1. USA Hockey Special Hockey Classic – PLAYER and VOLUNTEER Registration – Deadline September 20th

Welcome to the 2024 USA Hockey Special Hockey Classic!  This fun filled hockey weekend will have players and volunteers from all over the country and maybe even Canada participating!  Information on this event can be found on the USA Hockey website here (do not register here, this is information only): https://www.usahockey.com/2024specialclassic

This email contains important event information and registration for current MN Special Hockey players and volunteers.  There are two separate registrations - one for players and one for volunteers.  The event will be held in Blaine (Super Rink) on November 15-17, 2024 (Friday- Sunday).  Each team will have at least 4 games over the weekend, 1 on Friday, 2 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday.  Players, volunteers and families are invited to attend a social event at the National Sports Center on Saturday the 16th.  Players will receive swag bags sponsored by the MN Wild.

Cost for MSH players to participate in this event is $35 and is collected during this registration.  MSH will create as many teams as necessary depending on the number of players that complete registration.

Volunteer registration is for On-Ice/Bench Volunteers and Team Managers.  USA Hockey is running this tournament and will be looking for volunteers to fill other roles.  MSH is creating rosters with this registration and will need many volunteers to help make this event special for all MSH players. 

The teams will be created dependent on player abilities, MSH will make the best attempt to keep local teams together dependent on player ability.  For example, all the 'C' level players on the Lakeville team will (hopefully) all be on the same team, along with the 'C' level players from Plymouth and Edina.  This sort of pattern will be continued throughout the creation of all the A, B and C level teams.  This pattern cannot be promised but MSH will work hard to make this successful for all MSH players regardless of ability.  USA Hockey refers to the levels of play as Tier 1 (Cheetah), Tier 2 (Tiger) and Tier 3 (Lion).

Player requirements: In order to attend the Classic, players MUST have ALL their 2024-2025 Season registration completed by October 1st.  There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.  If a player registers for the classic, but fails to complete their MSH registration, their money will not be refunded and they will not be able to participate in any of the events at the Classic.

Volunteer requirements:  In order to attend the Classic, volunteers MUST have ALL their 2024-2025 Season registration completed by October 1st.  There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.  This includes USA Hockey registration (if necessary), MSH Registration, SafeSport Training completed (if necessary) and Background Check cleared (if necessary).  Please see the Volunteer Application page on the MSH website.

If a player requires 1-on-1 assistance from a volunteer on the ice, the player must communicate with their volunteer to ensure the volunteer is able to attend, is registered for the event and has completed all volunteer registration requirements.

At all of our events and especially a national event like this, MSH also requires our players to represent the organization proudly.  If a player does not comply with our Player Code of Conduct they will be told to leave the event and may not be eligible to attend other similar events.

MSH does not cover the cost of hotel stays for this event, but is offering a travel stipend of $150 to our out state teams to attend.  USA Hockey blocked rooms with this link, but it is not required that MSH players and volunteers stay there:  https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.24144.html?groupId=4V8DP0S3

The social event (Saturday evening) will be held at the National Sports Center (next to the rink).  All registered players, coaches and managers get in free.  Others will be charged $15 to attend.  There will be a taco bar, music, games, photo booth and the Wild game on the big screen.

Key Date Details:

• September 20th – This registration closes.
• October 1st  – All players and volunteers MUST have all 2024-2025 Season registration completed.
• October 15th – Team breakout will be announced.
• November 1st – 10th – Game times will likely be announced.
• November 15th – 12:00 pm games start.
• November 16th – Evening social event for all players and families - Cost is $15 for family members.
• November 17th - 1:00 pm games end.

With all MSH SportsEngine Registrations you will receive a confirmation email.  If you do not receive it you are not registered!

PLAYERS register here by September 20th:  https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/085249559

VOLUNTEERS register here by September 20th: https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/701850645

2. MSH 2024-25 Season Player and Volunteer Registration Now Open

Player and volunteer registration is open for the MN Special Hockey 2024-25 season!   Follow all the steps in the registration pages to complete your registration.  Please read the registration page carefully, it contains a lot of important information.

Player registration:  https://www.mnspecialhockey.org/playerregistration

Volunteer registration:  https://www.mnspecialhockey.org/coachesapply

Important items:

• If you are a NEW player, or if you are a RETURNING player and need to order a new jersey, your registration must be completed by September 10th to get a jersey in time for the first game!  Replacement jersey costs are $65.
• Replacement sock costs are $14 – includes purchase of a white pair.
• If you are a player born in or before 2007 you must have your SafeSport Training or Accommodation completed by October 15th in order to participate in the first practice!
• All coach and volunteer requirements (including SafeSport training and background checks) must be completed by October 15th in order to participate in the first practice!

3. Summer/Fall Clinics – Register by September 8th for St. Louis Park 

MSH is offering Summer Hockey Clinics for Special Hockey registered players. These are skill based, skating, passing, and shooting drills. Each session might end with some sort of a game, but more than likely will not be a typical scrimmage.  Cost of attending any or all of the clinic sessions is $40.

4. USA Hockey Neck Laceration Protector Requirement

The USA Hockey requirement for all players aged 17 and under to wear neck laceration protection (neck guards or shirts) is now in effect (except for authorized and approved exemptions).  Neck guards are strongly recommended for players aged 18 and over.  Players aged 17 and under who do not have neck protection will not be allowed on the ice (this includes summer/fall clinics as well as the regular season).  Minnesota Special Hockey follows all rules and recommendations set forth by USA Hockey.