8. ICESR 04-08-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Thomas, We all agree down on injuries is a good thing. But has this really been thought through? In your memo you explained how the process is cost neutral,which isn't as simple as it was explained. The white base paint typically comes in a powder form which is less expensive than color and more easily applied than color paint. Some rinks paint or stain the white base on the floor,while others keeps their ice in for years at a time. This would create a finical hardship to rinks due to having to shut down for a period of time when they are typically selling ice to re install their paint to include the orange. White paint is typically sprayed on the ice with a 10' to 12'wide spray bar,much like a farmer's crop duster. A rink can be painted in 45-60 minutes. Painting the color, lines, circles, and dots,requires a paint stick or another form of application that is time consuming. To give an idea, one blue line is 85 square feet and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to paint. The orange area proposed is about 1,230 square feet or more, depending on the rink size, and would take a minimum of 7 man hours to paint. I suggest that you contact our local arena association,Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association (MIAMA) to get their viewpoint on the proposal. Their email address is: www.iniama.orc,where you will find board member contact information. I sit on the board and have found that there're very talented and open-minded ice arena managers that would provide valuable insight and suggestions to the goal that we would all like to achieve. Most of the managers have played hockey, seen thousands of games from youth to pro, and have high regard for the game. We are an engaged association, and were instrumental in developing the new indoor air quality standards in Minnesota. We are very conscious of safety in our buildings whether it's on or off the ice. We are a very valuable resource that I hope USA hockey will utilize. Personally,if the Heads' up line is the USA hockey consensus,modify it to an 18" - 24"line and only add it to the zones from hash mark to hash mark. I believe a of 18" - 24"is sufficient to catch the player's eye, although I also believe that over a short period of time the line will become second nature to the players,like the Stop patches that players wear on the back of their jersey, and will do little to help avoid unnecessary contact. Neutral zone body checks are usually in open ice and in non-congested areas. If they occur along the boards,higher injury penalties like checks from behind,boarding, charging, and head contact are easily recognized by referees (I'm a 15 year referee). Body contact deep in the zone is more frequent due to player congestion in smaller areas, more aggressive play and the desire to exert a punishing hit that results in injuries. USA Hockey mandates that coaches and referees go through training classes to get certified each year. I would suggest mandating players to have 2-3 hours per year of body contact training before each season begins to learn basic concepts of safe and effective puck play. It seems to me this would do the most good and falls within what they are already doing... plus, each player/parent pays $30 to USA hockey every year... require a mandated 2-hour dryland/classroom and on ice session certificate of completion before qualifying for a membership. Best Regards, Rich Czech Elk River Arena Manager