Wisconsin-Minnesota Hockey League

Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Sparta American Legion, Sparta

 

Members Present:  Danielle Nauman (Secretary, Sparta), Oak Moser (Tomah), DeeDee Torkelson (BRF), Steve Greene (WS), Heather Blomberg (LaCrosse), Timm Klemm (Baraboo), Larry Kolden (Viroqua), Fritz Degner (Sparta), Del Scanlon (President, Reedsburg), Fran Finco (WAHA Rep)

 

Meeting called to order by President Del Scanlon at 7:15PM.

 

I.                   Introductions

 

II.                Secretary’s minutes:  Motion to accept by Tomah, second by West Salem.  Approved by voice vote.

 

III.             Treasurer’s Report:  Mike was absent, but had forwarded the financials.  There were several questions to ask Mike at the next meeting.  Approval of Treasurer’s Report was tabled.

 

IV.             Committees

A.    League Statistician:  Jeanette Hawkinson from Onalaska had volunteered last spring.  We’ll need to contact her, ask Mike to do so.

 

B.     Selects:  Dawn was unable to attend, but asked to discuss Selects, feedback, numbers and feasibility next month.

 

C.     WAHA Report

1.      Annual Meeting was in May, Region 6 Meeting in Osseo on September 25

2.      Region 6 has picked up a 3rd WAHA Rep.  Chuck Anger from Eau Claire will join Fran and Mike Connor.

3.      Coach and Ref Clinics:  Refs will have a clinic in Sparta, Coaches will have one in Tomah in December.

4.      Background Screening-Mandatory for volunteer spending a “substantial” amount of time with kids.  Axciom is an easy and high quality site to use.

5.      SLED program-there is a team based out of Green Bay that will come and do exhibition games at your rink.  Contact Fran or go to the WAHA website for further information

6.      Player Development-WAHA Board voted to no longer have the position of Player Development Director, but will have a committee to act as such.  Fran currently chairs the committee.  Focus will be on grass-roots skills, continuing with the goalie camps which started last year, and including defensive, offensive, and skating camps.  Focus of these will also be to train coaches to teach these skills.  Videos are also available from WAHA.

7.      ONE GOAL equipment was discussed

8.      May Annual meeting-plans are to bring in people from USA Hockey for sessions on growing hockey

9.      Birth Certificates-can no longer be copied.  At the Region 6 meeting, there will be a form handed out that parents can fill out with vital information, and sign off on.

10.  Boundary issue-WS asked for clarification of the Sparta/WS boundary regarding Cashton.  There is a family from WS moving to Cashton, and would like to continue to skate at WS.  Fran will address the issue to Don Kohlman, and advise us of his answer.

 

V.                Old Business

A.    Tie Breakers-This question was addressed at the March meeting.  Discussion was held that the current tie-breaker system first goes to head-to-head games, then to points scored in those games.  It was brought up that this led to difficulty in managing a game in regards to pulling goalies and open net shots.  It also could lead to teams running up scores.  Discussion was also held regarding the “random” naming of co-champions in exception to WMHL rule of no co-champions.

 

B.     Stop Signs-At the annual meeting a question was brought up regarding requirement of STOP signs on jerseys.  It was discussed, and determined that STOP signs are not required, but strongly suggested.

C.     Contact Information-please update, will wait for coaches and schedulers information

 

VI.             New Business

A.    Divisions-Some discussion was held, but the matter was tabled until we know more about our numbers.

 

B.     Mite II’s-there was a request and some discussion regarding the Mite II’s not beginning actual league play until January, with a shortened schedule.  This is to help facilitate transitioning from cross-ice to full ice.  Reps were asked to take this back to their associations to get  more input, and will be further discussed when we know numbers.

 

C.     Traveling-Baraboo brought up the request to consider only playing each team twice for the league, instead of adding 3 and 4 games at older levels to reduce traveling.

 

D.    No-Shows-it was suggested that each Association ensure that coaches or parent reps are confirming games to eliminate no-shows

 

E.     Clarification-LaCrescent sent an email asking for clarification on what other associations use to determine if skaters are ready to move up from one division to the next.  It was discussed that simply using the US Hockey age determinations was appropriate.

 

F.      WS Bantam player-WS informed the board that there is a Bantam age player from WS that has received a letter of exception from WAHA to play on their PeeWee II team.  This individual can play in all WMHL, tournament games, but not in WAHA playdowns or state tournaments.

 

VII.          Announcements

A.    Next meeting will be October 8 at the Sparta American Legion at 7pm

B.     Scheduling meeting will be October 22 at the Sparta American Legion.  Danielle will check out reserving the room and bringing in pizza.

C.     Fran had a DVD to give away, all associations were put in a hat.  Sparta was drawn to win the defensive DVD.

 

Tomah moved to adjourn at 8:37, second by BRF. Meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Danielle Nauman

Secretary