Hockey at Home

Youth hockey players participating in a remote video workout.

Hockey @ Home Practices Launched

A huge success with close to 60 athletes from 10 to 18 years old showing up in the cloud for Zoom hockey workouts. Off-ice training, stick work, and rejuvenating a sense of team camaraderie is the focus for the now twice weekly 30 minute practices lead by Coaches Casey O’Sullivan and Kevin Mills, the 2019-20 Sabercats 16U leaders. The two facilitated and inspired 30 athletes on the inaugural April 30th impromptu high school practice, which immediately extended to the 10 -14 year olds.

The young athletes are taking it seriously and having a great time while breaking a very real sweat. Coach Casey calls out to individual and group effort as he carefully monitors the screen, and Coach Kevin provides instruction and “brings the final burn” to inspire maximum effort. Everyone wants to return to the ice but we can look forward to hockey time with our teammates every Tuesday and Thursday. Thank you Coaches!

 

Tryouts Postponed

Tryouts are postponed, with dates still to be determined (Excerpt from CAHA President) CAHA will again convene a Special Meeting on June 16, 2020 to re-evaluate both USA Hockey’s direction, and the State’s updated projections with respect to State pandemic restrictions affecting youth sports, in order to make a more informed and realistic decision regarding establishment of possible new tryout dates. It is the CAHA Board of Directors utmost desire to establish new dates to permit tryouts to be held as early as feasible, but feel it important that those dates be set realistically for a date that is reasonably expected to be permitted by State COVID 19 guidelines and the lifting of restrictions Statewide, accordingly an update will be issued shortly after the June 16th Special Meeting of USA Hockey.

 

REFEREE(S) officiate(s) at the 4 Nations Cup 2013 in Lake Placid, NY. photo by Nancie Battaglia

One Last Thing: Rule 601

Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct Part of being involved in sports is having or hearing opinions about the officiating. USA Hockey and Positive Coaching Alliance have identified the expression of these opinions and associated behavior as an increasing problem in hockey at all ages and adding to the shortage of referees. California is facing a significant shortage of referees. Consider being part of the solution. No better time than right now to be proactive. What does it take to be a referee? USA Hockey has no minimum or maximum ages for officials. The 2020-21 registration season for the USA Hockey Officiating Program begins on June 1, 2020.

 

With Shelter-in-Place still ongoing, Positive Coaching Alliance is offering FREE tools and online courses. A 60 minute course for officials or those interested in becoming a referee is currently available free online. This particular course does not go over specific rules, however, it does offer tips on how officials and individuals can improve before and after their games.

Per USA Hockey and CAHA’s – tryouts are postponed to a yet to be determined date. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

NorCal Keeping Playoff Options Open
The CAHA Board meets April 1st to discuss contingency plans for tryout dates in case the COVID situation continues. The idea of holding playoffs over Memorial Day weekend has been tossed around, obviously as long as government agencies say it is safe to do so.

The Executive Board wants to consider the most up-to-date information before making a final decision to cancel or possibly move playoffs to Memorial Day weekend- exhausting all possible options to hold the playoffs, with the first priority to keep our membership and communities safe.  NorCal will meet with representatives from all clubs on Tuesday April 7th  to discuss the next  course of action. We will keep you up to date with all discussions.

 

Get a Head Start on the Season
We are required to renew our SafeSport certification every season, and 2019-20 season certificate expired on March 31, 2020. New certificates are available starting April 1, 2020. No better time than the present to get this task taken care of for the year! Visit SafeSport site and get certified!

 

Support Local Business
Coach Kevin Mills provided a great website that can help us support our community through gift cards towards our favorite shops and restaurants. Click here on Save Our Favs to check it out and provide your support!

 

Staying Sharp
Just like Russa (12U) climbing the hills on roller-blades, Max (16U goalie) learns how to juggle in an effort to keep eye hand coordination sharp while he shelters in place.

Killing it on the Hill (Russa 12U)

Hand/Eye Coordination (Max 16U)

16U Coaches Casey and Kevin have been engaged with their team regularly via group texts — collecting video and photos from the team’s “off-ice” training. They also suggest Ice Hockey Systems Off-Ice Exercise System to stay in shape while sheltering in place.

You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave – win or lose.” – Gordie Howe

 

Celebrating Our 18U High School Seniors
Realize How Good You Are – Letters from the High School Coaches

In light of the season being placed on hold for the foreseeable future – after a spirited 5 overtime loss in championships, the coaches of the 2019-20 High School team wrote letters to their players, many of whom will graduate. The following are excerpts.

The word I always come back to with this team is resiliency, which holds particular significance this year. Ending the season with a 5-OT loss is as tough as it gets sports-wise. To have it followed by unprecedented real-world events immediately puts it in perspective, however. School is closed, extra-curricular activities are cancelled, shelter-at-home orders are in effect; this is new to all of us and will require a particular level of resiliency to get through. Sports is a metaphor for life, and the resiliency of our team on the ice will serve us well as we navigate the reality of the new world order. I have no doubt that the ’19-’20 Sabercats HS team, individually and collectively, is up to the challenge
-Coach David

You are talented, creative, explosive, versatile, confident, and resilient. …To have been a part of your hockey evolution has, for me, been incredibly rewarding. Equally rewarding for me is having (hopefully) played some part in you all becoming the people you are today. You’re kind, intelligent, dedicated, fun-loving, well-rounded, passionate, and as Coach David said, optimistic….I know we didn’t mess up too much because you guys are not only great hockey players, you are great people.
-Coach George

“Realize how good you are.” Whether it’s in hockey, other extra-curricular, school, work, or friend groups, each and every one of you brings something unique and important to the table. While this season, this team, this chapter of your lives may be coming to a close, it is opening the next chapter for you all to step into having the talent, experience, and support of this team for the rest of your lives.
-Coach Sean

Thank you for all of your effort, sweat, and energy. Thank you for showing up week after week. Thank you for listening to at least half of the things I said. Thank you for your relentless commitment to making hockey fun. You’ve left me with so many memories that I will never forget. This may feel like the end of a big chapter of life, but I can assure you all there is so much more ahead. My hope is that you use your experience with this group to guide you through what lies ahead.
-Coach Mikey

 

Happy to Help
In this uncertain time we want to be sure that the Sabercats community stays safe, informed, and connected.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have and we will respond as soon we can. Email us: sanfranciscosabercats@gmail.com