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Thumbnail image for peewee_concussion.jpgStudy Shows Hockey and Football Lead Youth Sports in Number of Concussions

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News

Aug. 30, 2010 -- The number of young children treated in hospital ERs for concussions they got while playing on sports teams has doubled in just a decade, a new study shows.

While the concussion rate is higher among high-school-age athletes, researchers say the rate among younger athletes is both significant and rising.

The study represents the first attempt to document the national incidence of sports-related concussions among children in elementary and middle school.



Greater Toronto Hockey League

Image via Wikipedia

Lois Kalchman
Special to the Star

Two sets of parents are suing the Greater Toronto Hockey League, one of its clubs and four coaches for $25,000 each because their sons were cut by the Avalanche Minor Sports Club midget junior A team during tryouts in April.

It's the first time parents in the GTHL have ever taken legal action against the league or one of its teams for declining the services of their children, says league president John Gardner.

Even nationally, it's a rare event.

"We have had very few lawsuits on ice time or (player) cuts," said Hockey Canada's Glen McCurdie director of member services. "There are more threats than actual suits."




Thumbnail image for zparise_teamusa.jpg
by Tom Davis
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
March 1, 2010

Without a doubt, many people throughout Fort Wayne were in front of their TVs Sunday afternoon, enthralled by the incredible excitement that was unfolding at the Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. Fort Wayne residents can certainly appreciate a scrappy group of American youngsters shocking the world by nearly knocking off the most talented hockey team on earth.

The fact that the U.S. men's hockey squad eventually lost 3-2 in overtime in the gold-medal game of the 2010 Winter Olympics does not diminish what this group accomplished over the past two weeks.

People in Fort Wayne understand the magnitude of what America just witnessed - because they understand hockey, and they understand how the sport is quickly evolving throughout the country.
 



Thumbnail image for belmont_MA_hockey.jpg
Coaches trying a new model, hoping to put fun back into the sport for youngest players

by Kathleen Burge
Boston Globe
February 25, 2010

At the John A. Ryan Skating Arena in Watertown last Friday night, the air was loud with the sounds of coaches shouting, skates shaving ice, and pucks thunking against the boards.

The few dozen skaters, nearly unrecognizable in cage helmets and bulky padding, are the smallest of hockey players. Some learned to walk only a few years ago.

"You got it!'' yelled Bill Kelly, one of the coaches, as a player lobbed the puck in the general direction of the net. "Nice job. Next!''




Thumbnail image for everyBODY_skates.jpg
by Anthony Lawson
North Jersey
February 5, 2010

They slashed across the ice of Skylands Ice World as if they were in a hurry to prove something. They were members of a new group called EveryBODY Skates New Jersey (ESNJ), and they were on a mission. A three day tour of all 54 of New Jersey's Ice Rinks was organized by brothers Andrew and Jon Schwartz. They had only 54 hours to visit all 54 rinks and their teams were selected for their special ability to get the job done. So during a national promotion called "Hockey Weekend Across America", the ESNJ decided it was the perfect time for their own 54 in 54 awareness campaign.

Andrew Schwartz, speaking at Stockholm's Skyland Ice World said, "We are making this effort to raise awareness and influence local ice rinks to allocate just one hour of ice time per week, in season, to disabled hockey."

Each of his team members have a disability and love the sport of Hockey.
 


Thumbnail image for bellingham_hockey.jpg
by Joe Sunnen
The Bellingham Herald
February 24, 2010

VANCOUVER B.C. - With the U.S. women's hockey team set to play for a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the U.S. men's hockey team coming off its biggest upset in years with its win over Canada, the sport seems to be alive and well in America.

In Whatcom County, however, that's not the case. Despite enjoying a proximity to Canada and its hockey riches that few states in the U.S. can boast, youth hockey is not only falling off in popularity at all levels, but struggling to stay afloat.

"I think there's a lot of interest around here, but there just aren't that many opportunities," said Dave Parker, whose daughter Catelyn Parker plays for the Washington Wild, a women's hockey team based in Bellingham. "I think that's especially true for girls, but probably the boys as well. It can get pretty expensive as you move on to each level, and it's always competing with soccer for players."



Thumbnail image for AJSP_Hockey_02-10-2010_DGD24F8.jpgby Adriane Heine
Abington Journal
February 10, 2010

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Junior Knights Hockey Club was developed in 2005 to provide an opportunity for aspiring young athletes to enjoy the sport of ice hockey. Since then, the Knights had several teams for different ages and skill levels, including levels B, A and AA, all Tier 2 levels. The highest level of youth hockey in the United States is level AAA, also known as Tier 1, which has never been available here, until now. Starting in the 2010-2011 season, AAA youth ice hockey will come to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This is due, in part, to the coaches this area has to offer. Coach Besa Tsintsadze is the Knights' power-skating coach. He is also the personal power skating coach to the National Hockey League's Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin, both of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Knights are also coached by former professional players Devin Edgerton from Canada and Alex Vasko from Russia.

READ MORE...



Thumbnail image for oree_stanleycup.jpgby John McGourty
NHL.com
February 5,2010

Former Phoenix Cardinals running back Tony Jordan is one of the top athletes that Rochester, N.Y., has produced. He was a high-school All-American at East High, went to Kansas State on a full scholarship and earned All-Conference status.

Jordan has met many of the most famous athletes and celebrities in North America, but he's looking forward to this weekend when he'll meet a sports pioneer, Willie O'Ree, who became the first black to play in the National Hockey League when he broke in with the Boston Bruins in 1958.

"I'm excited about this opportunity because it's not too often you get to meet someone who is an important part of sports history," said Jordan, now a manager with the City of Rochester Recreation Department. Jordan's involvement goes far beyond the job. The Tony Jordan Sports Foundation helps the city assist over 4,000 youths participate in organized, non-scholastic, volunteer-led, sports activities.

READ MORE...



Thumbnail image for 7tech_hockey_helmet.jpgby Matthew Ondesko
Metro Western New York
January 28, 2010

When playing a sport like hockey everybody knows injuries are part of the game. A player can deal with a broken finger or a sprained ankle every once and awhile. But, what players of all ages are having a hard time dealing with is concussions.

Concussions are becoming a big part of the game - especially now that the players are bigger and faster and the equipment is also better.

"The game has evolved," stated former National Hockey League great Mark Messier. "Players are bigger, stronger, faster. Equipment is more sophisticated and the playing area has changed. It is a chain of events over time that has led to where we are today. The evolution of the equipment is the factor."

READ MORE...



by Mark Hyman
Parent Dish
December 2, 2009


Most kids learn valuable life lessons playing youth sports. Miller Donnelly teaches them.


When he was just 9, Miller, who lives in a small town in Ontario, Canada, wrote a clever three-minute speech about overwrought sports parents and how their behavior squeezes the fun out of youth hockey.

First, he presented it to his school class. Then his uncle wanted to listen, so Miller's dad made a video and posted it on YouTube. One of Canada's top amateur hockey associations picked it up and posted the video to the club Web site. Then, last January, Miller really went big-time: One of Canada's most-watched TV news shows devoted an entire story to the speech.

READ MORE...



Thumbnail image for AustinMcCarthy.jpgCBS - October 26, 2009


Austin McCarthy, a 10-year-old from Ludington, Mich., was named "Sports Kid of the Year" on "The Early Show" by Sports Illustrated Kids magazine.
Last season, McCarthy, who plays ice hockey, scored 173 goals, 46 assists, and 35 hat tricks.

As McCarthy continues to rise in youth hockey - he skipped ahead to Pee Wee this season - he has also maintained a commitment to his schoolwork. He received two citizenship awards and the Presidential Physical Fitness Award last school year.

 

READ MORE...



hockey.jpg
The first year of the Wareham Youth Hockey program just ended, and the league is already looking to expand next season.  "It's been a great season. We are already looking to expand and add Midget and Pee Wee teams for next season," said WYH President Ben Hathaway.  Hathaway who also coaches the varsity team at Wareham High can tell when kids have not been able to play much youth hockey.  "There have been kids who've come out for the high school teams who have to be taught how to skate," Hathaway said, "If you start kids at a younger age, they're going to develop better skills and better instincts for the finer points of the game."  The WYH is looking to add a Learn to Play Hockey program as well as a Pee Wee program to their Mite and Squirt programs.

"Via wickedlocal.com"



Thumbnail image for Chris_Koras_2007_4.jpgSenior earns the highest academic award for SUNYAC Hockey
March 13, 2008

Senior Chris Koras (Toronto, ONT) has been named the SUNY Chancellor's Award of Excellence winner for Ice Hockey as announced by the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) office earlier this week. The award is given to the All-Conference player that has the highest cumulative grade point average.

Koras was named to the All-SUNYAC team as a second-team selection after finishing the season with six goals and a team-leading 14 assists for 20 points in SUNYAC games. Overall, he finished with 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points. He helped the Golden Eagles to a 7-15-3 record and led the squad with five power play goals.

The senior center wraps up his career at Brockport with 98 games played and 82 career points on 22 goals and 60 assists.

The senior is a Business Administration major with a minor in Economics.



By Ben Volin

February 13th, 2008

Hockey4.jpgPalm Beach Post

 Mike Necela runs a youth hockey league with more than 200 players. Like many other hockey fans, he watched in horror when the Panthers' Richard Zednik skated quickly off the ice Sunday night with blood flowing from the sliced carotid artery.

Necela said the gruesome injury, caused by a teammate's errant skate, made him realize the inadequacy of the equipment requirements for his leagues at the Palm Beach IceZone in suburban Lake Worth. 

USA Hockey requires that youths wear helmets with facemasks and mouth guards. Necela plans to talk with other organizers of his league to mandate neck guards.

"It's just something we've got to do," he said. "Whether it's uncomfortable or not is not the issue. It's protection."

Most of the country's recreational and travel hockey leagues follow USA Hockey equipment guidelines. Throat and neck protectors are "recommended" for goaltenders but not even mentioned for other players.

Read on...



By Sean Golden

January 7th, 2008

hockey3.jpgLancaster Eagle-Gazette

 LANCASTER - One might think that a seven-month season and a sizeable drive to practices and games might drain a bit of the fun out of playing any sport for a 12-year-old.

Not so, said Jacob Hedley, of Lancaster.  "I actually like it when the season's longer, cause it's something to do," Hedley said. Without a rink to call home in Fairfield County, many young hockey players make the trek to play in leagues hosted at ice rinks in Columbus and Newark.

Hedley is a part of the Newark Generals Peewee hockey select team, part of a program run by the Newark Ice Hockey Association. The NIHA runs its activities at the newly renovated Lou & Gib Reese Ice Arena.

The NIHA offers youth hockey leagues for ages 6 to 14 and high school club teams as well as adult hockey leagues, among other programs.

Jeff Hedley, Jacob's father, was part of a group of Lancaster residents who tried to garner the support of the community to build an ice rink in Lancaster last year.

Read on...



Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for ice rink.jpgBy Ford Turner
January 14th, 2008
The Patriot News

The odyssey that is Bob and Diana Bradley's weekend life -- trip after trip, to Boston and Lake Placid, N.Y., and Virginia and Maryland -- was launched by a single sentence uttered by a 4-year-old.

Back in 2000, their son, Collin, said, "I want to play hockey."

Seven years later, Collin Bradley is 11 and plays 50 hockey games a season. His parents, who live in Middlesex Twp., volunteer many hours helping Collin's team. Registration fees run $1,200 a season, equipment is extra, and the gas to get the family's SUV to all the out-of-state tournaments costs hundreds of dollars.

They never expected to be hockey parents. Bob Bradley had never even worn skates.

But the fun and excitement make up for the stress, time and money.

"He's doing well. Otherwise we wouldn't be going through all this," Bob Bradley said of Collin.

Read on...



Thumbnail image for ice rink.jpgBy Kristi Henderson

December 25th, 2007

Dakota Zinn, 11, thinks a skating facility could be just what the city of Lawrence needs

What's a boy to do when he wants to play hockey in Lawrence?

He could go to Overland Park, where Kansas University's ice hockey club plays. Or, if the weather would stay cold enough, long enough, he could play on a frozen pond.

But, if he's like 11-year-old Dakota Zinn, he might try to get an arena built here in town.

Dakota, a sixth-grader at Langston Hughes School, envisions an ice arena where youths and adults could play ice hockey and where KU's hockey team could play. He also would want to offer open skating hours for the community and facilities for parties. And Dakota's adamant on one point: No alcohol allowed. He has seen fans act up at Topeka RoadRunners hockey games and he wouldn't want to see the same at his arena.

"I'd rather be safe than have people there being crazy," Dakota said.

Read on...



Thumbnail image for hockey2.jpgBy Marc Robbins

December 27th, 2007

News Channel 8

(WTNH) _ As fast as one game finishes, another one is about to begin.  the assembly line churns out game action that brings out enthusiasm, and excitement, the competition is fierce and most of the time it's fair, although there have been moments when, the aggression has been a little overboard.

Team Pittsburgh's Coach Raffi Wolf says, "They are all very competitive and they all want to win."

The competition on the ice brings out the athleticism, it teaches teamwork and sportsmanship.  Yet, it's the entire experience, traveling, sharing, understanding and learning makes this event worth much more than the thousands, parents spend making this a reality.

Read on...



hockey2.jpgWith Silver Stick coming, teams see fewer kids joining

By Jim Whymer

December 21st, 2007

Times Herald

Port Huron once was known as a youth hockey hotbed.

In addition to being the home of the prestigious North American Silver Stick International Hockey Tournament, Port Huron had a youth program that was busting at the seams.

"Back when I played, I think there might have been 1,000 to 1,500 kids in the program," said Bill Warren, a former player and coach in the Port Huron Minor Hockey Association. "Those numbers were big from 1980 to the mid-1990s.

"Everybody loved playing hockey. There weren't as any many distractions for kids in those days."

McMorran Pavilion and arena were packed with house and travel teams from morning to night.

But there also was one association in town.

 

Read on...


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