Cleveland Suburban Hockey League

Minutes of Meeting of December 7, 2004

Programs not in attendance: Canton-Akron, Columbus, CYHA Panthers, Elyria, Geauga, Gilmour, North Olmsted, Ohio Flames, Shaker and Tri-County.

Board Members not in attendance: Tom Forcellini, Roger Galippo, Don Lewis, Barry Lulas

Motion to approve minutes of November 2, 2004 league meeting made by Dee Trobentor, second by Marianne Millican. All in favor, motion approved.

Update on CYHO, Cleveland Stars: Christian Youth Hockey Organization (CYHO) has 2 Peewee teams, scheduled non-league games against CSHL teams this season. CYHO’s application for admittance into MidAmerican District as new program was not approved. MidAm suggested CYHO work together with Wooster rink to build comprehensive hockey program from initiation level through travel at all ages. Wooster allowed CYHO to register with USA Hockey this season under their program number.

Cleveland Stars also applied for admittance into MidAm as new program. Cleveland Stars registered with USA Hockey this season and the past few season under the Euclid Hockey program number. Euclid has charged Cleveland Stars for this service and the fees have increased yearly to a current $100 per player. Cleveland Stars are seeking separate program status to eliminate the need to be beholden to the Euclid program, and have no guarantee that Euclid will continue to register their teams with USA Hockey after this season. MidAm did not approve Cleveland Stars application. While the Cleveland Stars stated that they would consider increasing the scope of their program to include hockey at all skills at all ages, they admitted the focus of their program is fielding a limited number of recruited travel teams. MidAm advised Cleveland Starts to draw up a formal contract with Euclid or another established program to provide long-term commitment for registration of their teams through USA Hockey.

Fremont Hockey application for membership into CSHL presented by Dave Pulaski. Rink was built in 2000, in operation since January 2001. USA Hockey In-House Program first started fall 2001, playing against Bowling Green, Findlay and Sylvania house teams. Currently 90 some players, comprising 1 Midget, 2 Bantam, 1 Peewee, 2 Squirt and 1 Mite team. Some of the more skilled players now seeking better level of play and leaving for other programs. Fremont realizes time has come to step up to next level, travel hockey, and wishes to join CSHL as full member beginning 2005-2006 season. In 2003-2004 first scheduled some exhibition games against CSHL teams and participated in some CSHL program tournaments. This year added more exhibition and tournament games to prepare parents for travel requirements.  Project 1 team at each level Squirt through Midget in league next season. Mites are possible but numbers are down this year.

Rink configuration similar to Elyria, enclosed on three sides, tarp covering chain link on fourth. Improvements to locker room and other rink facilities are planned with Fremont parent group working together with city. As with all municipally operated rinks depends on available funding. Rink is part of recreation complex and players can use showers within the complex. Comparing travel distances using downtown Cleveland as central point: 150 miles to Columbus, 75 miles to Youngstown, 90 miles to Fremont. No problem foreseen with ice availability, ice is up and running in October.

League recommends Fremont put together a formal application in time for discussion at the February meeting, will be voted on by May general meeting.

Directors and Officer’s Insurance: The former provider notified USA Hockey programs and affiliates that this coverage would no longer be available. USA Hockey secured a new provider and policy for all USA Hockey associations. This becomes effective January 1 2005 and participation is mandatory for all USA Hockey teams, at a cost of $15 per registered team. Coverage for league administration groups is optional, at a cost of $15 per the number of member programs in the league. MidAm has the responsibility of collecting the premium from its member programs. A letter will be going out shortly to all MidAmerican District affiliate programs notifying them of the new policy and advising them to cancel any current D&O coverage effective January 1 2005.

Playoff Bids are being accepted. Programs are asked to review the list of requirements for hosting playoffs games and reply back to Don Lewis with availability if interested.

Game Changes: December changes have been processed and corrected on the website, January and February still being worked on. Have coaches check website to verify their December games are correct. 180 games changes were submitted for regular season to date. 136 have been completed, 28 are Jan-Feb games that are ready to be processed, 16 are pending/require more information.

Website: there were several glitches that occurred when transferring the regular season schedule into the ITSports program. Games were changed from a.m. to p.m. because league did not list game time using military time. Revisions of master schedule did not incorporate changes already processed and game reverted back to incorrect information. ITSports installed new servers, causing message board and scorekeeper function to be inaccessible for nearly a week. We are working with ITSports to correct problems as they occur and everything should be running smoothly soon.

Teams are doing an excellent job in assigning scorekeepers to report games scores directly onto the website. White copies of the score sheet should still be mailed to the league office postal address so that scores can be verified.

Motion to adjourn made by Dee Trobentor. Seconded by Marianne Millican. All in favor, meeting adjourned.