal T. wear's a helmet when coaching now? Has he been for the last ?? year's? I feel that Mr. Tearse paint's VERY broad pictures with his writing's and attitudes. It is all or nothing. I won't pass judgement on him as I don't know him. I am just reffering to his public writing's. You all might have read "Cold, Dry Hand's" last year. On the surface it seemed like very palatable stuff. It just doesn't fit ALL youth hockey team's and program's. It seemed very pious to me. This helmet issue should be well thought out and have a great deal of discussion before any final decision's are made. I still want to see the no. of injuries per on ice event's. That is a statistic that would be very informative for a decision.

troll21 · Post by **troll21** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:37 pm

If MNHOCKEY buys the helmet - we are buying the helmet through our fees that we pay to MNHOCKEY!

Duluthhockeyfan · Post by **Duluthhockeyfan** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 1:00 pm

This is such a ridiculous step to take. Anyone over the age of 18 that is qualified to coach, is more than qualified to make the decision what is best for them on the ice. I do not need Hal or anyone else making these decisions for me. If I fall and crack my head that is my fault. I agree MH will not be buying the helmets, it would be just another step backwards to the already insanely raising cost of hockey. Lastly, I have a 8 5\8 size head (yes I know it is a big noodle) there is not a helmet that fits me comfortably, and there is Definitely not one that would fit me what a cap under it. I frost bit my ears when I was little so I need to wear a cap, so if I can't wear a helmet does that exclude me from coaching? (True scenerio I'm not making it up to be difficult.) Bottom line I'm old enough to take care of myself.

puckboy · Post by **puckboy** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 1:13 pm

It would be interesting to see what the cost of this would be- I would bet there are well over 2000 coaches in Minnesota Hockey, that is just a guess, and at 75 bucks a helmet that is $150,000.00. LOTS of money!!!- we should probably get elbow pads and breezers also since I would expect there are lots of elbow and tailbone injuries<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

hawkfan70 · Post by **hawkfan70** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 1:24 pm

must be the folks at CCM and Bauer pushing for this rule

HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: great points

Re: great points -Troll

Re: CEP

Re: great points -Troll

Off-side rule - Off the topic, but...

Helmet

Re: Helmet

meeting

winter meeting

Re: winter meeting

Re: winter meeting

Re: winter meeting

Re: RULES!

Re: RULES!

Re: helmets

Re: helmets

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.

Re: Coaches required to wear helmets.