Stanley is Back in Detroit!

DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER EARLY!
Please take advantage of the $50.00 registration discount now thru June 30, 2008!!
This date will be here before you know it so don't delay register your player today!!


Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Cynthia Wardlaw
313-727-7330
313-834-2563
cw20033@aol.com

Volunteers Needed!!! - Jack Adams Arena cleanup & May events

This Saturday, May 3, 2008 @ 9 am for Clean-Up Day at Jack Adams.

We need your help cleaning the inside and outside of our arena! So let's show our Dragon Spirit and show up to help make our arena shine inside and outside! I'll be there I hope to see you there to!

Upcoming Events:

May 2, 2008: Mr Darden's (center director) retirement party @ 7pm at Adam Butzel Center tickets are $15.00.

May 3, 2008: Clean-Up day at Adam Butzel Center and Jack Adams Arena 9am-1pm

May 10, 2008: DHA Cage Clean-Up we will need some volunteers to help us clean out the equipment cage on this day from 9am-1pm.

May 10, 2008: ABC Day camp registration at Belle Isle 8am-11am.

May 17, 2008: DHA Cage Clean-Up we will need some volunteers to help us clean out the equipment cage on this day from 9am-1pm

May 17, 2008: Fishing Derby @ Palmer Park 9am-2pm.

*Don't forget about the pre-registration discounts. Register now through June 30, 2008 and save yourself $50.

Please look for more information in the mail, through your email, and at this site for upcoming fundraising events and meetings.

Please feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Cynthia Wardlaw
313-834-2563
313-727-7330
cw20033@aol.com

We are the Champions! Detroit Dragons Mites win LCAHL championship at Joe Louis Arena by 5-1 score.

Solid defense, strong skating, and an explosive transition game lead the Detroit Dragons Mites to a 5-1 victory over the Wayne Knights for the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League (LCAHL) Championship at Joe Louis Arena last evening.

The Dragons struggled early with Wayne applying constant pressure in the Dragons end. The score remained tied 1-1 through much of the second period. However, the skills clinics and hard skating paid off in the end as the Dragons scored four unanswered goals and kept the puck in the opposing end to secure the win.

Congratulations Mites!

Congratulations is also due to the enthusiast Detroit Dragons fans. They overwhelmingly won the traditional LCAHL chicken dance contest between the second and third periods.



Reminder: On Saturday, March 29 @ 10:00 AM, the DHA has a unique opportunity for players, coaches, their families, and supporters to visit the Joe for a Detroit Red Wings open practice!! This will also be an equipment drive for the DHA. This practice is open to the public and each person must either donate a piece of equipment or $5 all proceeds go to our association.

We will need some of our players to be there and collect equipment!! Please send Cynthia an email to let her know that you will be there. We would like to have players from all age levels their from the I-Program, Mites, Squirts, Bantam and Midgets!!. Please email or call me and let me know if you will be there. This is very important we need to let the Red Wings know the number of players and parents who will be there.

Detroit Dragon Mites to Play in Little Caesars Championship Game at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday, 3/18/08

The Mites have their LCAHL championship game vs. the Wayne Knights at the Joe (Joe Louis) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 @ 5pm. If you can please come out and support the Mite team at this game. Lets help cheer the Mite team on to a win! Way to Go Dragons!! Win Win Win!!! - If you plan to attend this game, please see the bottom of this section for more information about parking, etc.

REMINDERS:
DHA Annual Awards Banquet: Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the Karas House 4pm-8pm Tickets are $21.00 for parents/siblings and (players, managers and coaches eat for Free) are available now please see Cynthia for tickets. Please let me know if you will be attending the banquet I have to turn in a count by next week.

ABC (Adams-Butzel Center) Volunteer Dinner: Sunday, April 13, 2008 3pm-6pm. The center is hosting a dinner in honor of the centers organization volunteers. All DHA volunteers should plan to attend. If you have not RSVP with Cynthia please do.

photos courtesy of Jim West Photography

LCAHL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES FAQ

If our final game is at Joe Louis Arena, where should we park? You should park in the player's lot if there is room or in Riverfront parking across the street from the player's lot. There may be a fee for parking in Riverfront parking

If our final game is at Joe Louis Arena, where should we enter the building? Please enter the building through the suite holder's entrance. Teams will be directed to their locker room and fans will be asked to take the elevator or stairs to the viewing areas.

If our final game is at Joe Louis Arena, where should we sit? Fans will be asked to sit only in the designated areas. If you sit outside of these areas, you will be asked to move.

Are cameras allowed at the championship games? Both still and video cameras are allowed at all games. Remember that only rostered coaches and players are allowed on the bench.

Will the concessions be open? Concessions for food and drink (non-alcoholic) will be available at Joe Louis Arena and all venues as applicable. In addition, LCAHL play off wear will be available from Alley Cat at all locations.

What determines the home / away team? Home and away teams are pre-determined based on the original seeding. Please see PointStreak to determine if your team is home or away.

What color does the Home team wear? Home teams are expected to wear white or light color jerseys, visiting teams are expected to wear dark colored jerseys.

Are there any time outs? No time outs are allowed in any games.

Please be sure to check the LCAHL website at http://www.lcahl.org/ for up to the minute information and contact your Division Director with any other questions.

Picture Day and Annual Banquet

There has been a change in the date for the picture day that will be held at our arena.

The Picture Day will be Saturday, March 15, 2008 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

I will have information forms available for those interested in taking photos. If you are interested in taking photos please send me a email or call me so I can get a general idea of the number of people interested.

The Annual Awards Banquet will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2008 tickets will be available this weekend.

Greatings from Columbus & Fantastic Finish to Hockey in the Hood

WOW!!!!! What a wonderful weekend.

The Columbus Ice Hockey Club would like to thank everyone from the Detroit Hockey Association for all their hard work and dedication to this splendid event. It was by our estimation the best HITH tournament ever!!! I'm only sorry that most of the Diversity Clubs were unable to see the two championship games.

Alaska gave Detroit a wonderful game that went to overtime and then shootout! I didn't think it could get any better, but the midget game was one of the best hockey games I've ever seen PERIOD. Speed, teamwork, emotion, effort, sportsmanship, it had everything we as program directors are trying to accomplish with our programs! I'd like to thank all who participated for a truly wonderful weekend and let you all know we in Columbus already miss you all.

Thanks again, and see you next year in Detroit.

John M. Haferman
Program Director
Columbus Ice Hockey Club

Note: The bantam final between the Wasilla Wild and Detroit Dragons finished regulation play tied 2-2 and Detroit won the shoot out. In the midget finals, Columbus vs. Detroit, the Dragons won 4-3. Both games were played at Joe Louis Arena and will be memorialized on the Willie O'Cup

Press Release: Willie O'Ree Commemorated at Fourth Annual 'Hockey in the Hood' Tournament (updated with game schedules)

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) February 6, 2008 -- Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the National Hockey League (NHL), is to be commemorated with a championship trophy that bears his name, "The Willie O Cup" at the annual "Hockey in the Hood" (HITH) tournament. Hosted by the Detroit Hockey Association, the fourth annual HITH will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Willie O'Ree joining the NHL. http://www.HockeyintheHood.org

Over 400 inner city youths representing 22 hockey teams from Detroit and nine other U.S. cities will compete in this year's HITH tournament, running February 15 - 17th. In addition to the Detroit Dragons teams, the others represent: Boston, MA; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Mount Vernon, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Washington, DC; Wasilla, AK and Southwest Detroit's Clark Park Coalition.

Click here for the HITH IV Itinerary & full game schedule

Games in the fourth annual HITH will be played at the Detroit Hockey Association's Dragons home ice - Jack Adams Arena and at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. Thanks to the generous support of the Detroit Red Wings, championship games will be played at Joe Louis Arena.

"Hockey in the Hood is the highlight of our season," says Detroit Hockey Association President Will McCants. "It is great to see inner city youth hockey players come from all across the country to compete here in Detroit. With this year marking the 50th anniversary of Willie O'Ree's breaking the color barrier in the NHL, it makes us especially proud to host a tournament celebrating what he symbolizes and continues to work for as Director of Youth Development for the NHL's Diversity Task Force."

The Detroit Hockey Association is more than just hockey. It's about youth development through hockey. For example, following the 2006-2007 season 98 % of its seniors graduated from high school and 95% went on to college. Throughout its history Detroit Hockey Association's players have far exceeded the graduation rates and college education ranks of their classmates.

For more than 30 years, the Detroit Hockey Association has helped develop youths both as skilled hockey players and men and women of character, guided by its motto "Where goals are achieved, not just scored." Its affordable programs have enabled many youths from low and moderate income households to experience the rush of the rink as they build values lasting a lifetime. The Detroit Hockey Association is member of the Little Caesar's Amateur Hockey League, the largest youth amateur hockey league in the nation. For more information, go to: http://www.DetroitHockey.org

SANDRA EGGERS
Purple Eagle Marketing
248-921-0232
Email us Here

Important Reminders - Hockey in the Hood IV is almost here

Skills Clinics:

This Saturday, February 2, 2008
- Mites/Squirts: 12:00 pm-1:30 pm (Squirts away game)
- Bantams/Midgets: 1:30 pm-3:00 pm.

There will be no clinics or practices on Super Bowl Sunday

**IMPORTANT HITH REMINDERS**

ADVERTISEMENTS FOR PROGRAM BOOK: Please remember the deadline for all ad sales is February 9, 20008. No exceptions!!!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Each family has been asked to support our pancake breakfast by selling 5 tickets. The pancake breakfast is all you can eat for only $5.00 and will take place on Sunday, February 17, 2008 from 7am-1pm. If you have not received your tickets please see me this Saturday, money for the pancake breakfast tickets is due Saturday, February 2, 2008. (* please remember the player is free)

HOCKEY IN THE HOOD BANQUET: will take place on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Ren-Cen Marriott @ 7:30pm. All are asked to come and join us this will be a wonderful evening the tickets are $25.00 (players eat for free). We will need a count of who will be attending the banquet by this Saturday. Please let me know that you will be attending by Saturday!!

*Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Thank You,
Cynthia Wardlaw
313-834-2563
313-727-7330

Press Release: Detroit Hockey Association Seeks Corporate Sponsors

Detroit Hockey Association Seeks Corporate Sponsors for Youth Hockey

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) January 17, 2008 -- The Detroit Hockey Association is now seeking corporate sponsors for its youth hockey programs. For more than 30 years, the Detroit Hockey Association has offered affordable youth hockey programs, regardless of income.

"The Detroit Hockey Association is proud be at the forefront of efforts to grow hockey in Michigan and around the country," says Detroit Hockey Association President Will McCants. "We have a long history of providing inner city kids opportunities to play the game of hockey at an affordable price. The association's mission, 'Where goals are achieved, not just scored' is the message we instill in our players."

The Detroit Hockey Association's mission is more than a statement; it is an action. Following the 2006-2007 season 98 % of its seniors graduated from high school and 95% went on to college. Throughout its history, Detroit Hockey Association players have far exceeded the graduation rates and college education ranks of their classmates.

Another showcase for inner city hockey is "Hockey in the Hood" a tournament that draws youth hockey teams from across the country. The 2008 event will be hosted at the Jack Adams Arena, in Detroit on the weekend of February 15 - 18. The Detroit Hockey Association has sponsored this tournament for the past three years, awarding the "Willie O'Cup" trophy to the winning teams. The cup was named to honor Willie O'Ree, who began his National Hockey League career in 1958 as the National Hockey League's first black player. This year Hockey In The Hood IV will celebrate the 50th anniversary of O'Ree breaking into the National Hockey League.

The Detroit Hockey Association is seeking corporate sponsors for youth hockey. To become a sponsor, please call Will McCants at 313-485-6396, or visit http://www.detroithockey.org/detroit_hockey_sponsors.htm to download a sponsorship form. Your donations are tax deductible, as the Detroit Hockey Association is a 501(c)3 organization.


For more than 30 years, the Detroit Hockey Association has helped develop youths both as skilled hockey players and men and women of character, guided by its motto "Where goals are achieved, not just scored." Its affordable programs have enabled many youths from low-income households to experience the rush of the rink as they build values lasting a lifetime. The Detroit Hockey Association is a member of the Little Caesar's Amateur Hockey League, the largest youth amateur hockey league in the nation. For more information, go to: http://www.detroithockey.org

SANDRA EGGERS
Purple Eagle Marketing
248-921-0232
Email us Here

photos courtesy of Jim West Photography

Detroit Hockey Spotlight: Akil Adams

This season, the Detroit Hockey Association has been growing. We now have over forty children in the i-Program. Managing this growth, while still delivering individualized, skills based instruction requires more structure and focused coaching. Fortunately, the DHA has several volunteers who act as assistant coaches. The association is also fortunate to have Akil Adams as its lead instruction coach. Akil has been running clinics for all Dragons teams since early October. He has also taken over head coaching responsibilities for the i-Program. Following is a brief bio of Akil Adams.

Akil Adams began his hockey career at Jack Adams Arena at the age of 5. By the time he was 8, he was playing on a AA travel team called then The Detroit Rockies, who won the PAL National Championship in 1984.

Adams then went on to play AAA hockey in the Michigan National organization, where he was invited the USA Olympic Developement Team at age 16 and 17. At the age of 17, he was drafted in the 2nd round of the United States Hockey Leauge (Junior A) league to the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Akil had a very successful year in the USHL where he was an All-Star, 2nd team all league and received a full scholarship to the University of North Dakota where he played two seasons before joining the Windsor Spitfires of the O.H.L. There he played with Ed Jovanowski of the Pheonix Coyotes before being traded to the Ottawa 67's.

At Ottawa, Adams played with the likes of Michael Peca (Columbus Blue Jackets), Sean Donovan (Calgary Flames), Kevin Weekes (New Jersey Devils), Alyn McCauley (Toronto Maple Leafs) and was coached by Brian Kilrea (NHL Hockey Hall of Fame). In 1994 Akil signed a contract with the Florida Panthers American League team the Carolina Monarchs.

He then went on to play in Germany, the International Hockey League, the Western Professional League, the United Hockey League, and finished his playing career in 2000.

Akil earned his BA in Communications from Wayne State University when he finished his career. Adams went on to be the 1st African American High School Hockey Coach in the State of Michigan at the prestigous University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe. He also ran the instructional program for the Grosse Pointe Hockey Association for three years.

Akil Adams headed up All Pro Hockey School for five years, before joining the Belle Tire AAA hockey organization as a coach, consultant and trainer. Yet, he finds greater satisfaction helping to grow the DHA. "My whole goal is to provide the kids from the inner-city with the training that I was not fortunate to have. I am passionate and dedicated to providing the infastructure essential to giving these kids the opportunity to go alot further than I ever did. Its good to be home."

DHA Holiday Events

Hello Everyone,

I have a few reminders and important dates you need to be aware of.

* If you have any outstanding association fees, please pay these fees ASAP they are past due!! Any player with a balance will not be allowed to participate in playoff games, districts or HITH 4!!

* ABC Recreation Center Christmas Party for the kids Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5 PM- 8 PM. Please support the centers Christmas party.

General Membership Meeting:
There will be a general membership meeting this Sunday December 16, 2007 at 3 PM all members of the Detroit Hockey Association should plan to be in attendance. There will be very important information discussed as well as updates on upcoming events i.e. HITH 4. Light refreshments will be served. I will be there I hope that you will be there to!!

Mandatory Akil Adams Skills Clinic:
Please remember that the skill clinics are mandatory!! Many of our players have not been taking advantage of these clinics those who have we have seen tremendous improvements. Please ensure that your player is getting the skills they need by making sure they attend the mandatory clinics as well as their scheduled practices!!
*Next clinic scheduled for Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 7pm.

DHA Christmas Potluck/Party:
If you have not heard the Detroit Hockey Association will be having a Christmas potluck on Monday, December 17, 2007 6 PM-9 PM. So please see Cynthia to sign up to bring your favorite dish for all to enjoy. If your player did not draw a name for the secret Santa gift please see Cynthia also. We will also enjoy a family skate on this evening. We hope that all will come out and celebrate the upcoming holiday with us!!


ARENA CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING. DATES PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THESE DATES.

December 22, -25, 2007

December 29, - January 1, 2008


The center will have special hours on the following dates:

December 26-28, 2007 open each day 10am-6pm

January 2, 2008- January 6, 2008 open each day 10am-6pm.

January 7, 2008 normal hours and normal schedule in effect for everyone

* Please look for further updates on times we will be skating!

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Cynthia
313-834-2563
313-727-7330

Check out the Detroit Hockey Association (DHA) Calendar

The DHA has added a new web calendar to the main website. DHA officers have also put in the time to load in all the December games, practices, and clinics. They have committed to keeping the Detroit Hockey Association calendar up to date.

Feel free to contact any officer or fill out a DHA web contact us form with any questions or suggestions.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Willie O-Ree 50th Anniversary Celebration and Hockey in the Hood IV on February 15-17, 2008.