Essex Youth Hockey Association

EYHA is accepting coaching applications. Use the link at the bottom of this section.

The criteria for coaching selection includes evidence of alignment with the following core values:

SPORTSMANSHIP: Foremost of all values is to learn a sense of fair play. Be humble in victory, gracious in defeat. We will foster friendship with teammates and opponents alike. 

RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL: Treat all others as you expect to be treated. 

INTEGRITY: Work to foster honesty and fair play beyond mere strict interpretation of the rules and regulations of the game. 

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AT THE INDIVIDUAL, TEAM, AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS: Each member of the organization, whether player, volunteer or staff, should seek to perform each aspect of the game to the highest level of his or her ability. 

ENJOYMENT: It is important for the hockey experience to be fun, satisfying and rewarding for the participant. 

LOYALTY: We aspire to teach loyalty to the ideals and fellow members of the sport of hockey. 

TEAMWORK: We value the strength of learning to work together. The use of teamwork is reinforced and rewarded by success in the hockey experience. 

All EYHA Coaches must:

• Be registered with USA Hockey for the current hockey season USAH Fee $46.00 / VSAHA $5.00
• Be compliant with age appropriate USA Hockey coaching education program (CEP) requirements.  For more information on the USA Hockey coaching education program, visit www.usahockey.com Age specific modules Fee $10 per module.
• Pass a background check (link below) Fee $30
• Complete Safe Sport training /  No Fee

If you are planning to coach for EYHA in the 2020-2021 season please review the attached document to ensure that you are properly certified.

National Level Background Screening Policy

In compliance with new requirements from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Hockey has launched a new national level background screening program.

WHO HAS TO GET SCREENED?
All adult coaches, officials, board members, employees, volunteers, and anyone else who will have regular contact with, or authority over, athletes under the age of 18 are required to submit to a background screen before any such contact with those athletes.

KEY SCREENING DETAILS
For members who were last screened through their Affiliate after April 1, 2019, for the 2019-20 season, their screens will be valid for the 2020-21 season, and will not need to be screened under the new system until prior to the 2021-22 season. If a member’s most recent screen is from prior to April 1, 2019, the member, if in a position that requires a background screen, will need to be screened under the new system in order to participate in the upcoming 2020-21 season.  

All new screens submitted through the new NCSI national screening program after April 1, 2020, will be valid for two seasons. For example, a screen submitted and approved on April 15, 2020, will be valid through the end of the 2021-22 season, which is August 31, 2022.

WHAT DOES IT COST?
Background screens through NCSI under the national program will cost $30 for all domestic screens. For international screens (members who have lived outside of the U.S. for six consecutive months in any one country during the past 7 years) the fee in $150. If that country is solely Canada, the fee is $75.

PLEASE NOTE that you will need your own USA Hockey Confirmation Number or Referee Number and your own email address to access the training.  You can locate your number OR obtain a number here membership.usahockey.com.  If you will not be participating as a player, coach or referee, you can register at no cost under the ice manager/volunteer category to obtain your USA Hockey Confirmation Number.

Protecting the Safety and Health of Workers Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION *By completing the certificate, you certify that you have completed this training and understand the safety guidance provided. Please complete the fillable certificate, and provide a copy to amanda.cowan@mmuusd.org

Keep a copy for your record as well. 

EYHA LEVEL PHILOSOPHY

Level T2 AA Philosophy: (10U Squirt AA, 12U PeeWee AA, 14U Bantam AA, and Girls 10U,12U,14U)

Essex Youth Hockey supports all players being involved in each and every game they dress for.  Unless approved by the board, all players need to have a meaningful playing experience* in every game including tournaments and the states. We strongly suggest that player development and having fun outweigh “winning at all costs”.  Some players may receive more ice time than others on special teams (i.e. power plays, penalty kills) or late in close games or in tournament championship games but we believe that the “shortening of the bench” should be a rare occurrence and not the norm for our AA teams.  We have proven throughout the years that playing everyone effectively results in a better team effort, stronger 3rd period and more often than not, a positive outcome. 

Level T3 A and T4 B Philosophy: (10U Squirt A&B,  12U PeeWee A&B, 14U Bantam A&B, and Girls 10U,12U,14U)

Players on this level will have equal playing time, but Coaches may have the discretion to involve the players that he/she sees fit in critical game situations in tournaments but shall strive to involve everyone on special team play.  

Coaches are permitted to "bench" players for reasons related to player control, code of conduct violations, and when enforcing published and communicated team rules.  When coaches do this they should inform the EYHA Head Coach.  The association will support coaches having high expectations for commitment and conduct. 

Any coach who doesn't follow the philosophy could face an informal hearing where sanctioning ranging from reprimand to dismissal will be considered. 

Any questions please contact EYHA Head Coach Mike Smith.

Watch as these walk you through a series of on ice drills designed specifically for all age players, the video examples of legal and illegal body contact.

14U Coaches should be making sure to add a station to work on body contact.