Youth Council Helmet Policy Enforcement Sub-Committee

Revision as of September 23, 3006

At the USA Hockey Annual Meeting in June 2006 the Board of Directors passes the following policy:
All Ice Hockey coaches and instructors of USA Hockey youth/high school, disabled, girl’s/women’s 19’s and under and below programs must properly wear an approved ice hockey helmet during all on-ice sessions, including practices, controlled scrimmages and coach and referee clinics (seminars). This is on page 134 page the 2006-2007 USA Hockey Annual Guide.

Dave Klasnick, Chair of the Youth, appointed a sub-committee to make recommendations on a generic enforcement policy. Members of the committee were Mark McGinn, Roger Mauritho and Al Bloomer. Also contributing were Jim Cooney, Mark Tabrum, Dan Brennan and Dr. Alan Ashare. Thanks to the New England, Minnesota and Michigan Districts for sharing their current policies.

The responsibility for the enforcement of USA Hockey policies falls to the Affiliate. The Affiliate may delegate its authority to a local association/league. In the case of the coach/instructor helmet requirement, we recommend that the Association ACE Coordinator/Coaching Director instruct all coaches/instructors on the policy – explaining the origin and purpose of the policy. We believe this education should include, but not be limited to, information on injuries, fatalities, impact on players witnessing these events, impact on the fatalities perspective on the development of the policy. We do not see the ACE Coordinator/Coaching Director as the enforcer of the policy, but simply the communicator and educator of the policy. During the Youth Council meeting on September 12th it was reported that several associations do not currently have ACE Coordinators. It was further reported that while coaches in many parts of the country are in compliance, there is still a significant amount of resistance in other parts of the country.

Following the Youth Council call, we offer the following revised recommendations:

1. First Offense – a verbal reminder of the policy and the penalty for non-compliance.
2. Second Offense – a written warning of the policy and the penalty for non-compliance of the policy if the policy is not followed.
3. Third Offense – Two game suspensions, at the option of the local suspending authority, the offending coach may be allowed to practice with team during this suspension as long as he/she wears a helmet.
4. Fourth Offense – as per bylaw 10 (C) Annual Guide. Notification of the violation Suspension should not be for less than 30 days.

The Affiliate many sanction the location/league for not properly enforcing USA Hockey and Affiliate policies.

September 12, 2006
Bloomer
McGinn
Maurilto