Dear Youth Hockey Coaches:

This is a season of tremendous change for the Coaching Education Program across the United States.  We in the New England District will be affected by a number of differences from past years.  Those of you who have been coaching for a while, even one season, will recognize the differences when I point them out below.  I am hoping that by communicating early and often, we will all get use to these changes quickly and easily.   Here is an outline of the new elements of our coaching program - for complete details, visit the web sites referenced below:

1. New national coaching requirements.   This is huge, and includes:
a. The old chart which said that for a particular type of team you needed a particular CEP Level is GONE.   Forget about it.
b. In place of the chart, new coaches take 1 clinic per season, starting with Level 1 their first year, then Level 2 the second, and Level 3 the third.   After that there are renewal options OR the chance to take Level 4 (which is required for Tier I and Tier II Bantam and above coaches).  Coaches who already have a particular level start out at that level, based on when their sticker expires, and then move on according to the above progression.
c. In addition to having a “current” coaching level, all coaches need to take (at least) one of the new “age specific” online training modules.   If you are coaching Squirts, you take the 10-and-under online module.  These are cheap ($10) and very state-of-the-art, they’ll make you a better coach.   ALL active coaches need to take these, even those who already have level 4 and 5.
d. The complete text of the new rule is in the “Coaching Requirements” section of the  USA Hockey website, http://www.usahockey.com  
2. No more coaching cards.   If you already have a card, you can use it to verify prior season training, but starting this fall, the online (USA Hockey) coaching certification list will be used to verify current training, including your coaching program level and any age-specific training.  We are calling this a virtual coaching card – like those you get when you enroll in a frequent flyer or hotel guest program.  You can print it at any time from the web site.   Instructions for this are attached to this e-mail note.
3. Level 1-3 Clinic prices were standardized at $40 each.   Online modules at $10 each.
4. Excellent new manuals on body contact/checking will be passed out at Level 2 clinics.
5. Small Area Games books will be passed out at Level 1 clinics.
6. ADM on-ice reference cards/practice plans will also be passed out at Level 1 clinics.
7. All coaches at clinics will receive a CD with completely new coaching manuals for Level 1-3, with added practice plans, and other reference material.
8. Our coaching clinics will feature totally new presentations, with plenty of video and examples added.
9. Significant changes to the Coaches section of www.usahockey.com to support all these new materials.

I know that there will be questions about all this.  Your association’s ACE (Coaching) Director will be trained to help you, and the USA Hockey and District web site mentioned above have been updated to answer questions and point you in the right direction.   I hope that these new materials, which were prepared with a huge investment of time and money for your benefit, will help you be a better coach for your young players.   My instructors and I will be learning about them along with you.  Please be patient in this inaugural year, but don’t hesitate to ask questions.  Have a great season!

Bill Corbo, Jr.  – New England District Coach in Chief