2017-2018 Season
August 18, 2017
It’s that time of year again! Hockey! Hockey! Hockey!
In just a few short weeks your children will be hitting the ice and the 2017-2018 season will begin! I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing and healthy summer spending time with family and friends.
We hope you will continue to enjoy our program as we enter year 14! We are a youth hockey program proud of it’s passion for the sport, its families and its players. We are looking forward to another year of creating Champions – whether it be teams or players. We will continue to encourage your children to be the best they can be, to support each other both on and off the ice, to display good sportsmanship, to go out and give it their best and to be proud of being a DEVILS HOCKEY PLAYER!
We are happy to be returning to the home of the Devils at the NEW ENGLAND SPORTS VILLAGE! This new 100,000 square foot hockey facility sits on front of a 104 acre site on Commerce Way in Attleboro. It houses 2 NHL rinks and one half size rink. It is the home of the BARN Restaurant, Yoghurt Beach, Dunkin Donuts and what would a rink be without a GAMEROOM! It has become “home away from home” for many of us!
With that said, we will move ahead to provide you some very important information for you to prepare for the season! We will see you at the rinks in just a few short weeks!
Pride in our Organization
We have Board Members, Coaches, Team Administrators and volunteers invested in the success of our program and our players. We have many, many supporters who have helped us grow along the way. It is important for us to provide positive social opportunities so players can grow and mature in a safe and comfortable environment, supported by coaches and adults from their community, who genuinely care about them. Yes, we are a grass roots effort, but passion is what creates great athletes. We believe in the benefits of bonding with teammates, of developing lasting relationships with families in our own communities and in building a sense of community pride for those towns in our program. We believe in the proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child.” These are values you will not find in larger, select programs. This is what Devils Hockey is proud of. We create players who grow to gain confidence as well as skills; players who believe in the strength and support of community.
Our players create lasting friendships and memories that carry with them throughout their life. Most of our players begin as Mites and stay with the organization, skating with their friends up to high school.
Parent Meetings Dates
There will be a
PARENT MEETING held on TUESDAY, AUGUST 29th at 6:00pm at the New England Sports Village. All parents are encouraged to attend, but specifically any parents new to the Devils are STRONGLY encouraged.
Where Do I Find Information?
Coach and Team Admin - You will receive weekly updates from your team administrator reminding you of upcoming practices, games and events. They may call on you for support or to assist with various team activities. Please respond quickly to emails and correspondence so that we can stay organized and focused on the players throughout the season. Your team administrator will be looking for assistance with team photos and team publicity. See more info below.
Website –
www.devilshockey.org - Schedules and important dates are kept current on the DEVILS HOCKEY website. For game cancellations, please check the website calendar. Each team has their own webpage to share pictures, game results, team info, etc. You will find a Team Calendar, where your personal team schedule can be found. You can even have this linked to your mobile device so that all schedules are at your fingertips! Please refer to the DEVILS website as your central source of information. Please also be sure that your current email information is updated in the system so that you will be sure to receive all important updates.
Facebook – northdevilshockey The Facebook page will not replace the website or regular email communications. It is used as a secondary vehicle for sharing event announcements, league information and photos collected throughout the season. Check frequently for updates and please LIKE and SHARE our page and become a member to keep involved with other families and players! This is a GREAT tool to keep yourself in the “know” about Devils activities and events!
DEVILS HOCKEY Newsletters are sent out about every 2-3 months to update you on what’s happening in the program and to provide you any information we can, to help you to prepare for important activities and events.
Please take the time to keep yourself updated and informed so that your child can get the most out of their DEVILS HOCKEY experience.
Our Staff
DEVILS HOCKEY Board & Coaching Staff - All DEVILS Hockey Board members, Coaches and Assistant Board members are CORI’d by USA Hockey. Coaches are required to attend Hockey Coaching Clinics and take online modules associated to their age group. In addition, the board and coaches are required to complete an online SAFE SPORT course which is the USA Hockey organization's program related to off-ice safety. It addresses Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Screening, Locker Room Supervision and Hazing Policies, in addition to Codes of Conduct applicable to administrators, coaches, officials, parents, players and spectators.
We are fortunate to have such an involved and dedicated group of Board Members, Coaches, Team Administrators and Committee Members who donate their time and energy to make this program what it is. Their role requires sincere dedication, patience, commitment and passion.
Please take the time to share a word of appreciation every now and then and please understand that they are volunteers and are not paid for their services. Assistance you can offer in any way is always appreciated.
Team Administrators - Each of our teams in the Devils Hockey program has a designated Team Administrator. Your team administrator will keep you informed of practice times, game times, schedule changes, DEVILS HOCKEY events and more. Please be considerate of their time and availability. I promise – they do not enjoy sending numerous emails and hunting people down. Team Admins will also be reaching out to the team for assistance with the following:
- Team Publicist – Needed to write weekly articles for submission to town newspapers and Devils Hockey website.
- Team Photographer – Needed to submit pictures to the local newspaper, keep website refreshed and to add to our new Facebook page!
Devils Events
Providence Bruins Games! The dates have been set for the P-Bruins games this year! Some great perks will once again be offered! Mark your calendars now so you can invite the family! Ticket information will be sent as the date approaches.
| 2:30pm |
Saturday |
14-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Bantam Red |
| 3:45pm |
Saturday |
14-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Bantam Black |
| 10:30am |
Sunday |
22-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Mite Smythe |
| 11:45am |
Sunday |
22-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Squirt Black |
| 1:00pm |
Sunday |
22-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Squirt Red |
| Warm Up |
Sunday |
22-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Mighty Mites |
| 1st Intermission |
Sunday |
22-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Mite Red |
| 2nd Intermission |
Sunday |
22-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Mite White |
| Post Game |
Sunday |
22-Oct |
Dunkin Center |
Pee Wee White |
| 1:00pm |
Sunday |
7-Jan |
Dunkin Center |
Pee Wee Red |
| post game |
Sunday |
7-Jan |
Dunkin Center |
Pee Wee Black |
| 11:45am |
Sunday |
7-Jan |
Dunkin Center |
Squirt White |
Boston Bruins 3 Minutes of Fame! The Devils HOCKEY Program is fortunate enough to have a long time partnership/friendship with the Boston Bruins! We offer the opportunity for our players to participate in the 3 Minutes of Fame Intermission Skate, on ice at the TD Garden. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your player. I am taking names now to participate so let me know ASAP!
14 players per game are allowed on a first come basis! Please email me at northhockey@comcast.net
- Mite Skate (any player 8 and under) – Monday, October 9th
- Boston Bruins vs. Colorado Avalanche , 1:00pm Tickets $70.00
Tournaments - All teams will participate in tournaments throughout the season. The number of tournaments and the tournament selection is determined by the level and commitment of each team. Tournaments are a great way for teams to bond and enjoy moments off the ice too. Great memories are created. Tournament information is presented and made available as it approaches.
Other Devils Events & Activities - DEVILS HOCKEY is truly a family oriented program. With that said, we provide other activities and events which bring the players and their families together both on and off the ice, such as the Santa Parade, College Hockey Nights and Outdoor skates at Patriots Place! You will receive more information as these events approach.
DEVILS HOCKEY Uniforms and Apparel
The Devils are proud of the look and quality of our team uniforms. Each shirt is personalized for the children with their name and a unique number for their age group. Uniform sets consist of personalized home and away game jerseys and matching socks. Those new to the program will need to purchase a complete set. Devils Hockey requires a BLACK helmet and BLACK pants as part of their uniform. Helmet decals will be provided. Practice jerseys are also provided by the association at the start of the season. Please refrain from adding names to practice jerseys, to keep all teams uniform in appearance. All players are required to wear a mouth guard and neck guard at all games and practices and will be STRICTLY enforced this season. Players are expected to be in the proper and complete DEVILS Hockey uniform for ALL games and practices. Please do not wear socks from other teams, 2 different colored socks or any uniform item from another hockey team. New this year shoulder patches were made available. Although not mandatory this season, they will be required in the 18-19 season.
Home delivery of this year’s uniforms are expected before the start of the season. You will be notified of any changes.
For all uniform questions, please contact our uniform coordinator, Jim Kelly at james.l.kelly.jr@gmail.com
The DEVILS Hockey uniform consists of:
- Black Helmets with DEVILS Hockey Decal (HECC Certified)
- Home and Away Game Jerseys
- Black Pants
- Home and Away Hockey Socks
- Mouthguard –Devils Policy
- Neckguard – Devils Policy
- DEVILS Hockey Practice Jersey (Provided by Devils Hockey. Will be distributed by coaches at 1st practice)
Please note that due to new USA Hockey policies, referees will be checking players for proper protective equipment. Please don’t risk your child being disallowed from play due to not having the proper equipment. Please see below:
(a) Each player is personally responsible to wear protective equipment for all games, warm-ups and practices. Such equipment should include gloves, shin pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hip pads or padded hockey pants, protective cup, tendon pads plus all head protective equipment as required by USA Hockey rules. It is recommended that all protective equipment be designed specifically for ice hockey.
(c) It is mandatory that all players (except Adults) wear a HECC approved helmet (including ear protection) with chin strap properly fastened.
(Note) HECC certification includes an expiration date on the sticker and a helmet that has an expiration date that has expired is no longer considered certified. The player may not wear a helmet that does not have a valid and current certification sticker.
(d) All players, including goalkeepers, in all age classifications below Adults, are required to wear a facemask certified by HECC, plus any chin protection that accompanies the facemask.
Apparel
Information regarding Devils apparel will be provided soon. Apparel may currently be purchase at 95Gear located at the New England Sports Village.
Payments and Financial Support
Please be reminded that our payment deadline was August 1st. Accounts must be paid in full prior to players taking the ice. We understand that hockey is an expensive sport and at times financial challenges may arise to make the cost of the sport prohibitive. If your family is going through a financial hardship, please contact us so we may assist you with a payment plan that suits your needs. We want to see as many children as possible stay with our organization and enjoy the sport of hockey. The use of PAYPAL for the Devils continues. Although there were a few accounts which encountered challenges, overall it is a tremendous benefit to the program and saves much precious time for those responsible for recordkeeping. We will continue its use for the collection of tournament payments, P-Bruins payments and more. Please save your access code for easy access!
Other Information
Please note that ALL Devils players will be required to participate in one of our “canning” fundraising events scheduled mid-season. This fundraising event helps to bring exposure to our program and helps to reduce costs for our end of year banquets. Every player is required to participate in canning for Devils Hockey or pay the 50.00 canning fee.
Your Role?
Each parent has the responsibility of understanding that he or she is a role model to each of the children in our program. Please refrain from inappropriate language, tone and actions at any time. Keep in mind that you represent DEVILS Hockey and it’s players in every rink and at every game and practice. We are proud of our players and our program.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions and reach out for assistance. We are all here to help you and welcome you into this crazy sport of “hockey” and the DEVILS Hockey family. Please call me at 508-507-1952 or email me at northhockey@comcast.net anytime.
- Please make every effort to have your child attend all scheduled practices and skills sessions.Have players arrive to the rink and prepared to be on the ice 5 minutes prior to ice time
Hockey is a team sport and relies on the attendance of all to be able to work on game play, improvement and team cohesiveness.
- Be sure your child is prepared prior to games and practices. Do they have all of their equipment?Have they remembered to bring both of their game jerseys? Do they have the right socks? Have they had a healthy meal prior to burning all of that energy? Are they properly hydrated? These are the ways that you can assist your children to be happier and healthier athletes, prepared to take the ice to learn from their coaches and teammates.
- Allow your coach to spend the time he needs with the players. Many will ask for 5-10 minutes with the team following a game.
- Support your child no matter how skilled or competitive they may be. Leave the coaching to our coaches on the ice. We rely on the parents to be role models for their children in encouraging positive attitudes, showing respect for coaching staff/adults, promptness in attending scheduled practices and games, showing respect and admiration for all team members and families. And last, showing respect for the opponent.
- Be communicative and prompt in submission of monies for tournaments, events, etc. Respond to emails when program, coach or team admin is requesting feedback from you
- Please note than any parent who displays disruptive, disrespectful or inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the game or rink, by any present Devils Board Member or Devils Hockey Coach.A follow up discussion with the Devils President or Vice President will be required for return to any Devils activity.
- Have FUN and encourage your child to ENJOY the great sport of HOCKEY!
Player/Parent Responsibilities
- ATTENDANCE – Players are expected to attend all scheduled practices, both on and off ice. These opportunities are provided so that players can learn, grow and improve. The improvement of a team relies on its players’ commitment. Each player is expected to work hard and put forth the effort to improve themselves. Absenteeism due to other sport schedules is not considered a reasonable absence at the A levels and frowned upon at the B level. Your teammates and coach are relying on you. A spot on the team is awarded for many reasons, but keep in mind that it has taken that spot from another child who wants it. Please honor and respect the position you have been provided on any team.
- < >– Parents, this is where your children and DEVILS Hockey relies on YOU! Arriving late to a practice or a game is damaging to everybody involved.COACHES – Coaches design game plans and rely on players to be there unless otherwise noted. If you are unable to attend a game or practice due to illness or other important matter, please notify your coach well in advance. Arrive on time so that coaches can prepare the team together as a whole.
- TEAMMATES – The team is relying on each of its players also. It takes a team to play a game. Missing players disrupts designated “lines” and also hinders the bonding of a team throughout the season. Please support our efforts to teach our players the values of commitment, trust and reliability.
- YOUR CHILD – Arriving late to a game or practice is detrimental to your child’s hockey development. Players need time to prepare, both physically and emotionally. Getting them there late causes anxiety and an inability to focus, both individually and with their team. Please make every effort to get your children to each game at least a half hour early and practices at least 20 minutes early. Coaches will provide specifics for their teams. Please support your child and help them to be able to give the very most they are capable of.
- < > - Hockey is a team sport and each player has a responsibility to participate in scheduled team activities, to insure that their development, conditioning and game preparation is on par with their teammates. Always notify your coach if your child is unable to make a practice, skills session or game.COMMITMENT - Hockey is a team sport with each player playing a key role in the success and development of the team. By signing up for Devils Hockey, we feel all players are committing to participate fully in all team activities on and off the ice. Generally the commitment level is highest for “A” teams, with the greatest flexibility on “C” teams. By earning a spot on the roster of an A or B team, a player is displacing another player from that team. There is a higher level of commitment expected at the A level over the B level and at the B level over the C level.
Fall 2017 Game & Practice Schedules
All practice schedules have been posted on the Devils website! The SNEHC Game schedule has also been posted. You will see that the first 6 games of the season have been scheduled. This will be a parity round. Once these games are completed, teams may be realigned to a different division based on those game results. The SNEHC League has done this to provide for a much better compete level than some of our teams were posed with last season. Other league schedules, such as the Yankee Conference League for our Squirt White Team and the Foxboro Middle School League, will be posted as they are received. Most likely this will be closer to the end of August but all leagues are scheduled to start after Labor Day. If your team schedule is not showing yet, it means it has not yet been released. I will post as soon as it becomes available. I can promise you that all game schedules are posted on the DEVILS website as SOON as they are received. Please note that ALL SCHEDULES are subject to change! Your team administrator or coach will send reminders of each week’s time and location. Check the website often and consider subscribing to the Goalline Team calendar on your smartphone to receive the most up to date schedule changes!
Please note that lower Mites typically start their season a little later. The Mite Red Team will begin their games the first weekend of October and the Mite White Team will start Mid October. Our Mighty Mites will begin games closer to mid -October also, after a few weeks of practices to get the players prepared.
SKILLS - Our skills sessions will be run by our coaches and overseen by Coach Horgan. Middles School Skills will be held weekly this season and will be run by Dan Sarro and the Middle School Coaching staff. All players are expected to attend DEVILS skills sessions as well as their team practices as important fundamentals are taught and conditioning is key.
DAJ Skills - DAJ Skills is a unique opportunity, which we offer our program members as part of tuition. 1984 US Olympic Hockey player, David Jensen, offers DAJ Skillz at the New England Sports Village. Our teams are scheduled on a rotating basis. (if applies to your team) The focus is on puck control, stick handling, and shooting. In recent years, we have seen a marked improvement in the abilities of our players as the season progressed and expect to see the same this year. Please be aware that players are expected to participate in this practice session as they are with all scheduled practices and skills. Parents are asked to remain outside of the DAJ facility and watch from the exterior so that the instructors may have the full attention of the players.
Athletic Performance Training - Devils Hockey will be providing our Bantams and Midgets participation in a weekly off-ice conditioning program at Athletic Performance Training, located at the New England Sports Village. Athletic Performance Training is a comprehensive training program which focuses on enhancing flexibility, strength, explosive power, agility and speed, while decreasing the occurrence of injury. We feel this is a much needed and very important benefit to our players. Players will attend weekly sessions as a team.
GDS Goaltending - Goalies will be provided instruction by GDS Goaltending which is located at NESV. This professional goalie training is a great benefit that the Devils provides to its goalies. The system builds on the six core fundamentals of goaltending: Skating, stance, positioning, save selection, rebound control and recovery. Owner, Coach Buckley is the goaltending development coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and director of goaltending for Pro Ambitions Hockey, where his curriculum is taught across the country at more than 120 locations. All goalies will be notified of opportunities available to them.
So that about wraps it up for now!
I am looking forward to seeing all of the smiling faces back at the rinks in a few short weeks!
Cannot wait! I hope you cannot either! As always, if you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Now let the season begin! GO DEVILS!
Sincerely,
Patti McTernan
DEVILS Hockey President
northhockey@comcast.net
508-507-1952
DEVILS Hockey Board
Executive – Patti McTernan, Paul Brooks, Vinny Zammiello, Harry Kojoian, Jim Kelly
Board Members – Jeff Augusta, Amit Badhwar, Tony Bertino, Pete Butt, Jim Calvino, Chris Chu, Gregg Colonna, Matt Conley, Dan Digiacomo, Chris Duperron, Marty Feeney, Heidi Fernandes, Eric Gruber, Andy Jones, John Leclair, Steve Longa, Scott Raymond, Chris Souza, Rich Tetreault, Paul Vincuilla and Bob Westwater
Devils Hockey Mission Statement
The purpose of the Devils Hockey Program is to teach the art of skating to all participating in the program; to instruct to those participating the fundamentals of ice hockey; to instill the necessary attitudes for team spirit and sportsmanship through success and cooperative effort; and to foster safety, fairness, and fun.
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