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The following was sent today by email to registered members of the Minnesota Girls Hockey Hub website:

The MGHCA is taking applications for a 10 day hockey exchange program to take place this October in Russia. This exchange program is sponored by the US Department of State under the auspices of the Sports United Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. All travel and lodging expenses are being covered by the US Department of State. Tentative dates are leaving the US October 5th and returning October 14th.

Five female players and one coach will be selected from the Minnesota high school ranks. Eligibility requirements are listed below and on the application.

* Player must have played high school hockey during the 2011-12 season
* Be in good standing with their school/team
* Must have NO MSHSL violations during their high school career
* Must have a current US Passport (or can get one-needed by mid to late August)
* Write a one page essay stating "What is my role as a member of this program."

Coach must have been a member of the MGHCA for the 2011-12 season. Preferred candidates will have some overseas travel experience. In addition to the application for the coach position the following criteria must also be completed:

* Complete online background check with Minnesota Hockey
* Complete membership for USA Hockey
* Be a current member of the MGHCA
* Have at least a Level 3 CEP certification with USA Hockey (Level 4/5 coaches will receive priority for this position)
* Current coaching resume

All application materials must be received by the MGHCA by Wednesday, August 15th (Late applications will not be accepted!).
Completed applications must be typed and sent to the following address:

MGHCA
ATTN: Russia Exchange Selection Committee
PO Box 120788
NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112

Interviews for final candidates will take place on Wednesday, August 22nd. Applicants must complete the interview for selection to the program. Finalists will be contacted by Friday, August 17th by email with their interview time.

IMPORTANT DATES:
August 15th - Applications due at MGHCA
August 17th - Finalists contacted with interview times
August 22nd - Finalist interviews
October 5th - Leave for Russia (tentative)
October 14th - Return from Russia (tentative)

Anyone know why a new announcement went out, with new (later) application deadline, and new address to mail the application to?

http://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_art ... r_id=80568

The new information was different and updated than sent out by the MGHCA. I hope the MGHCA has resent the proper information and changed their web site.

greybeard58 wrote:The new information was different and updated than sent out by the MGHCA. I hope the MGHCA has resent the proper information and changed their web site.

I don't remember it EVER saying 16 years old....glad my kid didn't waste their time. Sounds like a fabulous opportunity though, hope stuff like this is available in the future....

Cut Above wrote: I don't remember it EVER saying 16 years old....glad my kid didn't waste their time. Sounds like a fabulous opportunity though, hope stuff like this is available in the future....

Good catch. Old version said ages 14-17 I believe. Agreed it does sound like a fabulous opportunity.

There was incorrect information sent from the MGHCA and posted on their web site. The information and qualifications for both girls and boys are on the Mn Hockey web site.

I noticed that the Russia trip info has been deleted from the MGHCA web site. If anyone did fill out an application and mailed it to the address provided by MGHCA it would be very prudent to double check with the contact listed on the Mn Hockey web site to make sure your application was forwarded on to them by the MGHCA.

greybeard58 wrote:I noticed that the Russia trip info has been deleted from the MGHCA web site. If anyone did fill out an application and mailed it to the address provided by MGHCA it would be very prudent to double check with the contact listed on the Mn Hockey web site to make sure your application was forwarded on to them by the MGHCA.

I checked into this on behalf of an athlete, and I was told that all apps sent to MGHCA were forwarded on to MN hockey, and the MN hockey would be sending out notices of receipt to all people who applied in the very near future.

greybeard58 wrote:I noticed that the Russia trip info has been deleted from the MGHCA web site. If anyone did fill out an application and mailed it to the address provided by MGHCA it would be very prudent to double check with the contact listed on the Mn Hockey web site to make sure your application was forwarded on to them by the MGHCA.

I also received confirmation from Minnesota Hockey that the applications sent to the MGHCA were going to be sent along to MH for the final selections. Unfortunatately, my daughter was one of the girls under 16 who took the time to submit an application based on the information that was out there for 4 weeks before MH published the new requirements just a few days before the MGHCA application deadline.

U.S. Department of State Announces American Youth Ice Hockey Envoys to Russia

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/09/198454.htm

Bandy wrote:U.S. Department of State Announces American Youth Ice Hockey Envoys to Russia

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/09/198454.htm

The US Dept of State really makes this appear to be love-fest with quotes like "...for ten days of sports and cultural diplomacy with their Russian counterpart" and "During this exchange, the group will engage with their Russian peers through ice hockey and other cultural programs".

I doubt that words like "engage" and "cultural diplomacy" will be used in the pre-game pep talk.

I miss Herb Brooks

A couple trip blogs.

http://www.hockeytriptorussia.blogspot.com
http://talentedturtles.blogspot.com

And MN Hockey posting:
http://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_art ... r_id=80470

Does anyone have a list of the players that went to Russia? It looked like an amazing experience on the two blogs.

Third link