Metro Hockey League Meeting

January 10, 2011, 6:30PM

Roseville Ice Arena – Fireside Room

MINUTES

Attendees: Tom Slaird (chair); Bruce Kruger (treasurer); Dina Preston (scheduler); Terri Morawiecki (secretary); Greg Nagan (D2), Steve Spock (TC); Don Strom (D6); Casey Whelan (D3); Pat Jackson (D2); Scott Gray (D8); Doug Galloway (D8), Jim Cooper (D5), John Lawson (D10), Hank Wuertz (D10), Dave Margenau (MN Hockey)

  1. Review minutes from December 13th meeting.
  2. We are still gathering players/names of players who played in MHL. Continue to send players who have moved from Jr. Gold to JV or varsity to Tom’s attention.
  1. Determine short list of Wes Barrette Award nominees.
  2. Nominee discussion took place. Voting at February meeting.
  1. Determine short list of Made It Happen Award nominees.
  2. Nominee discussion took place. Voting at February meeting.
  1. February meeting moved to Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at Roseville Arena-Fireside Room.
  1. Reschedule process.
  2. Process was recently rewritten by Scott Gray and updated to the web site.
  3. Currently, there is still disparity between districts and associations. Districts tend to do the reschedule process in their own way.
  4. MHL process states: District rep for the home ice needs to be responsible for receiving and processing the form, no matter what the reason.
  5. Every reschedule is different from another. It is hard to come to consensus.
  6. It was suggested to remove the form, since many districts use their own forms, and make it more of a guiding process.
  7. The most important part is to get the game scheduled properly, understanding that each district does it differently.
  8. Action: Keep the form the same this year and make any changes for next year, adding bullets etc.
  1. Review any issues so far this season:
  • How are 15 minute periods working? So far, most feedback has been positive. We will review feedback at end of season business meeting.
  • Should we shorten warm-ups to 4 minutes? Process will be kept as is and will review feedback at end of season business meeting.
  • What’s the opinion on 1:30 minute penalties?We are getting some negative feedback from coaches; they don’t like it because it’s too short, it doesn’t even feel like a penalty. It goes by sofast; it doesn’t give the opportunity to set up a power play.
  • Not enough A teams – Tartan and Roseville should be playing at A level, but are at B.There are some A teams that should be playing at B level.
  • District Reps should work on influencing District Directors when you see issues or have recommendations to A and B teams and at what level they should be playing at.
  • Be aware of safety on the ice (injuries, first aid kits, etc.), making sure first aid kits and other safety resources are available.
  1. Review details for league play-downs:
  • Review A-2 seeding methodology.
  • Top five from each of the three levels.
  • Greg Nagan shared an example of an A2 example schedule. This format keeps teams away from playing teams in their division that they have already won against.
  • All in favor of moving toward A-2 seeding. Vote was motioned to pass.
  • Review schedule and need for volunteers.
  • We need to schedule to sign up and represent the MHL at play-down games
  • D2 hosting: need the rest of the board to come to the Super Rink and be an ambassador to the league.
  • Terri and Dina to look at time blocks and set up schedule.
  • Greg will send out his spreadsheet to the board with brackets and ice time.
  1. Start planning for Selects Game.
  2. D6: Braemar-West
  3. Tom suggested to D6 to get the refs thinking about a meal.
  4. Don will check with Dave Kemp on planning.
  5. Tom will send out an email to get nominations for Jr. Gold coaches
  1. Start planning for end of season business meeting.
  2. Agenda:
  3. 15 min vs. 14 min
  4. 4 min warm up
  5. 1:30 minute penalty
  6. Will plan on distributing mugs to attendees again. Tom has already ordered these.
  1. Jackets distributed.
  1. Door prizes for Pat Jackson’s tournament
  2. Pat is looking for donations. If you have any ideas please notify Pat.
  1. Scott is still looking for individuals to serve on the scholarship committee.
  2. Currently on committee: Greg, Bruce, Don, Scott
  3. Bruce suggested the MHLdonate one or two additional Wes Barrette scholarships. The board thought it was a good idea.
  4. Scott will talk first with Lynn Olson about the additional scholarship to see if it is a good idea.
  1. Tom has a meeting with several media people, Mike Snee, and Dave Prudhomme to talk about a video and other social media for MHL.