Good afternoon Swords Families,

Wanted to send an update on upcoming events.

1.  Try outs have been postponed until USA Hockey grants all associations permission to resume hockey activities.  We do not have a time line yet as to when that might occur.  We will update all once we know their plans.  We plan to open the try out registrations as soon as we have USA Hockey approval.

2.  Spring Hockey has been postponed as well.  Our plan is to try to hold a modified program if possible.  We will adjust or refund fees once we can make a determination, if spring training is possible.

3.  Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey -- Our plan is to adjust the schedule once we are permitted to resume hockey activities.

4.  USA Hockey Registration is open for the 2020-2021 season.  You will be required to obtain a 20-21 number before registering for tryouts.  If you want to obtain that number you may do so, and hold onto it until we are able to reschedule tryouts and open the registrations.

Until we see everyone on the ice again, BE SAFE, SOCIAL DISTANCE and STAY WELL.

Swords Board

A shoutout to our youngest of teams -- our U8 players, coaches and parents.  The following was sent to us.  What a great way to represent our association.  Acknowledgement of sportsmanship by the opposing team really says it all.  Thank you so much!

(If you are unable to see the image and text, please check it out on our website at www.swordshockey.com)

PDF FORMAT - CLICK HERE

2020-21 U8/ADM FALL/WINTER PROGRAM

ADM Program History and Principles:

USA Hockey launched the American Development Model (ADM) in 2009 providing a detailed blueprint for optimal athlete development.  By giving your child the ADM experience, you’re positioning them for long-term success.  It’s proven programming, built on qualitative and quantitative research from leading hockey nations, sports scientists, coaches and educators.  USA Hockey also has an ADM specific webpage at www.admkids.com.

2020-21 Cincinnati Swords ADM Program Specifics:

Our program provides players with both ADM structured practices as well as half ice team practices.  The Swords will focus on skater development and FUNdamentals.  This is the time when a foundation is laid for future success.  Fun competitions will also be introduced through a structured team environment.

Ellen Metz will continue her role as ADM Commissioner and Learn to Play Hockey Program Director.  Ellen comes with a strong hockey background, is a Level 4 certified coach and a preschool teacher.  She has worked with youth on and off the ice at all age levels from mites through high school.  The Swords association is proud to have coaches who are all USA Hockey certified and have completed all the USA Hockey coaching requirements.  In addition, the ADM program will have access to Don Biggs, our Director of Hockey.  Don has coached players at all age levels and is a former professional player and a member of the AHL Hall of Fame.

The ADM program will run from the beginning of September through late February/early March and includes a weekly ADM on-ice session for players to work on their skating skills, stickhandling, puck control and positioning.    Additionally, there will be weekly “team” practices on shared ice with another team.  We anticipate these sessions being held on Mondays and Fridays but will not be able to finalize until after the older team tryouts. 

We will take the first two weeks (both Mondays and Fridays) to work with the players and get to know them.  We will not form teams until after these sessions.  There will be a two-week schedule where we rotate the players and after we determine teams, there will be a set schedule based on team placement for the remainder of the season.

Finally, we will have weekend sessions that will be a combination of practices and jamborees.  Jamborees are cross-ice scrimmages with other local associations.  All jamborees will be cross ice pursuant to USA Hockey/MID-AM policies.  The season caps off with an end-of-season tournament.  Teams will also attend an additional tournament event.

Financial Information: 

A final cost will not be available until after the evaluations, but we anticipate it will be in line with last year’s fee of $995 if registered w/deposit by May 15, 2020.  Please be sure to review the refund policy which is posted on the website and included in your registration.  Your fee includes:

20-22    60-minute half ice team sessions            12-14    home and away weekend jamborees
20-22    90-minute full ice ADM sessions              League Fee/League Tournament
Additional Tournament                                        Administrative/Membership Fee
Jersey w/Name & Number & Sock                       End of Season Award

Registration for our Fall/Winter Programs opens on April 1 when USA Hockey makes the 2020-21 membership available.  To register, please go to www.swordshockey.com and click on Register Online on the left-hand side. 

We are very excited about the upcoming 2020-21 season.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ellen Metz at or Jennie Tiemeyer at .

PDF DOCUMENT - CLICK HERE

2020-21 TEAM TRYOUT INSTRUCTIONS & PROGRAMS

APPLICABLE TO ALL U10, U12, U14, JV AND VARSITY TEAMS

U8/ADM INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN THEIR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Cincinnati Swords is pleased to kick off our 2020-21 hockey season with our team tryouts and formation of our 2020-21 teams.  

Coaches:  Our 2020-21 coaches will be announced as soon as all current teams conclude their season.  We will announce under separate email and posted to the website.  Coaching prospectuses which detail the coach’s background and team plans will be posted online prior to the tryouts. 

Team Formation:  We anticipate having 3-4 U10 teams, 4-5 U12 teams, 4-5 U14 teams, 2-3 JV and Varsity teams.  The number of teams is dependent on the number of players that register, the number of available coaches and the skill set of the registrants.  Each team can expect 2 practices a week, either solo or shared.  In addition, teams will receive a set amount of game ice to use for home events.  Teams also participate in tournaments (league and non-league) and non-league scrimmages.

U14 Tier 1 Team: For the 2020-2021 season, the Swords board of directors has approved the request of Coach Backen to elevate his team to Tier I in compliance with USA Hockey/Mid-Am rules and regulations.  Team Backen has demonstrated continued growth in play level.  His team first topped the BTHL, then moved to Little Ceasars where again they finished first in the top division.  This past year they played an independent AAA schedule and continued their growth on and off the ice.  We are pleased that Coach Backen would like to take his team to Tier I and compete as a premier team at both states and potentially nationals.  All high-level U14 2007’s that are interested in being considered for this team, will have the option to participate in his team tryouts.  A specific question regarding player interest is included in the U14 2007 registration.  Families should review Coach Backen’s prospectus as the commitment level is very high and there are additional costs.

League Play:  Each year we strive to have our teams playing at the highest level possible.  Again, this year we anticipate teams playing in Little Caesars, Buckeye Travel Hockey League, Cincinnati High School Club League and Independent. 

Tryout Schedule:  All tryout sessions are being held at Sports Plus, 10765 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH  45241.  There will be at least three evaluation sessions for each skater and goalie.  The first session will be a skills assessment by USA Hockey age group for all skaters AND goalies.  The second session will be a battle drills session again by USA Hockey age group for all skaters AND goalies.  The last session(s) will be our team scrimmages.  Team scrimmages are invite-only and skaters and goalies may be invited to multiple sessions.  The tryout schedule has been posted on the website at www.swordshockey.com.  As a reminder, the tryout schedule is subject to change based on registration numbers.  We will update the website as quickly as possible.

Goalie Schedule:  In addition to the three evaluation sessions with the skaters, there is an additional assessment for our goalies on Friday, April 17 from 5:45-7:15pm on the USA rink at Sports Plus.

Registration:  Registration will open on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.  You must have a 2020-21 USA Hockey number to register on our website.   The registration fee will be $100 if paid by Friday, April 10.   After April 10, the registration fee increases to $150.  Once offered a spot on a team, all families must process an initial deposit of $500 no later than 48 hours after the team selections are posted on the Swords website, which will hold your player’s team spot.  The Spartan tryouts will be held after the Swords complete their selections.  If a player is selected to a Spartans team and accepts, we will transfer the $500 deposit to the Spartans due to our affiliation with the Spartans. 

Excused Absence:   It is expected that all players trying out for any team attend the tryouts.  However, if a player is injured or unable to attend a tryout, the player must contact the office at .   The coaching committee and coaching staff will work to provide as fair an opportunity as possible.

Play Up:  If a player would like to be considered for a team out of their USA Hockey age group, they must (1) register and pay for the tryout in their current age bracket, (2) send an email to  and (3) obtain and complete a Player Movement Waiver from the Swords office.  The waiver must be completed before the player can take the ice with the older age group.  Please note, for a player to be offered a position on an older team, the independent evaluators in conjunction with the coaching committee must rate the player as a top-tier player.  The decision of the coaching committee is final.  All Mid-Am play up guidelines will be followed including the constraint that no roster can include more than 25% of players “playing up”. 

Checking Clinic:  All players birth year 2007 and older must have already attended a checking clinic OR attend one of the checking clinics held on April 5 or April 6.  Information about the clinic will be included in the online registrations for our U14/Bantam and U18/Midget/High School age registrations.  Only spring participants and those players registered for our 2020-21 try out will be allowed to participate in the checking clinic.

Jersey/Equipment Order:  Due to our time constraints with ordering and receiving custom jerseys, we ask all families to have their player(s) sized for jerseys, socks and team warm ups during tryouts.  Sizers are available at all tryout sessions.  We have worked with our vendor and they are creating new socks for our teams.  Please make sure you try on the sizers before you order.  They will size differently than last year.  You will not need to place an order until after you have been notified about your player’s team placement.  Team equipment requirements will be set by the coach and communicated to the parents immediately after we receive your initial deposit.  All purchases will be made through an online store on the website.  Our order deadline this year will be Friday, May 8.

Team Fees:  Fees vary based on both the number of team participants and the coaches’ program.  In addition, we are not able to determine ice allocation until after the conclusion of our tryouts.  Therefore, we will not have final team costs until early summer.  Team fees are set by coaches and generally range from $1,500 to $3,500.  Please review the coaching prospectuses for specific details and plans for individual teams.

Team Financial Information:  As stated above, we need all families to process an initial deposit of $500 no later than 48 hours after the team selection is posted to the Swords website, which will hold a player’s team spot.  With all teams being announced in the same timeframe, it is critical that players do not delay confirming their intentions so we can make any appropriate roster adjustments.  No refunds (or transfers) will be given for the initial team payment which signifies a player’s acceptance of a spot on the team.  Additionally, all Swords teams will have a monthly payment due on the first of each month (July through November).  The Refund Policy is included in your initial registration and also posted on the Swords website at www.swordshockey.com for your review.

We are very excited about the upcoming 2020-21 season.  If you have any questions, please contact the Paul Benkner, hockey commissioner at benkner37@gmail.com or Jennie Tiemeyer at office@swordshockey.com.

Click Here for PDF

2020 SPRING TRAINING GROUPS

U8/Mite 2012-2014                                                 Mike Falk & Staff

Wed USA rink 6:00-7:15pm

April 1, 8, 15, 22(CAN), 29 &                      

May 6. 13, 20

U10/Squirt 2011 and 2010                                     Kyle Robinson, Kevin Wolfe & Staff

Wed USA rink 7:15-8:30pm                                     Sat CAN rink 9:45-11:00am

April 1, 8, 15, 29 & May 6, 13                                 March 28, April 4 & 25, May 2, 9 & 16

U12/Peewee 2009 and 2008                                  Ron Sochocki & Staff

Tues USA rink 6:00-7:30pm                                   Sat CAN rink 8:15-9:45am

March 31, April 7, 14 & 28, May 5 & 12                March 28, April 4 & 25, May 2, 9 & 16

U14/Bantam 2007                                                   Andrew Backen & Staff

Tues USA rink 7:30-8:45pm                                   Sat USA rink 9:00-10:15am

March 31, April 7, 14 & 28, May 5 & 12                March 28, April 4 & 25, May 2, 9 & 16

U14/Bantam 2006                                                   Danny McDonald & Staff

Thurs USA rink 6:30-7:45pm                                  Sat USA rink 10:15-11:30am

April 2, 9, 16 & 30, May 7 & 14                              March 28, April 4 & 25, May 2, 9 & 16

U18/Highschool

2002-2005 (2006-Rising Freshman)                      Greg Drach & Staff

Thurs USA 7:45-9:00pm                                          Sat USA rink 11:30-12:45pm

April 2, 9, 16 & 30, May 7 & 14                              March 28, April 4 & 25, May 2, 9 & 16

We are pleased to announce that the Cincinnati Cyclones will continue the 50/50 Raffle for the 2019-2020 season.  The 2018-2019 season was only about 1/2 a season and our families raised approximately $6,000 to help offset their fees.  This is a great way to help with your fees so Don't Miss Out!  Sign up is available now through the link below.  If you cannot read on your device, the information is also posted on our website.

Thanks so much to the Cyclones!

Click HERE to link.

By USA Hockey, 03/15/19, 10:10AM MDT

Player safety is the top priority of USA Hockey. That’s why updates are being made to the Concussion Management Program and Return to Play forms for the 2019-20 season.

Kevin Margarucci, USA Hockey’s manager of player safety, answered questions about the changes, how they’ll be implemented, and how they’ll enhance the youth hockey experience.

Q: What's new with the Concussion Management Program?

A: Beginning with the 2019-20 season, any athlete held out for concussion evaluation or who has been diagnosed with a concussion must provide a written Return to Play form from a qualified medical provider allowing them to return to any training, practice or game activity with no restrictions. The parent must sign the form and the coach must also sign the form acknowledging that they received it.

Q: What do parents, coaches, managers and volunteers need to know about the Return to Play form?

A: The form will be available online in April for the new registration season, and it will be required starting with the 2019-20 playing season. The form can be printed and filled out, and then must be signed by a qualified medical provider. The parent and coach must then sign the form. It should be kept with the team coach or manager. We are working on a system where the forms can be filed with the district player safety coordinator and we can begin an injury database for concussion incidents. The data will be de-identified for privacy and HIPPA compliance. I should note that beginning with the 2019-20 season, a new volunteer position called Player Safety Coordinator will be implemented in each district (see more information here).

Q: Who counts as a qualified medical provider that can sign off on Return to Play?

A: That is defined differently in each state statute as it pertains to concussions. This is an area where the district player safety coordinators will work to clearly identify those health care professionals in each state who can legally clear a player to return after a concussion.

Q: Has USA Hockey been trending in the right direction with its emphasis on concussion prevention, management and return-to-play protocol? How will this be another step forward?

A: Our concussion management program has always been updated based on the latest research and recommendations. It also aligns with the 2017 Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport from the 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport in Berlin. Many state statutes pertaining to concussions require written return to play. Some of our districts and affiliates already require written clearance for return to play. This latest update aligns all of USA Hockey with this written return to play requirement and provides a standard form for use by all.

Q: Is the culture surrounding concussions making progress in youth hockey?

A: I believe so. The awareness and recognition of concussions has grown by parents, coaches and players. The mantra, ‘When in doubt, sit them out’ is a guiding principle that has taken hold in our sport and something we will continue to reinforce. And a relatively new initiative through the Concussion Legacy Foundation that we’ve supported is called Team Up, Speak Up. It’s focus is to let players know it is OK to, and that they should, speak up for a teammate who may have a concussion and report to a coach, parent, doctor or athletic trainer.  It’s great to see the progress we’ve made, and together we will continue to affect positive change related to the overall safety of our game.

Beginning this year for the 2017-18 season, all skaters, at least one parent and all coaches (head, assistant, on-ice helpers) must comply with OH Senate Bill 252 (Lindsay’s Law).  Below is general information about the bill and the requirements.  Even if you do not live in Ohio, if you are participating on a Swords team, you must complete the requirements. 

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Lindsay’s Law: Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Youth Athletes

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

A Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, cutting off blood flow to the brain and other vital organs.  Sudden cardiac arrest is fatal if not treated immediately, most often by a defibrillator.

Who is Lindsay?

Senate Bill 252 is named for national heart health advocate and former Miss Ohio Lindsay Davis who suffers from a heart condition and has since dedicated her career to raising awareness of this potentially fatal condition.

"Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of student athletes," said Davis. "At any moment I could have died because coaches and teachers had no idea this was even a possibility for someone who looked as healthy as I did at that age."

Lindsay’s Law

Lindsay’s Law, Ohio Revised Code 3313.5310, 3707.58 and 3707.59 went into effect in 2017.

In accordance with this law, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Cardiology and other stakeholders jointly developed guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate students and youth athletes participating in or desiring to participate in an athletic activity, their parents, and their coaches about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest.

The following resources were developed to implement Lindsay’s Law:

For parents/guardians and youth athletes:

• Required video
• Required SCA Informational Handout
• Required Signature Form

For coaches:

• If you are a coach for an interscholastic sport and are licensed by the Ohio Department of Education, please visit their website for information about their training requirements around Lindsay’s Law.
• If you are a coach in a community program, please use the following resources:
  • Required video
  • Required SCA Informational Handout

ODH Contact Information

Ohio Department of Health
School Nursing Program
246 North High Street, 7th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: 614-466-1930

Email:     

Page Updated: 7/10/2017