Frequently Asked Questions About Your USA Hockey Membership

What does it mean to be a USA Hockey member?
As a member of USA Hockey, you’re part of a world-leading organization focused on providing a safe and fun environment for all participants that promotes physical, social and mental well- being. USA Hockey provides a wide range of benefits, as discussed below, in its role as the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in America in an effort to make hockey the most inclusive and best sports experience in every community across the country. There is opportunity for everyone at USA Hockey.

What do I receive as a member of USA Hockey?
USA Hockey provides all members with year-long benefits. Perhaps the biggest benefits are the world-leading safety, education and training materials utilized to positively influence a safe and fun environment.

And for parents with children playing hockey, knowing that coaches and officials are certified and background-screened by USA Hockey before working with your kids helps provide peace of mind. USA Hockey coaching and officiating education and certification programs have long been lauded as the gold standard by peer groups.

Adult players, like youth players, benefit from rules and regulations that influence an organized, quality and consistent experience. Adults also have a wide array of playing opportunities across the country and receive access to skill development content to help players of all ability levels.

All members of USA Hockey receive important insurance coverage that not only protects the individual, but also allows our programs and rinks to operate. Additionally, members receive a subscription to USA Hockey Magazine, the most widely circulated hockey publication in the world.

Why is it important for me to renew my membership now?
Renewing your membership now is a significant help to local associations and programs in their planning process this summer, regardless of if you’re a player, coach, official or volunteer. Renewing your membership also ensures that you continue to receive USA Hockey member benefits, including world-leading educational resources, to help you both on and off the ice.

Does USA Hockey prorate my membership if I don’t play hockey for the entire season?
USA Hockey does not prorate membership and provides year-long benefits to all members that extends to your time away from the rink as well.

If I have a question about my current, or future membership, who is the best person to talk to?
Any questions about your USA Hockey membership can be directed to our member services staff at 719-576-USAH (8724).

If I’m and adult player and renew my membership now, does my membership also cover me if I want to coach within USA Hockey?
Yes, this is one of the many benefits of being part of USA Hockey. While you do not have to pay an additional membership fee to be a coach within USA Hockey, you do have to complete the Coaching Education Program requirements for the 2021-22 season.

By Brent Gwidt

Keys to a successful off season

With seasons officially over and our players moving into their spring sports, it is important to enjoy the off season in a way that helps the athlete feel recharged and ready to go for when tryouts start, and most importantly the Fall, when our seasons start again.  It is extremely important to have a balance of spending your time wisely and enjoy your summer vacation, but also keeping in mind that if you want to achieve your goals there will have to be work put into it. Sometimes that “work” can be just other ways of having fun playing hockey and working on your game at the same time. Here are a few ways to help you off season have a great balance of hockey training and fun.

1. Make yourself miss the game-When you take some healthy time away from the game you will start to miss everything about it. This is a good thing, it means you love the game and even though taking a break is a good idea, the FOMO of being on the ice is real and it shows there is true passion.
    
2. Stay active-No this does not mean go and hockey train for 12 hours a week. This means to enjoy what our area has to offer. Whether it is a spring sport or an outdoor hobby, there are many ways for young athletes to stay moving and take part in activities that are athletic and good for you. 
    
3. Off season workouts-I touched on this in last month’s newsletter. If you genuinely want to achieve your hockey goals, you need to find a few hours a week to dedicate yourself to becoming a more quick and powerful athlete. Find time with friends and coordinate with other parents to explore some training options this off season. I can guarantee that the players will love the feeling of getting better outside traditional season.
    
4. Have fun playing-If you are on ice training you are there to get better and strengthen all your skills. There is no doubt that those should be taken seriously. That being said, there are many other opportunities for our players to get on the ice and just have some fun.  ie: Stick & pucks, 3v3 leagues/tourneys, pickup games, public skate.  Stepping on the ice with no pressure is what promotes creativity with the puck, and keeps the love of the game strong.
    
5. Be a fan-NCAA Frozen Four is right around the corner. The NHL has been pushed back and the Stanley Cup playoffs will run until the 4th of July. The best part about being a young player is to have role models within the game. The NHL is filled with superstar players that we can learn from every singe night there is hockey on TV. I tell players all the time that watching hockey is step 1 to becoming a better player. Teams have YouTube pages and all the other hockey content on YouTube is endless. From hockey training, to highlight videos, to kids doing puck tricks in their driveway, you can really find a lot of cool content and learn a ton.
    
6. Just be Healthy-Especially during the summer months it can be hard to stay on our track, compared to what we are on during the season and all the structure and routine that it brings to our lives. The summer months should not mean junk food and all nighters every weekend.  Hockey is a sport that requires an insane amount of endurance and fast twitch movement. Letting yourself get out of shape is the catalyst to taking steps backwards in your development. Make sure to hydrate in the hot months and challenge yourself to eat healthier and fuel your body properly before any physical activity. 
    
7. Enjoy it-Have fun, spend time with your family and friends, go outside, play other sports. Enjoy your off season and downtime, but also stay “hockey ready” so you can continue to develop as a hockey player. Our season is the longest “season” over any other sport. We need to decompress from the long winter, but also continue to working hard and taking Indy hockey another step forward.