Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/81890
line change Tryouts Can Be A Trying Time For Everyone By CHRISTIE CASCIANO BURNS kinds of worries can spin in your skater's head. What if I'm not good enough? What if I mess up so badly that I end up as an embarrassing YouTube sensation until I'm a second-year Bantam? Parents get Oh, those nerve-racking days before tryouts. All too. What if his friends make travel and he gets cut? What if she ends up on that other team with those parents? Pacing parents, kids having meltdowns, stands commenting on who should be on the team. There's already enough inherent drama and stress to go around during tryouts for a new reality TV series. There's no need for you to have a starring role. "experts" in the outs, get those last practices in, make sure the equipment fits and feels right. In the days lead- ing up have a game plan for han- dling the inevitable emotional rollercoaster for young minds and tender hearts. Be honest about the realities of making a team, not making one and expectations if they are selected. A couple of weeks before try- stomach knots, The Pluses Of Being Positive During my son's first time trying out for a travel team, I fell into a parent trap. I wanted him to make it, maybe even more than he did. I wanted him to advance, be challenged to help secure a spot on the high school hock- ey team. He eventually made the travel team and loved it. But, I wondered, what if he got cut? Would I have been bitter? Would I have been that parent? Then came the test. My daughter Sophia felt ready and wanted to be with the kids she had skated with since mini- Mites, so she tried out for a travel team. sweet tournament wins and she even got an MVP award. Good times, great experiences and, of course, fun. Those were pluses of being positive. Silence, & Support Are Golden Parent behavior can be a factor. Say you have two kids with the same talent, but one has parents who've been a problem for the organization. Which kid would you pick? ADVICE FOR PARENTS, REFS AND COACHES Heads Up Hockey Moms USA Hockey Magazine is proud to team up with hockey mom extraordinaire, Christie Casciano Burns, this season. A mother of two hockey players, Joe and Sophia, Casciano Burns will write a monthly column devoted to issues of interest to hockey moms and hockey families. A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Casciano Burns is an anchor with NewsChannel 9 in Syracuse. In addition, she is the author of two children's books on hockey, The Puck Hog and Haunted Hockey In Lake Placid, The Puck Hog Volume 2. She also writes a blog for hockey moms (thepuckhog. blogspot.com). There was disappointment and a heavy heart when the list was posted. Her name wasn't there. I gave her a big hug. Her dad and big brother picked the right words that picked her right up. She worked hard during the season and worked on her weak- nesses. Her house team saw Leave the X's and O's for the coach. Parents should only coach behavior and effort. Tryouts can be a great tool for teaching our kids to go for it, and leave it all out there, no regrets. Remind yourself and your athlete that sports are ulti- mately about having fun. So don't lose sleep over it. Whether you're Sidney Crosby, LeBron James or a young Sophia, it's all about finding joy in the games we play, especially when you try your best. HELP REWRITE THE RULE BOOK It's once again time to add your input to the USA Hockey Rule Book. Any member of USA Hockey can submit a playing rule change proposal for consideration. All proposals must be submitted in writing to the USA Hockey national office by Nov. 1, and must include the specific wording of the proposed change, addition or deletion. After preliminary review by the Playing Rules Committee, proposals will be sent to the appropriate committee or council for their recommendations. The Playing Rules Committee will meet during the USA Hockey Annual Congress in an open forum where USA Hockey members have a chance to voice their opinion on each proposal. The Playing Rules Committee will then make their final recommendations to the USA Hockey board of directors for their approval during their annual meeting. Those proposals that are accepted will be incorporated in the Official Playing Rules and will be in effect for the 2013-14 through the 2016-17 seasons. Playing rule change proposal forms can be obtained through your District director, Affiliate president or other USA Hockey appointed District personnel. You may also submit your proposal via e-mail by forwarding your proposal, on the proper form, to MattL@usahockey.org. 12 SEPTEMBER.2012 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM What The Heck Is A HECC Sticker? On the back of every helmet is a sticker that contains the HECC label. HECC stands for the Hockey Equipment Certification Council, which validates that each helmet has been tested and meets the requirements of appropriate performance standards. USA Hockey mandates the use of HECC certified equipment. Each HECC sticker includes an expiration date for HECC certification. HECC certification for helmets is good for 6 and 1/2 years. After that it's time to purchase a new helmet. Of course if the helmet is damaged or worn out, you should replace it immediately regardless of the HECC sticker date. The HECC sticker is good from the date the helmet was produced, not the date of purchase, so make sure you get your money's worth by not buying a helmet that has been sitting on the shelf for too long. PHOTOS COURTESY OF USA Hockey