WWFHA ASSISTS

Washington Wild Email Newsletter:
September 13, 2016

WASHINGTON WILD NEWS

Making History

On Friday, September 9^th, the first-ever, full-time 10U and 8U all-girl hockey teams took to the ice for their first practice of 2016 – a first for Washington State!
 
Thanks to all the girls, coaches, parents and WWFHA members who helped make this happen! Growth doesn’t happen overnight and we appreciate everyone’s effort on and off the ice over the years (15 years!!) to help grow the game and build WWFHA to nearly 100 players this year.
 
The future is bright!
 

Girls’ Jamboree for 5-10 year olds!

Michelle Picard on Honorary Board

Welcome to Michelle Picard, the newest WWFHA Honorary Board member. A Harvard Alumna and US Women’s Ice Hockey Olympian, Michelle current plays with the NY Riveter women’s professional hockey team, which plays in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). The NY Riveters are the ‘Big Sister’ team to the Washington Wild.
 
Click here to read Michelle’s full bio.
 

Williams Lake Recap

The 19U and 14U Rep Tier 2/AA teams traveled 7 hours north by bus to participate in a three day exhibition series with the Williams Lake Rep Female Hockey program.
 
The 19U rep team went 2-1-1, while the 14U Rep notched a 2-2 record. It was a great way to start an exciting season prior to PCAHA Female Hockey league games, which begin in October.
 

Girls' Try Hockey for Free: Recap

16 new skaters joined the Washington Wild for the September Girls’ Try Hockey for Free event! Several have already signed up for the Beginner's class starting on Sunday September 18th!
 
Check out more pictures on Facebook.

Thanks for everyone's help for a successful event!
 

Practice Jerseys and Helmet Decals

Team Store Update

Register for Beginner Hockey!

Know a girl who might want to play hockey? Get her registered for the Washington Wild Beginners Hockey 1 and Hockey 2 classes.

Each session lasts twelve weeks from September 18 through December 18 on Sundays, minus two holiday weekends.
 
Want to help on or off the ice? We need student coaches and adults, too! Contact Daniel Brown, Beginners’ Manager, to help full-time or part time at

Welcome Kelly Goscinski to the Board

Please welcome Kelly Goscinski to the WWFHA Board. Kelly’s second year with WWFHA has been very busy so far! Last year she acted as an assistant coach for the 8U tournament team, and she served as the Beginner’s program coaching coordinator. She continues her work with beginners and also serves as the full-time assistant coach for the new full-time 10U team. We welcome Kelly and all her enthusiasm and love for the sport!

Colgan Named Goalie Director

Please welcome Chris Colgan as the Goalie Director for WWFHA. Chris was paramount in securing Ian Gordon, Thunderbirds goalie coach, as a pro-staff member for WWFHA and bi-monthly coach for all Washington Wild goaltenders.
 
Colgan has served as a coaching director in the past. His primary include the development of all goalies within the association and organize goaltending opportunities. Welcome Chris!

Shoot and Score Club Winners!

Congratulations to all the winners of the Washington Wild Shoot and Score Club Summer Competition. Each one achieved their target goal for their age group! Terrific job!

• Abby O’Neill – 14U Rep Tier 2/AA team
• Fiona Boskovic - 14U Rep Tier 2/AA team
• Gabriella DeVita – 12U Rep Tier 2/AA team
• Michaela Kidwell – 12U Rep Tier 2/AA team
• Darby Marshall – 10U team
• Audrey Spencer - 8U team

10U Half-Ice Seminar by USA Hockey ADM Manager Joe Bonnett

All coaches and parents welcome to Everett Youth Hockey’s 10U Half-Ice Seminar headlined by USA Hockey ADM Manager Joe Bonnett.  He will speak to the great advantages of 10U Half-Ice Hockey.

Where: Xifinity Arena in one of the ball rooms in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center
Date: Thursday September 15
Time: 6:30-7:45pm
 
Please use this link below to pre-register which will help in determining the size of ball room needed.

The Experts’ Edge

Why does my kid play tentatively?
[by Michele Amidon, ADM Regional Manager]

There are many possibilities, but often it’s a confidence issue, and there’s nothing that crushes confidence like being over-coached and programmed to have a fixed mindset. This fixed mindset can be a real enemy of development, not only in hockey, but in life skills, too.

Carol Dweck, a Stanford University psychology professor, led the examination of this topic with her 2006 book Mindset, in which she explored how a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset can impact a child’s confidence and success. Applied to youth hockey, this research clearly indicated that it’s not only important to allow players to make mistakes, but also teach them willingness to risk, to do something beyond what they can already accomplish.

Click here to read the remainder of the article.

Ask WWFHA

Q: Who’s most responsible for a 14/16U player’ development?
 
A: As players progress through the teenage years and develop into young adults, the onus on development begins to fall squarely on their shoulders.
"Take responsibility for your development” says the sign that leads down the stairway to the players' entrance at the National Team Development Program.

Ultimately it's the player that chooses to invest the time, effort and commitment to continue improving. Neither parents nor coaches can do it for them. It's up to the player.
 
Q: Are yelling and cheering the same thing?

A: There's a difference between yelling and cheering. One degrades, the other supports. The playing environment can be enhanced or made dreadful for kids based upon the actions of the adults involved. USA Hockey encourages parents to be vocal in support of all kids playing the game.

USA Hockey Parents' Code of Conduct

• Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desires to play their chosen sports. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. Make it fun.
• Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of both teams.
• Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants, your child will benefit.
• Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
• Know and study the rules of the game and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.
• Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat, and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice – it's destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports.
• Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and support them.
• If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about hockey – and volunteer.

Thank You to Our Partners

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