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MAKING MENTORING A PRIORITY Holly Tschida wears many different hats on behalf of the Chaska Chanhassen Hockey Association. In her roles leading recruiting and as lower girls' commissioner, she is well aware of the challenges associations sometimes face in recruiting and retaining players. Tschida quickly saw the Family Mentor Program as a fantastic opportunity. "I knew this was going to be a hit when 80 percent of our mentor families said 'I wish we would have had this when we started out,'" Tschida said. "It's a great way to have relaxed, casual conversation with someone about the sport and get honest answers and just feel like there's someone approachable to be a point of contact. I remember starting out when my kid was a Mini Mite and I didn't have that. I want to make sure new families know they have an association family there to help." When Tschida helped launch the program with her Board of Director's support, she aimed to get five mentor families to participate. The response was so positive, she ended up having to turn people away. More than 30 families expressed interest in helping. "I'm so proud of our established hockey families for step - ping up," Tschida said. Chaska Chanhassen organized an hour of ice on a Sunday night in November for its on-ice welcome session. Coaches and play- ers—from Mini Mites to Bantams—got to hang out on the ice, play tag and shoot some pucks, while parents took to the stands to talk and share a laugh. New families were given welcome gift bags, including things like water bottles and helmet repair kits. Then everyone gathered together for some hot chocolate. The response was so great, Tschida anticipates the program doubling in size next year. "We were concerned that the younger kids would be tired and cranky after a long day, but they all said they wanted to skate more and asked when they could get together again," Tschida said. "The program is still in its early stages, but I can already see some really good matches." GROWING THE HOCKEY FAMILY But it's not just Chaska Chanhassen. Andresen said the Marshall Amateur Hockey Association is participating, offering tutors to help members navigate their association website and an equipment demonstration station at an introductory event. Esko Youth Hockey has also been one of the leading associa- tions offering a helping hand since the program's inception. Andresen believes bringing association families together in a fun way can deliver many short- and long-term benefits for both players and parents involved. It can impact the continued growth of the game throughout the State of Hockey. "In Minnesota we don't have too much of a problem with getting kids whose parents played growing up," Andresen said. "But we really want outreach to families who don't have a hockey back - ground. We think they'll love the sport too, if they're welcomed in the right way." 20 M H J ON L I N E . C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 Welcome A Warm –HOLLY TSCHIDA, CHASKA CHANHASSEN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION "It's a great way to have relaxed, casual conversation with someone about the sport and get honest answers and just feel like there's someone approachable to be a point of contact." Photos / courtesy of Holly Tschida To participate in Minnesota Hockey's Family Mentor Program, please contact Glen Andresen at gandresen@minnesotahockey.org.