Welcome back to the IAHA. We hope you have enjoyed your summer. The Board has completed our initial planning for the upcoming season and we’re ready to go. Please sign up early. Last year, we had a waiting list and several players were shut out. Please don’t wait till the last minute.

Current plans are for the season to begin the week of October 19th. The fees this year are $375 (goaltenders $187.50) for 26 regular season games plus playoffs. Once again, you must register directly with USA Hockey (see below) before completing your IAHA registration form.

We are planning very few changes this season. There were no USA Hockey rule changes affecting play.

Registration
Registration forms must be postmarked no later than Saturday, September 27th. Be sure to return the Registration form, the USA Hockey registration confirmation and your payment. The forms can be downloaded here, and are available at Cass and The Rink. Pairs of two (2) players wishing to play together can indicate this on their registration form and submit their forms together. By doing this, you can expect to be placed on the same team.

USA Hockey
You must register directly with USA Hockey (click here). The cost is $33 and must be paid with a credit card. When finished, print the USA Hockey registration confirmation. Attach a copy of the confirmation to your IAHA registration form. Do not email the confirmation to us.

Teams
We will not be asking captains for “protected lists” this season. Initial team assignments will be based on last season’s rosters. Some players may be moved between teams, especially if the number of teams in the division changes from last season. Our goal is to try to improve the competitive balance of the teams while making as few changes as possible. As we have said in the past, while it would be ideal for all teams to have .500 records, we strive to have most games be competitive and enjoyable for all players. Team captains will be invited to attend the team assignment meetings. Info on these meetings will be sent directly to the captains. As always, the final team assignments remain the decision of the IAHA Board, and no promises can be made.

Disciplinary Policy
The IAHA Disciplinary Policy is being distributed with registration materials as well as being posted on the Web Site (view here). The only change from last season is a clarification concerning season suspension due to causing an injury. We continue to discourage fighting and other inappropriate behavior in our adult league. If you are involved in a fight, you should expect to sit a minimum of three games (one game USA Hockey mandatory suspension plus two game IAHA suspension). The message remains DON'T FIGHT!! Defending yourself does not require swinging back. Cover up and skate away.

Team/League Sponsorships
Each season we look for local businesses to sponsor teams. The fee for sponsorship this season is $350 minimum and is used to purchase jerseys. Any amount paid above the minimum is very much appreciated and will be used to reduce player fees the following season. Most businesses can treat this cost as an advertising expense. Sponsorships can be split between two businesses if requested. Team sponsorships are awarded on a first-come first-served basis. As the association receives payment, the sponsorship is assigned. The best way to guarantee renewal or award of a sponsorship is for the business to pay the fee. Please help us to secure sponsors by contacting anyone you know who would be in a position to help. For their support, the business name and logo will appear on the team jerseys, and the name will appear in all posting of the league standings and results. We will also include sponsors' logos and Web links on our Web Site, if provided.

Sign up early….See you on the ice.

Regards, IAHA Board