Volume 1 Issue 1                                                                        November 21, 2013
In This Issue
Welcome to Just for Mites
By Jim Clare, AHAI Mite/ADM Chairman

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the "Just For Mites" monthly newsletter. Each month AHAI will provide in-depth coverage of all things Mites, both here and across the country. The focus on mite hockey is important to the strength and growth of the game of hockey in Illinois. It is the foundation for the many clubs, associations and rinks around the state. Whether Learn To Skate (LTS) programs, Silver Mite In-House, Mite House, or Mite Travel, every level  contributes to the stability and future of hockey in Illinois. Our goal is to provide our mite parents and coaches information about the goings on in our state, from mite cross-ice jamborees, ADM practices, and come November, Mite games and results.  Additionally, we will focus on what other Affiliates around the country are doing that is working well to provide our coaches and administrators ideas that may work here. Finally, we will highlight cool practice ideas for both on and off-ice that our coaches can implement if they see fit. We encourage all our Mite coaches and parents to send in your thoughts, ideas, and successes to AHAI so we can celebrate them with the entire state.

 

AHAI appreciates all of you for your commitment to the great game of hockey and wish you continued success this season and beyond!

ILLINOIS MITE NEWS

The weekend of October 26-27 over 70 mite teams took to the ice as 25 clubs sent teams to 4 host sites across the Chicagoland area to play multiple cross-ice games. The Jamboree was sponsored by AHAI, but organized by Scott Larsen of the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL).

 

Miss the full Mite Jamboree wrap-up in AHAI's last e-Newsletter? Click HERE.
MITES ACROSS AMERICA
AFFILIATE NEWS
USA HOCKEY MITE NEWS
Intent is clear at Newport's Mite Development Program

The name of the Newport (R.I.) Whalers Mite Development Program could not be any clearer and to the point. After years of offering mite programming that annually attracted about 40-50 kids playing on three or four travel teams and a house league with 25 players, the Whalers Youth Hockey Association decided to change direction at the 8U level and focus on USA Hockey's American Development Model principles.

  

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Think Small for Big Gains in Learning Hockey

George Kingston started his coaching career going on 50 years ago - in 1968 at the University of Calgary - but the man considered one of Canada's best developmental coaches still keeps giving back to hockey at age 74. One thing the hockey man with the long resume and career is a proponent of on the ice is keeping things short - particularly with developing and coaching young hockey players.

 

 

 READ MORE

JUST FOR COACHES
PRACTICE PLANS FOR ON-ICE
PRACTICE PLANS FOR DRYLAND

We kick off the Mite Newsletter coaches on-ice section with a summary of what makes up a good mite practice. Practices have a preparatory phase followed by the main body of the practice. The main body of the practice session includes station work so that kids are developing their skills in an efficient manner. The recommended breakdown is with six stations so that there is enough variety to hold the interest of players at this age.

  

USA Hockey provides an abundance of material to help coaches design efficient and fun dryland training for the 8U age group. We will highlight some of those exercises here each month. Ask your coaching coordinator or hockey director where you can get the dryland deck of cards, or contact AHAI Coach- in- Chief.

 

 

 

SAMPLE DRYLAND DRILL


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