Minutes CSHL League Meeting February 2, 2009

Attending Programs: Canton-Akron, Cleveland Barons, Cleveland Hts, Columbus Capitals, Elyria, Erie, Euclid, Fremont, Garfield, Geauga, Gilmour, Mentor, North Olmsted, Parma, Rocky River, Shaker, Strongsville, Tri-County, Winterhurst and Wooster

Attending Board: Tim O’Shaughnessy, Terry Horonzy, Chris Kendel, Mark Clendenin, Don Lewis, Mike Radosevic, Pam Rice, Jim Smith, John Stojak and Dan Straka.

Cathy Fievet: passed out form for hat trick, playmaker and shut out patches. Please note new address, make copies as necessary  to distribute to team manager, coaches, etc.

Minutes from October 28, 2008 meeting were reviewed. Motion to approve as written made by Cyndi Bova. Seconded by Mike Cordish, all in favor, approved.

Playoff Schedule posted on web – have team there 20 minutes early, bring both home and away jerseys. Division winner t-shirts order form, will be on website, sold on site Championship weekend, division winner out first round can pick up division winner banner, trophies at Strongsville during Championship weekend. Remind coaches to notify Don at end of December any conflicts with team during playoffs, once schedule is up many problems caused by trying to changes schedule, switch teams.  Columbus vs Columbus first round games will be re-scheduled for Columbus to save travel.

USA Hockey Athlete Development Model.  Bill Switaj, USA Hockey MidAmerican District Coach in Chief, reported on USA Hockey’s new program. This program, funded by an substantial grant increase from the  NHL, intends to both create a new system to better identify and develop the Elite player as well as increase the skills level and bring fun back into the game for house and travel players. Bill encouraged our local programs to review the materials, see how this can benefit your players and devise ways to implement some of the ideas for next season. This is not change that will happen everywhere overnight but addresses some of the problems that we face in trying to bring in new players and retain current players. General discussion and question and answer period followed. There are several good ideas presented by the USA Hockey model, and CSHL programs do have questions regarding implementation and funding. CSHL programs and administration need to work together as a united front or any plan will fail.

George Michalke reported on the Cleveland Barons perspective as one of the potential HP (High Performance) clubs. They are also asking questions on how the program will be implemented, how it will affect the existing structure pro and con. The Barons, along with other Midwest Elite league members will be meeting with USA Hockey officials later this month to further discuss this program.

Review of 08-09 season and suggested rule revisions for 09-10; there was a significant increase in petitions for players to be permanently rostered on 2 teams because of a shortage of players to field to 10-skater minimum. Suggested changes include roster freezes, more programs joining to field one team between them, meeting before preseason to identify teams/programs short on numbers.

May meeting will be Monday, May 18 at Garfield Civic Center. 4 Board seats will be open for elections. Don Lewis, Tim O’Shaughnessy, Mike Radosevic and Pam Rice will be completing their 2-year terms. All have declared their intent to run again.

Committee Reports:

Coaches/Referees  - John Stojak: thanks to  Strongsville Hockey Director Chuck Baddley for inviting John to speak with his Peewees..

Discipline - Mark Clendenin, Mike Radosevic: increase in kicking/match penalties. Looking to implement a stricter minimum game suspension period for serious (intent to injure) penalties.

Media - Jim Smith: send count of players at each level  to jsmitch@scity.com.  Don’t need names, just numbers, include IP players. Jim is working with IT sports for new things for next year.

Rules  – send proposals/suggestions to Tim by early April, he will send out to HOPS mid April for review , 30 days prior to voting on May meeting.

Scheduling – Always need laptops and data entry/readers for scheduling s dates. Planning on website training for scorekeepers and game changes, helping get passwords set up, navigate through system. Also planning clinic for duties of team managers, intro to CSHL.

Old Business:  Pam Rice reported several scoresheets still missing. Estimate this season 20% emailed or faxed, remainder still sent U.S. mail.

Lynn Yopko said city of Euclid has said rink will remain open. There will be a new program director, Lynn is stepping down after this season.

New Business:  Cyndi Bova noted that Strongsville learned there misconceptions about fundraising and tax deductions for 501c3 status. Suggest having a yearly audit of program books and also get professional advice when preparing tax returns.

John Stojak reported an increase in checking from behind calls, a direct result following 2 recent serious injuries in Toledo area. One player will probably be permanently paralyzed, the other may recover but it will be a long road. Please re-emphasize to players how devastating this can be, teach correct checking methods.

George Michalke gave Barons season highlights so far this season: Midget Major team is in first place, plays St. Louis this weekend, 2 games at Barons Arena. 96 team invited to Quebec World Tournament, 2^nd Barons team to be invited to this prestigious event.

Spring Leagues will be held at Barons, Garfield and Strongsville.

Motion to adjourn by Mike Cordish. Second Chris Kendel. All in favor, motion passed, meeting adjourned.