McFarland Youth Hockey Association

 We've just finished putting together our 6th Summer program for the Learn to Skate and U8 level kids.  It will be a 5 week session on Wednesdays, starting June 20th.  

When:  Each session will run from 6:00 - 7:00pm.  (June 20, 27, July 11, 18, and 25)

Where: McFarland Community Ice Arena

Cost:  $60 (includes equipment rental)

How to register:  Mail the registration form to Joe Mazzara, 5712 Aspen ct., McFarland, WI  53558.

Questions?  -  Call Joe at 712-7089

Greetings Hockey Lovers!!

Greetings Again Hockey Lovers!!

Our McFarland skaters hit the ice next week for the 2011-12 season! Many great things are already in the works to make this the best year ever for the McFarland Youth Hockey Association. Check this newsletter for various events and important announcements. See you at the rink!!
Kevin Miller
Team Rep Coordinator
McFarland Youth Hockey Association

HOCKEY REGISTRATION – DON’T DELAY!
Before any players can practice they need to be registered with USA Hockey and MYHA. This ensures they are covered by the USA Hockey insurance. Start at the MYHA website
(www.mcfarlandhockey.org). Click the hockey registration link. There you’ll find a link to the USA Hockey registration and instructions for completing the MYHA registration. You will need to do USA Hockey first so you have the confirmation number to complete the MYHA registration. If you have any questions or encounter problems with registration, contact MYHA Secretary Sheila McGinn (see contact info at end of newsletter).

U8 AND LEARN TO SKATE, A BRIEF EXPLANATION
McFarland skaters born in 2003 or later have two hockey options this year. The most basic is the Learn to Skate program. Learn to Skate is, as the name implies, for those kids just learning to skate and gain confidence on the ice. Learn to Skate will begin in early November.  The higher level is U8. U8 is a combination of our previously offered In House Mite and traveling Mite options. We have adopted this model because it is better for player development and all other area associations are doing the same. U8 will play “small ice” games against teams from other area associations both in McFarland (home games) and at other Madison area rinks (away games). There will be three levels of U8 – Red, White, and Blue – with two games taking place simultaneously. U8 players may move between levels as the year goes on and skaters develop their hockey skills. U8 provides
more ice time and coaching at a much lower cost than the previous traveling Mite team. U8 practices begin October 4th (see next section).

SKILLS/EVALUATION SESSIONS BEGIN WEEK OF OCTOBER 3rd, 2011
Most returning McFarland skaters will begin practices next week. Make sure to complete registration before attending the first practice. U8, Squirt, and Pee Wee skaters should plan to attend the scheduled practices. Bantam skaters will have their first practice later in October.

Here is the schedule for the first three weeks of October:

• · U8 – Tuesdays (Oct. 4, 11, 18) @ 5:30 p.m.
• · Squirts - Tuesdays (Oct. 4, 11, 18) @ 6:45 p.m.
  • Wednesdays (Oct. 5, 12, 19) @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays (Oct. 6, 13, 20) @ 7:45 p.m.
• · Pee Wees – Mondays (Oct. 3, 10, 17) @ 7:45 p.m.
  • Tuesdays (Oct. 4, 11, 18) @ 8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays (Oct. 5, 12, 19) @ 7:15 p.m.

If families have commitments that won’t allow a skater to attend these sessions, they can notify the Coaches Committee to discuss the situation and options for their skater. Families of players wanting to be a regular goalie should also check with the Coaches Committee for guidance regarding these Sessions. The Coaches Committee can be contacted via Jared Redders (ACE Coordinator) at 608-838-1212 or jared_redders@mcfarland.k12.wi.us.

FREE NEW SKATER SESSION – October 21st, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
On Friday, October 21, MYHA will offer a free skating session to any youth interested in giving skating a try. Skates and equipment will be available as well as coaches. Parents will be welcome to join their kids on the ice. If you know of families who might want to try hockey but who are not ready to commit to joining MYHA, tell them about this session. They can come for all or any part of the scheduled time. Families can also learn about the various hockey options available for their children.

DROP THE PUCK at the MYHA OPENING FACEOFF – November 11, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars for Friday, November 11 and plan to attend the MYHA Opening Faceoff. This is an opportunity for all our members and families to learn more about all aspects of McFarland hockey as well as the McFarland Community Ice Arena. New families are especially encouraged to attend.  You will be able to meet your MYHA Board Members, tour the rink, and learn about working concessions and driving the Zamboni to meet service hour requirements as well as rink cleaning which can reduce playing costs. We will also serve refreshments!!

PRACTICE SCHEDULE ADDRESSES PAST CONCERNS
The MYHA Coaches Committee, working closely with Hockey, Inc., has developed a practice schedule to address past concerns. The result should be better for all our teams, players, and parents. Three key goals were met – (1) to ensure practice times are more conducive to the skaters’ ages (younger skaters getting earlier practices); (2) to keep practice days and times more consistent week-to-week; and (3) to have our practices back-to-back rather than having other groups (i.e. figure skaters) on between our practices. Look for the specific schedules to be posted soon at the MYHA website
(www.mcfarlandhockey.org).

RAFFLE CALENDARS – ADVERTISE A BUSINESS OR CHEER ON YOUR PLAYER
Last month’s newsletter asked for volunteers to help sell raffle calendar ads, but anyone can help by asking business people you know to purchase a spot in the calendar for as little as $50 for two spots.(in two different months) with over 2,000 calendars distributed. Parents, grandparents or others can buy a spot for only $25to recognize and cheer on a player. Contact Danita Lehnherr (dlehnherr@frontier.com) for more information, to purchase an ad, or to help with ad sales.

FREE NEW SKATER SESSIONS – October 7^th and 21^st, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

On October 7 and 21 (both Fridays), MYHA will offer free sessions to any youth interested in giving skating a try.  Skates and equipment will be available as well as coaches.  Parents will be welcome to join their kids on the ice.  If you know of families who might want to try hockey but are not ready to commit to joining MYHA, tell them about these sessions.  Families can also learn about the various hockey options available for their children.

We're in need of Zamboni drivers.  This is a great way to get credit towards your service hours.  Please contact Brad Pommerening.

Contact Barb Rosten to find out how you can significantly reduce or eliminate your hockey dues.

Check back often for the latest MYHA news.