Minnesota Hockey Journal

Minnesota Hockey Journal December 2013

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NEWS & NOTES LIKE Minnesota Hockey on Facebook Facebook.com/MinnHockey Follow Minnesota Hockey on Twitter @MinnHockey Gear Up Minnesota! Gear Up Minnesota! grant applications are now being accepted for the 20132014 season. In just three years, Gear Up Minnesota! has provided 91 unique youth hockey associations in Minnesota with more than 1,400 sets of starter hockey equipment, totaling more than $270,000. Associations can use starter sets of equipment, which include a bag, helmet, breezers, gloves, elbow and shin pads, to attract new players and make hockey more accessible by eliminating the initial cost of equipment. To apply for a grant, visit minnesotahockey.org. A special thank you to the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Total Hockey, Shock Doctor, West Bend Insurance, Subway and other supporters for making Gear Up Minnesota! a reality. Minnesota Hockey Hard Divider Program The Minnesota Hockey Hard Divider Program, presented by Rink Systems Inc., has offered associations a one-time $2,500 subsidy to purchase a "hard divider" system for the 2013-14 season. The Hard Divider Program was designed to promote the growth of our community-based associations through the implementation of cross-ice hockey. "It was important to Minnesota Hockey to find a partner that understands the value of providing a fun, game-like experience for our young hockey players," Minnesota Hockey President Dave Margenau said of the partnership with Rink Systems, Inc. "It's outstanding to be able to work with a committed partner that understands the Minnesota Hockey culture and is based right here in the State of Hockey." Not only is it a major component of player development through the American Development Model, crossice hockey also provides a more efficient way to use ice time and space. Most importantly, the smaller playing surface gives children a greater sense of enjoyment when playing hockey. By providing players with a more realistic playing area, the Minnesota Hockey Hard Divider Program has provided all of our associations an opportunity to improve their players' cross-ice experience. As of Nov. 20, 15 associations have received the subsidy for hard dividers. National Dizzy & Balance Center – Concussion Awareness and Management recognize the importance of being on the forefront of educating parents, coaches and players about concussion prevention and treatment. One way to raise concussion awareness is through baseline testing. Baseline testing can provide athletes with a way to detect concussion symptoms as well as providing an important tool for physicians to make return-to-play decisions when an athlete does incur a concussion. NDBC has five locations in the metro area. The NDBC will answer critical questions regarding concussions throughout the season in the Minnesota Hockey Newsletter and on our Let's Play Hockey page. For more information, please visit stopdizziness.com or call (952) 345-3000. Concussions have increasingly become a concerning topic throughout all sports. Minnesota Hockey and the National Dizzy and Balance Center (NDBC) Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month Every year, volunteers selflessly dedicate their time and energy to ensure the success of our community-based youth hockey associations. Ice Scheduler, Team Manager, Tournament Director, Recruiting Chairperson … the list is endless! Join us in acknowledging their efforts by nominating a local volunteer for the Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month. Minnesota's community-based hockey succeeds because of its passionate volunteers," says Katy Benoit of Total 18 The use of hard dividers for cross-ice hockey enhances skill development and overall excitement. MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // DECEMBER.2013 Hockey. "We honor those volunteers who are role models for our kids, working tirelessly to give them the tools to be the best on the ice and in their community. Thank you!" Do you know someone that should be considered for the Total Hockey Volunteer of the Month? If so, please visit minnesotahockey.org and nominate him or her! One volunteer will be selected each month. That volunteer will receive a $50 Total Hockey gift card and five sets of starter hockey gear will be contributed in his/her name to their association, courtesy of Total Hockey.

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