Newsletters From Our President
2024-2025 News
November 4, 2024
Greetings IDHA Families,
I hope all have had a fantastic start to their seasons and are ready for an exciting regular season start! I’ve spoken with many of you and love hearing about and participating in so many fantastic team events and activities. BBQs, Car Washes, Early Bird Tournaments, and more. All important ingredients for a season packed with fun and development.
It’s hard to believe we’re already here in November! A couple of exciting reminders for our club!
First, please take a moment to thank your Team Managers the next time you see them! We’re so fortunate to have an incredible group of Team Manager’s that are willing to go above and beyond for our club and their teams. Coordinating Jerseys, Socks, Warmups, Tournaments, and everyone’s favorite… scheduling! The Manager’s job is critical to a successful season. To all of our Team Managers, thank you for everything you do - We are all very grateful for your contributions! Also, a huge shoutout to Jeanne Clark for all of her support in helping the club/managers with learning our fantastic new Crossbar website/app and helping our 3 newest Mite managers find their stride!
Second, in our last newsletter I shared my excitement for the launch of our IDHA Mentorship program. I’m happy to report our Varsity Mentors from the Libertyville – Vernon Hills Ice Cats have already begun to make an amazing impression on many of our young Mites and Squirts. To date, the Ice Cats Varsity Mentors have begun working across Mini-Mite, Mite Travel, and Squirt Travel teams. A fantastic effort by both the Varsity Players and our Coaching Staff to make this a reality!
WI can share that my own two Mites are constantly asking when the Ice Cats are coming to practice again, and when do we get to go to their next game. I love hearing their excitement to support our local HS programs!
We have two Pack the Rink games coming up quickly. On Friday, 11/8, Carmel is taking on Stevenson HS at 7:20 pm and on Saturday 11/16, at 5:20 pm the Ice Cats take on St. Ignatius.
Come help us cheer on our Coach Ian Shepard’s Mite 4 players at the 11/16 Ice Cats game with a special spotlight on our young Ice Dogs as they accompany the Ice Cats for the National Anthem!
Both of these Pack the Rink events will be full of Hockey Fun, helping to showcase the opportunity we have in Northern Illinois to build up our local HS hockey clubs into an aspiration for our young Ice Dogs! Stay tuned for additional Pack the Rink nights to be identified shortly.
Last but not least, I’m excited to see you all at the Big Dog Bash this Saturday evening. Doors open on Saturday, November 9 at 7pm. The event is for Adult Dogs only, Wild West Themed, and never fails to be a good time for all!
Best of luck to all of our Ice Dogs in the regular season.
Go Dogs,
Jake
October 7, 2024
Ice Dogs Family,
The 2024-2025 hockey season is off to a roaring start! Nothing makes leaving summer in the rearview mirror easier than the excitement of a new hockey season! Even better, a new Ice Dogs Hockey Association hockey season!
As we jump into October, I’m hopeful that everyone is getting settled into their new team schedules, building new team traditions, and starting to find that new team chemistry that makes being part of a hockey team so special.
A few thank you shoutouts! Thank you to all of you for your patience as the Jerseys, Socks, Bags, Shells, and Warmups continue to come in. Thank you to our team managers who work late into the evening and in their free time to help make our team experiences both well-organized and extra special for our players. And last but certainly not least, thank you to our volunteer board members who worked tirelessly to provide us all with an incredible new jersey design (My kids' reaction – “These jerseys are SICK!!”), with names already on the jerseys, new high quality canvas bags, and warm-ups (on their way).
Zero Tolerance Policy
Team, our Ice Dogs family has a special culture filled with fun and passion for our great sport. With the seeding round underway, we (parents) are back in the trenches together – experiencing good calls, bad calls, big wins and tough losses. While emotions and excitement can run high, I want to remind us all that AHAI, USA Hockey, and the Ice Dogs Hockey Association (IDHA) have a zero tolerance policy with regards to officials and opposing fans. The IDHA makes this zero tolerance policy available here at www.icedogshockeyclub.com under “resources”, “for parents”, “zero tolerance policy”. Please take a moment to re-familiarize yourself with the content when you can.
My ask of us all, as parents of young Ice Dogs, is to continue building that proud Ice Dogs Culture. Ice Dogs work hard, have fun, and command respect from all because we demonstrate respect for each other and for all others at all times. Thank you for your commitment on this!
Ice Dogs Mentorship Program
In other exciting news, I’m thrilled to announce that the IDHA is launching a mentorship program (the Ice Dogs Mentorship Program). With the IDHA’s close partnership and proximity to two fantastic high school hockey organizations we have a unique opportunity to create an incredible impact on multiple levels. The Ice Dogs Mentorship Program will join forces with both the Libertyville – Vernon Hills Ice Cats and the Carmel Catholic Corsairs. The Ice Dogs Mentorship Program will provide opportunities to build strong young leaders in our community, grow our young hockey players’ love for the game, and establish a vision of what high school hockey can look like in IL. Stay tuned for more details and updates.
One component of Ice Dogs Mentorship Program includes a handful of “Pack the Rink” nights at the Glacier. We will identify Ice Cats and Carmel home games (at the Glacier) throughout the season to “pack the rink”. These Pack the Rink nights nights will feature an Ice Dogs Team (mini mite, mite, or squirt team) and include lots of fun for all Ice Dogs in attendance!
Our first two Pack the Rink nights will be:
Friday, November 8th, at 7:20 pm - Carmel vs. Stevenson
Saturday, November 16th, at 5:20 pm - Ice Cats vs. St. Ignatius!
Additional Important Reminders
Apparel Store – All orders must be complete by October 6th. Thank you to our apparel organizers for keeping the prices incredibly affordable on so many cool options.
Picture Day – Thank you partnership Nicole Lukemeyer Photography!
Big Dog Bash Last but certainly not least, mark your calendars for November 9th – Our annual Big Dog Bash is not only our main fundraising event of the year, but also provides our families with an incredibly fun night of dinner, drinks, music and entertainment. Tap into your inner cowboy/cowgirl spirit as this year’s wild west-themed bash includes a bluegrass band, dueling pianos, and much more!
Here's to an incredible season!
Cheers,
Jake