Chaska Chanhassen Hockey Association

Dear CCHA Mite Parents and Players –

It’s hard to believe that hockey season is behind us given the recent winter weather!  As we all eagerly wait for spring to arrive, I wanted to update you on some exciting changes and additions we are planning for our Mite programs this upcoming season.

Many of you have asked questions about a USA Hockey rule change that mandates cross ice games for all Mite levels.  There is a lot of mis-information and rumors being circulated, so we want to provide you with the facts:

·         USA Hockey has endorsed a policy that promotes cross ice hockey for all Mite levels starting in 2013-14.

·         MN Hockey supports the developmental benefits of cross ice hockey, but also recognizes the need for associations to have flexibility with their upper Mite level programs.

·         District 6 has approved a Mite policy for 2013-14 that will promote cross ice hockey in Oct – Dec, and bump up MN Hockey game count from 10 to 14 full ice games against other District 6 association teams for Jan – Mar.

What does this mean for CCHA?  Essentially no change from the way we have structured our Mite league in the past, but it does present a great opportunity for us to evaluate ongoing development of our Mite program and introduce enhancements to maximize player development.

Our Mite Commissioner has been hard at work with a series of new programs that we plan to introduce for the 2013-14 season for both the Mite East and Mite West divisions.  Here is a preview of what will be NEW for next season:

·         Core Skating Clinics – new mid-week sessions in November and December to focus on skating fundamentals with a player driven emphasis on teaching kids the CCHA way.

·         Dryland Training – structured team and self-study dryland modules to address stickhandling, shooting, power/agility/speed, and stretching . . . along with some fun off-ice activities.

·         3v3 Competition Season – a fast paced series of in-house cross ice contests in November and December designed to improve competitive skills and increase puck touches, improve stickhandling, provide more shots and increase the pace of play while conforming to the USA Hockey development model.

·         3v3 Pond Hockey Tournament – our 3v3 season will end in late December with a pond hockey style tournament, designed to create excitement and fun for the players in a mid-season showcase for family, relatives and friends.

·         Full Ice Game Schedule – we plan to increase the number of full ice games played against District 6 competition – up to the maximum of 14 allowed games, establish a formal schedule of in-house games, and end our season with the Carver Cup Jamboree

·         Increased Indoor Ice Touches – the combined impact of the changes above result in a 25%+ increase in the number of indoor ice touches provided to our Mite players – from 43 last year to 55 next year, with a goal of maintaining comparable costs vs last year through increased ice efficiency and utilization.

·         Additional behind the scenes initiatives – coaches clinics, benchmark development goals, player scorecard evaluations and coaches comments – all designed to improve the coach/player experience

We already have a team of highly qualified coaches with impressive backgrounds who have stepped up to lead these structured programs.  Many of these enhancements will also integrate into our 6U / 8U / 10U girls programs.  You can look forward to receiving more detailed information on each of these initiatives throughout the summer as we gear up for next season. 

As your local community hockey association, CCHA is committed to providing you and your player with a competitive development program that still allows our kids to be kids – playing with their school and neighborhood friends, convenient ice times and a short drive to the local rinks in Victoria and Chaska.

That doesn’t mean that we take our hockey development lightly – both our Squirt A & B programs won the District 6 Championship last season.  We compete in arguably the toughest district in the state against teams from Edina, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, Bloomington, and Prior Lake.  Our Hockey Development Committee members and Mite level coaches bring unparalleled experience including NCAA, NHL and Olympic credentials. Look for closer alignment and more interaction with our high school programs.

Let’s not forget the season ending Mite Jamboree an amazing event which creates life long memories!

If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or our Commissioners for more information.

Enjoy your summer – see you at the rink!

Mike Clauson

CCHA President

612-840-3374

Mite Commissioner – Brian Hegarty

Rookie / Termite / Mini Mite Commissioner – Nick Smith

6U / 8U / 10U Commissioner – Jenna Saporito

Thank You to those Board Members with terms ending and for their years of service on the CCHA Board

• Brian Charchenko - 6 years for service (President '11-'13, Vice President '08-'11 and Mini-Mite Commissioner '07-'08)
• Tracy Langheinrich - 3 years of service (Treasurer '11-'13 and Mite Commissioner '08-'09)
• Matt Smalley - 2 years of service (Girls 6U - 10U Commissioner '11-'13)
• Melissa Horn - 2 years of service (Mite Commissioner '11-'13)

Congratulations to Lakeville, winners of the 8U Girls Tournament and Mite East White & Mite West Purple winners of the 2013 Carver Cup! Over 400 skaters played in the Mite Jamboree over the weekend! Way to go CCHA!