skip navigation

Coaches Corner

PLEASE NOTE: USA HOCKEY MANDATES THAT NO COACH, MANAGER, OR VOLUNTEER ACT IN THAT CAPACITY AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE WITHOUT BEING CERTIFIED. NO EXCEPTIONS.


Requirements to Coach, Manage, or Volunteer

In order to be a hockey Coach, Manager, or Volunteer this season, you must complete the following:

REQUIRED BY ALL COACHES, MANAGERS, VOLUNTEERS

  1. USA Hockey Number - Everyone needs a new one every year.  Free for managers and volunteers.    
  2. Register with SYHA - Every year.
  3. Safesport - Take these online modules every year
  4. Background Check - Every year.

REQUIRED BY COACHES ONLY - Below items are not for managers and volunteers

  1. Age Appropriate Modules - You must take or have taken the modules for the level(s) you are currently coaching.  One-time only requirement until you start coaching a new level.
  2. Coaching Clinic (CEP) - Please see instructions specific to your level and ask your ACE if you have further questions.
    • COACHES NEW TO USA HOCKEY
      • Register for Level 1.  Send your proof of registration to program ACE.
      • If you previously coached at another program, this does not apply to you.
    • MITE ONLY COACHES - NOT YOUR FIRST SEASON COACHING
      • Level 2 and above is optional.
      • Coach Mites forever with an expired Level 1 certification.
    • SQUIRT AND ABOVE COACHES - NOT YOUR FIRST SEASON
      • LEVEL 1 COACHES 
        • Take Level 2 this season.
        • If your Level 1 is expired. (i.e. you did not take it last season), you must send your CEP proof of registration to ACE.
      • LEVEL 2 COACHES
        • Take Level 3 this season.
        • If your Level 2 is expired. (i.e. you did not take it last season), you must send your CEP proof of registration to ACE.
      • LEVEL 3 COACHES
        • Level 3 expires every two years.
        • If your Level 3 expires at the end of this year you have two choices.
          • Take a Level 4 course
          • Renew your Level 3 online before 12/31
      • LEVEL 4 & 5 COACHES
        • Your CEP never expires.

 

LOCKER ROOM - Only SYHA registered Volunteers, Managers, and Coaches may be alone in the locker room with players.  NO UNREGISTERED ADULT MAY EVER BE ALONE IN THE LOCKER ROOM WITH THE PLAYERS UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY

COACHING ACTIVITY - In addition to above, Coaches may go on the ice during practice/scrimmage and may be on the bench coaching and opening doors.  NO PERSON WHO IS NOT REGISTERED WITH SYHA MAY EVER BE ON THE ICE OR BENCH ON BEHALF OF SYHA.  PLAYERS MAY NOT ACT AS COACHES ON THE BENCH UNLESS THEY HAVE CERTIFIED AS A PLAYER-COACH.

You must have completed ALL OF THE ABOVE BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  IF YOU AREN'T CURRENT, DONT GO ON THE ICE.  

  • NOTE - If your CEP is not expired you are ok to coach until it expires (Mite-only can coach with expired CEP).  If your CEP is expired or never taken, you may coach if the ACE has your proof of CEP registration.

Email Program ACE