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Hockey Operations Committee

Coordinators

Adam Olson

Bantam Coordinator, High School Boys Coach

Jon Cullen

PeeWee Coordinator

Matt Anderson

Squirt Coodinator

Jeff Horstman

Goalie Coordinator

Denelle DelZoppo

Girls(10UG-12UG) Co-Coordinator Lower Levels

Andrew Olson

Mite Coodinator

High School Varsity Coaches

Josh Meyers

High School Boys Varsity Head Coach

Adam Olson

Bantam Coordinator, High School Boys Coach

Molly Arola

High Schools Girls Varsity Head Coach

Jeff Doherty

High School Girls Coach

Representatives At Large

Jason Lattimer

Scheduler

AAHA Board Representative

Matt Van Bruggen

President AAHA Board (2023)

Joel Loveland

Vice President AAHA Board

AAHA Hockey Operations Committee

At one time, the AAHA board made all of the hockey decisions in addition to conducting all of the AAHA business. As this became unmanageable for one group, the board separated much of the on-ice programming from the business side of things by naming a hockey coordinator (1 person). This hockey coordinator was responsible for making most of the "hockey" decisions, often organizing a strong group of coaches called, The Players' Committee for input. Eventually, some "helper coordinators" for Girls and Mites were added to help share the workload and the decision-making, while still seeking Players' Committee input when possible, but without a formal system for consistently and efficiently communicating that input and the outcomes of the discussions.

In the Spring of 2009, the coordinators' roles expanded more formally, adding a goalie coordinator, girls coordinator and boys coordinator (with modest stipends). Also, the Board of Directors took steps to formally share the hockey decision-making power by establishing the role of the Hockey Committee as the group charged with executing the on-ice hockey program.

In 2014, the AAHA Board of Directors recognized that the day to day operations of the association (especially during the season) were too much for 1 person to manage as a volunteer position. They approved a paid position for the Director of Hockey, who leads the Hockey Operations Committee, and oversees the implementation and execution of the Hockey-Ops' decisions. (At that time, the role of Boys' Coordinator was absorbed by the Director of Hockey.)

Alexandria did not invent the concept of the Players' or Hockey Operations Committee. Minnesota Hockey has a Hockey Operations component that functions similarly on a larger scale. A look at some of our peers in places like Brainerd  http://brainerd.pucksystems2.com/  and  Moorhead http://www.moorheadyouthhockey.com/  (see brochure) reveals that most strong organizations rely on Hockey Committees made up of experienced hockey people to do the hockey work.

By asking other coaches to officially share in the hockey decision making, there is a more thorough, efficient and democratic processing of "all things hockey" than if coaches were left to "wing it" or directed by a single person, or even by the business oriented Board of Directors.Through clearly defined agendas and access to all AAHA families, this format should provide the most proactive approach to making the on-ice AAHA product as great as it can be.

For more information about the committee: what it is, who is on it, exactly where it came from and what things it will be doing, please read the posted documents. Also check back often to see upcoming agendas, minutes from meetings and calls for input.

Finally, if there is anything that you see as an opportunity to improve the on-ice programming here in Alexandria, please know that your input is welcome. Simply check the committee roster and contact anyone on the list with your thoughts.

Hockey Operations Charter

 Mission: The Hockey Operations Committee will define, articulate and communicate, the hockey philosophy, best practices and values of the Alexandria Area Hockey Association, and will design and execute the on-ice hockey programming in alignment with that philosophy. (2009)

1.     The committee is a knowledgeable body of experienced coaches that is representative of the interests of the entire program.

2.     The committee accepts responsibility for all things hockey and absorbs the responsibility of ALL hockey related phone calls, questions and complaints from the board members’ scope of responsibility.

3.     The hockey committee operates as the hockey decision-making body of AAHA and is led by the Director of Hockey Operations, the Coordinators of Girls, Mites and Goalies. The Director of Hockey Operations reports to the AAHA Board of Directors.

4.     Elements of the on-ice programming that the committee directs include, but are not limited to: coaching placements, competition and related topics; schedule theories and strategies; coaches’ training and supervision; team selection processes; team and age-level formats and composition; allocations of players; placement of players. 

5.     Seated on the Hockey Operations Committee are: all coordinators (3); the high school varsity boys and girls coaches (2); at least one AAHA board member; a group of at-large former players and/or coaches representing a variety of experience including A and B divisions; all age-groups; both boys & girls programs.

6.     Members are seated by appointment of the Director of Hockey Operations, and confirmed by current Hockey Operations Committee and Board of Directors.

7.     The Hockey Operations Committee will meet periodically as projects and issues warrant, with the most frequency between July-November in preparation for the season. In addition, task forces (which may include people not currently serving on the committee) will constantly be formed for special short-term projects such as "Coaches Selection"; “Fall Clinic”;  ‘Tryouts”; “Scheduling”; “Goalie Advocacy”; etc.

8.  A roster of the Hockey Operations Committee with contact information of each member will be posted on the website to provide access to people wishing to provide input to the hockey committee, and people seeking information, and/or clarification of hockey ops. activity.