Aurora City Schools Ice Hockey Program
Program Mission
It is the mission of the Aurora Ice Hockey Program to aid student-athletes in the development of their sport-specific skills and personal character growth. The program provides a structure wherein student-athletes can learn and excel in ice hockey during their athletic careers. More importantly, we recognize that the potential exists in sports for students, whether great athletes or not, to rise to the occasion, to give their best, to aid their team, to work cohesively, to exhibit fair play, and to take a greater sense of self into the rest of their lives. We want them to see challenge as opportunity.
Program Goals
Develop each student-athlete’s physical, mental and social abilities.
Develop effective team strategies.
Recognize when a student-athlete is focused on what they need to do, to learn, to change, to improve and effectively use those teachable moments.
Program Structure
The Head Varsity Ice Hockey Coach at Aurora High School is responsible for the administration of the entire program. The head coach will play a leadership role at all levels of the program. The assistant coaches bring additional experience, knowledge and commitment by supporting program goals and preparing athletes for competition and advancing them to the next level of participation.
Affiliations
The Aurora High School hockey team is a member of the OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association), the GCHSHL (Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League) and the Chagrin Valley Conference.
Program Levels
High School Varsity. The Varsity team is led by the Head Coach and consists of the best combination of skilled hockey athletes to yield the most competitive team possible for interscholastic competition. The goals of the Varsity team are to develop individual skills and execute a winning team strategy through a strong work ethic, dedication, discipline and teamwork. Eighteen (18) players and two (2) goalies can suit-up for an official game.
High School Junior Varsity. The Junior Varsity team is a training ground for future varsity athletes. No separate Junior Varsity team exists at this time. Players with demonstrable ice hockey skills not participating in varsity games will be able to attend all practices of the varsity team and receive the same instruction to develop their skills toward future participation.
Youth Hockey. Youth hockey opportunities abound in northeast Ohio. There are over 24 youth hockey organizations that belong to the Cleveland Suburban Hockey League (www.cshlhockey.org) and USA Hockey (www.usahockey.com). Many of these organizations and some rinks offer “house leagues” and “learn-to-play” opportunities. Learn-to-skate and learn-to-play sessions run year-round and the ice hockey season runs August thru February. This is the best vehicle for beginning and developing the requisite skills for playing at the high school level.
Additional Activities
Player Development:
Summer Development Program. The AHS hockey coaching staff conducts a summer hockey camp during June and July. The program is designed for youth hockey players entering grades 8 through 12 for the upcoming school year. Participants can be on the ice for up to 10 days during June and July in accordance with OHSAA guidelines (OHSAA Sect. 8.3*). During the program, players will be given the opportunity to work on individual and team skills, including (but not limited to): advanced skating techniques, stickhandling, passing, shooting, offensive attack options and team positioning in all six zones on the ice.
*8.3.6) “Members of the ice hockey coaching staff are limited to a total of 10 days in any combination of instructional program days and non-interscholastic competition days as specified in Bylaw 10-3-5 (OHSAA).”
High School Summer League(s). Summer high school team leagues are available in combination with or in lieu of instructional camps as stated above, during June and July.
Pre-post Hockey Teams. OHSAA Sect. 8.2.2*) “A member of an interscholastic ice hockey squad sponsored by the Board of Education may participate in non-interscholastic ice hockey prior to and after the school season under the following conditions:
*8.2.21) The number of interscholastic ice hockey players from the same school on the non-interscholastic squad is limited to three (3) on the roster of that non-interscholastic squad.” (Note: rising 8th graders are not subject to this rule—provided they were not high school team members the previous season.)
Spring & Fall Hockey Leagues. Numerous spring and fall hockey leagues exist for the players to develop their skills. The teams in these leagues are subject to the same (3) three-player limit from the same school.
Specialized Camps. There are numerous developmental camps available to players who wish to improve their skill level. They are available at most rinks both locally and nationally.
AHS Shooting Range. The Aurora Hockey Boosters have provided a shooting range (goal, shooting pads, pucks & backstop) that is located under the football bleachers. Adult supervision is required.
Captains’ Practices & Dryland Training. The option of fall captains’ practices (no coaching supervision according to OHSAA Bylaws) and/or dryland training is available.
Communications & Involvement:
Preseason Player, Parents & Coaches Meeting. Prior to the first on-ice session, the Head Coach and staff will hold a meeting for the players and their parents. They will discuss team goals, coaching philosophy, player rules and conduct, etc. in order to establish expectations and gain their support. Practice and game schedules will be distributed and contact information will be disseminated.
Aurora Hockey Night. The Aurora Hockey Boosters sponsor “Aurora Hockey Night.” During an early season home game we introduce up and coming team members to our hockey fans. After the game there is an open skate for all students and parents.
Senior Night. At the last home game of the regular season we recognize all seniors that are members of the team, along with their parents.
Alumni Parent Night. At our first home game of the season we invite our alumni and alumni parents to attend and introduce them to the crowd.
Team & Individual Statistics. The coaching staff and hockey booster volunteers maintain detailed team and individual statistics. Most of these statistics are then made available on our team website – www.greenmen-hockey.org.
Program Participation Rules. At the beginning of each season (usually at the player-parent meeting) the head coach provides each player/parent with team guidelines.
Websites:
www.greenmen-hockey.org – Team website maintained by the Aurora Hockey Boosters provides schedules, roster, results, game summaries, statistics, pictures, & news clippings.
www.gchshl.com -- This is the official website of the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League. It provides schedules, rosters, standings & statistics for GCHSHL games.
www.shutout.com -- This is an excellent website with GCHSHL standings and all northeast Ohio games and schedules.
www.highschoolsports.net -- Complete listing of all game and practice schedules for all high school sports.
e-mail – e-mail is the most efficient way of communicating information for players and parents. The Aurora Hockey Boosters maintains a mailing list of players, coaches, parents and alumni. This list is constantly updated and utilized by program leadership.