For more than 15 years we have dealt with low numbers at different levels in a multitude of ways.  Some of those remedies included;  moving players up from a younger level to fill a team, struggling through a season with low numbers, enhancing recruiting efforts, creating Rink Rat/pond hockey league to introduce players to hockey, lowering registration fees, and even offering hockey free to beginners.  Some of these items have helped, but have never fully solved the problem.  Some years we get good participation and others we don’t.  It seems that this is simply a reality today.  Parents are having fewer kids, school enrollments are generally declining, and with the recent loss of employment in the area, families are relocating to find work. 

As our PRAHA leadership changes, programs are changed, removed, or added sometimes creating good results and sometimes not.  Through all of this, we have to figure out a way to increase our base registration on a consistent basis.

As our program explores its options for increasing participation levels for our youth and varsity teams, I ask that our members try to focus on the positive long-term benefits and to keep an open mind when discussing such potential changes.  It is too easy to allow negative forces to cloud one’s judgment.  Only after keeping an open mind and exploring all the pros and cons can one truly arrive at a solution that best serves our program and the kids who participate in it. 

Here is a recent article by Hal Tearse that speaks to the changes going on.  If you get a chance also read the article in your February 2010 Minnesota Hockey Journal called "Success at World Juniors", pg.18.  In that article Hal talks about embracing change so as to not be left behind.  Our Association needs to address the challenges and issues these tough times are presenting to us.  We need to be open minded and proactive on long term solutions that will grow and benefit  our hockey program.

 

Dave De La Hunt -Ace Coord.

The world is changing

By Hal Tearse

Minnesota Hockey Coach-in-Chief

Every day we read of more layoffs – companies closing and general economic malaise here in the USA and around the world. The severe economic downturn will also have a direct impact on youth sports in general and hockey specifically. If the leaders of the hockey associations in each community do not take steps to mitigate the high costs to play, we will see a sharp drop off in registrations as soon as next fall.

Recent trends in Minnesota and nationwide show fewer registrations, especially for boys in the Mite age classes and an increasing dropout rate after Mites and PeeWees. Although our registrations numbers are increasing in Minnesota, it is due to more girls’ teams and adult teams that are registering for the first time.

Surveys conducted by USA Hockey have determined that the reasons that players are dropping out are related to the high costs to play and the ever increasing time commitment required. Here in Minnesota where hockey is inexpensive compared to the rest of the country, the increasing game counts, earlier starts to the season, increasing number of tournaments and extensive off-season programming have all contributed to this problem.

The basic issue is the false belief that more is better for our kids. Parents believe that the more games their kids play the better they will get. Not true.

Many think that if their teams could skate eight days a week that would be great and their kids would improve even faster. Not true.

Many think that if they travel to a tournament in Canada during the summer, their kids will get an edge on the other kids in their program. Also, not true.

Our current situation has Bantam game counts running into the 80- to 90-game ranges. A parent of a Bantam A player was lamenting to me recently that his son’s team has seven tournaments this year before the district, regional and state tournaments. Three of the tournaments are out of town and require hotel stays for the weekend.

These numbers are not uncommon and represent a significant increase from just a few years ago. If we add to the travel and team expense the cost of sticks at $200 each and ever increasing costs for all other aspects related to the game, many kids are getting priced out. That is just for the winter season.  Spring and fall leagues add to game counts and expense. Then the local high school coach runs a summer program for the kids in the area and that is another $500 and significant time commitment.

 Considering all of the time and money we spend on hockey, it is interesting that that our Division I player count has dropped and the U.S. continues to rank fifth in the world despite having the most registered players of any country. More expense is not better.

The game is in crisis along with many parts of our economy. Here are six ideas that local associations should consider for next season to ease the financial burden on families.

1) Reduce game counts for all teams in your association. Set game limits.

2) Set a maximum number for tournaments and especially out-of-town tournaments. For example, three invitational tournaments with one out-of-town for Bantams and PeeWees. Organize home association weekend events instead of going out of town. Be creative.

3) Use much more shared ice practices, especially at Squirts and PeeWees. Squirts can practice with three or four teams on the ice. PeeWees easily can share with one or two other teams

4) Reduce the number of days per week that teams play. Three to four for Squirts and four to five for PeeWees. No more.

5) Start the season after fall sports have concluded and cut back on the pre-tryout clinics.

6) Use off-ice sessions in low-cost facilities to help keep the cost down and to develop overall athleticism.

We all know people who are affected by the economic downturn and it would be a shame if their kids had to drop out of hockey due to the costs. Let’s all work together to make sure every youngster can still play this great game.

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