Where Hard Work and Talent Can Take You

Mite Coach Pete Schroeder shared this video with parents today as an example of where hard work and talent can take you. Coach Schroeder is friends with this young man's father. Check it out!

Recommendations to Prevent Spread of H1N1 for USA Hockey Programs & Coaches

Subject: Important Information for USA Hockey Programs and Coaches

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Dear Program Administrator/Coach

We’ve worked with our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Stuart, to provide you with pertinent regarding the H1N1 virus, including recommendations to reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection.

Specifically, USA Hockey recommends:
Provide individual water bottles for players; do not share water bottles
Regularly wash hands
Clean workout gear for each practice/competition
Keep gloves on during the traditional handshake with opponents
You should be aware that symptoms of the virus include: fever (102 degrees fahrenheit or greater), cough, muscle aches, runny nose, headache or sore threat, with the potential for more serious complications, including pneumonia.
Those affected by the H1N1 virus typically have been children and young adults.
Transmission of the virus may occur from the day before the onset of symptoms and during the five to seven days that the symptoms are present. Infected individuals should stay home until signs and symptoms have resolved, with no fever present for at least 24 hours. The 24-hour no-fever timeline should be achieved naturally, without the aid of fever reducing medications.
Additional information regarding H1N1 is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by visiting www.cdc.gov/H1N1Flu/.

Best wishes for a successful season.

fyi

I would suggest a squirt Gatorade bottle with their names written in Sharpie(tm)

Good Banter for Bantams

I'm all for giving our texting teens thumbs a rest and replacing those cellphones as often as possible with a good book that will get them thinking, especially when we can get them thinking about stuff that matters. Coach Mike Zandri's suggestion for our young bantam hockey players to add the book, "My Personal Best" to their reading list is an excellent recommendation. It's a good read, not very weighty and chalk full of good lessons for any young athlete (and coach).

The book shares the journey of legendary baseketball coach John Wooden, detailing his triumphs and struggles. What he learned along the way will no doubt inspire your teen and perhaps your whole team. John Wooden is a man who got it right on and off the court.
Our copy of the book is filled with highlights and dog ears where I know we'll want to keep going back to look again at his earned wisdom and pyramid defining success. While there are too many to list, here are a few of our favorite takeaways;

" No player is bigger or better than the team."

"If you do enough small things right, big things can happen."

" Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worthwhile or long lasting."

"Be more interested in finding the best way, not just in having it your way."

" Motivation must come from the belief that ultimate success lies in giving your personal best."

John Wooden celebrated his 99th birthday this month. Happy birthday coach.

Check out John Wooden's website here.

Let the "Fun"draising Begin

Time to put on our thinking caps, roll up our sleeves and put our best fundraising feet forward so our kids can enjoy a few tournaments and have a memorable season. Ugh. It's always a struggle, isn't it? Youth hockey teams looking for a way to raise money with just a little planning and not a lot of work, may want to consider giving the "Fleece Hat Lady" a call. I met Nancy Townsend today at the Skaneateles Ice Arena where she was selling funky fun hockey fleece hats (pictured above) for 5 dollars, along with neck-to nose warmers and matching mittens. They come in a variety of colors and she has other sports-themed hats as well. Nancy says if you let her set up a booth at your game/tournament event, she will donate a percentage of her profits to your team.
Nancy, from Oswego, can be reached at 315-342-0815,or e-mail ntownsend1@hotmail.com
Hats off to Nancy!