Hopkins Youth Hockey

Watch this section for updates concerning certification, practice plans or drills that may be of interest to you and other information that should be helpful to coaches of all levels.

If you have coaching ideas to share, please provide them to Tom Martin for posting in this section.

All USA Hockey ice hockey coaches (head and assistant) and instructors must abide by the USA Hockey Coaching Ethics Code, and understand that violations may result in full or partial forfeiture of coaching privileges in programs, at sites or events under USA Hockey’s governance.

All coaches have an obligation to be familiar with USA Hockey’s Coaching Ethics Code. Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of an ethical standard is not itself a defense to a charge of unethical conduct. The USA Hockey Coaching Ethics Code can be found online at usahockey.com under Coaches.

USA Hockey requires that all affiliates and/or districts shall establish the following requirements without modifications for all coaches (head and assistant).  All coaches must have the required certification level and the age-specific module completed by December 31^st of the current season.

Certification Level
All coaches must enter USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program at Level 1, and must continue their education with a coaching clinic each year until, at a minimum, they achieve Level 3.

EXCEPTION: Coaches of 8U or younger players may remain at Level 1 or their current level.

A coach may attend only one (1) certification clinic per year (not including age-specific requirements). Coaches who do not coach in continuous years must re-enter the program at the next level when they resume coaching responsibilities.

Once Level 3 is achieved, periodic renewal is required for coaches who have not achieved Level 4. Coaches who attain Level 4 certification are not required to attend any further certification clinics but must adhere to the age-specific requirement.

Level 3: Coaching certification at Level 3 is valid for two (2) seasons, as indicated by the expiration date.  A coach whose Level 3 is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 1 curriculum or they may move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 1 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons.  A coach whose Track 1 Level 3 recertification is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 2 curriculum or move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 2 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons.  Coaches whose Track 2 Level 3 Recertification is due to expire must attend a Level 4 clinic prior to the expiration of their Level 3 Recertification.  Coaches must complete the online recertification program in order to recertify their Level 3 certifications. Attending a clinic or workshop is no longer valid for recertifying any certification level.

Age-Specific Module

In addition to the training in the paragraph above, coaches must also complete online age-specific training modules specific to the level of play they are coaching, if they have not already taken that module. This requirement applies to all coaches at all levels, 1 through 5. Coaches may complete more than one age-specific module in any given season. 

The annual Age-level on-line instruction modules for ALL coaches are expected to open on September 1, 2013. The on-line modules must be completed by December 31, 2013.

A player age 13 through 17 who is currently properly registered with USA Hockey may serve as a Student Coach.

Qualifications

o    Must attend a training session conducted by the local hockey association or audit a Level 1 clinic (not required to pay nor will they receive certification credit).

o    Must always be under the supervision of a carded, screened adult coach during all practices, clinics, try-outs and in the locker room.

o    May help out at practices, clinics, try-outs only. (May not participate as a player in scrimmages or games when acting as a STUDENT COACH).

o    May not act as a head coach or an assistant coach during practices or games.

o    May be on the bench during games with an adult. The STUDENT COACH will count as one of the maximum of four Team Officials allowed on the bench.

o    Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves and skates while on the ice. Must wear helmet during games while on the bench.

o    May only work with players at least one full playing age level below the STUDENT COACH (e.g., a Bantam age player may act as a STUDENT COACH at the Pee Wee, Squirt or Mite level).

o    The organization that is using the STUDENT COACH must provide a form indicating on the team on which he/she is participating as a STUDENT COACH, and, if applicable, what team he/she is properly registered/rostered as a player. A model form is available on the usahockey.com website.

o    Upon reaching the age of 18, the STUDENT COACH must comply with the USA Hockey Screening Program and meet the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program requirements which will qualify him/her to act as an assistant or head coach.

Please contact Tom Martin if you are interested in a student coaching opportunity.

The Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey websites are key resources for coaches, containing information on:

·         Coaching Education Program

·         Association Coaching and Education Program

·         Coaches Resource Center

·         District Coaching Personnel

We encourage all coaches, assistant coaches, managers, and parents to check out the Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey web sites.