End of season events: Coaches vs. Players, Annual Banquet, and DHA elections

Hello everyone,

I hope and pray all is well with each one of you!

I have some very important updates for you please save these upcoming dates on your calendar.

I would like to begin by thanking each parent, player, and coach for a wonderful 2011-2012. We appreciate your continued support of the Detroit Hockey Association (DHA) and thank you for the opportunity of allowing us to be a part of your lives through the wonderful game of hockey. I hope and pray it has been a positive experience for you and I am looking forward to an even better 2012-2013 season with your continued support!!!

Next I would like to congratulate and wish the Squirt and Peewee team good luck and continued success in their Spring season!!! Go Dragons!!

Okay now to our important upcoming events. I know many of you are starting to get busy with other sports and activities; there are just a few more very important events that I would like to see all of the players participating in if possible.

Important Dates:

April 28, 2012 (Saturday): Kids vs Coaches game (That's right the kids get to play the coaches in a game please see times for games below)

I-Program vs. Coaches game @ 12pm

Squirt & Peewee vs. Coaches game @ 2pm

May 5, 2012 (Saturday):This will be the last Saturday of skating for both the I-Program & Competitive teams.

May 9, 2012 (Wednesday):The last day of skating for the I-Program for this season

May 10, 2012 (Thursday):The last day of practice for the Squirts & Peewees for this season

May 12, 2012 (Saturday):The End of the Year Awards Banquet (This is where each player receives there trophy and the DHA board elections will also take place on this date)

* Equipment return for the I-Program:

The I-Program can return equipment May 9-12, 2012. Please remember equipment should be returned clean.

Please look for additional emails and updates regarding some of the above dates.

Volunteers Needed!!!!

Volunteers needed this Saturday, April 28, 2012 10am-2pm, which is Motor-City Makeover Day. Each organization within the ABC complex is required to clean-up their specific area inside and outside. We need your help!!! We especially need help with cleaning the equipment cage!! So please come out and support us and help make our arena sparkle!!!

FYI: The Detroit Dragon Peewee B champions will be recognize along with the other Little Caesar Amateur Hockey League house championship teams on May 5, 2012 at Comerica Park on the field at a Tiger's game. For anyone interesting in attending the game and supporting the Peewee team tickets are $20 for the baseball game. Please see Cynthia for ticket information.

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

Thank You,

Cynthia Wardlaw

313-727-7330

cw20033@aol.com

HITH VIII Champions & final day photos



Detroit Hockey i-Program and Clark Park Hockey learn to play participants



Detroit Dragons and Kensington Valley Generals team photo from Hockey in the Hood 8 finals

HITH VIII Pee Wee Champions Kensington Valley Generals with Willie O'Cup championship trophy



Farmington Hills Scorpions and Royal Oak Jets Bantams at Jack Adams Arena - Livonia Blues were HITH VIII champs



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.

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."

I-Program Begins this Saturday

The first i-Program skate begins this Saturday, 10-27-07 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. It is not too late to sign up. Please visit the i-Program page of DetroitHockey.org for more information and registration forms.

Come out and skate Metro-Detroit!

Mandatory Preseason Clinics & Important Meetings

It's that time again, the Detroit Dragons are back on the ice. If you plan to play this season haven't registered yet please do so ASAP. Team registration forms are available online via the following link. Parents, please remember in order to roster your child you must complete all necessary paperwork and pay 1/2 of the registration fees.

All teams are having mandatory skills clinics for the next 3-4 weeks. All players at all levels must be in attendance!! Each player must show up for their scheduled clinic time. These clinics are designed specifically to prepare Detroit Dragons players for the upcoming season. If you want to play and have a good season this year, you will be there!

MANDATORY CLINICS FOR THIS WEEK (10/8/07):

Thursday: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Mites-Midgets)

Saturday: 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm (Mites and Squirts)
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (Bantam and Midgets)

Sunday: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Mites and Squirts)
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Bantam and Midgets)

Please follow the following practice schedule for the week of (10-14-07):

Mites and Squirts: Tuesday from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm and Thursday from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Bantams: Tuesday from 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm and Saturday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Midgets: Thursday at 8:30 pm and Saturdays at 3 pm (You must also attend the above clinics this is mandatory!!) * Sunday, October 14th the Midgets have an away game.

Important Dates:

Saturday, October 13, 2007: I-Program Parent meeting @ 12:00 pm

Saturday, October 27, 2007: 1st day for the I-Program

Sunday, October 28, 2007: HITH 4 Planning Meeting @ 5:00 pm

Please contact a DHA board member with any questions.

DHA to Host USA Hockey Level 1 Clinic 10/13 & Important Dates

As the DHA continues to grow, there will be an increasing need for new coaches. The DHA will host a Level I coaching certification program at Jack Adams Arena on Saturday, October 13th from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Register online via this link. Parents and care givers are strongly encouraged to get certified and learn the latest USA Hockey coaching techniques. No special skills or experience are required.

Soon new players will be signing up for the i-Program and Detroit Dragon teams. There is a great need for volunteers to help us prepare for the season and all season long. The DHA kicks off the pre-season this coming Saturday.

Volunteers Needed!!!!!

Saturday, September 15, 2007: To help clean out the equipment cage. We will be cleaning the cage out from 9 am-11 am. We need some volunteers to help us get the cage area cleaned out and organized.

Coaches Meeting - 9/15 - 11:00 AM: It is mandatory for all coaches who plan to coach this season to be in attendance. The DHA needs active participation in order to have a successful season.

Parent/Player Orientation - 9/15 - 2:00 PM: Please remember that each parent and player must attend an orientation session. There will be others scheduled if you are unable to attend this one (see the following dates).
--------------------------------------------------------
If you have not registered there will be several onsite (Jack Adams Arena) registration dates coming up soon. Please remember to register you must pay at least half your fees. All registration fees are due by November 5, 2007!!!

Onsite Registration Dates:

Friday, September 14, 2007 6-8pm

Saturday, September 15, 2007 12pm-2pm

Friday, September 21, 2007 6-8pm

Saturday, September 22, 2007 12pm-2pm

Friday, September 28, 2007 6-8pm

Saturday, September 29, 2007 12pm-2pm

*Remember to register/roster your child at least half of your fees must be paid at registration. (See link to player registration form here)
------------------------------------------
Additional Important Dates:

Friday, September 21, 2007: Parent/Player orientation @ 6:30 pm @ Jack Adams.

Saturday, September 22, 2007: Managers meeting @ 12 pm at Jack Adams. *If you are interested in becoming a team manager please contact Marilyn Alexander at (313) 340-0119 or (313) 587-2747.

Sunday, September 23, 2007: General Membership Meeting @ 3 pm. All association members should plan to attend. Come out and hear what new ideas we have planned to improve and strengthen the Detroit Hockey Association.

Saturday, September 29, 2007: Hockey In The Hood IV (HITH 4) Planning Meeting @ 12 pm. We need your help! Please plan to attend.

This committee will be responsible for the planning and publicizing for HITH 4. As well as organizing the various committees for HITH 4. Some of those committees are: Registration, Welcome/Liaison comm., Concession Stand, Light breakfast, Luncheon, Pancake Breakfast, Locker room/Lobby Monitor, Score keeping, Decorating, Media/Publicity, Entertainment, Tournament Badges, Hospitality, Clean-Up, Parking Lot, HITH 4 banquet/silent auction, raffle and apparel to name a few.

* If you are interested in signing up to volunteer for any of the above mentioned committees please plan to attend the meeting if you can't make it please contact Cynthia to sign up for one of the committees. We need all our parents support to make this HITH 4 unforgettable. This HITH will be an celebration of Willie O'ree's 50th year anniversary since breaking the color barrier in the NHL. Please help us make this a memorable event. We can't do this without your help. We ask that each parent volunteer for at least one committee.

Sunday, September 30, 2007: For any of you interested The Detroit Hockey Association has reserved this day at Perani's in Livonia from (10am-12pm) for all our members to get hockey equipment at a discounted price. All CCM and Reebok equipment will be especially discounted. So save the date and plan to save some money on all your hockey equipment needs.

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

Hope to see you all soon,

Cynthia

313-834-2563 or 313-727-7330

End of Summer Important Dates

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying there summer. Well were almost at the end of July hockey season will soon be here again. I know your as anxious as we are to get started. We hope to have a very good season this year!

Important Dates:

Saturday, August 4, 2007: Coaches meeting at Jack Adams @ 12pm. All coaches should be in attendance. If you are planning to coach for the 2007-2008 season you must be in attendance. We will be discussing the coaching plan for this season. So each coach should plan to be in attendance at this meeting. The season will soon be here and we want to be ready.

Saturday, August 4, 2007: Parent Meeting at Jack Adams @ 1pm. This will be the first of many. Each parent must attend one of the parent meetings there will be several prior to the begining of the season. (* other dates TBA)

Saturday, August 11, 2007: Player meeting at Jack Adams @ 12pm. There will be several schedule prior to the begining of the season. Each player must attend this meeting. (* other dates TBA)

Don't forget about the early registration discount. If you register now thru August 31, 2007, you can save $25.00 of your registration fee. Please remember all fees must be paid in full to receive discount. Save yourself some money and register today!

Feel free to contact any Detroit Hockey Association officer for more information about the upcoming season. The registration form is found here.

Cynthia

Stay in School - Play Hockey

A recent USA Today title read Big City Schools Struggle with graduation rates . This comes as no surprise. Sadly, it is also no surprise that Detroit won the infamous "worst of the worst" award by a landslide.

Detroit schools graduated only 21.7% of their high school students! Baltimore was 2nd worst. Yet they did managed to graduate 38.5% of their students.

The Detroit Hockey Association is a great success story when it comes to graduation rates in Detroit! In marked contrast to the depressing overall Detroit record, all Detroit Hockey Association players graduate from high school and most go on to college. An academic focus is built-in. The DHA requires its players to share their GPA when they sign up. The program works. It is based on a simple slogan, "where goals are achieved, not just scored."

Any parents interested in helping improve their child's chances of graduating from high school in Metro Detroit should give Detroit Hockey a try. Families need to know that DHA sponsors help ensure the program will continue to deliver the best hockey value in Metro Detroit.

Due to our generous sponsors, the Detroit Hockey Association has not only reduced fees, the DHA is offering a chance for a $25.00 registration discount through August 31, 2007. (*all fees must be paid for the discount to be applied) Please remember regular fees will apply as of September 1, 2007.

2007-2008 Fees:

House Team Player Fees: $300.00 * $275.00 if paid by August 31, 2007

I-Program Player Fees: $ 150.00 * $125.00 if paid by August 31, 2007

House teams pay no ice, but do have ref fees.

I-Program participants pay no ice time, and $75 of the annual fee is a deposit for full equipment sets including all pads, pants, skates, jerseys & sticks.

The Detroit Hockey Association will work with kids three years old and older in Southeastern Michigan. DHA programs are open to all, including parents and caregivers who want to learn to skate with their children.

Parents skate for free!

Feel free to contact any Detroit Hockey Association officer for more information about the upcoming season. The registration form is found here.

Come out and skate - Detroit!

Early Registration Discounts & Meeting Announcements

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather. I just want to remind you of the early registration discounts that are available. The registration fee for the 2007-2008 season is $300 for house programs and only $150 for the I-Program.

There is a $50.00 (* for house registration) early registration discount for those who register by June 30, 2007. There will also be a additional early registration discount for the house team for those who miss the June 30, 2007 deadline of $25.00 offered July 1, 2007-August 31, 2007.

The I-Program early registration discount is $25.00 now through August 31, 2007. All fees must be paid in full to receive the discount. Please check your mail for your application. As of September 1, 2007 regular fees will apply. So don't delay register today and save yourself some extra $$$!

Volunteers Needed!!
The Detroit Hockey Association wants to show that our Dragon's have community spirit. We are scheduled to go to Gleaners Food Bank on Saturday, June 23, 2007 from 9 AM-12 PM to pack food for the homeless. We need at least 10 people to volunteer to do this. We need to know ASAP who is interested in participating. I need to confirm with Gleaners ASAP if we will have enough volunteer support. So please contact me if you would like to participate.


Upcoming Meetings
HITH4 Planning Meeting - Saturday, June 23rd @ 12PM
Coaches Meeting - Saturday, June 30th @ 12PM

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

Thanks, Cynthia