Armstrong Cooper Squirt/U10 at-a-Glance
Registration:
Registration will be due late July early August. The purpose of this is to get accurate numbers and for the association to determine both the level and the number of teams. The early date is required as tournaments are being registered for mid summer. As a result, girl players will need to declare if they are playing U10 or Squirts when they register to allow for accurate planning. USA Hockey strongly encourages girls to play U10s but it is up to families to determine what is best for their player.
This past year we had 4 squirt teams: B1, B2, B2 and C, and 2 U10 teams A and B. Based on projected numbers, we should have 4 squirt teams and 2 U10 teams again for the 2017-18 season. The HDC will be determining what level of teams we will field for 2017-18.
Camp:
The purpose of camp is to get players skating again in the fall, get them back in shape and have them ready for the evaluation process and the season. U10’s will most likely have all girls skating together and for the squirts each player will be placed into a pod and the schedule will be posted on the Armstrong Cooper website. At each session players will be run through skating, stickhandling and shooting drills. Some basic “systems” may also be reviewed as well as small area games and scrimmages. Camp will start mid September and will run for 2-3 weeks. There is no additional cost as it is included in your 2017-18 registration fees. Camp attendance is not mandatory. Feel free to stay and watch camp or you can drop your player off.
Evaluations:
The purpose of evaluations is to place each player on a team where they will have the best opportunity to develop as a hockey player. In order for this to happen it is essential that players are in attendance. This past year there were four days of evaluations. Each evaluation had two sessions. Day one each session was of mixed skill level with groups determined by birthdate. Players went through various skills and small area games. After day one, players were placed into an Upper or Lower group. Day two consisted of small area games, 4 on 4 and 5 on 5 scrimmage. Day three was 5 on 5 scrimmage. After day three, those who were on the C Team were notified. Day four, both the Upper and Lower groups scrimmaged against an outside association. Unlike Camp, evaluations is closed to parent observation. It is required that all players have red breezers and a white helmet prior to evaluations.
Commitment and Expectations:
As USA Hockey recommends, squirts will average 3-4 ice session per week. Early in the season, before the high school teams start, there may be weeks where they may have 4-5. In the middle and late season when ice is at it’s premium, it may be 2-3. Danny Charleston and his staff also will be providing Skills Training which is targeted for Monday evenings. Off ice or dryland training will also take place on Mondays and possibly one more time each week (typically before or after a practice) where the focus is on stickhandling, shooting and agility.
Depending on numbers there will be anywhere from 10-15 skaters per team and up to 2 goalies. The main focus of squirt/U10 hockey is player development. Players will receive equal playing time and will rotate positions so they learn the complete game of hockey. A maximum of 35 games/scrimmages are permitted at the Squirt/U10 level including 3 tournaments (1-2 out of town).
Grade waiver players; you know your son/daughter best to determine if they are ready for this kind of commitment and if this is best for their development. Feel free to talk to either coordinator for more information.
Team Experience:
Squirts/U10 is definitely a different experience than Mite hockey. When players become part of a team a tighter community is formed. You will find that your son/daughter will all of a sudden be friends with people they hardly knew before. Family connections become stronger to the hockey community as you are now connected to 10-15 families instead of 40-50 families and as a result closer relationships develop. For those players who are a little non committal to hockey, this is something to consider as you look to making a decision for next year.
Parent Volunteer Opportunities and Volunteer Obligations:
Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey Association is an organization that depends on its volunteers to support a quality hockey program for our youth athletes. The time, talent, and energy that each family contributes to ACYHA offset the cost of playing hockey. It is required that parents fulfill 20 hours of volunteer/dibs hours. If you have multiple children playing it is 25 volunteer hours. Five of these hours must be dedicated to tournament help. At registration a $500 volunteer check will be required and will only be deposited if your hours are not fulfilled at the end of the season. You also have the option of participating in the Wreath Sales Fundraiser or can buy out just as in Mites. More information can be found at the following link:
ACHY Volunteer Info
Coaching: if you are interested in being either a head or assistant coach for next year you need to contact the squirt/girls coordinator and the ACE coordinator
Team Manager: responsible for team communication, tournament logistics, scheduling scrimmages and referees. If interested notify team coach as they pick their manager
Team SKATE Coordinator: arrange for study time (1 hour) for players while at away tournaments. Will gather report cards at the end of the season to see who is eligible for SKATE Banquet (based upon grades). If interested notify team coach as they pick the SKATE Coordinator.
Cost:
Squirts/U10 cost was $1100 for the 2016-17 season. That cost covers all practice and district fees for ice and referees. It also covers the off ice/skills program throughout the hockey season. It does not cover all tournament fees and referees for scrimmages. There is an additional team fee ($250-$350) that covers these expenses as well as some other expenses that come up throughout the season. The amount is determined by each team as they look at their upcoming season costs.
Spring and Summer Opportunities
3 on 3 Spring Pond Hockey at New Hope Ice Arena
Danny Charleston and Elsa Bruestle, Armstrong Cooper Boys and Girls High School coaches have many spring, summer and fall training opportunities. Check out the “Off-Ice Training” and “Camps” tab on the ACYHA website for more information.
If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact us.
Murray GintherKara Kuykendall
Squirt CoordinatorGirls Coordinator
763-350-9334612.245.7377