BW BLADES
****E-mail Newsletter
The mission of the BW
Blades hockey program is to provide young hockey players in Wahpeton, ND,
Breckenridge, MN, and surrounding communities the chance to participate in a
positive, well-organized and competitive hockey league. The BW Blades support
system, from coaches and administration to the parents, is designed to instill a
sense of responsibility, discipline and respect for each other and the game of
hockey. Essential to this process is to learn and develop the physical skills
fundamental to the game and to develop respect for the rules, regulations, and
officials in a fun and supportive system.
Letter from
the President……..
The season is underway!
Parent meetings are set for the last week of November. Watch for the exact dates and times. These are mandatory meetings where parents will receive valuable information regarding tournaments, parental expectations and just some general business.
Pictures for teams and individual skaters are also slotted for the last week of November with more info to come.
Shootin’ the
Facts
* Our budget is over $200,000 per year
* We pay $7,000 a month for ice alone
* Our program is supported 100% by fund raising, volunteers and fees
* Volunteering and fund raising numbers are down yet the number of registered skaters and their families are up.
It seems that the BW Blades Hockey Association is no different than most other organizations and volunteer groups. We have what’s called the 10/90 split- 10% of the people doing 90% of the work. Since we cannot exist without parental involvement in fund raising and volunteering, allow me to entice you with the rewards of a higher level of participation:
* Make new friends. Lifelong friendships have evolved through hockey
* No guilt. You’re helping to keep kids in a sport they love
* Keeps fees low and affordable
And probably the most important
reasons...
* Our kids are watching- volunteering teaches our kids to give back to their community and also enforces the effort it takes to be part of a team. We all give-then we all receive.
* Keeps fees low and affordable
Parents, please remember that your role in the success of our program is every bit as important as the coaches we hire. As a challenge to everyone, I am putting my words into action. The current fund raising event is the calendars (for more info, contact Terri Hallquist). My personal goal is to sell at least 20 before Dec 31st. If every family matched my challenge of selling 20 calendars, the potential profit is $47,000!! Are you up to the challenge?
In closing, I just want to let everyone know what a privilege it is to serve on the BW Blades board. The Board is an enthusiastic group that comes ready to roll up their sleeves and dig in. I am pleased with the changes that have been implemented and the effort that has gone into getting the 2006-2007 hockey season off to a successful start.
Steve
Hockey
Smoker……
Although attendance numbers were lower than expected a
good time was had by those that attended.
Good food, good conversation, and good fun. Just a note of thanks to all those that
made the smoker happen and all the work that you put into the food & drink,
auction items, set up and clean up.
The smoker could not have taken place without the time and energy of
those dedicated hockey parents.
Pizza
Orders…..
Remember that pizza orders are being sent in each and
every month so keep selling. If you have any questions please contact Terri
Hallquist at Hallquist@wah.midco.net.
Hockey
Pictures dates and times are set…..
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2006
5:30 PM
HS BOYS
HEAD & SHOULDERS (OFF THE ICE)
TEAM & INDIVIDUALS (ON THE
ICE)
6:45 PM
19U
HEAD & SHOULDERS (OFF THE ICE)
TEAM & INDIVIDUALS (ON THE
ICE)
8:00 PM
PEEWEES
TEAM & INDIVIDUALS (ON THE ICE)
9:00 PM
BANTAMS
TEAM & INDIVIDUALS (ON THE ICE)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28,
2006
5:30 PM MINI MITES TEAM & INDIVIDUALS (ON THE ICE)
6:45 PM
MITES
TEAM & INDIVIDUALS (ON THE ICE)
7:45 PM
SQUIRTS
TEAM & INDIVIDUALS (ON THE ICE)
If you have any questions regarding the pictures please
contact Darwin Bring at dbring@wah.midco.net.
Silver/White...Why?
Welcome
to another Blades season, our 14th to be exact. Thought I might take up some
newsletter space and pick a subject and ramble a bit. As the dust begins to
settle I am reminded we had our Squirt and Mite teams posted last Friday. The
Silver and White teams as they are known, the grey team color went out of
fashion last year. So...how where these teams split up and why seems to be a hot
topic as we watch the Zam go round and round.
There
are two very important factors that our program has to have as its foundation,
player development and program advancement. Having two different talent based
teams gives us these two elements. Let's explain more, by putting the same level
players together produces a better learning experience for each player on each
team. The coaches can then put together practice plans that are geared for that
level. Let me explain a little more, if we are to work on forward stride, which
is important for all levels, one level of team may work on individual leg stride
while the other team may be working on two leg stride, One team may spend 80% of
their practice time on skills the other may spend 60%. And when game time comes
it’s an even better situation then having two even teams because on the even
teams they tend to use the better players for special teams and close games and
overtime. The silver/white way allows more players to learn the game, be a part
of the game and to have skill specific practices, thus you have player
development and program advancement.
Any age level in our program that can have two teams will. We need to
have skill level based teams because we are a program that competes in the EDC
at the high school level.
How
were they split? Each coach graded all players except their own and their own
player received an average score from the other coaches. The Mites had 14
different areas to test on and used a grading scale of 1 - 5 (5 being best). The
squirts had 16 areas to test on and used the 1 - 5 scale. The testing period was
two weeks long with the first two weeks of the season as a warm-up for all. When
all was said and done we added up the scores and you have your teams. I hope that explanation helps a bit. If
at any time you wish to chat about this or any hockey subject, catch me at the
rink or just call.
John
Douglas-Director
Reminders……..
For updates on schedules, calendar
winners, general hockey rules, Board members, etc…. check the web at www.rrt.net/bwblades
.
Open skate is every Sunday from
7:00pm-9:00pm. Skating is $2.00 per
person and skate rental is available.
Also, a family pass to skate at all open skates is $30.00 and an
individual pass is $20.00 for the entire year……what a
deal!
Have
equipment that is too small???? Any
donation of used equipment in good condition to the Association is always
appreciated and can always be used. For more information contact Scott Hansen at
553-8722.
Did
you know you can get your skates sharpened at the Arena? Drop them off the night before and have
them ready for practice the next day.
Skates Sharpening is $3.00 for a one time sharpening or a card of 12
sharpening for $25.00. Any
questions ask the Stern’s Sports Arena Manager Pete
Sonnesyn.
If
you have hockey pucks that are not being used or you have just too many laying around…..think about donating them to the BW Blades
hockey program. By donating your
old pucks or even purchasing a few new ones for the program we can cut down some
of the equipment costs….every little bit helps. If you have any hockey pucks that you wish to
donate please contact Scott Hansen at 553– 8722.
BW Blades
Board