Northern Hills Amateur Hockey Association

May 20th, 2024 at 6pm

Brandy’s office 1230 North Ave. Suite 1, Spearfish

Motion to approve the previous minutes. Second. Carried. 

The current balance as of today: $43,513.11

Helen is working on the numbers from budget meeting and will share the proposed budget at June meeting. 

Motion to add classes to Quickbooks to better track events for budgeting and reporting. Second. Carried. 

 

Recap SDAHA April 13, 2024 Mtg

They are projected to break even with finances this year. $21,000 was awarded in scholarships to players towards college.

Presidents Report

Discussed challenging situation at last meeting. Reminded everyone that we are here for the kids to play the greatest game on earth.

The annual Northern Plains District Meeting is September 6-8 in Deadwood. Encourages us all to attend. Tier 2 girls National tournament was a success and the girls were excellent to watch. Player development camp is May 16-19. There are 5 National Tier 1 Tournaments. 

Registrars Report: 2849 Players registered in South Dakota; up 54 from last year. Teams are maximizing all of their ice time. 

We need officials. 50% of level 1 officials don’t come back. They are going to review compensation for officials. 

Discipline Report

79 Game Misconducts last year vs. 70 this year. 
8 of the 70 were coaches who had teams with 12 penalties or more.
Fighting, headbutting, obscene gestures and 4 penalties in the same game.
Summary Suspensions; cyber bullying and physical abuse

28 video reviews last year vs. 12 video reviews this year. This year they charged $100 for reviews. Only 2 of those reviews resulted in additional discipline. 

Risk Manager

Reminder Safe Sport must be completed Annually (All Board members, anyone that has a title and/or that will be around the kids)
Background Check must be completed every two years (All Board members, anyone that has a title and/or that will be around the kids). If they are flagged, they are ineligible to participate until it’s cleared up. 

If there is an injury that costs over $25,000 then the catastrophic form will need to be completed. 

Safesport

We need to make sure associations are educated on what should be sent to State Association/Safesport. 15 were submitted this year. 60% were coaching related.  

The 2024/2025 Safesport training is available to be completed now. Don’t wait until the fall. Once appointed to a position, you have 45 days to complete the SafeSport and Background check. Cherry Hunter has the lists of everyone that has completed both. 

Growth Report

We went from one Coordinator to ten Coordinators in North and South Dakota. 6 in South Dakota and 4 in North Dakota. They will have  a report in May. 

NHL want to take the ‘Learn to Play’ program outside of their areas. Since South Dakota does not have a NHL team, they would like to use us as a beta program in Watertown. The NHL will be at the meeting in Deadwood in September. 

Working on a Volunteer Leadership Conference that will provide resources, education, and training on how to effectively do their jobs (probably a year away).

Boys Development Camp April 26-28th in Sioux Falls TriPlex. College Coaches attend.

Team South Dakota

Lucas will take the lead to work on Team South Dakota Guideline form along with Rob, Justin, Mark and Mike. They want to take TSD to the next level. Providing an opportunity for South Dakota kids to be challenged. Placement is determined by population.

August 1, 2024 all players must wear neck laceration protection (neck guards). Also, officials under the age of 18 must wear them.

Coaches Certification

There is no such thing as a ‘practice coach’. Everyone must be certified. Once you complete an age group, you never have to complete that age group again. Roster is maintained forever. 

**We need a Coaching Director**

This is a Game We ALL Believe In, it Shapes Peoples Lives FOR LIFE!! (Love this statement)

The Hall of Fame event will continue to evolve, there are currently 26 members now in the Hall of Fame. Please submit nominations now, the criteria is on the website. Up to 3 players, 1 coach, 1 official and 1 Builder. 

Aberdeen- They solicited 8U sponsor to cover the costs of all 8U players to get kids on the ice. 

Brandon Valley- Walls are going up for the rink. Hopefully scheduling for October.

Brookings- They solicited 8U sponsor to cover the costs of all 8U players to get kids on the ice. Try Hockey for free huge success on getting kids on the ice. Discussing Summer hockey program.

Huron-140 players, They are starting fundraising for a second sheet of ice. They will turn on compressors July 4th. USA hockey shows 8U is the target for successful program for years to come. 

Mitchell-30th season for hockey in Mitchell. They brought Alumni back for fundraising. It’s the 25th season for the girls hockey program. They are fundraising for new scoreboards and a second sheet of ice.

Pierre-They bought facility in Pierre and working on enhancing, put in a sprinkler system. Doing upgrades at the Expo Center. Continuing to work on ice availability. 

Rapid City-They are focusing on growth. Varsity coach is retiring. They have been renting out ice to RC Marshalls, football and soccer. Dick Novak is returning. They talked with Little League and they are going to put signs up for registration everywhere they are. 

Sioux Center- Partnering with city to purchase a new Zamboni.

Sioux Falls-They held the Girls USA Nationals. They had an open skate with all teams. It was a great experience with the community.

Watertown-The new rink! They had 94 kids participate in Try Hockey for Free. They solicited 8U sponsor to cover the costs of all 8U players to get kids on the ice. The Shamrocks are coming to town. 

Yankton-They are working on ice time summer opportunities. They are working on the 14U girls team and attracting 5th-8th grade.

SiouxLand Sled Hockey-60 Athletes. Great Hockey on the Prairie. Next season they are working on Special Hockey.

Discussions from All

• Don’t turn anyone away
• Build the program
• Referral program, if you bring a player, your name goes in a drawing for ….$100, gift certificate etc…
• Discounts for goalies, provide equipment 
• Sponsors for 8U program
• Fundraising Tournament
• To be successful, we must do things by the rules. 
• Team Assessments cover the cost of running SDAHA 
• To host a tournament, there is a $250 per weekend assessed
• In House is No Travel
• To be protected by USA Hockey, you must be rostered on a team.

Playing Rule 3

Remove this rule completely from SDAHA because we follow USA Hocky Rules which Dictate Team Composition. Motion Carried.

Playing Rule 8C Resurfacing

The Girls at this level are getting more competitive and tearing up the ice and the resurface should be the same at the 14U Girls and Boys levels. Motion approved (2 nays)

Playing Rule 4e,iv Violation of freeze 10 Rule

Coaches make the decision who is playing in the game and there are times that players do not know if they are a locked player or not especially in the first ½ of the season. Players should not be penalized for their coaches decision. Motion Carried.

Playing Rules: 4.D Junior Gold League Page 5: Amend by removing section 4.d entirely 

This rule no longer applies. SDAHA does not have a Junior Gold league.

Motion Carried.

Add Playing Rule: Game Play 8.j-Page 7-8

Bring our SDAHA leagues up to speed with electronic scorekeeping. While the person who stands to benefit most from this is the SDAHA Director, the administrative efficiencies gained from electronic scorekeeping will be felt across every team, association, league and all SDAHA management and leadership levels. 

They decided to make it an action item instead of a playing rule and will implement in the upcoming season. Motion Carried. Trainings will happen in June and July 2024. 

Sioux Falls is working on finding a sponsor for 1 ipad for each association. One sheet of ice will most likely need two ipads. It was negotiated, first year $6 per game, Second year is $7 per game and Third year is $8 per game. Pricing will cover all league games 10U and up. The Admin for each Association will be responsible for training everyone. 

SDAHA Administrative Rules Section 6 Pages 3-4; Amend

Team Policy
Affiliate Agreement
In-House/Rec Teams
League Traveling Teams
Other Team Assessment
To provide clarity of the original intent of SDAHA League preeminence for the state of South Dakota. To outline consequences for local associations that do not follow the rules of SDAHA. Ultimately, the objective is to grow the sport of hockey within the State of South Dakota through SDAHA league participation.

Essentially, the rule states that if an association fields a team, they must play in the SDAHA league. There will be a process laid out to request an exemption. Motion Carried.

Administrative Rule 6B

This is cleanup of the rule to remove amount/date of assessments as this number changes annually based on the SDAHA budget set by the BOD. Amendment not to exceed 10% of the previous years assessment fees. Motion Carried. 

In-house and Recreational Leagues will be set at zero until changed. Motion Carried. 

Playing Rule 12B

Remove the rule Spectators are not permitted on ice without matt. Motion Carried. 

MOTION TO APPROVE THE NORTHERN HILLS CHINOOKS AS A MEMBER EFFECTIVE TOMORROW. SECOND. CARRIED

Lots of discussion. We will have a in-house mites team and a traveling squirts team. There will be 20-ish games, there will be 10 Game Days (two games per day). Most likely 4-8 games in Rushmore area. We can rent ice time and have a game day in Rapid. We will need to get together with Rushmore program and determine boundaries as some point. We need to send our logo to be put on all of the associations banners. 

We need to assign a REGISTRAR immediately. We need to make sure that we have our Executive Board Aligned and up to speed with what all we need to accomplish. 

We should consider talking with Rushmore regarding renting ice for a squirt jamboree (different weekend from theirs). And games if there is ice availability. 

 

The South Metro Hockey Club was denied membership to SDAHA. 

The Boji Mammoth High School Hockey club was denied membership to SDAHA. 

Discussion items ( no action)

• Would like to have Tier 1 with Team South Dakota
• Would like to create a Team South Dakota U12
• Local Rules on Vandalism  (season long suspension, punishable to the full extent of the law)
• How medals are being handed out (check with Executive Director) and Tourney Director
• GateFees no greater than $6 a person. 
• Physical Location for Hall of Fame (Watertown Arena) B
• When bidding for a Youth Varsity Tournament, you will now be able to bid for tow years instead of just one year. 
• Discussion to refer SDAHA to South Dakota Hockey.  

The Secretary and Treasurer position has been combined. They are going to hire an accountant to take care of financials. 

Dan French approved as Vice President

Randy Honkomp approved as Treasurer

Committee updates:

 

-Rink Procurement: We are working with Tyler at the City of Spearfish on a couple of possibilities now that soccer is moving over to the SkyRidge complex. 

 

-Pond Hockey Tournament: 

Iron Creek Classic January 25, 2025

The committee is working on a binder on how to put on this tournament with timeline. 

 

-Technology: -Rob

Rob continues to update website and social media. Rob will now be adding the minutes to the website. 

 

Discuss plans for DTFN (Spearfish) and Hometown Thursdays (Belle)

Schedule for Downtown Friday nights in Spearfish

We will not have a booth on July 5th or July 19th.

 

June 7- Kuehlman, Sletten & Brennick

June 14- Darling, Dempsey & Lund 

June 21- Hogg, Dunfee & Lund 

June 28- Bergan, Etzkorn & Koisten 

July 5- No Booth

July 12- Gasbarre, Koisten & Hogg

July 19th – Corvette Rally No Booth 

July 26th Kazmer, Purcell, Etzkorn & Johnston 

August 2nd  Purcell, Limbo & Servaty

August 23rd- Kazmer, Bergan & Dempsey

You will need to pick up the table, tablecloth, bin of items to sell, hockey set up and chase the ace info. 

All are welcome to attend every Thursday/Friday, this just assigns who is in charge of making sure we have a table set up. 

Set up is anytime between 4-5:00pm. The map will be provided for our location. We have two families assigned for each Friday. If that Friday does not work, it is your responsibility to contact another family to trade nights or work for you. 

Rob will run Hometown Thursdays, please coordinate with him if you would like to help on a Thursday night. Tiffany & Draken want to participate in Belle. 

July 23rd is the Sasquatch ‘Chinook Night’ Fundraiser, we will need ALL HANDS ON DECK. 

 

Schedule for Hometown Thursday nights in Belle Fourche

Rob will be at the booth for Thursday s in Belle. Jamie and Tiffany will help. Please contact Rob and let him know which Thursdays you can help with. 

Brandy will contact Alpine this week and order merchandise to be split between Belle Fourche and Spearfish. 

 

-Fundraising/Finance -Mark, Helen, Brandy

• Chase the Ace 

Volunteer discussion and online sales promotion to most out of this fundraiser.  Discussion to purchase a lightweight sandwich board for kids to wear while promoting ticket purchase. 

Drawing will continue to be on Tuesdays at the Stadium. It would be too chaotic trying to input ticket sales and then draw on Fridays at DTFN. 

Early Bird Special rate? If you purchase your tickets between Tuesday night and Monday morning, prior to the upcoming weeks drawing, your name goers into a drawing for a prize (fire pit, etc. ask for sponsors).

 

 

• Sponsorship Packages are updated and ready to go. Bring your suggestions for businesses we can approach/solicit for possible sponsorships? 

 

-Youth Hockey Program

Safesport is available to be completed for next season. We encourage everyone to complete now (including board members, coaches & anyone with a title). Brandy will check into if there is a 30 minute refresher course for those that have already completed it. 

 

• https://membership.usahockey.com/ (you must register first before you can sign up for safesport)
• https://www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining
• Background Check is every two years. ( there’s a code that we can get to provide everyone so that they don’t have to pay)

 

Ted will contact Roosevelt Ice rink for practice times for the fall. We will shoot for the morning. He will also ask about weekend tournament date ideas. 

 

Dryland practices were beneficial. Discussion on how to have the kids more organized and discp

 

• Coach certification and adding more certified coaches

Deadlines for SDAHA

• The following positions need to be identified by June 1st

 

Registrar -Can not be a voting member of the Board

• They will roster teams through sports engine
• Communicate with Jenni Wirkis (Executive at SDAHA)
• Keeping track that all coaches are certified

• Brandy has spoken to Megan Bergan and she is interested. 

Motion to appoint Megan Bergan as Registrar. Second. Carried.

 

Team Schedular (Do we want to combine this with Registrar or see if another parent/board member would be interested).

• Reports Team Counts

• Looking at 5 weekends of travel for traveling squirt team

Motion to appoint Megan Bergan and Kari Koisten to share in the role. Second, Carried.

 

Voting Delegate to attend SDAHA Board Meetings

• Attend Spring and Fall ‘in person meeting’
• Volunteer should understand the game of hockey and willing to commit for several years for consistency

• Needs to be objective

Motion to appoint Blake Dunfee. Second. Carried.

 

Member of Disciplinary Committee for SDAHA

• Review Violations of Code of Conduct
• Should know the rules and be objective

• Brandy spoke with Gregg, and he has interest in this position

Motion to appoint Gregg Fullerton. Second. Carried.

 

SafeSport Coordinator

• This person will work with Jenni Wirkis (SDAHA Executive)

• They will complete a written report and submit reports of suspected abuse and/or perceived violations.

 Motion to appoint Rob Zinke. Second. Carried.

 

SDAHA recommended that we have our Executive Board be in Alignment and know the responsibilities that will come next season. 

 

We will vote on board positions at our June board meeting.

Chase the Ace Fundraiser -May 21st, May 28th, 2024 7pm @ the Stadium

June 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th @ Downtown Friday Nights in Spearfish

June 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th @ Hometown Thursdays in Belle

Pond Hockey Tournament- Dennis, Gregg, Brandy 

Youth Clinics-Blake, Dennis, Chris Malo, Ryan Crotty, Matt Albrecht, Gregg Fullerton

Fundraising/Finance-Mark, Helen, Brandy 

Rink Procurement- Gregg, Ted, Dennis, Helen, Mark 

Downtown Friday Nights Spearfish -Helen, Blake, Ted, (Ask all Parents)

Technology/Website Committee -Rob Zinke, Mark Kazmer

Registrar- Megan Bergan

Team Schedular - Megan Bergan, Kari Koistenen

Voting Delegate - Blake Dunfee

Member of Disciplinary Committee for SDAHA - Gregg Fullerton

SafeSport Coordinator - Rob Zinke