Player Development Meeting 5-17-16
Present: Kevin Mooney, Jeremy McDonough, Dan Selander, Steve Lemke, Matt Olsen, Jack Freeman, and Mike Tangen. Also present Henry Blattner, and Cory Zeir.
Non Parent Coaches Discussion: The committee brainstormed potential candidates for non parent coaching positions. We also will advertise in the St. Cloud Times and West Central Tribune searching for interested hockey coaches looking for an association. Some of the known names are as follows: Mitch Sweep, Payton Ruter, Jake Frank, Robert Riechel, Dylan Jude, Mark Engquist, Pastor Adam, Jim Caron, Sydney Caron, Justin Baumgarten, T.J. Poganski, Dylan Hedman, Cameron Hedman, and Ryan’s Roommate.
PDC members will each be sent the River Lakes Coaches Application to distribute to the non-parent coaches listed above, along with anyone else they feel are possible candidates for coaching. The applications are due back by June 30th, so we can invite these coaches to our July PDC Meeting.
It was also discussed that we should get the parent coaches for next season to apply for the coaching positions were there child may be playing. That application will be distributed by the association via the main newsletter and mass e-mail.
IP Discussion: We talked about the IP Coordinators for the next season. It was indentified that we would talk with Mike Henry for the East and Shannon Olmscheid for the West. Dan Selander is the PDC Head IP Coordinator. The biggest problem last season was the inequity of games between boys and girls. It was decided that there was no real issue with this, and the association is trying to promote the girls game with more activities for the girls.
Goalie Program: The committee discussed goalie coaches for next season, since Brent is not returning. Some of the candidates are: Brady Kilingenfuss, Jim Caron, Ryan’s Room Mate, Maddy Haroldson, and Cal Harold.
It was discussed to start goalie rotations at the Mite Level earlier. This would give more kids an opportunity to try the position. And making more set of equipment available at that age. And possibly make some equipment available at the Squirt age as well.
The committee liked the private hour for goalies on skills night, and recommended no change for that.
Coaches Training: Much discussion was held about this issue. It was agreed to have 5 separate coaches training sessions. Ice and Fall Association Camps will begin on Monday October 3rd this season. We will run 3 training sessions in October, 1 in November, and 1 in December.
October:Power Skating
Stick Work (Puck Handling, Passing, and Shooting)
Season Planning
November:RiverLakes Core Association Drills
Coaching After the Game
December:RiverLakes Association Basic Systems
The PDC will breakdown each of the sessions and members will begin planning the sessions. Manuals will be created for each topic and the coaches will be able to use these as references during the season.
One of the main concerns is coaches not staying engaged during practices, and this is something we’ll seriously address through out the season. The coaches need to stop bad habits and mechanics, and improve the player and team skills.
Junior Gold: The PDC is committed to providing a Junior Gold team if needed. The committee has talked with the H.S. Athletic Directors and stated that without a serious cut policy it makes our task very hard. Because players don’t have all the information needed, a player may be caught with no playing time on the high school team. The PDC believes that these types of players need a competitive hockey opportunity, and Junior Gold could fill this role. There is projected 54 boys H.S. players next season, and many won’t get adequate practice or game time. It is best if that information is given to the players and parents. If we know there could be 14-16 players looking for a hockey opportunity, we can be ready to provide a team.
There is no June PDC Meeting Planned. The next Meeting will be July18th7:00 pm Little Crow Golf Course, New London.
Items for discussion are: Away Tournament Selection, Dry Land Program, Plan Coaches Meeting, and Coaches’ Training/Clinics.