information & faq

TYPICAL YEAR OF HOCKEY

Overview of a Typical Year in SAHA

New members have asked for a general idea of what committing to a SAHA team looks like. There are definitely things that come up that are not included in this synopsis, but hopefully it will help give a general picture of a year in SAHA. Overall, skaters are on ice 2-3 times a week for practice and compete in 20 games (10 home and 10 away) as well as a state tournament. Practices run from early- mid October through mid-March. Games are generally scheduled “back to back” on a weekend (i.e. Fri. evening and Sat. morning or Sat. afternoon/evening and Sun. morning) against the same opponent to minimize travel costs. Our state organization, Wyoming Amateur Hockey League, determines opponents and home/away games for each division.

July & august

Registration opens early July and runs to mid-late July. This seems really early but is essential as we have to declare teams with the state and need to know our numbers of skaters to do so. At this time, you will need to register your skater with USA Hockey and SAHA by paying both registration fees. Both can be paid by credit card or check and can be done online. Once registration is complete, volunteer coaching assignments will be determined. Coaches will identify volunteer team managers. Team managers will also compile jacket orders. Team jackets are not required. Players are responsible for the cost of the jacket. Jersey/Uniform orders should be able to be completed during online registration (we’re trying a new system this year, so we’re still working things out). At the squirt/10U level, jerseys will be issued at the beginning of the season and collected at the end of the season, with a deposit to be returned at the end of the season. There will be no fee for jerseys for squirts. For all other divisions, players must purchase their own jerseys. All players must purchase uniform game socks. Most years SAHA participates in the Wyo Rodeo parade in July. M&M/Mars often donates candy for skaters to pass out and we build a float. It’s a lot of fun and a great chance for kids to get together in the off season.

September

The state-wide game scheduling meeting is at the end of September. This is when representatives from all programs get together to build the season schedule for all age groups. After this meeting, final revisions are made by the state and the schedule is generally released about mid October. Generally there are about 5 home weekends (2 games per weekend) and 5 away weekends for a total of 20 regular season games. Most of the time away games are scheduled so that only one hotel night is needed. Team managers try to block hotel rooms to get discounted rates. It helps to stay in the team blocked hotel but it is not required. Team managers will notify families of hotel blocks as they are set up. Coaches will be contacting parents regarding preseason team meetings.

October

Generally gear check out occurs the first week in October. Younger SAHA players can rent gear from the rink, there is no additional charge. SAHA practices normally start early-mid October. Season schedules come out mid-October. A lot of work goes into building schedules that won’t change, but sometimes adjustments are made. Most likely this is when training sessions will happen to help parents learn how to run the clock and GameSheets (online stats recorded during the games). Your help is essential, as an all volunteer organization we need all parents to pitch in and run the clock, penalty box, and GameSheets during home games. It’s a great way to learn more about the game and teams. Team moms will make sign ups available. Generally we kick off Christmas tree and wreath sales in October. This is a tremendous contributor to our organization and helps us keep our fees lower than many other programs. Christmas tree sales are used directly to pay for costs such as ice time for practice and games, refs, and other necessary expenses throughout the season. Our kids work hard and do a great job. All skaters are asked to contribute by selling trees and wreaths. More information on that will be shared at meetings in October. Practice times can be a little different early in the season since the rink-wide “house” programs do not usually start until November, so teams usually get a little longer practice and/or an extra practice. Generally, each team has 2 practices during the week and 1 on the weekend if there are not any games.

November

League play begins in late October/November. At the U10 and U12 level you may be asked to help with snacks for the hospitality room for your early morning games throughout the season. There are no SAHA games scheduled during Thanksgiving break. Tree and wreath sales are due at this time. State tournaments are awarded around this time so you should be able to find out where your skater is competing then.

december

Trees and wreaths are delivered at the beginning of December. Families help by unloading the semis and helping with pick up and delivery of trees and wreaths. While there are no games scheduled for about a 10 day window at Christmas, games may be scheduled on the weekends on the shoulders of Christmas breaks so check your team’s schedule when it is released. Some years Planet Hockey hosts a clinic at our rink during break. Registration and cost will be shared if this is an option this season.

january

There are no games scheduled during Martin Luther King weekend. This is when we start preparing to host our state tournament if we are awarded one. We count on contributions from all SAHA members to make hosting a tournament successful. Tournaments can be a source of revenue for our organization which helps to keep our fees down.

february

There are no SAHA games scheduled during President’s Day weekend. Regular season games wrap up, state tournaments may begin at the end of Feb., beginning of March.

march

State tournaments continue. There is only one tournament weekend per age group. Generally, team managers coordinate donations for goodie bags for the team. If we are awarded a state tournament, we all need to pitch in to run the clock, point streak, penalty boxes, security, basket raffle, etc. during the tournament. Families will also be asked to contribute items for the basket raffle and silent auction. All of these contributions help our program a ton. State tournaments (home or away) offer optional merchandise and program ads you can purchase. Rented jerseys and borrowed equipment need to be turned in following state tournaments. Some summer programs begin putting out information regarding team tryouts and camps around this time. Check websites (WAHA, Casper, Wyoming Cutthroats etc.) for more information.

april

Some years we host and end-of-year banquet. Generally small donations are collected for thank you gifts for team managers and coaches. Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back. Our program is truly a team effort and we couldn’t do it without all the hard work our great families do to support their skaters. There may be a 3 on 3 league set up until the ice is gone. Registration for this is seperate from SAHA season registration.

may & june

If you are interested in summer camps and opportunities, there are a variety held in the region. Check Planet Hockey, Laura Stamm, or go to the regional rink websites (Casper, Billings, Cody, Gillette, Rapid City) for more information.