Porcupine Minor
Hockey Association
Coaches Manual
Tier I and Tier II
Revised October 29, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 3
2. COACHING SELECTION ......................................................................................................... 3
3. COACHING STAFF .................................................................................................................. 4
4. TEAM SELECTION .................................................................................................................. 4
5. REGISTRATION ....................................................................................................................... 4
6. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ........................................................................... 5
7. PRACTICES ............................................................................................................................... 5
8. GAME SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................... 5
9. EXHIBITION GAMES .............................................................................................................. 5
10. FINANCES ............................................................................................................................... 6
11. FUND RAISING ...................................................................................................................... 7
12. TEAM SPONSORSHIP............................................................................................................ 7
13. INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR BARS ............................................................................................ 7
14. TEAM PICTURES ................................................................................................................... 7
15. TOURNAMENTS .................................................................................................................... 7
16. FUN DAYS ............................................................................................................................... 8
17. COACHING RESOURCES ..................................................................................................... 8
18. COACHING SURVEY ............................................................................................................ 8
19. TEAM SWEATERS ................................................................................................................. 8
20. GOALIE EQUIPMENT............................................................................................................ 8
21. COACHING AND TRAINERS EQUIPMENT ....................................................................... 9
22. PLAYERS LIST ....................................................................................................................... 9
23. N.O.H.A. CARDS ..................................................................................................................... 9
24. INTERNET SITE...................................................................................................................... 9
25. PROBLEM PARENTS, PLAYERS, COACHES .................................................................. 10
26. SAFETY ................................................................................................................................. 10
27. PLAYER SUSPENSIONS...................................................................................................... 10
28. PMHA COACHES “CHECK LIST” ...................................................................................... 10
LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING .......................................................................................... 11
Examples: “Filling Out” N.O.H.A. Cards: ................................................................................... 12
Example: PMHA Sample Budget ................................................................................................. 13
Example: PMHA Coach / Team Questionnaire ............................................................................ 14
Pg. 2
1. INTRODUCTION
The Porcupine Minor Hockey Association (P.M.H.A.) has prepared this manual for the purpose
of assisting the coaches during the course of the hockey season. As there is a certain amount of
paper work and organization required throughout the year, this manual is intended to direct the
coaches and managers in these duties.
The paper work and organizational duties are associated with running the team within the
PMHA, however some duties are associated with the Timmins Minor Hockey Association
(T.M.H.A.) and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (N.O.H.A.).
Communication with your players, player’s parents, PMHA and coaches from other teams within
the association is one of the most important things to consider. Remember that as a PMHA coach
you are part of the association, your actions and conduct must be directed by the aims and
objectives of the PMHA which are:
2-01. To foster among its members, supporters and teams, a general community spirit.
2-02. To maintain and increase the interest in minor hockey'
2-03. To have and exercise a general core, supervision and direction over the playing
interests of its teams and players.
2.04. To develop and encourages sportsmanship and good-fellowship among all participants
for the betterment of their physical, mental and social well being.
2.05. To teach the fundamentals of hockey and skating.
2.06. To uphold and act in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Northern
Ontario Hockey Association.
2. COACHING SELECTION
The elected executive of the PMHA (and if necessary a coaching selection committee), makes
the decision on Team Coaches. A letter from the applicant is required by the PMHA outlining
the coaching position (team) applied for, relevant experience, coaching philosophy, photocopy of
coaching/training certificates, and individuals to be included on the coaching staff.
Tier I coaching selection is done in the spring, Tier II coaching selection is done in the fall. Dates
for accepting coaching applications are listed in the newspapers by contacting the Head Coach of
the PMHA.
If you have not already done so, please submit this letter to the Head Coach of the PMHA with
the above mentioned information.
Please sign and return immediately the enclosed Letter of Understanding included at the back of
this manual (see document on page 11).
Pg. 3
3. COACHING STAFF
A coaching staff usually consists of 1 Head Coach, 1-2 Assistant Coaches, 1 Trainer and 1-2
Managers. It is important that all the staff communicates regularly and meets early in the season
to establish which duties shall be handled by which team staff member. A Coach and Trainer
must be on the bench during games and practices.
You must have a card to be a coach or trainer, and the PMHA must have a copy of this card. A
team must have a minimum of two people on the bench all people must be carded, a trainer and a
coach. Trainers and Coaches clinics are held early in the season and will be announced. Again
you must have a card in order to be on the bench.
Duties to be worked out between the staff include distributing schedules, contacting players
regarding games and practice, schedules, team finances (good idea to set up a bank account),
tournaments accommodations, safety, communicate with parents.
4. TEAM SELECTION
Teams are selected at the conclusion of the spring tryouts for Tier I and at the conclusion of the
early season on-ice sessions involving all eligible players for Tier II. Tier I teams are selected by
the coaching staff of that team, based on player skills and merit.
Tier II teams are selected by the coaching staff with the intent of developing evenly matched
teams. When Tier II is splitting the players into two teams, player selection may include the
following guidelines:
1. Team the individual played for the previous year (player returns to same team)
2. Children of the coaching staff.
3. Brothers and sisters go to the same tearn
4. Where players get rides with other players.
5. To have the same number of players on each team.
Please refer to the PMHA Constitution for additional information on team selection.
5. REGISTRATION
Players on your team must be registered in the PMHA before they go on the ice. Any players
coming in late must pay their registration fees before going on the ice. Player information (phone
numbers, health info, address etc.), is collected at registration time. This information will be
passed on to the teams once the teams are selected
From this list it is recommended to use the players name and shirt number to make stickers
(sticky backed paper) for game sheets (4 -5 per game) which saves time before games.
Game sheet has to be filled out prior to every game, including exhibition.
Keep your game sheets on file throughout the season to determine the number of games played
etc.
Pg. 4
6. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
Each team has a mailbox at the Whitney Arena (In the office when you come into the arena).
Check for schedules and news often. If you have any questions phone the PMHA Tier I or Tier
II convener, the Head Coach or the President (these numbers are provided on the enclosed
sheet).
The PMHA welcomes suggestions that can improve our association and the quality of hockey.
Once your coaching staff has been selected, provide the PMHA head coach with the names and
contacts, phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses. Email is a very efficient way to
communicate, please provide these addresses where possible.
7. PRACTICES
The PMHA ice convener plans the practice schedule for all teams within the PMHA. The
schedule will be dropped off in your mail box, usually after Thanksgiving. If you would like
additional practice ice time, contact the Barn or the City of Timmins parks and Rec. department
to book it. You must arrange for your team to pay for it directly-to the Barn or the City of
Timmins, the PMHA does not pay for additional ice booked by your team.
If you have a game/practice conflict you can swap your practice time with another team in our
association willing to trade up. The PMHA convener does not have to be notified of ice time
swaps, just as long as the teams involved know. Keep track of the number of practices through
out the season.
Occasionally (February and March) practices may be cancelled due to tournaments, make sure
you note these cancellations so that you are not billed for that ice time.
If you fail to show up at a scheduled practice, your team is still billed and responsible for ice
time. Make every effort to swap the ice-time with another team.
8. GAME SCHEDULE
The TMHA; not the PMHA is responsible for the game schedules. It usually comes late and is
changed regularly, so check your mail slot often at the start of the season. Make sure you go
over the schedule to determine if you have game conflicts.
Notify the PMHA about game conflicts, tournaments you will be away for, and cancellations.
Swap your practices for a game; don't cancel games for practices.
9. EXHIBITION GAMES
If your team wants to hold an exhibition game, arrange with the appropriate team with the
understanding which team will cover the ice cost and ref cost. The NOHA must be notified
(phone call or fax or message to NOHA directors on contact list) of an exhibition game.
Again you can use your designated practice time or book additional time through Parks & Rec.
(remember your team pays for ice through Parks & Rec.). It is your responsibility to arrange and
pay for the refs and timekeeper (you must have them).
Pg. 5
10. FINANCES
A budget must be submitted to the PMHA treasurer from each team, usually by the end of
October. Budget for the entire season. Prepare this budget at the start of the season. The purpose
of the budget is to make the team aware of the financial obligation so far on of hockey and to
ensure that they are able to reach the financial obligations.
The following table illustrates budgets for the 3 previous years for Tier I and Tier II teams
within the PMHA.
Tier I Budgets (example ONLY)
Team
1998-1999
1999-2000
Quills (Novice)
2000-2001
$12.500.00
Thunder (Atom)
Mikeys (Peewee)
Thunder (Bantam)
Tier II Budgets (example ONLY)
Team
1998-1999
1999-2000
2000-2001
Wheelers (Novice)
Bulldogs (Novice)
Gorf (Atom)
$5,000.00
Maulers (Peewee)
Porkies (Bantam)
An example of the type of budget required by the PMHA is included at the back of this manual.
Contact the PMHA treasurer if you require help or require an excel spreadsheet template for the
budgets.
As a coach (or manager) it is your duty to the parents to provide them with the budget and
finances of the team periodically during the season. It is also good policy to have an account set
up with a minimum of two people with signing authority. This is not necessary but is safe and
easy for handling the teams’ monies.
It is a strong recommendation that all transactions be done by cheque to assist with record
keeping, this includes money in and out. It protects everyone from problems in the long run.
During the start of the season the ice costs for games and practices will be announced so that the
budgets can be accurately prepared. Make your parents aware of the teams financial obligations
early n the season.
Pg. 6
11. FUND RAISING
The team (not the coach) is responsible for fundraising, in order to meet the financial obligations.
Determine if parents want to have fundraisers (or just pay cash) and give their responsibility to
organize (keep a hand in it so that you area ware of what is going on).
Money raised by the team cannot be used for hotels, gas expenses etc.
12. TEAM SPONSORSHIP
The PMHA teams rely on the generous support of out sponsors they should be treated
accordingly. Contact the sponsor early in the season to determine if they would be willing to
sponsor the team for the upcoming season. Be aware if a sponsor is already sponsoring a team
don't hit them again or steal a sponsor from another team within the Association.
If two sponsors are located for a team shoulder patches can be added in addition to the chest
crests. There are generally 1-2 teams in the PMHA that do not have a team sponsor. If you can
locate an additional sponsor the association will locate a team Think in terms of building the
entire association. A team sponsor is generally in the range of $1,000-$2,000 dollars per season.
It is the best interests of all (association, teams, players, fundraisers and parents), thank the
sponsors formally with a letter.
13. INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR BARS
Sponsor Bars are a means of lowering the individual’s financial obligations to a team. A sponsor
bar for the back of a jersey generally goes for $100-$200 dollars. The individual is responsible
for the cost of having the bars (for each sweater) made, is approximately $20 dollars.
14. TEAM PICTURES
If the team agrees to have pictures taken, it is recommended to have them done early in the year.
It is up to the team to organize the pictures. Ensure that your team sponsor receives a team
picture to show in appreciation. If possible, the same can be done with the individual sponsors.
15. TOURNAMENTS
It is the team’s responsibility to register for tournaments throughout the season. The number of
tournaments the team attends is up to the team. Costs vary (approximately $425 for 3 games).
Make sure you budget at the start of the season for tournaments usually 3-4 tournaments per
year, but again it is a teams decision.
Contact the NOHA (or PMHA; if available) webpage for a listing of tournaments. It is a good
idea to talk to teams who went to the tournament in the previous year and find out how well it
was run. There are good and bad tournaments. Contact the tournament organizing committee as
early as possible to “register”. Get your money in early.
You must have a NOHA travel / insurance permit to attend a tournament (even local
tournament). You will not play if you arrive at the tournament without one. Permit forms are
included in the Appendix.
Pg. 7
You have to get the permit through the NOHA ($3 Tier II & $27 Tier I). Make sure your parents
are willing to travel to the tournament. Make sure the parents are aware of the costs involved,
food hotel etc, and usually a $10 entry fee for adults, players are in for free. Tier II Peewee and
Bantam teams should check to see if the tournament is contact or non-contact. Make sure your
parents and players are made aware and informed of the format.
16. FUN DAYS
The association encourages our teams to run “fun days” of hockey, which can involve inviting
several teams from “outside” the TMHA to play games during a one day format. The intent is
pack in a lot of hockey by keeping costs as low as possible, no hotels, trophies, playoffs,
however it is at your discretion.
17. COACHING RESOURCES
The PMHA has a small selection of coaching material that you can “sign- out”. Please see the
enclosed listing of material. If you have relevant material which you can donate, or copy, please
forward to the Head Coach.
18. COACHING SURVEY
The PMHA will conduct a coaching survey of parents and players once or twice during the
coarse of the season. The purpose is to provide positive feedback to the coaches. A copy of the
form is included in the Appendix
19. TEAM SWEATERS
At the start of the season each team will be assigned 1–2 sets (home/white and away/dark) of
PMHA sweaters. Contact the equipment manager to “pick up” your sweaters. These sweaters
must be signed out by the team (coach or manager) and returned in proper condition. Sweaters
must be washed before being returned. Missing and damaged sweaters are the financial
responsibility of the team.
The PMHA purchases these sweaters; it is important as a team and as an association that we get
as many years use of the sweaters as possible. Sweaters are not to be used for practices. Coaches
must make sure that each player has a practice sweater in their bags. As a coach, establish this
rule with your parents and players at the start of the season; not after the practices have started.
Sweaters are a major expense for the PMHA.
20. GOALIE EQUIPMENT
The PMHA has a good inventory of goalie equipment from Anklebiter through to PeeWee size.
Contact the league’s equipment manager to arrange to have your goaltender “outfitted” with
gear. Bring the goaltender with you to be “fitted” with gear, rather than guessing what equipment
will fit them. The PMHA can supply goalie pads, blockers, trappers (both right and left handed)
and upper body protection, but does not supply masks, jocks, or pants.
Pg. 8
Bring your goalie to be fit with the proper sized equipment. During the season, the equipment
becomes the responsibility of the team. It is not to be used for road hockey. Ensure the goalie
using the gear knows this. Equipment is “signed out” at the start and signed back “in” at the
season end.
21. COACHING AND TRAINERS EQUIPMENT
Make sure your team has a good supply of pucks, water bottles, and a good “First Aid” Kit.
Your team must have a water bottles and first aid kit on the bench.
Obtain an organizational binder for handling your paper work. As a coach, you may wish to pick
up a game board and whistle for practices. Some pylons are available at the arenas for drills
during practices.
22. PLAYERS LIST
The PMHA will provide your team with a “players list” with phone numbers of parents and
guardians; medical information, health card numbers etc. (see enclosed information in Index).
Attach a photo of each player and keep this info in your binder or first aid kit. You must have it
for all games and tournaments.
The information is confidential but necessary to have. It is strongly recommended to have this
information present at all team events including games, tournaments and practices to support
“emergency” services.
23. N.O.H.A. CARDS
Approximately 1 month into the season, each player and coaching staff member will have to “fill
out” an NOHA card (example included in back of manual.). The Coaches or Manager can “fill
out” most of the information from the registration information sheets provided to the teams.
The cards must be signed by the player on the back of the card.
These cards are a hassle, so if you take the time to “fill out” most information and then have the
players “sign them” at the rink, you won't have to chase them for their cards later on. The
association will contact you when your cards have arrived so that you can arrange to “pick them
up” and “filled in”. Get these cards returned right away. Spoiled cards will cost the team $20
dollars. You must have these cards with you for games and tournaments.
24. INTERNET SITE
The PMHA has an “internet” home page http://pmha.ihoststudio.com/ . We will post information
for the league as well as information provided by that team. If there is an individual on the team
or a parent that will forward the information to the league’s webmaster or a league executive,
arrangements will be made to post it. It is a great way to promote our players and news about the
PMHA.
Pg. 9
25. PROBLEM PARENTS, PLAYERS, COACHES
If you are having trouble with an individual please advise them of their behavior and remind
them that during registration, they were informed of the “fair play codes” that outlined what was
expected of them. Copies of the “Fair play code” are included in back of this manual.
26. SAFETY
Safety for our kids is of utmost importance. Make sure players have all equipment at all times
they are on the ice. Do not forget that your coaching duties and responsibilities extends into the
“dressing room”; maintain order and safety in the dressing room. Reminders to make sure you do
not leave your players “unattended”.
Coaches should read the “trainers manual” for additional and more detailed information on this
subject. Your players are not allowed on the bench if they do not have all their equipment on.
Siblings are also not allowed on the bench.
27. PLAYER SUSPENSIONS
If a player on your team is “suspended”, check the list (list is updated yearly) for the duration of
the suspension. The suspended players’ name must be listed on the game sheet for the game the
players is suspended.
The referee may not “write up” on the back of a game sheet for the player to be suspended; refer
to the codes. Make sure your players sits out the next game if they receive a “suspension" it is
the responsibility of the team management.
28. PMHA COACHES “CHECK LIST”
1. Selected appropriate team manager, assistant coach and trainer.
2. Signed and returned Coaching Letter of Understanding to PMHA Head Coach, with
copy of coaching and training certificates of trainers and other coaches on team.
3. Received player info, create score sheet stickers, and health' emergency list for team.
4. Picked up sweaters and goalie equipment.
5. Checked mail box at Whitney for practices schedule, games schedule, ice bill for the
season.
6. Prepared a budget for the entire season, submitted to PMHA Treasurer.
7. Held a meeting with parents to discuss plans for upcoming season, discuss coaching
philosophy, presented budget, handed-out contact phone numbers for parents and
game and practice schedules.
8. Submitted to PMHA; a list of sponsors - corporate and sweater sponsors.
9. Filled and had parents/players sign NOHA cards, returned to PMHA Secretary.
10. Had a lot of fun enjoying hockey.
Pg. 10
Porcupine Minor Hockey Association
P.O. Box 1479
South Porcupine, Ontario
PON IHO
LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING
The Coach is the Main Contact Person for each Team within the Association and will be
Responsible for the following items:
1. Play and Perform all in accordance with the rules, regulations and bylaws of the P.M.H.A.
Constitution.
2. Submit to the Executive, a Team List and lists of sponsors by October 31.
3. Submit to the Executive, a Team Budgets by October 31.
4. Payment to the Treasure for Invoice due on December 15 and February 15.
5. Tier I Teams will be responsible for all fines incurred from the NEOHL ($250+ expenses)
6. All Sweaters and equipment belonging to P.M.H.A. will be returned to the Executive
Equipment Manger following the last game of the season.
Team Name: ________________________________________________________________
Coach: _____________________________________________ Dated: ________________
PMHA Executive Member: __________________________ Dated: ________________
Pg. 11
Examples: “Filling Out” N.O.H.A. Cards:
Pg. 12
Example: PMHA Sample Budget
Pg. 13
Example: PMHA Coach / Team Questionnaire
Pg. 14
Example: N.O.H.A Penalty Code Listing
(see
“link to NOHA”
for most current listing)
Pg. 15