Newsletter December 10, 2025
In this issue:
1. CHANGE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL HOCKEY LOGO
2. JAMBOREE FORMAT AND REMINDERS
3. LETTERS FROM BREAKAWAY ACADEMY STUDENTS
4. EXTRA ICE - SUNDAY DEC. 28TH - REGISTER BY DEC. 23RD
5. INFORMATION AND PLAYER REGISTRATION FOR THE SHI FESTIVAL - REGISTER BY DECEMBER 17
1. Change to Minnesota Special Hockey Logo
The Minnesota Wild Legal Department informed us its time to update our logo! The logo looks very similar with the word "Wild" removed. We've always been known as "Minnesota Special Hockey" so our name will not change, but the word 
"Wild" in the name on the logo can no longer be used.
You will notice this change, effective immediately, on MSH's website, communications, and social media. MSH may continue to use the jerseys we currently have with the old logo for a few more years, but any new jerseys and apparel ordered will have the updated logo.
Please remember that the Minnesota Special Hockey logo cannot be used without authorization from the Minnesota Special Hockey Board of Directors. This includes designing, manufacturing, and/or printing any merchandise, apparel, or materials with the Minnesota Special Hockey logo. Do not alter jerseys (this includes signatures, patches, etc) in any way.
This is also a reminder to all players and volunteers to wear the logo respectfully and with pride.
If you have questions, please email Holly Tchida at holly.tchida@mnspecialhockey.org.
2. Jamboree Format and Reminders
With a busy Jamboree weekend coming up this weekend, it's a good time to remind our returning players and inform the new players on the Jamboree format and how the Jamboree-style games work.
- Players/teams are assigned jersey colors for their games - but please always bring both jerseys just in case!
- Please do your best to attend the game if you committed to attending! If something comes up and you cannot attend, please let your manager and/or coach know.
- Please pay attention to the time of your game and show up on time! Double check your schedule.
For Jamborees, MSH will continue to follow the rules implemented this summer at the Hendrickson Festival. Here's a quick reminder:
- A-level Jamboree referees will call icing and offsides.
- All Jamboree games will not have face offs after line changes. The puck will stay live and this allows for more playing time.
- There will be face offs after goals.
- No volunteers or coaches on the ice for A and A/B games. There can be multiple referees.
3. Letters from Breakaway Academy Students
Some students at Breakaway Academy wrote letters of encouragement to MN Special Hockey players. The letters will be distributed at the jamborees this weekend. If you want to make sure you receive a letter, please look for someone handing them out (you might have to ask around). You are encouraged to respond to the letter using the return address on the envelope. The students worked really hard on these letters and would love to hear back from many of you!
4. Extra Ice - Sunday Dec. 28th - Register by Dec. 23rd
MSH has a couple extra hours of ice time on Sunday, December 28th. A number of coaches have committed to leading a practice/scrimmage to provide a skating opportunity for the players.
Players that require 1-on-1 assistance on the ice or the bench are required to make sure there is someone there to help. This volunteer must be registered with MSH.
Players must register by Tuesday, December 23rd to attend one of these events.
A/B level players are invited to skate at MN Made in Edina (South Rink) from 9:30 - 10:50.
B/C level players are invited to skate at Braemar Arena in Edina (East Rink) from 10:30 - 11:30.
Volunteers: if you are able to attend, please register! Or you can email jane@mnspecialhockey.org.
Register here: https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/477350263
5. Information and Player Registration for the Special Hockey International (SHI) Festival - Register by December 17
Registration is still open for the 2026 Special Hockey International Festival! Please read through all of this important information carefully.
WHERE: Toronto, ON Canada
WHEN: March 5-7, 2026
TEAMS: Planning on 2 teams. Additional teams may be added depending on the number of MSH registrations.
GAMES: Four games per team. Game schedule will be posted in February, plan on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
PLAYER LINK TO REGISTER: https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/439692684
Passports or an Enhanced Driver’s License are required for this trip!!!
CODE OF CONDUCT: Players under 18 are required to travel with a parent, legal guardian, or someone that the
parent agrees is responsible for the player. Players over 18 are not required to travel with a legal guardian but must
have someone traveling with them that will be their emergency contact. Players participating in this event must agree
to follow MSH Player Code of Conduct and fill out the MSH Travel Agreement.
Several organizational leaders will attend to help ensure everything runs smoothly from a communications standpoint, team coordination, etc. These leaders are NOT CHAPERONES. Each player, parent, family member and legal guardian are responsible for their own behavior and expected to represent MSH in a respectful manner.
TRAVEL STIPEND: All participating athletes will receive a $300 travel stipend. These funds will be paid after the festival is complete. Only MSH players who participate with MSH in all their scheduled games are eligible to receive the $300 travel stipend.
REGISTRATION: There will be a $50 non-refundable fee charged at the time of registration. This fee will be used to cover tournament registration and expenses for any meals that are provided by MSH. Additional fees may be requested once information is received about the SHI banquet.
Players must fill out the registration form by December 17th. Look for an email receipt to ensure registration is completed. Please do not register to travel with us unless you can commit, there are no refunds. MSH pays for the team registration and if a player registers, then cancels, it can become a problem with scheduling.
HOTEL: Hotel stay is approximately $200 + taxes/fees per night, plan on staying 3 nights. Players can coordinate with each other to share rooms. Once you register for this event, you will be emailed the information to book your hotel. Everyone is required to stay in the same hotel, per festival policies.
TRANSPORTATION: MSH will be providing bus transportation for this event. If you choose to ride the bus, there is no cost for a player and one parent/guardian to ride. Additional riders must pay $150 to ride. If a player is flying or driving, they can ride the bus in Toronto if there is room.
Bus departure will likely be Wednesday evening, March 4 th . Everyone must have a Passport or Enhanced Driver’s License to travel to Canada. The locations of the departures are to be determined, usually Edina and/or Maple Grove. The buses will depart the hotel early Sunday morning, March 8th .
MEALS: Some of the meals will be provided by MSH. Most meals are player/family responsibility.
SHI BANQUET: Currently unknown.
CERTIFIED COACHES: If you are a Certified Coach and would like to attend, please reach out to Tia Graves directly.
SCHOLARSHIPS: If a player has never attended an out-of-town festival due to travel being cost prohibitive, scholarships may be available to assist the player in attending. To qualify for a scholarship, a player must have never attended a festival, must have a financial need for the scholarship, and must have actively participated in and completed at least two full seasons with MN Special Hockey. Contact Tia Graves for more information.
QUESTIONS: Contact Tia: tia.graves@mnspecialhockey.org. More festival information will be conveyed when
received from the festival coordinators.
PLAYER LINK TO REGISTER: https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/439692684
TOURNAMENT WEBSITE: https://grandravinetornadoes.org/shi-2026/
Registration deadline is Wednesday December 17, 2025 (at midnight). NO EXCEPTIONS!!