The 2017-18 Special Hockey season has been our busiest so far, with TONS of great events and opportunities for players and volunteers alike. We try hard to get the info out in a timely fashion so that you have plenty of time to sign up but so many have come up this year (sometimes on short notice) that we understand it can be hard to keep up. So here is a list of all the ones we have available at the moment. Take your time and read through them all!

1) Volunteer Scholarship Application Window is OPEN!
In recognition of all our amazing volunteers do, we are again taking applications for the MSH Volunteer Scholarship.

Applications are open to all Minnesota Special Hockey volunteers who are at least in their junior year of high school and have been a registered and active volunteer in the MSH association for a minimum of two full seasons. Applicants/nominees must be pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., Junior College, Technical College, Community College, College or University). Volunteers can apply, and may be awarded, a MSH Volunteer scholarship in more than one year.

This year, the application is online. The application submission deadline is March 23, 2018. Please fill out the application at 
https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/540602494

Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Cassie Merrick with any questions at cassie@mnspecialhockey.org.

2) Hendrickson Foundation Hockey Festival Volunteers Needed.
You can help put on one of the best disabled hockey events of the year! The Hendrickson Foundation is looking for volunteers to help out at the Festival February 23-25, 2018. We'd love to show our thanks for all their support by asking our friends and family to volunteer to help out during the weekend. A wide variety of positions are available still throughout the weekend--door greeters, banquet set-up, merchandise table, etc. 

Signing up easy is at this link: 
http://www.hendricksonfoundation.com/dib_sessions/show/24071

3) Scrimmage with the Blake Boys HS Hockey Team Jan 27.
On Saturday, January 27th, there is an opportunity to scrimmage with the Blake Boys High School team.  We have been doing this event for years and it has been a lot of fun for our players to mingle with the Blake boys.

If you are planning on attending this event, please contact Jane Cashin at jocashin@comcast.net. 

Event information:  
http://www.mnspecialhockey.org/event/show/404048159

4) Skate with the Edina Bantam AA
On Saturday, February 10 we have been invited to skate with the Edina Bantam AA team. They have secured ice at Pamela Park (3998 W 62nd St, Edina, MN 55424) at 4pm and are planning a pizza party at 5pm in the warming house at the park. They are also planning on turning this into a fundraiser and raising money for our program.

Skaters please register for this free event using the link below:
https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/183206516

5) Hendrickson Foundation Festival Player RSVPs Needed
The weekend of February 23rd – 25th is the Hendrickson Foundation Festival.  This event was a lot of fun for our families last year!  We need to know how many players are attending this event and what days.  This is necessary for us to make the best schedule possible, maximize our ice time, and get as many players in our organization enjoying the hard work of the festival organizers.

We would love to see RSVPs from all of our players and volunteers, be counted so that you can enjoy the benefits of the cool event!  More information can be found here (do not register here):  
http://www.hendricksonfoundation.com/hockeyfestival 

Minnesota Special Hockey will provide $100 of travel expenses to our outstate families.  Each registered family from Moorhead, Duluth, Alexandria, Brainerd or St. Cloud will be reimbursed $100 for their expenses.

The tournament hotel information:  Best Western Plus in Blaine (one block from the National Sports Center).  Complimentary breakfast, pool, arcade and reception room.

Tournament Hotel information:  Best Western Plus in Blaine: (one block from the National Sports Center).  Complimentary breakfast, pool, arcade and reception room.

Call 763-792-0750 by January 31st - tell them you are with the Hendrickson Foundation Festival:

1 King bed - $120
2 Queen beds - $130
2 King beds - $140

Registration deadline for this event is Wednesday, January 24th. Please register with this link:  
https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/093257777

Questions?  Contact Kay Morris at kaysm1234@aol.com

6) USA Hockey Disabled Festival Player RSVPs Needed
The weekend of April 5th – 8th is the 2018 USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival in Chicago, Illinois (western suburbs).  More information can be found here:  http://www.usahockey.com/2018disabledhockeyfestival. 

The bus (or buses) will likely depart early on Thursday morning on April 5th.  The locations of the departures are yet to be determined (dependent on registered players).  We will leave the festival immediately after our last game on Sunday April 8th. 

Players under 18 are required to travel with a parent or 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 it is highly recommended and encouraged.  There are no chaperones, only organization leaders to ensure overall safety and responsible behavior to well represent MN Special Hockey.  If a player is over 18 and has a legal guardian, the player and legal guardian are required to sign a player agreement and provide emergency contact information.

The level of play is dependent on the abilities and number of players that register.  USA Hockey has A, B and C levels of play, we will attempt to create teams at these levels, all dependent on the registered players.

Our teams will wear our new Minnesota Wild jerseys.  The old maroon and gold jerseys are no longer going to be used for this event.

Costs:

• Team Registration - Free, this is taken care of by Minnesota Special Hockey

• Hotel - Three nights of hotel stay at approximately $110 + tax per night.  Players can coordinate with each other to share rooms.

• Transportation - There is no cost for a player and one parent/guardian to ride the bus.  Additional riders are changed $150 for riding.  If a player is flying or driving, they can ride the bus in Chicago if there is room.

• Meals - some will be provided by MN Special Hockey.  Most are the responsibility of the player.

Please fill out the following registration form if you are a player or volunteer and are planning on attending this event.  Please do not register to travel unless you can commit.  Minnesota Special Hockey pays for the team registration, if a player registers then cancels, it is a problem for our scheduling (hotels, bus, registration) and the game scheduling with USA Hockey.

Registration deadline for this is Sunday, February 4th. Registration link:
https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/612275511

7) Wisconsin Regional Disabled Hockey Festival Sign Up Open
The Annual Wisconsin Regional Disabled Hockey Festival is March 17th & 18th at Madison Ice Arena.  The festival will have two divisions:  Special Hockey and Sled Hockey.

Teams & Players will have two games on Saturday, March 17th and one game on Sunday, March 18th.

Saturday there will be a hospitality room at the ice arena with cold & hot food items for players, coaches and families to enjoy throughout the day (while supplies last).

There is NO COST to players or teams to participate in the Regional Disabled Hockey Festival.  However, players & families will be responsible for hotel, travel expenses.

Hotel information:
The block of hotel rooms we have reserved for players & families are at two hotels located very close to Madison Ice Arena....both offering special rates specifically for our attendees.

   1) Hampton Inn & Suites - Madison West
         Room rate $109 per night for a double queen
         Call the hotel directly to reserve rooms - 608-271-0200 
         Ask for the Disabled Hockey Festival rate and reservation

  2) Homewood Suites - Hilton
       Room rate $99 for a studio suite
       Call the hotel directly to reserve rooms - 608-271-0600 
       Ask for the Disabled Hockey Festival rate and reservation

Registration deadline is March 1, 2018. Register here:
https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/919532995

8) MN Hockey Disabled Athlete Grant Application Window Open
Minnesota Hockey is again happy to offer two grants this year to deserving athletes.  One for $1000 and another for $500. Each year Minnesota Disabled Hockey offers a grant award to eligible, registered members of Minnesota Hockey. The grant can be used at any post high school institution (i.e. college, transition program, etc.) or to enhance a player's personal growth and development, such as therapy services, rehabilitation services or specialized equipment. It will be a one-time award that will not need to be repaid. This grant does NOT cover transportation to hockey events, miscellaneous expenses at hockey events or on/off time.

Due date:  all application are due by March 2, 2018. For more information please click here: 
http://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/show/872455-disabled-hockey-scholarship

9) USA Hockey Disabled Athlete of the Year Application Window Open.
This award is given each year to a deserving athlete who represents their sport both on and off the ice.  Minnesota Special Hockey will accept all nominations and forward on one deserving athlete to Minnesota Hockey. Minnesota Hockey will then nominate one athlete from Special Hockey, Sled Hockey or Warrior Hockey for the USA Hockey athlete of the year. MN Special Hockey will select our deserving athlete at our March board meeting.

To nominate a skater, please click here: 
https://mnspecialhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/795088239

10) How has MSH impacted you? Share your Success Story! 
We know MSH has  positively impacted so many of your lives. With over 225 players and 130 volunteers, that's a LOT of great stories! We want to hear how special hockey has impacted your life so we can share with potential players and volunteers that there are so many people participating JUST LIKE THEM in hopes that they too will join us!

There's no better way to connect to new people and your story could be the motivation that leads to someone else's success story with MSH!

Here is a link to a form that will allow you to share your story.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjNsTLm49w7LB_zz5O2Dke61UR2fKAZ_gHIGpv_yRGjpekpw/viewform