Letter From Massachusetts Hockey President Dan Esdale Regarding USA Hockey Coaches Helmet Rule

September 14, 2006

To: MH Exec Board, District Registrars, Directors, and all members
Re: USA Hockey Mandatory Helmet Rule enforcement.

At the September meeting the MH Board of Directors addressed the subject of the new USA Hockey Rule requiring coaches to wear a helmet while on ice, i.e. practices.
The discussion included enforcement procedures with the following comments, from those
comments it appears there is some confusion as to enforcement and the position of Mass
Hockey enforcing the newly mandated rule.

This June at the USA Hockey Annual congress the Board of Directors voted that coaches of youth teams be required to wear a hockey helmet while on ice, i.e. practices etc.
During the discussion the subject of enforcement was addressed.

The discussion followed with, because it would be impossible to reasonably police it was concluded and stated on a practical matter that the local associations would be in a better position to ensure compliance and would do so.

Following that position, Mass Hockey had delegated compliance to be administered by the
local associations and stated such at our meeting, The role of Mass Hockey will be to support the actions of local associations dealing with compliance of the helmet rule (assuming reasonableness and compliance with MH R&R related to such matters).

Regards,
Dan Esdale