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Newsletter

4th Quarter - October 2024

Message From WAHA President

Greetings from WAHA,

Registration, player evaluations, determining teams, finding the right coaches, Code of Conduct renewal/reminders for boards, players, coaches, parents, and officials – all of those high energy events signal the first hockey games are right around the corner.

I am hoping that you have as much fun as my wife and I did, building relationships with the people who you watch games with week in and week out, so that 15 years from now you are still socializing with them and reminiscing about the unforgettable moments in your children’s hockey experiences. The good stuff.

One thing I would ask you to remember this year is that you are all culture keepers of your associations.

What you accept as common behavior – good or bad – is the backbone of the player/parent/coach experience. Please hold yourself and others to high levels of positive behavior. The season is way more fun that way.

See you at the rink.

 Finco,  President


What's New

Nominate a Hockey Hero!

Being a part of a great hockey community is a what keeps bringing kid and families back to the rink season after season.  There are those in our hockey communities who just stand out as being Hockey Heroes though, and we would like to recognize those individuals.  Please send us your nomination of a Hockey Hero that goes above and beyond for a team / association / community,  and makes hockey better because of it.

Nomination Form 


Safety Matters

Reminder that USA Hockey passed a new rule that requires all players in all Youth and Girls age classification to wear a Neck Laceration Protector. This rule went into effect on August 1st. It also requires all on-ice officials under the age of 18 to wear a Neck Laceration Protector.  As most of our associations will be in full opperation this month, it's imparative that players are utilizing neck laceration protection in all practices and games.  

 Each  WAHA Association has a designated Safety Officer which should be clearly indicated on their website. This will help members navigate concussion protocol,  and gain information about your assocociation resources, such as Stop the Bleed Kits and  AED locations.  

If you have any questions about Safety issues, please contact the District Player Safety Coordinator 

Jerry Kennedy
USA Hockey Central District
region4director@ameritech.net
608-335-3011


For information on USA Hockey player safety visit:
 https://www.usahockey.com/playersafety

 


Coach Connection

Coaches needing to progress in the Coaching Education Program (CEP) levels this season should be securing those online sessions now.  

Virtual sessions are open and available by going to USAH Coaching Clinic Registration 

Female only and clinics for those coaching females are also being offered  Click Here for list and links to register 

Female focused coach networking opportunities can also be found on the above link.


Grant Awardees

  The following Associations have been awarded a $1000 Grass Roots Grant to help their Association grow through equipment and resources. In total , $55,000 worth of Grass Roots Grants wil be distributed to WAHA Associations this year.

Region 1 Amery Youth Hockey
Region 1 Ashland Youth Hockey
Region 1 Barron/Chetek Youth Hockey
Region 1 Chippewa Youth Hockey
Region 1 Hayward Sports Center
Region 1 River Valley Hockey Association
Region 1 Spooner Area Youth Hockey
Region 1 Superior Amateur Hockey Association
Region 2 Antigo Area Youth Hockey
Region 2 Eagle River Recreation Association
Region 2 Lakeland Hawk Ice Assoc.
Region 2 Marshfield Youth Hockey Association
Region 2 Merrill Youth Hockey Association
Region 2 North Lakeland Ice
Region 2 South Wood County Youth Hockey Assn
Region 2 Tomahawk Hockey Association
Region 2 Wausau Hockey Association
Region 3 Appleton Area Hockey Association
Region 3 Green Bay Area Youth Hockey Association
Region 3 Manitowoc County Youth Hockey Assn
Region 3 Marinette/Menominee Area Youth Hockey
Region 3 Oshkosh Youth Hockey Association
Region 3 Sheboygan Blue Line Association
Region 3 Waupaca Area Youth Hockey Association
Region 4 Beloit Youth Hockey Association, Inc.
Region 4 Ice Wolves Youth Hockey Association
Region 4 Janesville Youth Hockey Club
Region 4 McFarland Youth Hockey Association
Region 4 Monroe Hockey Association
Region 4 Patriots Youth Hockey Association
Region 4 RWD Youth Hockey
Region 4 Stoughton Youth Hockey
Region 4 Sun Prairie Youth Hockey Association, Inc.
Region 4 Thunderbird Youth Hockey
Region 4 Verona Wildcats Youth Hockey Association
Region 4 West Madison Polar Caps Youth Hockey Assn
Region 4 Wildcat Youth Hockey Association
Region 5 Elmbrook Youth Hockey Association (EYHA)
Region 5 Fond du Lac Blue Line Hockey Club, Inc.
Region 5 Kenosha Blue Line Hockey Club
Region 5 Ozaukee Youth Hockey Association
Region 5 SHAW
Region 5 Washington County Youth Hockey Association
Region 5 Waukesha County Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 Altoona Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 Menomonie Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 New Richmond Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 River City Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 River Falls Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 Sparta Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 Somerset Youth Hockey Association
Region 6 Tomah Youth Hockey
Region 6 Onalaska/Holmen Tornado Youth Hockey
Region 6 Viroqua Area Hockey Association
Region 6 West Salem Hockey Association

 


Did You Know?

All players should be registered on a USA Hockey roster, including 8U players. 

This enables both USA Hockey and WAHA to ascertain where growth and retainment is most sucessful and provide support and assistance accordingly.

 


Upcoming Events

Dick's Sporting Goods WAHA Shopping Days

20% off to get you all set for the upcoming season!

October 11-13th 2025

20% off Coupon Link 


 USA Hockey Team Up Against Concussion Week

 October  21-26, 2024

 

Share your video of a team leader delivering this message

1.    We’re a team, and teammates look out for each other. 

2.    A teammate with a concussion needs your help. 

3.    I expect you to speak up to me, a coach, or an athletic trainer if you think a teammate has a concussion.

Tag @WAHA on Facebook with your video or share your video upload by Facebook message to @WAHA      Instagram tag @wahahockey

Why give the TUAC speech?

Concussion Legacy Captains give the Team Up Against Concussions speech to their team to improve concussion reporting so we can prevent the worst outcomes of concussions. The latest research tells us the program is both necessary and effective. Here’s why:

  1. Immediate removal from play is crucial – A University of Florida study of 506 NCAA athletes found those who stopped playing after a concussion missed three fewer days of competition than those who continued playing. Immediate removal from play also decreased the likelihood an athlete would miss more than two weeks of the season by 39%.
  2. Self-reporting concussions is unreliable – Researchers at Arizona State University surveyed 600 Division I NCAA athletes and found those who were well-educated on concussion still struggled to self-report their injuries. Why? Athletes may struggle to recognize their own concussion because their brain is injured. Or, if they do recognize the injury, they feel social pressure to hide it. 
  3. Team leaders affect concussion reporting outcomes – A study from the University of North Carolina Greensboro found when athletes know their coach wants them to report concussions, they do it. If an athlete doesn’t know what will happen when they report a concussion, they are less likely to report themselves or a teammate. Clear, specific instruction helps to eliminate hesitation in concussion reporting. 

Positive Coaching Alliance

WAHA is thrilled to continue our partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance to help improve and strengthen culture in hockey associations across Wisconsin. We recently completed a workshop with association leaders titled “Culture Shaping for Leaders” designed to assist association leaders on how to evaluate and identify ways to make their program(s) more positive, equitable, and accessible to all athletes. When athletes are part of a positive sports culture, they are more likely to experience the many benefits that sports can provide - from developing resilience and leadership skills to building healthy connections and support systems.

Thank you to the 50 associations that had at least one representative attend the training, and a special shout out to West Madison Polar Caps for their “Culture Champs” initiative – check it out here.

 

Amery youth hockey

Region 1

Chippewa Youth Hockey Assn.

Region 1

Hayward Sports Center

Region 1

Rice Lake Hockey Association

Region 1

Eagle River Recreational Association

Region 2

Lakeland Hawks Hockey

Region 2

Merrill Youth Hockey Association

Region 2

Mosinee Hockey Club

Region 2

North Lakeland Bucks

Region 2

Price Ice

Region 2

South Wood County Youth Hockey Association

Region 2

Stevens Point Youth Hockey Association

Region 2

Tomahawk Hockey Association

Region 2

Wausau Youth Hockey

Region 2

Appleton

Region 3

De Pere Youth Hockey

Region 3

Fox Valley Youth Hockey Association

Region 3

Green Bay Area Youth Hockey Association

Region 3

Manitowoc County Youth Hockey

Region 3

Marinette and Menominee Area Youth Hockey

Region 3

Oshkosh Area Youth Hockey Association

Region 3

Shawano Hockey League

Region 3

Sheboygan Lakers

Region 3

Waupaca Area Youth Hockey Association

Region 3

Ice Wolves Youth Hockey

Region 4

Madison Capitols AAA Hockey Association

Region 4

Middleton Youth Hockey

Region 4

Oregon Youth Hockey

Region 4

Patriots Youth Hockey Association

Region 4

Verona

Region 4

West Madison Polar Caps

Region 4

Wildcat Hockey (Waunakee)

Region 4

Elmbrook Youth Hockey Association

Region 5

SHAW Youth Hockey

Region 5

Washington County Youth Hockey Association

Region 5

Waukesha County Youth Hockey Association

Region 5

Waupun Hockey Association

Region 5

Baldwin Hockey Association

Region 6

Eau Claire Youth Hockey

Region 6

Menomonie Youth Hockey Association

Region 6

New Richmond Youth Hockey Association

Region 6

Onalaska/Holmen Tornado Youth Hockey

Region 6

River City Youth hockey

Region 6

River Falls Youth Hockey Association

Region 6

Somerset Youth Hockey Association

Region 6

Sparta Youth Hockey

Region 6

Viroqua Area Hockey Association

Region 6

West Salem Hockey

Region 6