Announcement
Welcome back to the IAHA. This is a couple of days later than intended, but we’re ready to go.
Here is the quick list:
· Registrations are due in our hands by Friday, September 30. Drop at Cass or The Rink or mail it. If you mail it, allow time for it to be delivered before Sept. 30th. If you drop it off, make sure it is labeled IAHA or Adult Hockey, not IYHA.
· Players are assigned first-come, first served. If rosters fill up, you may get shut out even if your application was received before the deadline. Last year we were full.
· A/B teams will be based on last year’s rosters. B/C teams will be randomly assigned like last year. We are not accepting rosters or protected lists for B/C this year.
· If you want to play with someone, you must use the new “We want to play together” form. If we receive individual applications, we will ignore any requests. Two player pairs for A/B, up to three for B/C.
· Current plans are for the season to begin the week of October 16th. The fees are the same as last year - $420 for skaters, goaltenders are $210. You must register separately with USA Hockey at a cost of $33.
· Please help us find sponsors. Contact Jon Parmenter @ jwp35@cornell.edu if you know someone interested in sponsoring.
Okay, here is the longer version. We are highlighting a few important points in this letter. Please read the registration forms carefully for complete details.
Registration
Registration forms are attached and must be received no later than Friday, September 30th. Note this is a due date, not a postmark date. Be sure to return the Registration form, the USA Hockey registration confirmation and your payment. Additional copies of the forms can be downloaded here, and will be available at Cass and The Rink. Players wishing to play together (two for A/B, up to three for B/C) must use the “we want to play together” form. By doing this, you can expect to be placed on the same team.USA Hockey
You must register directly with USA Hockey at www.usahockeyregistration.com. The cost is $33 and must be paid with a credit card. When finished, print the USA Hockey registration confirmation and attach it to your IAHA registration form. Do not e-mail the confirmation to us.Teams
For the A/B Division, 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. New players who do not have a strong affiliation to an existing team will be assigned to roster openings to attempt to correct the competitive balance of the teams. As always, the final team assignments remain the decision of the IAHA Board, and no promises can be made. For the B/C Division, all players and the goalies will be assigned to teams in a randomized fashion. We believe it is in the best interest of the league, over the long term, to avoid having the same rosters year after year. This makes it simpler to balance teams and reduces the barriers for new players to enter the league..Subs
There is a flat fee of $75 to register as a sub. There will be no additional per game fees.Captains must obtain approval from the Board prior to registering a sub. After approval is received, the sub must submit an IAHA registration form, a USA Hockey registration confirmation, and payment of the $75. Approval and all material must be in place before a sub can play. Captains, do not wait until the day of the game to ask for a sub to be approved. Teams are still limited to three subs, and subs are not allowed to play in playoff games.
Rule Changes
At this time there are no league rule changes. This is a rule change year for USA Hockey. Although there are no rule changes that affect our league, USAH is clarifying and re-emphasizing their position on restraining fouls (holding, hooking, interference, tripping, slashing) and for body checking. Here is a link to the USAH release. We anticipate the officials will adjust as the season develops. We have also asked the referees to enforce a zero tolerance policy on unsportsmanlike behavior, including trash-talk and other inappropriate verbal chatter.
Disciplinary Policy
The IAHA Disciplinary Policy is included with the registration materials. Here is a link as well. There is one change from last season. We have added a major penalty for head contact to the list of infractions that will receive a three game supplemental suspension. 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 five games (one game USA Hockey mandatory suspension plus four game IAHA suspension). The message is 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 (almost) 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
