Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association

Minnesota Hockey Members,

In light of recent injuries in high school hockey and with continuing efforts to reduce the risks involved in hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors adopted the following rule changes.  Effective Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the minimum penalty for boarding and checking from behind infractions will be increased.  The first level of penalty for Boarding, Rule 603, will become a major and a Checking from Behind, Rule 608, will become a major plus a misconduct.  These changes apply to all Minnesota Hockey sanctioned league, tournament and exhibition (scrimmage) games and will be in effect until the end of the 2011-12 season (July 31, 2012).  The effectiveness of these changes will be evaluated going forward.

These rule changes are being adopted on a pilot basis and all rules and definitions in the USA Hockey  2011-13 Official Rules of Ice Hockey book remain in effect.  Only the first levels of penalties for the two infractions stated above are increased.  Officials need to make these calls and must have the support of the coaches and parents if increasing the consequences for boarding and checking from behind is to have a positive effect.

These revised rules are only part of what is needed to make hockey as safe as possible.  A culture change is required that will no longer encourage dangerous and intimidation play.  Parents, coaches, officials, players and administrators, need to work together, to make that change.  Education, skill development and respect (Fair Play) are key in making the culture change and Minnesota Hockey is committed to continuing to provide leadership in these areas.

During this pilot, HEP Fair Point calculations are not changing. When tabulating total Fair Play penalty minutes, the "equivalency" penalty minute for the first level boarding and checking from behind remain the same;  Boarding, 2 minute minor and checking from behind, 2 minute minor and 10 minute misconduct.

The announcement below provides additional background.  

Hockey is a great game and wouldn't be possible without all of the efforts of coaches, officials, administrator and parents.  For all your work we say thank you and ask for your cooperation in implementing these changes.

Thank you,

Dave Margenau

President, Minnesota Hockey

Minnesota Hockey Announces Rule Changes

Penalty for Boarding and Checking-From-Behind Increases

(ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - January 23, 2012) -- The Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors voted unanimously at its winter board meeting to strengthen the severity of the penalty issued to players who are cited for boarding and checking-from-behind infractions.  These rule changes are being adopted on a pilot basis and will be reevaluated at the conclusion of   the 2012 Minnesota Hockey season. Minnesota Hockey will continue to work with the hockey community to evaluate the effectiveness of these changes.

"Player safety is and always will be the highest priority of Minnesota Hockey," said Dave Margenau, President of Minnesota Hockey.  "However, as important as the rule change is, it is equally vital that the culture of hockey change to eliminate the intimidation and illegal hits.  Officials must call all illegal play and their calls must be supported by coaches, parents and players."

Effective Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the penalty for boarding and checking-from-behind will be a five (5) minute major penalty. This will cover all Minnesota Hockey sanctioned games played until July 31, 2012; after this time, the changes will be reviewed by the Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors.

Minnesota Hockey will work with its local community associations, coaches, and referees to ensure other existing rules continue to be enforced and that the rule changes will be enforced with zero tolerance. Additionally, Minnesota Hockey will continue to provide ongoing education regarding proper hockey techniques, rules and regulations.

"Referees for the youth games take their role of ensuring safe and fair play seriously," said Eric Olson, Minnesota Hockey Referee in Chief. "These rule changes will be called with zero tolerance."

As the governing body of youth and amateur hockey in the state, Minnesota Hockey has been a national leader in creating safety initiatives for youth hockey.  In 2004 Minnesota Hockey, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, introduced the Hockey Education Program (HEP).  The objective of HEP is to provide a safe and positive hockey experience by teaching hockey skills, educating parents and coaches and creating accountability through Fair Play.  Fair Play is a program that awards teams who play within the rules and respect their opponents with a league standings Fair Play point for each game, win or lose.

Minnesota Hockey coaches have and will continue to teach skills and techniques to ensure as safe of a playing environment as possible. Through the mandatory USA Hockey Coaching Education Program, clinics and materials provided by Minnesota Hockey, coaches are provided the training to accomplish the goal of player development.  Included in the training is a progressive approach to teaching body contact and checking. More information about these programs is available at www.usahockey.com  and www.minnesotahockey.org 

We have BRAINERD HOCKEY travel mugs for sale in concessions! Purchase the mug for $20 and get a punch card for 10 free mug fills of coffee, hot chocolate, or cappucino!  

If you are interesting in advertising at the arena, please contact Paul Rivard. Paul is the new Advertising Rep for BAHA.  Advertising at the rink is a great economic way to advertise and help BAHA at the same time.  Email Paul to get more details on the advertising options available.

Concession shifts for FEBRUARY are now posted. Go to the Concession Page for directions on how to use DIBS to sign up. Concession shifts are posted monthly.

Hockey Schedule – Use Calendar feature: 

Click on the Calendar button below the Big Brainerd star. When the calendar appears on your screen, click on “Show Tag Menus” this is found on the right hand side of the screen above the “Saturday” column. A window will appear and allow you to check a white box next to the teams you are interested in keeping track of. Click one or click them all. You can always change your selections later. When done, click the “Hide Tag Menus” button and your calendar will now show all the events you want to know about. The next time you visit the website your computer will remember the last selection you made.

Schedules are posted on a monthly basis.   Blue arrows are located on each side of the Month/Year. Click on the arrow to advance to the next or previous month. Also, a print icon is located at the bottom of the calendar page so that you can print a calendar for each month.

Please check the calendar often for your team. Changes to schedules can not be avoided during the season. It is your responsibility to check your skaters schedule on a regular basis for any changes that might occur.

Brainerd Hockey 2011-2012 Tournament dates have now been set. See Tournaments link on left. 

Great news!!  No Fee increase for our tournaments, same as last year! Registration Information and Forms available on the tournament page.  

WCCO TV's "Life to the Max"  video spotlights Minnesota Hockey Camps! 

Also, MN Hockey Camps' Joe Ciardelli (and Brainerd Hockey's own) shares daily hockey training tips and articles!  His secrets that have helped many great players develop and reach their goals!   See attached links to learn more.....

KFC's coupon card has many great deals!  They are available at the concession stand for only $5 and all proceeds support BAHA's program.

Help promote this fundraising opportunity by downloading attached flyer and posting at your work.  See BAHA Board member for Cards & more information.  

The purpose of Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association (BAHA) and the essence of its existence is that participation in an organized hockey program is healthy, educational, and fun. The hockey association, its teams and adult members, therefore, will strive to provide fun for players, improve hockey skills and develop responsibility and self-discipline. The goal of BAHA will always be to create an atmosphere of sportsmanship, self-confidence, and self-pride in hopes of preparing the players not only for the game of hockey, but also to become well-rounded and contributing members of their community.

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." --- Vince Lombardi