Announcement
Are you ready for some HOCKEY? We hope you have enjoyed your summer. Welcome back to the IAHA. The Board has completed our initial planning for the upcoming season and we’re ready to go. Please sign up early so we can get the season started on time. Last year, we did have a waiting list, so don’t wait till the last minute. We’d hate to shut people out.
Current plans are for the season to begin the week of October 21st. The fee this year is $355 (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. We will continue using our usual manner of putting teams together in both divisions. Captains will be allowed to pre-select a few players (see details below), and the Board will assign the remainder of the rosters. We recognize the desire for players to be placed with their friends, and we will continue to weigh this with our goal to create teams that are competitively balanced. 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.
Registration
Registration forms can be downloaded here, and are also available at Cass and The Rink. Forms must be postmarked no later than Saturday, September 29th. Be sure to return the Registration form, the USA Hockey registration confirmation and your payment. 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 at www.usahockeyregistration.com. 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
Team captains have an opportunity to "protect" a few players. We will allow team captains to provide a list of players to make up the core of a team. Here are the rules:Captains must gather all registration materials and payments from each player on the list he/she submits. If there is not a signed application and full payment before the deadline, the name will be scratched from the list. Up to four (4) skaters, plus a goaltender, may be listed. The captain must be one of the players listed. No more than two (2) "IMPACT" players may be included. If you want to know if the board considers someone an impact player, email the full board (iaha@compcenter.com) prior to submitting your list. After review, the board will provide your official response via email.Subs and Non-Registered Players
As described in the attached materials, all subs must be pre-registered and approved prior to playing. Substitute players are required to pay $15 per game played. Because of insurance and financial concerns, we need to have better control over un-registered players. To accomplish this, we will return to having all players sign the score sheet prior to each game. We do impose penalties for violations, as described in the league rules. A new penalty this season will be the suspension of a team from playoffs if sub fees are not paid.Disciplinary Policy
The IAHA Disciplinary Policy is being distributed with registration materials and can be viewed here. There have been no changes from last season. 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 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 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.
Have a great season!!!
Regards,
IAHA Board
