Ames Hockey Association

The Ames Minor Hockey Association will hold its Annual Meeting and Board Elections on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at 6:30 pm on the 2nd floor of the Octagon Art Center.

Individuals who are interested in running for an AMHA board position are encouraged to fill out the attached board application. Currently, there are four positions that need to be filled. The general purpose of the board is the management of the Association who shall have the authority to do all things necessary for the orderly management of the Association including but not limited to establishing committees, signing contracts, and establishing reasonable rules and regulations to implement the purposes of the Association. Nominations will be allowed from the floor during the Annual Meeting.

In addition to electing board positions, the board will also elect new Executive Officers once board positions are filled. Note, previous or current board position experience is not required to be elected to an Executive Officer position.

The Executive positions are: 
President – Term 1 year
Vice President – Term 1 year
Secretary – Term 1 year
Treasurer – Term 1 year
Advisor to the President – Term 1 year and is appointed by the President

All nominations need to be turned in by Wednesday, April 18 by 5:00 pm to be considered.

To submit a nomination go to: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSco6HeSXOPxfxGl5A…/viewform

We continue to look for ways to promote AMHA Hockey. One way we are trying to get rolling is to stream more games. A small number of Little Cyclones Varsity and JV games have/will be streamed.  Under the "Game Streams" in the left menu is where you can find past and upcoming streamed games.

We are always looking for folks to help stream a game and the more help we get the more games we can do!  If you are interested in helping (it really is easy) please contact BJ Schaben (bjschaben@gmail.com)

Interview with Ames High Little Cyclone Hockey Coach

Previously, Chris was the AMHA High School Head Coach for 6 years. He stepped away from 2012 - 2016 as a coach, but continued his support volunteering on the AMHA Board as President. Chris is originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, a city in Southern Wisconsin, 40 minutes from Madison.

What is your best memory from your own minor hockey experience?            
I got cut as a second year squirt from our top team, a team I played on the year before, and a team most of my teammates made again, except for me. How my parents handled it, is the reason I'm still in hockey. They held me accountable, didn't let me quit, or go somewhere else, and they made me call the coach that cut me, and ask why. When he said you got cut because you got outworked, my parents told me you better work harder, and you better show up early and stay late. It was the best experience that year playing with a bunch of kids that wanted to work together, with no agenda. I got to lead them, and I cried when the season was over because I had so much fun. Those coaches, and those players made it a great year, and my parents saved my hockey career because they held me accountable, and didn't blame someone else.

What is the best part of coaching the high school age group?

                   
The best part of coaching the high school group is the relationships you get to build with the student athletes, the staff, and the families involved as well as shaping and impacting lives in very real and special ways on and off the ice. It is such an important age, and for me that is the most special thing about it. The opportunity to be together nearly everyday for 6 months during the season, and for multiple days in the off season while building a bond that extends beyond the 4 years as high school athletes is priceless.

What are you focusing on the same/differently this round of coaching vs. your previous tenure?

If I had to compare my first tenure as the head coach with this one there are both similarities and differences. I believe that no matter what, your core values and core principles, and who you are is always the same, you have to be real and authentic, otherwise your kids and the staff see through that. So I would say that is a constant in regards to what is important to us and what we build our program around. What can change over time is how you message those things, and the tactics you use to get your point across. I would say I'm probably a little mellower now than I was as a younger coach, not less intense, just more even keeled. I think as a younger coach, while I always was process oriented, (we had a 5 to 7 year plan/process to get back to the state tournament and we made it back in year 5) I was also consumed by the end result too. As an older coach your perspective is different, and how you go about communicating and teaching is different, but intensity and desire to win and compete is the same. I would like to think I'm more balanced now, but my wife could probably answer that better than I could.

What should current and future parents and players know about you and/or your coaching goal/philosophy?

My goal as a coach is to teach, mentor and impact lives, on and off the ice, in the class room and in the community. My hope is to also build a family, and build relationships that last long after our kids walk out our doors. My high school principal told our class as freshmen "That if you give me four years, I will give you a lifetime", and that is what I tell our kids too. I believe in building people, and I think one of the greatest ways to do that is through athletics, even when we make decisions that don't go our kids’ way, it teaches them to deal with adversity which will help them down the road. On a purely athletic basis, I believe in developing every student athlete in our program, so that they can be the best they can be, I believe in everyone having a role, and understanding how that role brings value, and I believe in using the high school program as a platform to give back and help develop all of our athletes at the youth level. Lastly I believe that playing high school hockey is a special honor and privilege that needs to be earned, not a right or a guarantee. 

Meet Fred Van Bergen - player Profile: 
 

Q: What made you want to be back involved with youth hockey? 
I was lucky to be in the AMHA program from 5 years old in Introduction to Hockey until I left the ice in tears as an 18-year-old senior coming up just short in the High School State Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa. Since graduating high school I’ve been involved in youth hockey in Waterloo, IA; Breckenridge, CO; and Roseville, MN. I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to an association that did so much for me. 

Q: What is your main objective in your current role with AMHA?

My number one goal as director of coaching and player development is to create an environment of fun and enjoyment as we develop as hockey players and coaches on and off the ice. We want our coaches to help the players develop the skills of the game that will translate year to year as they grow in the program.   

Q:  Where do you see our association in 5 years? 
My goal and dream for AMHA both in my role with AMHA and a father of future players is to see continued growth in program size, skill development of our players, and increased excitement for the program. Big youth programs leading to multiple seniors graduating each season is where I want to see AMHA. We live in a great community with so many opportunities. Working together - players, families, coaches, and a strong AMHA leadership - we can continue to build a proud association.   

Q: What is your fondest memory from growing up in AMHA?
As I, think back to the great games, the great tournaments, and the great moments I had, they all fall short of what I really remember about AMHA.  It is the smell of the rink, the competition, the friends, the traveling together, and most of all, the feeling of being part of a team. I was very lucky to grow up with Hockey being a big part of my youth and I look forward to giving that feeling back to the current and future players of AMHA.

I look forward to seeing you all at the rink.  

Begin regular practice for youth the week of October 16th.

Monday (Skills nights and ADM)
5:15 - 6:30 High School and Bantams
6:45 to 8:00- Mites and Squirts
8:15 to 9:30- Peewees

Tuesday Half ice/ADM Collaboration
5:15- 6:15 High School
6:30- 7:15 LTP/LTS/Tykes
7:15- 8:15 Squirts Half ice-/ Behind the Mask Half Ice
8:30 to 9:15 Peewees and Bantams

Wednesday
5:05 to 5:50- High School - Bantams optional

THURSDAY- (Half ADM Collaboration/Half ice Instruction(Youth Groups))

5:15-6:30- High School
6:45-7:45- Mites and Squirts (ADM Stations/Half Ice Split)
8:00- 9:15- Bantams and Peewees (ADM Stations/Half Ice Split)

Saturday-
11:30- 12:30- Mite/Tyke Practice

Hello AMHA Family,

Hello All! On behalf of AMHA and the board, we want to welcome you and your players to the 2017 - 2018 hockey season. AMHA is very excited about the upcoming season and hope you feel the same. Before the season begins, the board wanted to provide you with updates related to changes to our payment processes, volunteer program, and corporate sponsorship.

Enrollment is now open; you can go to Ameshockey.com and register your skater anytime between now and the start of the season, October 2.   

1.  Fees

Rates for each level are published below.  In general, rates were raised 3.5% this year.  The biggest factor in our need to raise rates is the City of Ames raised their charge for ice by 4%.  Ice time is our largest expense by far and has a direct influence on what we charge skaters.     As a board,  we work very hard to keep fees as low as possible.   Skater fees and fundraising are our only source of income, and we hope to increase our fundraising efforts to avoid future fee increases.   We welcome your ideas for fundraisers.   

*all pre-registered skaters, Squirts and above will receive a $100 discount on their 2017-2018  season fees you will receive a coupon for $100 in a separate email, that will reduce your skater’s fee by $100.

The board also approved a new payment system to help streamline and simplify our collection of skater fees. Payments will only be accepted by credit or debit card this year.  As you register your skater, you will be asked for a card number and authorization to charge this card for your annual fees.  The first payment will be due at the time of registration.  Each level will have a different number of payments due and this is listed below with the charges.   The second payment will be due on Oct 1st , third payment on Nov 1st and so on.  There is an option to pay your outstanding fees early if you are interested, please contact the assistant treasurer at amhatreasurer@gmail.com or call Jerry Seydell @ 515.460.1536.

Here are the rates and payment schedules for all classes:

In addition to the coupon for early registration, if you have multiple skaters in AMHA above the Mite Level, you will receive a $50.00 coupon for your second and/or third skater.

2.   New Volunteer program

A new mandatory Volunteer program will be replacing the previous small programs and fundraising requirement.  Each skater will be required to earn ten credits of volunteer service during the season.  Coaches, Coordinates, locker room attendants, committee members, and game day helpers, are just a few positions where volunteer credits can be earned.  More details will follow with additional ways to earn credits.  Any skaters who does not meet the volunteer requirement will be charged $150.

3.   Corporate Sponsorship / Greens

Due to Federal Tax guidelines and MidWest league requirements, AMHA has had to revamped our Corporate Sponsorship and Greens.  AMHA can no longer offer individual players discounts towards their fees  for these programs.  The board has incorporated these programs into our volunteer program to ensure that skaters still receive credit for the work they do for AMHA.

More details on these and other AMHA policies and programs will follow.  The board is available to answer questions at any time and I can be reached personally at president@ameshockey.com. Thank-you for being a part of Ames Hockey.

Rosalie Vos Tulp - AMHA President.
Mike Giles - Vice President
Karl Hehr - Secretary
Kay Seydell -  Treasurer

In order to more fully utilize the features of our Website, we are asking that members do a few things.   First, please log on (upper left corner) and update your membership with the most current information, such as your current email address and contact information.  This will be important as we will attempt to utilize group features within the Website as we progress into next season.  Please click HERE for a link as to how to do this.  You should then log in to the Site whenever you visit as you will not be able to see some things if you do not.   Thank you!

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