Our challenge games are coming up this weekend. Since it’s early in the season, we have some reminders.  PLEASE ONLY SIGN UP FOR ONE GAME until noon on Saturday, November 24th. Please sign up for a game where you can learn and play safely.  We’ll have two intermediate games (one for lower intermediate players and one for higher intermediate players), a game for beginners, and a game for advanced players.  It’s a good idea to challenge yourself as the season progresses, but only within your limits.  In the advanced games, skaters do not “play down” in some of the ways that they try to do in our regular season games.  More advanced players who sign up for a scrimmage below their skill level should facilitate game play for players who fit well in that skill level.  Inclusive play is exceptionally important in such a situation.  For safety, HOps reserves the right to shift players if we feel you have signed up for a level that doesn’t match your skill.

The games will be scheduled as follows:

5:15 PM – Low Intermediate Game
6:30 PM – Beginner Game
7:45 PM – Advanced Game
9:00 PM – High Intermediate Game

See you on the ice!
-HOps (Tim, Brian, k8, Mark, Ashleigh, Sara, John)

November 25, 2018 Challenge Games

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Hey everybody!

Thanks so much for all of the hard work during the evaluations the last couple of weeks.  We really appreciate it!

A quick note about the evaluation scrimmages from Sunday night.  We strive to always play the MGHA way (passing a lot, friendly play, etc) but evaluation scrimmages are a little different because we need to see where you fall in the spectrum for the sake of even team creation.  I apologize if this message was lost last night.  If you’re new to the league, please know that games throughout the season have a different pace and different feel.  As a developmental league, we strive to make sure everyone feels included and nobody feels overwhelmed.  We look forward to starting the season with all of you.

That said, we’re starting our season off with our annual team reveal and challenge game night!  We’ll have three scrimmage-style games on Sunday along with team reveal.  Here’s the schedule for October 14th:

• Beginner Scrimmage – 5:15 PM
• Advanced Scrimmage – 6:30 PM
• Team Reveal – 7:45 PM
• Intermediate Scrimmage – 9:00 PM

Team reveal is one of the best events of the season because it is where you learn what team you’re on and you have the opportunity to bond a little bit, learning names/pronouns and starting to think of team names.  It’s a fun night and I encourage everyone to show up for team reveal by 7:30 PM.

This is also our first challenge game night of the season.  As far as challenge games go, here are a few bits of information…

Please only sign up for one game (until 12 noon on Saturday, October 13th).  We want to make sure everyone has a chance to sign up (and not everyone in the league can check their computers or phones multiple times per day). As usual, there are 30 slots for skaters per game along with two roster spots for goalies.  You’ll need to sign into the website to sign up for a scrimmage slot.  I’ll put a link at the bottom of this email.

Unlike season games, challenge games are sorted based on skill level. Players choose at what level of play they can safely and most happily play.  Self-selection is a privilege and must be considered carefully.  It’s okay to play down a level, but you must understand that inclusive play is especially important.  A person playing down is there to facilitate fun and safe hockey play for newer skaters.  If you choose to play up, please be aware that the usual level of inclusive play does not apply.  Advanced skaters are there to challenge one another and work on their hockey skills.  Further, playing beyond one’s ability can create an unsafe environment for the individual skater and everyone else on the ice.

Particularly since this is the first scrimmage and in the interest of safety, Hockey Operations reserves the right to ask you to move to a different time slot.  This is not meant to single anyone out but to ensure that everyone can play safely and effectively.

As with last season, we’ll switch up the schedule for who has the early, middle, and late games for other challenge nights throughout the season.  Also, due to the limited ice time on Sunday, we’ll only have one intermediate slot.  That means you’ll need to sign up quickly.  If you sign up and cannot make it, please remove your name from the slot.  We’ll typically have two slots… one for lower and one for upper intermediate.

Here’s the link for the challenge game signup.  This link will not be valid until 8 PM on Tuesday, October 9.  Be sure to sign in!  

See you on the ice!

-HOps (Tim, Mark, Sara, Brian, John, Ashleigh, k8)

Challenge Games - October 14, 2018

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Blades Against AIDS is our annual charity event, with all proceeds benefitting the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW). This year’s Blades Against AIDS is our 10th annual, and we’ll need a lot of help to make the event a success!

Tickets are $10 for adults (18+), $5 for kids ages 6-17, and free for kids 5 and under. MGHA players who volunteer for one hour will receive free admission to the event.

Attendees will enjoy open skate time, skate rental, performances, food, and hot drinks included with the cost of admission. New for this year, we will also be offering mini-lessons (basic tips and assistance) for attendees who are new to skating.

We’re asking all MGHA players to pitch in however they’re able to help us make a difference for those in our community affected by HIV and to support vital prevention services. There are three main ways you can help:

1. Help spread the word! Invite your friends and family to join us. Information can be found on Facebook or on our Eventbrite page. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance online (via Eventbrite).
2. Help secure raffle prizes! Raffle ticket sales are crucial for maximizing our contribution to the ARCW. Have connections in the area? Own a business? Work for an employer willing to donate a prize? Willing to part with something of value? Let us know! Email blades@madisongayhockey.org.
3. Sign up for a volunteer shift the day of the event. Can you spare an some time before the October 14 challenge games? Sign up for a shift (or two!) Spend time with fellow players and extend a warm MGHA welcome to our attendees.

Blades Against AIDS | October 14, 2018 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

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Hi Everybody! We are having our pre-season gear up event Sunday Sept 2nd from 12pm-1pm in the Hartmeyer parking lot https://goo.gl/maps/NnVEeoVqgqG2

A couple of quick recruiting announcements, along with some TODOs for you.

Recruiting Updates

1. We’ve filled up our 10 teams for the season! We’ve got a waiting list.
2. There will be a gear event, a new player orientation, and new player social. We are just finalizing dates and locations for those.

The Season Begins…

The first skills clinic is Sunday, September 9th at 7pm at Hartmeyer.  Ironman is that weekend, so be aware of downtown traffic.  Expect another email from Hockey Ops with more details soon!

Things For You To Do:

1. You can pay your league fees, now!  The fees are $280 dollars total and are due September 30th.  Your $80 deposit counts toward your league fees.
2. If you haven’t done so already, make sure to register for USA Hockey.
3. Make sure your profile lists your pronouns.
4. Make sure your profile lists your emergency contact information.
5. While we’re on the subject of your profile… take a moment to update your bio and upload a pic if you don’t have one!