Welcome to Andover Hockey Association’s 2010-2011 season.  AHA continues to be one of the largest youth hockey organizations in the state with approximately 500 boys and girls participating in the program, that will total 18 co-ed teams between the Mite and Bantam levels, five girls teams, four high school age boys and girls teams, three initiation (i.e., learn to skate, learn to play hockey and Fall 3vs3 cross ice) programs in 2010-2011.  While many of the other town programs struggle to remain viable, AHA continues to maintain solid membership, which is a reflection on the quality of the program and the dedication of the many volunteers who are committed to making the program the best it can be.  AHA represents the best that town programs can offer:  a top quality and competitive hockey experience in an equal play environment, a manageable travel commitment, a convenient and first class practice facility, and a venue for players to develop new, and foster existing, relationships with friends from Andover.

Andover Hockey Association continues to strive to improve upon what is arguably the highest quality town program in the region.  These efforts have paid dividends; the program is coming off another strong season in 2009-2010 that included 3 State Champions (PeeWee 2, PeeWee 3 and Squirt 3) and 9 first or second places in the Valley League, more than any other program competing in the Valley League.  The AHA girls program continues to grow such that, like the co-ed teams, the girls program is now one of the largest in the state.  Some of the highlights of the AHA program are described below.

In 2009-2010, AHA co-ed and Girls U10 continued to compete in the expanded Valley League schedule that provided teams with a 45-game schedule. AHA will again participate in the expanded Valley League schedule in 2010-2011.  In terms of the Girls program, the older level Girls teams (i.e., U12 & U14) will participate in the Middlesex Yankee League, which was selected for its quality of competition, and will be supplemented with either participation in the new Valley League Girls League or an independent schedule.  AHA believes that this combination of leagues and competition puts the Girls program in the best position to develop players, enjoy success, and continue grow into one of the region’s most formidable programs.

In terms of player development, AHA has selected Dynamic Skating to mange our supplemental skills program for the Mite through Bantam age players (boys and girls) for the 2010-2011 season.  Dynamic Skating has a 34-year history of teaching the most important aspects of skating to players at every level of hockey.  The program will run from September to November and is free of charge to AHA players. AHA Goalie Skills for the 2010-11 season will once again be run by Brian Daccord's Stop-It-Goaltending. However, due to overwhelming feedback by AHA Goalie members, AHA's Hockey Committee has decided to alter its Goalie Skills format for the 2010-11 season. Rather than having all Goalies take part in Goalie Skills together on the ice at Phillips on Sunday mornings in September and October, AHA has decided to move the Goalie Skills to Stop-It-Goaltending's facility in Woburn. This move will allow us to leverage a small group environment at Stop-It's Goaltender Development Center and by creating Goalie Groupings by age; we are striving to provide each AHA goalie with more personalized instruction. In addition, Goalie Skills will begin later in the season in an effort to avoid Fall conflicts. 

AHA’s Initiation program (Learn to Skate/Learn to Play Hockey) was again one of the crown jewels of the program.  The Initiation Gold program has proven to be extremely successful at meeting the goals of developing our youngest participants’ ability to skate while at the same time making their first experience with hockey a fun and challenging one.  Likewise, the Initiation Blue enjoyed a very successful campaign with four 15 player in-house teams.  The focus of this Learn to Play Hockey program is the development of the players in a structured but less intense environment than the travel teams.  The Blue program has incorporated the small game concept, which involves fewer players on a smaller ice surface (i.e., cross-ice), which has been endorsed and strongly promoted by USA Hockey.  Small games have been shown to enhance player development while at the same time increasing the children’s enjoyment, as players are more “involved” in the game with increased “touches” of the puck, more scoring, and improved/quicker decision-making skills.  AHA’s experience with the small ice approach has confirmed the benefits of the program, so we will again be utilizing small games as part of the Initiation Blue player development strategy in 2010-2011.  The quality of players coming out of the AHA Initiation program has firmly validated AHA’s strategy relative to the development of its youngest players.

 AHA endeavors to maximize it players’ development in a fun environment, and balance the fostering of the competitive spirit with good sportsmanship, discipline, and fairness. We believe that our balanced philosophy has produced a recipe for success.  With the scores of dedicated and qualified volunteers, the coaching support system in place, the quality of our practice facilities (Phillips Academy), we firmly believe that AHA is one of the best town hockey programs in the state that rivals most select programs.  We sincerely hope you enjoy your 2010-2011 season!

    

AHA Announces a New Program 
 Fall Initiation 3v3 League
Limited to Initiation Level Players (No Mites)

AHA Fall Initiation 3v3 League

As USA Hockey becomes increasingly committed to the American Development Model (ADM) and its emphasis on cross-ice hockey, the Andover Hockey Association is working to create new programs that bring this system of instruction to our players.   The ADM model will see USA Hockey Associations put in place programs with smaller group teaching situations and a major shift to cross ice games.   With that in mind, AHA is happy to announce a new program in the fall aimed at developing our youngest players.

Beginning Saturday September 11th, AHA will be offering a 6 week 3v3 league for players between the ages of 5-8 that have completed the Gold Initiation or an equivalent "learn to play hockey" program.     The 3v3 program will take place exclusively on Saturday afternoons at 4:30pm and will feature three concurrent cross ice games.   The players will be placed in games with children of similar ability and will receive on ice instruction from the coaching staff.    This will be a great way for the players new to the game to develop their skating, puck handling and shooting skills.   The fee for this 6 Week program is $105, which includes a game jersey.   

This program will not interfere or overlap with AHA's traditional Gold or Blue Initiation seasons that will begin October 23, 2010. In addition, this Program is limited to Initiation Level Players only (no Mites).

Enrollment for the Fall Initiation 3v3 League will be limited, so REGISTER today!

To learn more about the American Development Model, visit the link below:
http://www.admkids.com

    

REMINDER!

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STEP ON THE ICE THIS WEEK
IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN YOUR USAH NUMBER.

If you have already registered - thank you!


All AHA players and coaches need to register with USAhockey immediately.    Once you have registered you must forward your Name (John Smith), Team Name (AHA Mite 4) & USAH Confirmation number (153102282SMITH) to .   I am the Registrar for 3 hockey programs and I receive hundreds of confirmation numbers so it is MOST helpful if you send me your name and team name.

All of the directions are explained below.

Thank you!


AHA Registrar


 

USA HOCKEY ONLINE REGISTRATION
AHA Players and Coaches 
You must register online BEFORE July 20th

The Andover Hockey Association is asking that COACHES and PLAYERS register on-line directly with USA Hockey.  It is very easy to register online and should only take you 5 minutes to complete.    An adult needs to complete the process and you will need your child's date of birth, a valid credit card and an e-mail address.  

Register at www.usahockeyregistration.com   Select the Membership tab and then Register Online for Ice Player or Coach. Once all the appropriate information is entered, please proceed to check out.  Enter in the billing/credit card information and then print out the confirmation page for your records. 

 Please save your confirmation e-mail and printed copy for your records.

Forgot to send Leigh a copy of your confirmation?  A copy of your confirmation page can be accessed directly from the USA Hockey website any time AFTER registering the player.  You only need to return to the USA Hockey website and go to the On-Line Registration home page.   Go to https://www.usahockeyregistration.com/receipt_request.jsp and enter the player's name, date of birth and zip code.  

The registration fee is $35.  ($30 USA Hockey and $5 Mass Hockey)