The following is an aggregation of philosophy, requirements, and miscellaneous details about the club. Feel free to ask for clarification, more information, etc. on these and any other topics.
Introduction: Women's ice hockey is a fast-paced non-checking game, involving a high level of teamwork. Previous knowledge of the game or of ice-skating is not necessary. Skills can be taught, but you must provide the commitment to the club and to your team.
Goals of the club: 1) Teach women the game of ice hockey, including skating skills, hockey skills, and strategy; 2) Provide a positive environment for women to compete in ice hockey against other women's teams; 3) Have fun doing the above.
Requirements: You MUST be a UW-Madison student, staff or faculty member, with a valid university ID, for the length of the time you are part of the club (roughly October through March). You must help with organizational tasks associated with running the Hockey Club.
Equipment: Skates and stick are required to be on the ice. Other pieces of equipment, such as helmet, gloves, breezers (pants), shin guards, shoulder pads, elbow pads, socks, and a mouth guard are more or less necessary. The club loans some equipment out, but these supplies are minimal. A five-dollar non-refundable fee will be charged for each "piece" of equipment rented. A $20 refundable deposit fee will also be collected. You may also rent game jerseys from the Club for a refundable deposit fee of $45 per jersey or you may purchase your own. Equipment will be handed out prior to the first new players practice of the season and the date of handout will be announced at the New Player's Meeting.
Cost: Ice time is expensive. We are lucky to be associated with the University, which gives us a good break on our hourly rate. We must pay for ice time, league fees, referees, travel costs, coach expenses, equipment maintenance, etc. Thus, the season dues are an inescapable part of playing ice hockey. There will also be personal expenses associated with equipment purchase and traveling expenses. Fees this year will be approximately $300 for the season for the new or intermediate team skaters. Advanced players can expect league fees of approximately $400. You must pay your total dues by the end of September.
Organization of the club: Running a hockey club is fairly complex. The following is a list of some of the jobs we must keep up with:
Team coordinator, League liaison, Equipment managers, Treasurer, Coach liaison, Transportation, Rec. Sports Representative, Game scheduler, Publicity people, Team managers. In addition to the club jobs, there will be jobs associated with each team. Any time you can donate toward running the club is the thing that keeps us going, so get involved!
Structure of the teams: This year we are again fielding three teams. For the advanced and intermediate players we will have two teams (A and B). One team (A) will be playing in the ACHA. The league consists of teams from the Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and upper Wisconsin area. This league is rapidly increasing in competitiveness. Therefore we recommend this league for advanced players who are looking for tough competition and are willing to give an extra commitment to working hard in and outside of the scheduled practice times. The intermediate (B) team and the novice-intermediate level (C) team will be playing in the North Division of the Central Women's Hockey league (Wisconsin). Although the teams play at different levels, all are competitive, requiring games at home and away from Madison on the weekends.
As Women's Hockey becomes more popular, some years we have more players than spots on the roster. From the new player's meeting, the club will examine the interest, number and experience level together with the number of returning players. We will attempt to accommodate all who wish to play, but as with any team sport, there are a limited number of spots on a team roster. Therefore until that meeting we cannot guarantee that all new players will be able to join a team.
The teams will be divided by ability, experience, and commitment. We encourage you to sign up for whichever team will best match your expectations, motivation, and comfort level. However, as our ultimate goal is to have manageable numbers on each team, we have decided--as a club--that the coaches, with help from the captains, will make alterations if necessary according to skill level. This will occur after the practices held in mid-Sept.
Practices: We practice at the Shell (near Camp Randall). Practices are typically held Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:15-7:15 pm with some weekend practices. More information will be posted as it becomes available. Specific ice times will vary, however, as teams will practice on a rotating schedule to accommodate all three teams (a schedule will be on the web site). Typically, each team will practice on the ice two hours per week (one hour during the week and one on the weekend.). Games are usually 2-3 weekends per month. Because hockey is a sport that requires such a high level of teamwork, it is vital that you attend all practices, and devote your attention while you are there to your coach. If you are unable to make a practice you must contact a coach or captain. Captains will be decided by each team when they are formed. Decisions about specific team goals and policies regarding practices and games will be decided after the teams are divided.
Summary of Basic Team/Player Guidelines
1) A new player is expected to make a commitment by paying their entire club dues after skating with the club 2-3 times. This is expected to take place by the end of Sept. Refund of entire dues will only occur under special circumstances or for medical reasons. Otherwise a prorated refund will occur. Rosters will be finalized around Oct 15 and at that point at most 1/2 of a player's dues will be refunded.
2) Every player must have a job and contribute to the club and/or their team.
3) A non-refundable equipment fee of $5 per "piece" of equipment and a refundable $20 deposit fee will be charged per player for equipment rental and a $45 refundable deposit fee for game Jersey rental per jersey.
4) All equipment should be check in at the end of the season and re-checked out for summer.
5) Players must pay for their own food and lodging for away trips.
6) Players will use University supplied vans for away travel unless it is advantageous to the team for a player to take their own car.
7) Each team should have its own policy regarding missing practices and make it known to their members at the beginning of the season.
8 ) A player may join for the second semester under the team's discretion and only if there is room on the roster. They would then pay one-half the cost of the total dues. They must pay the current price for USA Hockey dues and have their name on the roster prior to Dec 31. The USA Hockey dues is included as part of the dues. USA Hockey rosters are closed after Dec 31.
9) Each team should decide the role of their coaches, the amount of authority they have and let it be known to both players and coaches. There is a limit of 3 coaches per team.
10) Make all checks out to "UW Women's Ice Hockey Club" for all club related items. Do not make checks out to the person collecting the money.
12) All players should have an email address, check for club info, and use the email list, WOMENS-HOCKEY@LISTS.SERVICES.WISC.EDU, for hockey related info only.
