For Parents

Instructions

Parent/Guardian Participation in the Esko Hockey Program

As with most hockey associations in Minnesota, the parents/guardians are a big part on the success of a hockey program. The Esko Hockey Association in no exception.

Throughout the hockey season you will be asked to participate in various functions such as: fundraisers, rink maintenance/flood crew, and working the concessions. More information on these will come as the season progresses. We also have an opt out option for families who cannot participate.

We are all volunteers in this organization from the Board of Directors, to the coaches, to the parents. This organization is what it is because of our volunteers. Volunteers spending their own time and effort so that all of our children can enjoy the great game of Hockey for this season and years to come. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas please let one of the Board Members know.

First Year Hockey Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

You will be astonished by the amount of growth your child will have in their first year of hockey. Mite hockey is all about getting children on the ice to have fun and learn the fundamentals of hockey. It is a lot of fun to record your child at the beginning of season and compare it to the end of the season to see how much they have learned.

What do the registration fees go towards?

USA HOCKEY is the National Governing Body for the sport of hockey in the United States. The registration fee paid to USA Hockey provides coverage under USA Hockey Association insurances and provides your player with a subscription to the USA Hockey Magazine. $10 per player gets forwarded to the Minnesota Amateur Hockey

Money paid to Esko Hockey goes toward renting indoor ice, maintenance on our ice making equipment (tractors, flood hoses, snow blower, zamboni, etc.), maintenance on our hockey rinks, player’s boxes, and paint. Lastly, money goes toward Jamboree entry fees. Each jamboree/ tournament that Esko Hockey Association team enters into has an entrance fee for each individual teams (ie. 4 teams for one tournament at $200 each=$800).

Equipment

The Equipment needed for this Hockey Season is as follows:

Skates
Hockey Socks
Breezers
Shin pads
Cup (some players like the hockey cup shorts—they have Velcro to hold the socks along with cup)
Elbow pads
Shoulder pads
Mouth Guard
Hockey gloves
Helmet with face mask (Ensure helmet are not expired and has a HECC sticker)
Hockey stick
Neck Guard

* It does get a little chilly out there, so some player like thin knit gloves underneath their hockey gloves and balaclava under their helmets.

Please remember ALL children under 18 must be wearing a helmet on the ice at our rinks.

Esko Hockey does have limited amounts of equipment donated to us that we can share with new players. Please inquire with a board member.

Schedules

The board/coaches will make a schedule for practices and games for the upcoming season. These schedules are always subject to change and we will communicate those changes via email / website / Facebook / Crossbar.

Participation in Practices/Games

A schedule is posted on our website. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any board member. Practices are usually held in Carlton at Four Seasons Ice Arena. If you are unsure about any of these locations or rink(s), please contact a hockey board member or your player’s coach. If your child is unable to attend practices / games, please let their coach know.

Cold Weather Policy

When practices are held on our outdoor ice rinks we will practice if the temperature including wind chill is above -10. Snow usually does not stop practice (unless we can't keep up with the removal) but may require some snow removal help. Because we are volunteer run, we oversee clearing the snow and need all the help we can get. We will do our best to notify you in advance if the weather is questionable or we need to cancel.

Team Roster

Our website will contain team rosters that will include a list of players and coaches. If you need help with getting your player to and from practices this will be your resource for reaching out to other families.

Part of being a TEAM is Working TOGETHER! It takes a village and a Hockey Family!

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Different Mite Levels

MINI MITES

Mini Mites is for beginning skaters typically 6 years or younger whose abilities need further development to integrate into the Mite 1 level. If at any time the coaches level coordinators feel a mini mite can be successful at the Mite 1 level, a player may move to the Mite 1 level with parent permission.

The purpose of Mini Mites:

1. Introduce new skaters to the game of hockey

2. Develop basic skating required for the mite 1 level.

3. Give new skaters of similar abilities more puck time to promote development.

4. Skaters will have one on one attention from coaches.

5. Mini Mites will have scrimmages with other Mini Mite programs to provide in-game experience to prepare Mini Mites for the Mite 1 level.

Mini Mite Practice Structure:

1. Mini Mites will start practice in October.

2. Mini Mites will practice for one hour a week in Carlton during October, November, and December and have one hour of practice or scrimmage time a week outdoors starting in January or as soon as outside ice is available.

3. Practices will follow ADM guidelines.

4. Practices may be combined with Carlton in October, November, and December to keep cost low for both associations and to have more coaches available to help new skaters.

5. Esko plans have a one-day Mini Mite jamboree (date TBD).

MITE 1

Mite 1 hockey is for players who demonstrate the ability to successfully skate at the ADM Mite 1 set standards.

A Mite 1 skater is independent of age, but instead is based on a player’s ability and development. Coaches and level coordinators will decide which level each player will play at before the start of the season.
Mite 1 players are typically in grades K and 1 st along with first year skaters in 2nd, or 3rd grade.
Returning 2 nd and 3 rd grade skaters may be placed at the Mite 1 level if the coaches and level coordinators feel it is beneficial to the player.
If a player’s abilities cannot be challenged by the other Mite 1s, the coaches and leve lcoordinators will discuss moving the player to the Mite 2 level. The ability to move a player from Mite 1 to the Mite 2 level is a coach’s and level coordinator’s decision and would need to be made before December 1st .
A parent can approve or disapprove their player moving up levels but cannot request the movement. Parents can request if they want their skater to move down a Mite level but would need to do so before December 1st . Movement of players is based on the benefit of player’s development and safety as determined by the coaches and mite level coordinators.

Mite 1 Practice Structure:

1. Use guidelines for Mite 1 (ADM)

2. Typically, 8-10 skaters per team.

3. Station-based practices should contain multiple teams to maximize ice time; there should be 8-10 skaters of like ability per station.

4. No goaltenders on game days.

5. 2 on-ice sessions per week; maximum of 50 on-ice days, 50–60 minute sessions.

6. All in-house game days should be played half-ice (3v3 or 4v4 based on number of kids); all games/ jamborees should be played half-ice.

MITE 2

A Mite 2 player demonstrates the ability to successfully skate at the ADM Mite 2 set standards. Typically, Mite 2 skaters are 2nd and 3rd grade. Age/grade does not determine if a skater is at a Mite 2 level; coaches and level coordinators are the deciding factor to skate at the M2 level. Parent requests will not be granted.

Mite 2 Practice Structure:

1. Follow guidelines for Mites 2 /8U (ADM)

2. Typically, 10-12 skaters per team with no full-time goaltenders.

3. Give all players the opportunity to play goaltender for games and practices

4. 2-3 on-ice sessions per week including practices and games; 40 to 50 on-ice days, 50-60 minute ice sessions

5. 12 to 14 cross/half ice game days and 28 to 36 practices; no more than six full ice games after December 31st.