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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs for visitors new to CHA:
- My child would like to learn how to play hockey, at what age can they start?
- I'm frightened! How early and often are the practices and games in youth hockey?
- Where can I learn about transferring from one association to another?
- How is Chesterfield Hockey related to The Summit Center Ice Facility?
FAQs for returning CHA families:
- Who should I contact regarding a problem I'm having with our coach?
- Who should I contact regarding a CHA disciplinary issue?
- Who should I contact regarding a CHA payment issue?
- Who should coaches/managers contact concerning issues with team ice schedules?
- How can I volunteer/get involved/run for the CHA Board?
- What's the fastest animal on Earth?
- Q. My child would like to learn how to play hockey, at what age can they start?
A. Youngsters in our Learn To Play program can begin as early as 3 or 4, though ages 5-10 is the usual age range. Beginning players don't need much skill level to get started. A high level of enthusiasm and willingness to learn will carry them though. For more info on getting your child started in youth hockey, please access the Learn To Play page or with questions.
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- Q. I'm frightened! How early and often are the practices and games in youth hockey?
A. Between practices and games, figure on an average of 2 events per week in the Recreation program and about 3 events per week in the League program, not including tournament weekends. Central States players are on the ice 4-5 times each week and travel about 8 weekends during the season. While there's no avoiding the odd early practice time, it's not nearly as bad as you might have heard. Hockey parents love to brag (complain) about early practices. Besides, after you experience a few early practices, you'll actually end up thanking us for the special bonding time you've had with your child. Plus, the line at Waffle House is a lot shorter at 6:30am. Hey, don't mention it, that's why we're here!
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- Q. Where can I learn about transferring from one association to another?
A. This can happen two ways.
The one-year process is called a "AA pool player pass". If you try and fail to make your association's top team, or if your association does not field a AA team at your level of play, you may tryout for another association's AA team by obtaining a "pool player" form from Missouri Hockey. If you fail to make the AA team, you return to your original association and play on the team you originally made. Details can be found at Missouri Amateur Hockey Association.
The permanent way is called a 'one choice transfer'. This rules for such a move are strictly governed by the by-laws of the Missouri Amateur Hockey Association. To obtain a form, please contact Carlo Merlo or contact an official at Missouri Hockey (314.842.6466) or email Kevin Truman (Missouri Hockey) for specifics.
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- Q. How is Chesterfield Hockey related to the Summit Center?
A. The Summit Center is our home rink. While it initially may seem like the rink and our Association are one in the same, they are actually separate legal entities. CHA is the largest customer of The Summit Center. Both organizations benefit from a successful partnership but CHA does not operate the rink and vice versa.
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- Q. Who should I contact regarding a problem I'm having with our coach?
A. With the length of a youth hockey season and the intensity of this sport, there are bound to be occasions when you disagree with some decisions made by your coach(es). Before starting our patented Four Step Coaching Issue Resolution Process, try to determine if in the big scheme of life, this issue really matters. If it does, follow these steps for resolving a problem with a coach:
CHA's Patented Four Step Coaching Issue Resolution Process
- 1. Think before you act. Understand that coaching hockey is in many ways an art, not a science. There isn't any single best way to coach. Two excellent coaches could go about the same task in very different ways. Some shifts are going to be shorter than others. Some kids are going to sit longer during a penalty kill. Just because you and your coach differ on opinion, doesn't necessarily make either of you wrong.
- 2. Observe the 24 hour rule. CHA parents MUST wait 24 hours before approaching a coach with ANY game or practice complaint. If you've really got a problem it will still be there in a day. Many times, a situation which seems all consuming at the time, turns out to be totally manageable after you leave the rink. The 24 hour rule is law. It's meant to reduce temper flair-ups which arise during heat-of-the-moment issues.
- 3. Talk to your coach. After waiting 24 hours, try to work things out with your coach. Remain calm, stick to the facts and explain your views. Remember, your coach is a volunteer donating many hours of time. Try to mix in some positive statements along with your issue such as, "Coach, my little Preston is really enjoying the season but I'm curious about something....can you help me understand why he sat out the last 5 minutes of the game yesterday?" Keep in mind that your coach has many players' interest in mind along with the welfare of the team. Also remember that we (parents and hockey coaches) all make mistakes from time to time. Expecting perfection is a recipe for disappointment.
- 4. Still no luck? If, after these 3 steps, you still aren't able to resolve the issue with your child's coach, don't suffer in silence. Please contact the Director of Operations in charge of your team's division:
Mites/Squirts -
Peewee/Bantam -
Coaching Director -
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- Q. Who should I contact regarding a CHA disciplinary issue?
A. All participants of Chesterfield Hockey are governed by our Code of Conduct. Make yourself familiar with this document.
If you feel a CHA parent or coach has seriously violated a CHA code of conduct rule, please contact
and he'll forward the issue to the committee which decides whether to pursue such matters.
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- Q. Who should I contact regarding a CHA payment issue?
A. Please direct all concerns related to CHA payments or poor stock market performance in general to our treasurer, Carlo Merlo, by sending an e-mail.
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- Q. Who should coaches/managers contact concerning issues with team ice schedules?
A. Ice scheduling is handled by Paul Estes, Director of Ice Management. If you need to swap with another team, do so and let Paul know by notifying him by e-mail.
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- Q. How can I volunteer/get involved/run for the CHA Board?
A. This club serves hundreds of youth hockey players year round and 99% of work is done by volunteers. There are many ways to become involved:
Coach - First, obtain a USA Hockey coaching certificate. The levels range from 1 to 5. Observe other coach's practices or CHA's summer skills camps every Sunday. Become an assistant to a veteran head coach and learn the ropes.
Team manager - managers help schedule, handle team funds and are responsible for all off-ice aspects of our teams.
Time keeper/score keeper - while the coach may get the spot light, games don't happen without the help of time keepers and score keepers. If your child is new to the club, spend some time learning how to operate the clocks and keep score. It's an important way to help your team.
Committee Member - most programs are run by a small group of volunteers. Even if you're not a Board member or Coordinator, the opportunity to help on tournaments, dinner auction, Spring or 3 on 3 is available. Contact the person heading that project to offer your help.
Coordinator - CHA's new by-laws have positions set aside for appointed coordinators who are in charge of major projects (tourneys, spring, 3 on 3) for the club.
Board Member - CHA is one of the few area clubs which offers open elections, where any member in good standing may run for our Board of Directors. A Board term is for three years and there are nine Directors. Watch for details every spring about running for the Board and elections.
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- Q. What's the fastest animal on Earth?
A. You ask some odd questions, you know that? Most people of other hockey clubs would initially answer the Cheetah at 46 mph, but that would be correct only if you limited your choices to land animals. The Peregrine Falcon at nearly 200 mph, is the fastest animal by far. GO FALCONS!
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