Team Rules

• First and foremost, we are a team.  Every player will be treated fairly, equally, and with respect from every other player.  Any hazing, name calling, or negative comments to or about another player is unacceptable and will NOT be tolerated.  This rule also applies to parents and coaches.
  

• Please keep the locker rooms clean.  Mt. Clemens Ice Arena is a very nice facility, it is up to us all to keep it that way.  The locker rooms should be as clean or cleaner when we exit as when we entered.
  

• There will be no tape throwing, ice throwing, snow throwing, or any other kind of throwing in the locker rooms.  Even though such actions may be performed in fun and joking around, someone could get hurt.
  

• No player is allowed to enter the ice surface until the Zamboni has left the ice and the doors are closed.  Don't even open the player's entrance doors until the zamboni has vacated the surface, this is very dangerous.
  

• No players will enter the ice surface without a coach present for practices, or referees present for games.
  

• Player's health and safety are the most important thing for all of the adults to monitor.  Players are not allowed on the ice without ALL of the required protective equipment.  This includes Neck Guards.  Whether USA Hockey mandates neck guards or not is not an issue, on this team, I am mandating the wearing of neck guards.  Accidents happen, pile ups happen where skate blades are near necks, wear your equipment.  Do Not Ask to play if you don't have all your equipment, the answer is NO.
  

• It is important that players be fully dressed and ready to play when the Zamboni enters the ice.  This is typically 10 minutes prior to ice time.  Coaches need this time before games and practices to explain, motivate, and teach.  Ice time is very expensive as you know, so using premium ice time to explain a practice drill is very costly when we could have explained it befor practice.  Obviously the kids don't drive, so parents need to get the players there on time, but ultimately it is the player's responsibility to get dressed and prepared.
  

• Respect & Sportsmanship are key behaviors for our team.  We will exhibit both at all times.  There is zero tolerance for disrespecting any coach (our team or opponent), or any referee.  There is zero tolerance for trash talking,  or ridiculous and embarassing celebrations toward the other team.  Win with dignity, lose with dignity, but always be a sportsman.  Whatever the outcome of the game, we will line up, congratulate and shake hands with our opponents, as well as congratulating our teammates.
  

• Parents, the above rule applies to you as well.  Remember, this is Squirt House Hockey with 9 & 10 year old children.  They are learning life lessons at hockey.  Please do not berate a 17 year old referee for making a mistake on an offsides call.  It is not that important.  In that example, your child learns that officials make mistakes and we have to deal with them and move on.  If you scream and yell at the refs, your child then thinks that is acceptable behavior, and is not.
  

• Allow the coaches to coach.  Do not for example, open the door to the bench from the stands and tell your kid that he needs to shoot more.  This creates confusion in the young minds of Squirt Hockey players, and your direction may not be the same as what the coaches are asking him or her to do.  Along those same lines, the coaches would ask also that you refrain from telling them what they are doing wrong until such time is appropriate.  During a game or practice is not the appropriate time.  If you'd like to discuss something with the coach, we are more than receptive to hearing what you have to say and talking it over with you.  It may be even a better decision to wait a day, when you'll often find what you were so mad about on Saturday is really not that big of deal on Sunday.