Tennis Changing the Rules, Too

Hockey is not the only sport changing the rules for the young. According to the United States Tennis Association, “In a decision that will fundamentally change the future landscape of tennis in the United States, the USTA has passed new rules governing competition for 10-and-under tennis tournaments. The new rules require that 10-and-under tournaments be played using slower-moving and lower-bouncing balls, on smaller courts and utilizing shorter, lighter racquets.”

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Playing Safer

Player safety is a top priority for Minnesota Hockey, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada and the International Ice Hockey Federation. Because of growing concerns and reports of the increasing number of serious injuries in hockey, mostly brain injuries, Michael Stuart, MD, and Aynsley Smith, RN, PhD, from the Mayo Clinic organized and hosted the 2010 Ice Hockey Summit: Action on Concussion in Rochester, Minn., on Oct. 19–20. The purpose of the event was to present scientific data and identify action items for recommendation to the national governing bodies of hockey. These action items were prioritized by the attendees based on extensive scientific research on what happens when players receive blows to their heads that may or may not result in a concussion (brain injury).

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Burnsville Hockey Club Committee for the Balistreri Family Fund Seeking Donations

On July 18, 2010, the Balistreri family was traveling eastbound on Highway 13 when a car traveling west bound crossed the grass median, hitting the family’s SUV.  Eleven year-old Joey Balistreri passed away at the scene. While Joey’s mother, Pam, and sister, Megan, were transported by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Center, where they were treated and released. Joey’s father, Geoff, was airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center by helicopter. He endured seven surgeries before being released on August 6, 2010.

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Champion Coach Albertin Montoya Puts Winning in Perspective

On a sunny September Sunday, Coach Albertin Montoya watched his Gold Pride players, including the magnificent Brazilian Marta and U.S. world champion Tiffeny Milbrett, celebrate the WPS championship after a 4-0 win over Philadelphia.

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Minnesota Hockey Recreation League

Hello Hockey Families! I am the new director of the Minnesota Hockey Recreational League. I am excited to be serving in this role and look forward to building on the tremendous success we had last winter during the inaugural season of the Recreational League. Our commitment to you is to operate a fun league that doesn’t make much of a dent in your bank account and leaves plenty of time for families to be involved in other wintertime activities.

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How to Increase Motivation and Performance through Goal Setting

Success in sports, as in any other achievement arena, depends on both skill and motivation. Skill and motivation are intimately related to one another. Athletes who are not motivated to develop their skills will probably not achieve their potential, and inadequate skills will not allow athletes to achieve their goals.

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What Not to Say in the Lobby

When you or your kids play hockey, you spend so much time in ice hockey rinks that you start to feel at home. You feel perfectly comfortable standing around the lobby or snack bar, analyzing the team, players, practice, coaches, refs and game. But guess what? You’re not at home, you’re not in your car—you’re out in public with other parents, players and their entourages around. And chances are, someone’s listening.

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2010 Goalie Coaching Workshops

REMINDER – Two goalie coaching workshops/Level 3 recertification opportunities set for November – Two workshops designed to teach youth hockey coaches how to effectively work with goalies are being offered in November at St. Louis Park and South St. Paul. Read more

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