Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association

August 2008

Let’s play HOCKEY!

Labor Day weekend is just around the corner and for most of us that means an extra day off from work and school starting.  But, it also means the start of hockey!  Creating the ice schedule for over 20 GLAHA teams is no small feat, but should be finalized and sent to coaches shortly.  However, for now, here is a recap of the B division registration dates and times – all at Suburban Ice East Lansing.

Mites Saturday, 9/6/08 letters A through K 10:00 am; letters L through Z 11:00 am

Squirts Saturday, 9/6/08 letters A through H noon; letters I through Z 1:00 pm

Peewees Sunday, 9/7/08 letters A through J 1:00 pm; letters K through Z 2:00 pm

Bantams Sunday, 9/7/08 letters A through M 10:00 am; letters N through Z 11:30 am

Midgets Sunday, 9/7/08 4:00 pm

Payments are expected at each skate.  Login at www.glaha.org  for additional information for your respective division. 

2008-09 fees will be posted at the skates.

GLAHA needs you!

The G in GLAHA stands for Greater and that does not just refer to the geographic Lansing area, but also to a greater association.  To achieve a greater association, everyone needs to be a part.  Obviously all parents do play a part when they write out checks to for their child to play, but we also need coaches, assistant coaches, managers, board members, clock operators, score keepers, and committee members. 

GLAHA Board members all serve on various committees and need non-board committee members in areas like fund raising, publicity, equipment, tournaments, etc.  Each GLAHA team manager will serve as a liaison with Jill Remus, Managing Director, Roger Wood, Travel Director, and Missy Reed, B Director, for volunteer efforts.  In addition to clock operators, score keepers and publicists at the team level there is something for everyone.  An opportunity to sign up will occur at the B registration weekend and travel team meetings. 

St. Johns Hockey

Every year we some kids come and go within GLAHA, but this Fall you may see an influx of new kids from St. Johns Hockey.  The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, in an effort to consolidate smaller associations into larger ones has declined association status to the former St. Johns Red Wings.  As a result a number of their skaters will be joining GLAHA.  Please welcome them into our association and on our teams as we continue to maintain and build the best hockey program in the greater Lansing area. 

Equipment

Has your child outgrown that equipment?  GLAHA will be hosting an equipment swap on Saturday, 9/6 and Sunday, 9/7 8:30 am – 11:00 am at Suburban Ice East Lansing.  An email will be sent out regarding the details of the swap, but this is the perfect opportunity for you to get rid of the old and get some slightly used or new equipment.  

Coaches

Again, all coaches and assistant coaches please verify with www.usahockey.com for your current coaching level and required level for the upcoming season.  MAKE SURE you’ve taken the clinic you need.  Brandon Reed, Ace Director will be announcing dates of coaching clinics in the Lansing area soon! 

Kuhnert joins the GLAHA Board of Directors

Kristine Kuhnert was appointed by the Board to become a Director.  She fills a vacancy on the Board and her term will expire in 2010.  Kuhnert has two sons playing at the Squirt & Mite level.  We look forward to her energy and expertise on the Board, especially in the areas of fundraising and publicity. 

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See you at the rink…….

Doug Novak

JUNE 11, 2008

by Doug Novak

The Red Wings are the Stanley Cup Champions and Spring Hockey is over, so this update is short.  Here’s some of what’s new at GLAHA:

Shirley Decker – USA Hockey Magazine HockeyVolunteer of the Month
GLAHA salutes our very own Treasurer, Board Member and long-time hockey fan, Shirley Decker for being named in the June/July edition.  Shirley will be recognized at the June 16th Board meeting for her 20th year of service.  Here is the excerpt from USA Hockey Magazine:

Shirley Decker
Lansing, Mich.
Now in her 20th year of volunteering with the Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association, Shirley’s involvement has literally been across the board, including: secretary, director, treasurer, registrar and commissioner.

Shirley is on the GLAHA board of directors and executive committee in the role of treasurer and registrar. Shirley most enjoys meeting the people and the friendships she’s made over the years.

“I have seen skaters start out at 4 years old and then attend their graduation open house.”

She fondly recalls the time she tried officiating.

“I had never skated before and started taking lessons. I officiated about four games before I decided that I just couldn’t degrade the game any longer.”

New Website!
The new website is up and running and it sure is improved!  Thanks to Shirley Decker & Ian McLaughlin for their work on this project.  The website looks great.  In the future look for more news and information about GLAHA: players, coaches, teams, schedules, special events, pictures, scores, & MORE.

The goal of going to a new website was to make it more user friendly, informational and attractive.  To make this a success, GLAHA needs input from our members.  We’d love to put pictures and information about your team on your team’s page.  To make this manageable, please work through your Team Manager. 

Team Managers will be responsible for updating team information on the GLAHA website, including player & coaching rosters, schedule & scores, and other useful information.  GLAHA will use this information to continue publicity and recruiting efforts. 

Register Now!   Win a Easton GLAHA coat!
4 lucky members of GLAHA have already won an Easton GLAHA coat valued at $75-$100!  All they had to do was register for the Fall hockey season with GLAHA.  The winners were:

1) Wesley Bird
2) Nathan Tempelman
3) Noah Pipper
4) James Davidson

Only 3 more drawings, so register today.  As a reminder, each year GLAHA must schedule ice with SIEL for the fall hockey season..  In order to know how many teams we will be putting on the ice, and how much each division will cost, we need accurate information on who’s going to be playing. We have lowered the registration fee to $75 so please register now! 

See you at the rink…….

Doug Novak
President