Cross Ice

Practice Groups, Jersey Handout

Hello All - See the below list for practice groups at the start of the season. Following USA Hockey's Player Development Model (ADM), practice groups will be set and monitored to ensure groups are of small sizes (5 - 8 players) of age/skill appropriate players. This is proven to be the best way for players to learn to love the game and excel at their highest potential. These groups will change throughout the year as players develop individually at different rates. That rate can also change throughout the year as well. If you ever have any questions about your player's development, don't be afraid to reach out!

Before stepping on the ice today, I'll have a box of practice jerseys to put on right by the door that goes onto the ice closest to the lobby. Players wearing gold can wear their game jerseys (old one for now until we get our new ones), or I have gold practice jerseys.

When you are asked to change groups, we ask that you wash and swap that jersey. Group changes will happen on a rolling basis, but the biggest changes will occur every 7 weeks.

See you today!

On-Ice Volunteering

Hello Everyone! The first week is finally here. I will send out more season start information later today.

I've been fielding many requests for volunteering to help out on ice. Thank you in advance to everyone who has offered to volunteer your time. If you have interest in volunteering, please feel free to reach out to me! I just wanted to share the information below for requirements prior to stepping on the ice to help. Requirements can be lengthy, but important. We are a USA Hockey affiliated organization and must abide by their requirements before allowing any volunteers step on the ice.

Let me know if you have any questions about on-ice volunteering. If you have issues with registration or training, reach out to registrar@grblades.org. Go Blades!

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See below for registration and training requirements before hopping on the ice this season. Note that if you are a first time volunteer, the initial training can be lengthy. However, following seasons will be much less work for refresher training.

For LTS, the age module below is not required. We understand that this may seem like a lot for volunteering in learn to skate, however, our learn to skate is covered under our USA Hockey programming and must abide by the requirements as such.

Grand Rapids Blades will reimburse volunteers the cost of USA Hockey Registration, Background Check, Age Modules, and Certification Clinics. Please send your receipts to accounting@grblades.org along with your name and the areas you are volunteering for.

Must be completed before you can get on the ice for practices or any LTS sessions:

USA Hockey Registration (please send me your confirmation number or PDF ASAP so I can start rosters) - YOU MUST SUBMIT AS A "COACH", NOT AS A "VOLUNTEER" TO BE ON THE ICE!

Background Check: Must be done every two years. If you do not remember if this is needed, I will know the status once I have your USA Hockey number.

SafeSport (this is now required every year)

Age Module (if you are moving up a level or have not coached this level before. Modules only need to be done one time per level) - NOT REQUIRED FOR LEARN TO SKATE

If you have any questions on the above registration and certification information, please reach out to Registrar at registrar@grblades.org.