I was happy to see so many parents and coaches at the meeting on Monday. My hope is that everyone left feeling better about how the Pirates are going to develop players. Secondly how the USA Development is structured and there new foot print and how it is associated with the Pirates plan. 

Below I want to bullet point some of the key points so people have a better understanding. I feel that some people may think that the change will create their children to be isolated from those that are not ADM Compliant…which is not the case. 

·          Our teams will compete as we always have whether the team we play are ADM or not. We however will focus on the development of players by increasing the practice to game ratio and lowering the game count for all divisions.

·          The Pirates will have a program for spring that is called Revolution Hockey Development. This is not mandatory just an option for the spring that is developmentally based. RHD is put in place to create a fun less intensive environment for kids  that want to participate to maintain developmental growth during that time period. It is based on the POND HOCKEY mentality all games(1 per week) are 4 on 4 with 10 skaters and 1 goalie. AGAIN NOT MANDATORY JUST AN OPTION. 2 x 1 hr skill practices run by Professional skill coaches. April 5- Thru May 27 ^th. Then the players should break for 6 weeks.

·          We will be using the ADM Principles to develop our players trying to create a fun family environment at the same time.

·          We are looking at all teams starting in late August… 3 ^rd week. We will run a training camp for each team utilizing the required ice for August. This will allow teams to start later in the summer giving players an added break to enjoy other sports along with the summer break.

·          Individual coaches will decide on what avenue they will take for the spring. They have complete autonomy with their teams.

·          I Brian Klanow will take on the Hockey Director position with the pirates and will be hands on with each team. My responsibilities will be to work with the coaches, players and families to ensure a positive hockey experience.

·          The Pirate club will be sponsoring monthly specialty camp whether they be Power skating, Shooting, defensive, goaltending or team orientated clinics for all teams 1 x per month to go along with everything that was in the informational sheets provided at the meeting.

·          One new thing we will add this year is a yearend banquet to recognize all of our players, coaches and volunteers. 

New for the 2010-11 season:

1.       Ice Maximization

2.       Dedicated Video Room

3.       Dedicated Hockey Director

4.       Higher Practice to game ratio

5.       Bi-monthly player evaluations

6.       All equipment, apparel and club need run directly through the club( Buying Power)

7.       Established Fundraising

8.       More Ice, More Development for The same or less cost

9.       Professionally run skill practice weekly for Players and Goaltenders 

Coaches for the 2010-11 season:

Mini Mite – John Poolton

2003 – Craig Ward

2002 – Paul Washe

2001 – Mike Riddle

2000 – Asst Brian Klanow, Asst Steve Iverson, Head coach? By Monday we will decide on the head coach.

1999 – Kevin Machigian

1998 – Brian Lenaghan

1997 – Dan Milan

1996 – Todd Rosa

Midget Minor – Brett Tracey