Can you feel the cool, crispy air on your cheeks? That’s the feeling of seasonal change, anticipatory sweat, and a sweet full body exhaustion after your first, second, and third games of hockey this fall.

It’s time for more MGHA news:

1. League Expansion
   • We hit a milestone of recruiting 210 players for this year! Because we have enough people on our waitlist AND were able to add a later ice slot at Cap Ice, we’re happy to share that we will expand to 220-240 players this season. Each team will only have a couple late games, and we imagine captains may recruit subs more easily with a larger pool of skaters. Big numbers mean an even bigger thanks to our recruiting team, led by Amanda Thornton, to process all new applications and shepherd this year’s hockey crew onto the ice.
   • If you are willing to be a goalie this season and haven’t already registered as one, please contact goalies@lists.madisongayhockey.org so we can get y’all wrangled. Note that goalies only pay the $100 deposit, they do not pay full dues.
2. COVID update for the locker room
   • When the Dane county community level is High, we expect players to wear masks in the locker rooms and the lobby area. While we will not enforce this recommendation operationally (i.e. reporting to leadership and messaging to individuals who do not mask), we will make disposable masks available in the lobby and captains can bring a box into their locker room throughout the season. We ask that where possible, you use your own reusable mask. We hope everyone can acknowledge and respect each others’ space, decisions and body autonomy, as we’ve practiced in the locker room space for years. We are not requiring masks on ice this year, and we will continue to use our Covid reporting protocol to communicate known positive cases using covid@madisongayhockey.org when our players are exposed during MGHA sanctioned events.
3. USA Hockey registration in your Account page
   • The Website team has made a new USA Hockey # field in your /account page to remove the manual email effort – so going forward, you do NOT have to email the registrar your number. You will not be allowed on the ice until you have your USA Hockey # added for the season.
4. What’s Next?
   1. Required – Add your play level preference on your Account. We will use this to balance levels and estimate team number and roster size going into evaluations. Play-with and -without requests will be collected later.
   2. We will add September orientation, preseason skills and scrimmages to the website so you can sign up. Sept 11th and 18th are focused on new-to-hockey and new-to-MGHA folks, then we will have ice time for all players as we lead into evaluations and team formation in mid-October.
   3. Reminder – complete the volunteer form if you have skills to share or recommendations for us.
   4. Reminder – Use the locker room listserv locker-room@lists.madisongayhockey.org for any informal updates about mentor/mentee skating at the UW Shell or other local rinks, LGBTQ+ events/news, etc.
   1. Extra credit – watch our videos on the Skills and Drills website page to refresh your brain on what’s coming soon during the preseason!

<3 Thanks and see you soon! <3

The first fall leaf hasn’t yet hit the ground, yet we have 165 people with a deposit in for the new season! We have flexibility to grow this year with the 3 level structure, but your quick action now helps us plan with time and sanity. New players should get their applications in ASAP, returners need to pay deposit and registration soon to secure a spot.

Here’s everything you need to know and do to get signed up to take the ice with the MGHA in our 15th season:

1. Read this entire post, understand our COVID policy and new 3 levels of play
2. Pay your $100 Deposit and $250 remaining Fees
3. Register with USA Hockey and send your ID # to registrar@madisongayhockey.org *NOTE FOR NEW APPLICANTS: please only do this once you’ve heard from recruiting that we have your spot ready.
4. Update your account with your preferred level of play
5. Submit the volunteer / nomination form
6. [optional] Aug 23 – Attend the gear swap to donate, swap, socialize, support new players
7. [required] September – Attend preseason orientation before taking the ice
8. Preview this season’s Schedule, sync it to your calendar

COVID-19

The MGHA follows Dane County guidelines and recommendations for COVID-19. As of August 2nd, 2022, Dane County is at a High Community level, which means masking indoors is recommended but not required. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
“People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Masks are recommended in indoor public transportation settings and may be required in other places by local or state authorities.”

We want all MGHA players and fans to feel welcome and safe at hockey each Sunday, knowing that everyone is navigating community health data, making decisions about masks, and keeping up with variant news. If you need anything, contact the board member. This will remain to be a priority throughout the season.

About Play Levels

To make the league more inclusive, MGHA Members have opted to shift from a 2-level organization last year to a 3-level organization this year. To implement these changes, we are requiring preseason (off-ice) orientation for all levels, all players, to discuss expectations and hold space for comments and questions.

Level 1 “L1” is for beginners and low intermediate players. Expect to learn and practice basic ice skating, hockey rules and strategy at a slower pace. This level includes coaching and extra skills clinics throughout the season. Higher level players can play in this level and will have restrictions such as strict goal caps.

Level 2 “L2” is for intermediate players who are able to skate safely during faster play. Expect to use and develop skills with your team. This level may include coaching, at your captain’s discretion and coaches’ availability. Higher level players can play in this level and will be goal-capped.

Level 3 “L3” is for intermediate and advanced players looking for SAFE fast-paced competition. Expect to develop strategies with your team, learn how to safely challenge yourself and others, and absolutely NO show-boating or unnecessary contact. This level may include coaching, at your captain’s discretion and coaches’ availability.

We expect ALL levels to skate safely, in control of oneself, and intentionally inclusive of teammates and opponents – this is the MGHA Way – we know it’s more fun! Good competition is created when everyone skate within their own abilities, recognizes and respects others abilities, and creates space for skill development.

ACTION: Select your preferred level(s) for the 2022-2023 on your Account page.

Pay Fees

2022-2023 Fees are $350 total: $100 paid as a deposit, and $250 paid below to complete registration.

Financial Aid: Monthly payment plans and discounted fees are available each year, please reach out if you need any assistance whatsoever.

Volunteer to support this year

Recruiting, mentoring, clinics, evaluations, captains, coaches, fundraising, social events, sponsorships, gear, community skate, tournament, apparel – the list goes on. There’s so much we do each year, please submit this form to note your interest or nominate others to the various volunteer roles that keep the MGHA way alive and well!

ACTION: Complete the Volunteer Form ASAP

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That’s all for now, folks! Check back here for more #news as we gear up for the season.

-Libs and the Board

We hope your summers are going well! We’ve got some fun summer ice opportunities coming up! Please read on for information on what’s happening and how to register!

WHAT:

Scrimmages – Separate L1 and L2 scrimmages – sign up for whichever you’re comfortable skating in. These will likely be more relaxed than the regular season pace of play. To start, please register for just one of the levels to allow more folks to play; if there’s space, you may sign up for (or sub in!) the other. 

Skills – Open to all levels – coached ice time to work on skating, passing, shooting, and gameplay concepts. Coaches will gladly take feedback on what folks want to work on. (If you are interested in coaching, reach out to Avery and/or Libs for more information!)

WHEN:

Skills: Tuesdays 7:50 – 8:35 (45 minutes) 

L1 Scrimmage: Tuesdays 8:45-9:45 (1 hour)

L2 Scrimmage: Thursdays: 7:50 – 8:50 (1 hour)

DATES:

10 weeks, June 21 – August 25 

Option to register for 5 week halves:

Skills / L1 scrimmage: June 21-July 19 // July 26 – August 23

L2 scrimmage: June 23 – July 21 // July 28 – August 23

WHERE: 

Capitol Ice Arena

COST:

Half summer scrimmage: $60

Full summer scrimmage: $120

Half summer skills: $35

Full summer skills: $70

Financial aid for summer ice is available – please fill out the financial aid form or reach out to the treasurer (treasurer@madisongayhockey.org) 

LINKS TO PAY/REGISTER (must be logged in to purchase!):

Notes: 

– Paying through the link will add you to the group you’re signing up for; no further action is needed at this time on that.

– If you are wanting to do the whole summer’s worth of scrimmages (10 weeks), you will need to purchase both items separately. Do not buy one session twice!

– At this time, only register for one or the other of the scrimmage groups. You may register for both a scrimmage group and skills!

L1 Early Scrimmage (June 21-July 19)

L1 Late Scrimmage (July 26 – August 23)

L2 Early Scrimmage (June 23 – July 21)

L2 Late Scrimmage (July 28 – August 23)

Skills – Early (June 21-July 19)

Skills – Late (July 26 – August 23)

Please reach out with any questions! We hope to see you on the ice this summer!

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Here are your 2021-2022 MGHA All the Way Award Winners and the nice things their teams had to say about them.

End of the Rainbow: Sonny Graves
Watching Sonny’s debut as a goalie has been lots of fun and impressive. They always have an upbeat, positive attitude and their attitude is contagious. Sonny embodies what the MGHA is all about: the pure joy of playing the game of hockey in a friendly, positive, and supportive environment. They inspire me every week to be and do better. It’s a pleasure to be Sonny’s teammate this year!

The Necromancers: Mar Gosselar
Mar has been a phenomenal presence on the team, promoting team unity, compassion, and excitement. They’ve made our text chat a wholesome place and promoted a culture of caring for your teammates.

Skyfall: Peter Jones
Peter is our team cheerleader.  He always makes everyone feel like they have done their best. Peter has a positive, teamwork attitude that just makes people feel good! Whether from his kind words in the locker room, his silly “Get ‘em!” yells from the bench, or his screams & giggles on the ice when he wipes out, he is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face! Peter makes hockey fun and the overall MGHA experience special and memorable!

Green Eggs and WHAM!  Christy Churchill
Special message from Abby – I can’t think of anyone more well-suited for this award than my sibling, Christy. Their upbeat and positive attitude, even after a loss, was a critical fixture on our team. Throughout the season, they went out of their way to provide positive feedback to many members of our team after each game – they managed to observe individual players while in net AND make some wicked saves. In addition, their tremendous improvement over the season was inspiring to us all. Congrats, Christy, you deserve it!

Slippery When Wet: Bri “Fitzie” Fitzgerald
Fitzie always brings positive energy to games. From their willingness to play whatever position, to their friendliness to every teammate and sub who entered our locker room, to their attitude of “I feel like I have to sample the stick breaking in my next song” after a stick-breaking injury, Fitzie is the embodiment of positivity, and well deserving of the all-the-way award.

The Harvey Milks: Shiny!
Shiny is always a friendly and positive presence in the locker room and on the ice. He makes everyone feel welcomed on and off the ice. Shiny helped lead our practices and always has encouraging words for other players. He keeps a positive attitude on the ice and always looks for assists. He plays inclusively, supports his teammates, and always encourages folks to join him for post-game beverages!

The Fanta-Sticks! Sarah Johnson-Mehrkens
Sarah jumped in to play defense for the first time while learning new skills each week, and has continued to support the team from the bench!
Sarah has been an amazing asset to The Fanta-Sticks! showing flexibility, team spirit, and commitment to growth and learning.  When she was injured and it was clear that her season was over,  she put on a helmet and joined us on the bench,  providing coaching, encouragement, and cheers.  Even though she’s not physically with us on the ice,  she’s still with us 100% and we couldn’t be happier.  Sarah is totally MGHA All the Way!

The Abominable Snowpeeps: Alex Krajek
As a new player this year, Alex has fully immersed himself in the MGHA. He subs for multiple games, plays hard each week, and takes to heart any advice offered. His growth this year is absolutely amazing!

Caution! Trisha Adamus
Tricia exemplifies team spirit. She’s our team mom, always bringing snacks and making sure everyone feels comfortable. Trisha has an infectious enthusiasm for the game and for the league. She’s always inclusive, always modeling good sportsmanship, and she’s just a joy to play hockey with – exemplifying the MGHA way!

Sauce: Ames Barker
Ames has done an amazing job this season of leading by example, both on and off the ice.
Ames joined our team and immediately stepped into the role of mentor and took the time each week to help players learn. They are unselfish with the puck and have made it their goal of the season to try to be the supporting player and go for the assist first and foremost so as to get new players their first goal(s). Numerous times they have taken on tasks for the team and been an absolute support. They embody the league’s definition of the MGHA way. Our team is that much better whenever Ames is there to go All The Way!

The Red Flags: Gene Zadzilka
Gene is our team’s biggest cheerleader. He’s always willing to help, offering advice, and volunteering his time. His passion for the sport, the team, and this league is awesome!

Black Holes: Christina Libs
Captain Christina brought the encouragement, organization, and dance energy that made this season extra good—she went above and beyond to manage the challenges of balancing teams in L2, provided great feedback from the bench and recognized growth in teammates of all skill levels, and was calm and caring as we navigated the great unknowns of the pandemic (and deep space). Her organization of the super fun pond hockey tournament was top notch. She’s the holiest of the Black Holes!

Magic School Bus: Alanna Friscino
Alanna is always positive, promoting and accepting individuality. Alanna has been a wonderful teammate during her first season with MGHA. She is always excited to be on the ice and supports her teammates and captains with thoughtful advice and enthusiasm!

Violet Villains: Erica Fry
Erica has been an exemplary player on the Violet Villains all season. She always has wise and calming words for other players, both one on one and between periods to the team. She’s a smart player, level headed, and makes any line she’s on that much stronger.

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