Monday

Monday has come and I am still waiting to hear about my team's schedule. My plan this week is to write and email out a welcome letter to the players and parents who will be on my team. In the letter I welcome players and parents. I tell the players what the first practice will consist of and what I expect of them. For the parents I thank them for their support and ask for their help manning the penalty box.
    What do some of you coaches do? What would parents want to know from coaches at the beginning of the season?

Kids and concussions

I was reading this article about Boston Bruins center Marc Savard. It is a good artic not to letle for parents and coaches to read before the season starts. In the article Marc Savard admits he has been suffering from post concussion syndrome for several months but he played through it because he is "a hockey player". Concussions are a very tricky injury and may take time to heal. Coaches must watch any player who has been diagnosed with a concussion carefully. Parents be careful not to let your kid return to playing to soon.

Waiting for Monday

On Sunday the MSHL is having their annual beginning of the season meeting. My team manager will attend this meeting as a result I get to avoid all the politics involved with the beginning of the season. I am lucky I have a good manager and I know he will let me know what went on.
Stay tuned for the Monday post.

Getting Started for the Season

Today I started thinking about the start of the season and planning my practices. With 11 new players I think my first practice of the season will be spent evaluating all my players to see how they will mesh.
If anyone has some first practice of the season drills please share.

Web Site Question

While searching the internet for hockey drills. I came across a site called www.weistechhockey.com. It is a free site with drills you can download. Has anyone used this site? I am always looking for new and different drills to keep practices interesting.
Anyone have a drill they would like to share?

A First for Me

Tonight while checking my email I came across a first for me. I received my first email from a local graphic design company offering to make team apparel, water bottles, towels etc. I replied to the email asking what things do they do for coaches.
Has anyone else had this experience?

Got my preliminary roster

Yesterday I received the preliminary roster for my team. I have 17 players with the possibility of two more. The seventeen players include one goalie. Goalies are in short supply in Maryland. Also, it is important to make sure your players have signed up with USA hockey. The players need to be registered with USA Hockey in order to play.
How are the rosters of other teams?

The 2010-2011 Season is approaching

Here in Maryland we can have our first practice after October 1st and our first preseason game after November 1st. Then our regular season starts after November 15th. The season then goes til February.
Now to meet the parents and my 11 new players