2006-07 Hockey Season

Hockey season has officially started and while I'm excited to see the NHL in full swing, it's even more fun watching amateur hockey games when you can be there live. The good news is: we will be!

Michael made the Bluehawks AA Midget team again this year. He's playing second line forward. Expectations are high for the team this year. We've added some new talent this year and the returning players are tougher and more experienced after last season.

Our schedule started September 8th with an early bird tournament in Toledo and should run through mid-March. We're hoping for at least 60 games. After five games in September, Octboer is filling up and we'll have 18 played before Holloween.

For 2006-07, there are new standards of play and an increased emphasis on certain infractions. These new rules apply to youth hockey and professional players. According to USA Hockey, the big changes are:

1. The stick can only be used for playing the puck - it cannot be used to impede a player's progress even if he has the puck, pull on a player's body, or hamper his ability to pass or shoot. Bacically, if the blade is not on the puck, it's in the wrong place.
2. A free arm cannot be used to grab or impede a player's progress; clutching or grabbing a stick, jersey, or body (even along the board) will result in a penalty. Players better control their other arm or there will be lots of holding calls.
3. Impeding the progress of an opponent that does not have the puck is considered interference. In other words, no blocking. I must be confused, I thought this was a full contact sport?
4. Any stick contact to the hands, arms, body, or opponents stick will be considered slashing and strictly penalized.

USA Hockey claims the new rules "will continue to allow the opportunity for imprved skill development and a more positive hockey environment". Duh! I would certainly hope so. They go on to say these rules are designed to provide a "...greater emphasis on skating, puck possession and proper use of body...". Sounds better, I can live with that. Actually, it's quite possible these changes will result in more offensive plays and therefore more goals. What we've seen so far is more penalties, lots of them.

Of course, many are questioning these changes and the players are complaining because change is difficult. It may be even more challenging in hockey because it's such a fast-pace game all the time and player reactions are spontaneous or intuitive. The only way to make the transition is reinforced these changes in practice, lots of practice, over and over again. Afterall, this is how they established the prior ones.

The good news is there seems to be an increased emphasis on more serious infractions. Offenses like contact to the head (big issue last year too), checking from behind, cross checking, late checks and roughing will get little if any latitude from the referees. Fighting is now an automatic two game suspension in youth hockey. All good stuff and these changes were needed providing the officials understand what to focus on. Time will tell.

A higher importance and more focus on these serious penalties was needed and is a step in the right direction. Too many times I have watched games where the refs were hypersensitive about minor penalties (like off sides or a little bumping in the corner). But when a player gets cross checked in the neck or checked from behind into the board, people get seriously injured and these can't be missed.

I feel the league should consider experience standards for referees, especially here in Dayton. When you have officials trying to referee a AA Midget travel team game when they usually officiate Peewee club teams, it isn't fair to the players or the refs. The end result is a 2+ hour hockey game full of minor penalties (half of them questionable) and then they miss the big stuff. Officials at this level need to focus on the big issues, watch for the more serious penalties, and call the ones that can change the outcome of a game for sure. But don't call a game full of minor penalties or call them to establish your authority on the ice. Try to call both sides equally, let some of the little stuff go, and let 'em play.

Go Bluehawks: http://www.daytonbluehawks.com/

Ocean Isle Beach - 2006

It was another great Summer vacation in Ocean Isle Beach (OIB). Thanks again to Debbie and Ricky, they are our honorary island hosts. We are grateful for all they do to make our week fun and memorable.

Our group keeps growing larger, 22 this year and our charcoal bill is getting outragous. Rick promised a Weber gas grill next year so we should be good to go. We might need to consider a backup chef, Pale Ale and dinner for 20+ doesn't work well together; it's fun for the cook but I messed up Mom's dinner - Yikes!

We had two new additions this year. No, not the people - boats! We went fast, very fast (Sunsation) and then we went slow (Carolina Skiff). We learned that Debbie's Skiff is a bit underpowered for a crew of 8, or was it 9? I was on the lookout for the Coast Guard as every other boat on the intercostals' waterway passed us by. OK, maybe they were laughing but I refused to make eye contact. Stand tall, look straight ahead, and push someone out of the boat if you see flashing lights.

OIB is a special place for us and we enjoy every minute. All the kids had a blast, the weather was fabulous all week, and I played miserable golf as usual. Rick, Kevin and I still had fun but I can't seem to master out-of-town golf (what's up with that?). Kevin caught fish and crab, Kirk and Jen cooked ribs, Deidre and Kara got lots of sun, and Kellen learned a valuable Tequila lesson (must be hereditary).

My brother Kirk decided to fly to Las Vegas the week before, win a bunch of money to pay for our vacations, and then meet us at the beach. Debbie watched Mark and Kerri while Kirk partied and gambled Viva Las Vegas style. We were all rooting for him but luckily I had money to pay for my beach rental. Hey, you know what they say, "what goes on in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas". In this case, the money stayed in Las Vegas.

Our fireworks plan was cut short. Actually, they didn't even get started before the OIB police gave us some thought leadership. There's something about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For an island that doesn't allow fireworks, there were a lot of people breaking the law??

All and all, we had a wonderful time. Traditions like the parade, auction night, Taco and Steak night, etc., are all times we will remember. A special thanks to Debbie for graduation night, she always does more for others than she ever expects in return.

We're looking forward to next year. I've made an executive decision, we are not driving! Well, that's the plan anyway and it doesn't save that much money with the church van.