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WELCOME to the 2018–19 Minnesota Hockey season that promises to be yet another exciting year. With the help of the thousands of volunteers, we continue to make great strides toward our vision of "creating a positive experience so all participants enjoy, excel and develop a lifelong pas- sion for ice hockey." The success of our community- based model is shown each year as Minnesota continues to have more registered players than any other state in the nation at every classification, including the number of elite play- ers in the NHL and college hockey. Minnesota Hockey continues to grow, too! Our base of Mite and 8U Girls increased by 4.9 percent for the fourth consecutive year, setting yet another record at 18,839 players. Every season we strive to improve the experience of all players in the State of Hockey, and last year was a great year of progress. Our CCM High Performance Spring, Summer Camps and Fall Tier I Leagues enhanced the development opportunities for the state's top players. In its second sea- son, the Minnesota HP Tier 1 Girls 14U league advanced the Green Giants team from District 10 to USA Hockey Nationals and they brought home the National Championship! Minnesota hosted the NHL Sled Classic with more than 30 teams from across the U.S. and Canada participat- ing. We added a Fall Mite Jamboree to the Wild Holiday Mite Jamboree and had more than 60 8U Girls and Mite teams participate in the two events. The High School Boys and Girls National Championship was hosted by the Wayzata Youth Hockey Association, with the Minnesota Premier Prep Green team winning the championship. Our Rec Hockey League, entering its 10th season, continues to provide 700 players a great hockey experience. And last season, Minnesota Hockey con- ducted over 70 skill clinics including checking, defense, scoring, power skat- ing and goaltending for girls and boys. As we look to the 2018-19 season and building on those accomplish- ments, we look to enhance the role of the Association Hockey Director to improve upon the player development programs which our associations pro- vide. The network of District Hockey Director Coordinators and Association Hockey Directors, led by our state Hockey Director, provide a platform for sharing of skill development best prac- tices and the implementation of the Minnesota Development Model. Minnesota Hockey, community hock- ey associations and programs continue to provide all participants the opportu- nity to experience the excitement and fun of playing hockey, from 4-year-olds to the adult player, the recreational player to the elite player, as well as ath- letes with disabilities. Hockey is indeed for everybody. We owe a heartfelt thanks to our vol- unteers, Minnesota Hockey staff and our partners who make it possible for Minnesota Hockey to be the premier hockey program in the United States. Very best wishes for an exciting, rewarding and fun-filled 2018-19 hockey season. Thank you for making Minnesota Hockey The Home Ice Advantage! Dave Margenau President, Minnesota Hockey 14 WELCOME TO ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON OF HOCKEY IN MINNESOTA. MHJ || 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 M I N N E S O TA H O C K E Y S E A S O N P R I M E R PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 2018-19