AHA Women’s League Informational Meeting Summary
Thank you to everyone who attended the AHA Hockey Women’s League informational meetings held in St. Louis Park and Blaine the week of May 21st. We were pleased to see so many women hockey players, captains, and league administrators in attendance. Following is a brief summary of what was presented and a highlight of the questions and AHA Women’s League interest expressed. Please take time to monitor AHAWomen.com for the latest information and actions taking place.
Introduction
AHA was represented by Steve Peterson, AHA President; David Swenson, AHA Secretary & Treasurer; Pete Morrow, AHA Program Director, and Heather Rogers, AHA Tier Administrator.
What is AHA?
AHA Hockey is a Minnesota based provider of Adult Recreational No Check hockey programs. Since our beginnings in 2001, AHA has consistently ranked in the top five largest adult leagues in the United States. In 2011 we provided recreational hockey programs for over 2,500 men and women, with all programs sanctioned by USA Hockey & Minnesota Hockey. We have grown our programs by focusing on player safety and by concentrating on team parity.
For the past eleven years AHA Hockey has provided programs to both men and women year round. Examples are League Play in both Winter and Summer; Beginner School – two sessions during the year; Skills & Skating Clinics in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.
AHA Hockey organizes and provides 100% of the services necessary for 100% of our program offerings. If you want to play the game of hockey with AHA, after registering all you need to do is show up to your scheduled event. We take care of everything.
AHA Hockey Women’s League
To get started, AHA Women’s League will be modeled after the combined league and is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2012. A Women’s only Beginner School, as well as Skills Clinics will also be offered. Finally, the AHA Hockey Fall Invitational Tournament will be offering Women’s divisions. If interested you will want to submit your request for participation early as this tournament always sells out well in advance. Registration details for all upcoming programs will be posted on AHAWomen.com, so again please monitor this site for the latest information. Did we mention the AHA Women’s league will take care of everything for you? All you need to do is register!
Why Join AHA Women?
Like AHA Hockey’s combined leagues and programs, AHA Women will be a recreational hockey experience unmatched by any other organization. Expect ninety minute time slots, attractive start times & locations, more competitive play than the typical adult league, active administration that truly cares about the experience for all players no matter their skill level.
We have two primary principles - Safety and Parity. Two words that AHA Hockey players know well. Safety means AHA is monitoring the actions of all participants, and has implemented incremental rules above the USA Hockey playing rules to deal with and to weed out the occasional problem player. Parity means that AHA actively monitors the competitiveness among all skill levels, starting the moment you “evaluate” and enter the league and continuing from year to year. If you are the type of player who insists on playing against players with less skill, and you are doing this to relish in the glory, please continue to play elsewhere. AHA does its best to place teams and individuals where the skills match those of your opponent’s skills.
AHA Hockey works hard to create programs and leagues where everyone has a place to play. The new AHA Women’s League will provide to the Woman recreational hockey player the same proven programs that over 2500 players participate in annually. Again, all you need to do is register!
Next Steps / Timeframe
Over 300 women players have expressed interest in joining the AHA Women’s League. A core group of interested women has been established and will be meeting on a regular basis throughout the Summer and early Fall to ensure our new programs meet the needs of the woman recreational player. If interested, participating in the core group is a great place to help ensure your league is truly the best experience it can be.
Please look for Player Evaluations to take place later this Summer. These evaluations are a mix of timed drills and scrimmage action. Early evaluations will be taking place in the next month to help us calibrate our systems. Make sure you contact AHA Hockey if you or your team mates are interested in participating in one of these early evaluation sessions.
Winter League Organizational Meetings are planned to take place at the end of July. No commitment or declaration will be necessary at this meeting, it is intended as an opportunity to gauge interest and answer final questions before registration goes live. Registration will be activated after these organizational meetings with AHA Hockey accepting both Team Payments or Individual payments for the new Women’s League.
Questions
Q: What is an Evaluation?
A: AHA Hockey requires all new players to the league to be evaluated, with the exception of the Beginner School teams. Evaluations are conducted on a ninety-minute time slot and consist of a mix of timed drills with puck and a scrimmage. These Evaluations are run by an experienced group of league evaluators, NOT by team Captains. Each participant receives a score and is observed during the scrimmage to guide proper placement into a playing level (Tier). Women that currently play in AHA leagues are not required to attend an evaluation session.
Q: Can I play with my friends / Will AHA break up my team?
A: Yes you can play with your friends, and no AHA Hockey does not make it a priority to break up teams. Team placement depends on the skill level of your team and that of the other teams in the AHA Women’s League Tier you are placed. The higher your team’s overall skill level, the higher you can expect your team to be placed. Players always have the option of playing above their evaluated skill level. AHA Hockey and the Captain of your team will work closely to make sure a sound placement decision is achieved. In most situations, we anticipate existing teams being able to join AHA Women’s League and play in a Tier without disruption. AHA Hockey actively monitors individual ability and team placement on a consistent basis.
Q: How many games are there?
A: League play will consist of 20 games followed by playoffs for qualifying teams. Games are ninety minute time slots, three 17 minute stop time periods, with 5 minute OT if time slot allows. On average there is one regular season game per week. Approximately 40-50% of teams at each Tier (skill level) qualify for post season playoffs. There is no additional fee for playoff games.
Q: When / where are games played?
A: Our general rule of thumb is to play within the 494/694 loop in the Twin Cities. Rinks we played at last winter include: Bloomington, Braemar, Breck, Coliseum, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, New Hope, Ramsey Co (Aldrich, Highland, etc.), Richfield, Saint Thomas, St Louis Park, St Paul Academy (Drake), and Wakota.
Game schedules are randomly assigned to each team, across all skill levels with a review to smooth out sequence and start times. Games are played on various nights of the week. Last winter the average schedule consisted of 9 Sundays, 6 Saturdays, and 5 games Monday thru Thursday. Holidays are avoided (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, plus Super Bowl Sunday). Game start times ranged from 4:00PM to 10:00PM on weekends, 6:30PM to 9:45PM on weeknights. There were VERY few games that started at 10:00PM or later; 50% of AHA teams did not have one game that started at 10:00PM or later last winter.
Q: My team plans to join AHA Women’s League, what do I do with my existing ice?
A: If your team has already booked ice for next season, AHA Hockey can work with you to transition that ice to be used for AHA games and events when possible. We have outstanding relationships with a number of facilities in town and are always on the lookout for favorable ice slots.
Q: How do we Register?
A: AHA offers two basic methods and both can be paid with either check or credit card. Teams can register as a unit with approved roster submitted at time of payment. Historically team fees are due by September 15. Teams can also choose to have their approved players register as individuals, thus avoiding the need for a captain / sponsor / or manager to front the fees and collect from the players. Individual registrations must be processed before the end of September to avoid a late fee. Last season the AHA Hockey Winter League fees were as follows: Team Pay: $7,195 cc, $7,095 check; Individual Pay: $435 before October 1, and $460 Oct 1 or later with either credit card or check. Fees for the 2012-2013 season will be released in late summer.
Q: Do I need to find a team in order to Register? / Can I register as an individual?
A: Individual player registrations are always welcome and we will find a place for you to play. Players who are not currently established on a team are encouraged to attend an Evaluation, designating yourself as a “Free Agent”. Prior to the Draft your evaluation results will be provided to captains of teams at your skill level. Who knows, you just may become a number 1 draft pick in the AHA Women’s League.
Q: What if my team needs a few more players?
A: AHA Hockey will help your team locate additional players. Prior to the start of the Winter League, AHA Hockey conducts a draft. Lists of eligible players who have been evaluated are presented to Captains. This is an excellent place for Captains to round out their team.
Q: What is AHA’s uniform policy? Do we really need to have matching gloves?
A: AHA Hockey’s Winter League uniform policy can be read in entirety on the AHAHockey.com website. Basically, by December 31st we require each player to have two game weight jerseys with unique number and name plate, matching socks, and same color helmet and breezers. Gloves are not required to match. In most cases, existing WHAM team jerseys will be sufficient, with the possible exception of the need to add the player’s name plate. Teams pick their themes and colors. We encourage new players to the league to hold off on buying new helmets and breezers until they are placed on a team.
Q: Who does AHA Hockey use to source Referees?
A: AHA Hockey schedules its own referees. We have a large list of qualified USA Hockey certified referees that choose to do our games. Referees are evaluated and monitored to ensure we have them scheduled at the appropriate Tier. We have developed good relationships with the Referees in our pool and the league provides two officials plus a scorekeeper for every game. Because our Officials enjoy working AHA Hockey league games, we have no problems with lack of attendance.
Comments
AHA Hockey league representatives were pleased with the turnout at our informational meetings and look forward to the next few months of finalizing the Women’s League offerings. Thank you for attending the meetings and expressing your enthusiasm towards this effort. We will make ourselves available for additional meetings at your request and will be sharing program details throughout the next few months. As always you can contact us anytime at info@ahahockey.com, or by phone 612-275-2427.
Drop the Puck!