2021 SPRING TRAINING GROUPS

U8/Mite 2013-2015                                                 Mike Falk, Matt Francis & Staff

Tues CAN rink 6:00-7:15pm

March 16, 23, 30

April 6, 13, 20, 27(USA)                  

May 4, 11(USA), 18(USA)

U10/Squirt 2012 and 2011                                     Kevin Brennan, Rod Rayner &Staff

Thurs CAN rink 6:00-7:15pm                                  Sat CAN rink 10:00-11:15am

March 18, 25 April 1, 8, 15, 22                               March 20, 27, April 10, 17 & 24

U12/Peewee 2010 and 2009                                   Chris Sample & Staff

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

March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 & 20                         March 20, 27, April 10, 17 & 24

U14/Bantam 2008                                                   Ron Sochocki & Staff

Thurs CAN rink 7:15-8:30pm                                  Sat USA rink 8:00-9:15am

March 18, 25 April 1, 8, 15, 22                               March 20, 27, April 10, 17 & 24

U14/Bantam 2007                                                   Danny McDonald & Staff

Wed CAN rink 6:00-7:15pm                                   Sat USA rink 9:15-10:30am

March 17, 24, 31 April 7, 14, 21                             March 20, 27, April 10, 17 & 24

U18/High School                                                      Greg Drach, Danny McDonald & Staff

2006-2003 (2007-Rising Freshman)                         Sat USA rink 10:30-11:45am

Wed CAN rink 7:15-8:30                                          March 20, 27, April 10, 17 & 24

March 17, 24, 31 April 7, 14, 21

2021 SPRING TRAINING
 

PDF Schedule - Click HERE

Spring training will soon be underway and registration for 2021 is now open!  We will continue the program with an emphasis on tryout preparation including practice with the small area battle drills.  The program will be split between individual skill development, small area battle drills and scrimmages.  Each head coach will be given a curriculum which includes skating skills, puck fundamentals, introductory and enhanced checking (age appropriate) and team play.  Activities will include stickhandling, passing, shooting and team concepts.  Small area battle drills and scrimmages will be used to reinforce the learned skills in a game environment.

NEW THIS YEAR:  We will be incorporating the Power Edge Pro (PEP) program into our spring Sessions.  PEP uses Reactive Countering Training which forces players to develop evasive skating techniques, increase reaction time, and respond faster to create more opportunities.  The Swords is proud to be able to offer the PEP program to all of its teams including our spring training program this year.

This year our tryouts will again include an additional on-ice session of small area battle drills for ALL skaters.  Battle drills may include 1v1, 2v2, 1v2, 2v1, dump & chase and puck control with pressure scenarios.  These drills will be focused on during spring so our skaters are ready for the new season.

Our spring training will be held over six weeks.  Coaches will be working with the skaters to get them ready for the week of tryouts that all players will attend.  Tryout drills will be practiced during the spring training program.  We have worked hard to select quality coaches and put together a curriculum where every child can become a better hockey player and prepared for the 2021-2022 Tryouts.

We are excited to offer a significant discount to those skaters that register early for our spring program.  Please be sure to read all the details so you don't miss out.

Program Format

Sessions will meet twice a week for 65 minutes on ice (one time during the week and one time on Saturday morning) beginning Tuesday, March 16 and concluding Saturday, April 24.  There will be a week off before our 2021-22 tryouts starting on May 5.  Additional tryout details will be sent at a later date.

Checking Basics & Technique Clinic
We will be holding a checking clinic to all age-appropriate spring participants and is mandatory for first time Bantam players (2008) and any player 2007 birth year or older who is a first-time hockey player.  Goalie attendance is optional. The clinic provides an excellent environment for the players to transition into this important skill.  The clinic will be held on Monday, April 5.  Information is included in the appropriate (BT and higher) registrations. 

Goalie Price Reduction
Goalies have a separate registration as we reduce the price for goalies.  We will accept goalies on a first-come basis.  The fee for our goalies is $200 if registered by the early registration deadline and $250 thereafter.

U8/Mite Spring Program

The Swords has reviewed our ADM program and while we feel it is very important for kids at this age to participate in a variety of sports program, we also realize the value of having the players not lose their current skill level.  We also appreciate the higher costs of participating in hockey.  We have brainstormed and developed a new program for our U8 players.  We will be adding a once-a-week ADM style program for U8 players (both current and new).  The program will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 7:15pm at Sports Plus-CAN for 10 weeks (March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 11, 18).  The cost of this program is $200 with early registration (prior to Feb. 14).

For the U8 group this year all players that register and pay for spring training will have $100 of Spring payment credited to their 2021-2022 fees.

Age Levels
USA Hockey age levels for 2021-22 will be used in the Spring Program.

U8/Mite (2013-2015 birth years)

U10/Squirt (2011-2012 birth years)

U12/Pee Wee (2009-2010 birth years)

U14/Bantam (2007-2008 birth years)

U18/High School (2003-06; 2007 Freshman).  Note:  if a 2007 player is a rising freshman for the 2021-22 school year, they can participate in the HS or the BT session. 

Registration
Online registration is by session so please be sure you are registering for the correct session.  To register please go to Swordshockey.com and click on register online on the left hand side of the Swords home page. 
                                                         

Coach Staff

U8/Mite (2013-2015)                             Mike Falk, Matt Francis & Staff

U10/Squirt (2011 and 2012)                  Kevin Brennan, Rod Rayner & Staff

U12/Peewee (2009 and 2010)              TBD & Staff

U14/Bantam (2007)                               Danny McDonald & Staff

U14/Bantam (2008)                               Ron Sochocki & Staff

U18/High School                                   Greg Drach, Danny McDonald & Staff
(2003-2006) and 2007 rising freshman
 

Important Dates
February 14:                End of early registration discount
March 14:                     Registration cutoff
March 16:                     Season begins


Spring Fees Based on Full Registration AND Payment ON or BEFORE:   

Early Registration by 2/14/21
 

U8/Mite                                                 $200 (REDUCED FROM $250)
U10/Squirt & U12/Pee Wee                  $250 (REDUCED FROM $300)
U14/Bantam                                          $300 (REDUCED FROM $350)
U18/High School                                   $325 (REDUCED FROM $375)
Goalies                                                  $200 (REDUCED FROM $250)

            
CLICK HERE to see dates/times of sessions

Swords Families,

As we finish our 2nd week of the season, the Swords Leadership Team would like to point out some of the things that we as an association do to stay safe at the rink and what you can do to help.

Association Items:

**All of our coaches, managers, and locker room supervisors have USA Hockey Safe Sport training and have a Background Screening through Mid-Am Hockey.

**AED kits are located in each rink in the event of a cardiac arrest on one of the rinks.  They are serviced monthly by Cintas and thankfully have never been used.

**Purchasing masks for the players and coaches.  This should be delivered soon, as we are waiting on the completion of our order from the vendor.

**Communication with Mid-Am Hockey when we have questions on USAH policy.

**A good relationship with the Rink Director so that issues can be resolved quickly.

**Providing cleaning supplies for our team rented locker rooms.

Families can help by:

**Wearing masks when in the building and not on the ice.

**Not coming to the rink when ill with Covid Symptoms, Flu Symptoms, etc.

**Keeping rink doors shut when players are on the ice surface

**Parents should remain out of the bench area during practice and games.

** Players should remain off the ice and keep rink doors closed until the Zamboni doors are closed and a coach is on the ice.

If we all work together, we can have a safe and fun Swords Hockey season.

Swords Leadership team

Good afternoon Swords Families,

Below is the UPDATED plan the Swords will follow for those experiencing Covid symptoms, are exposed to the virus, and/or test positive.

Swords Leadership Team

Swords Covid-19 Policy

Dated: November 17, 2020

1. Player or coach tests positive for Covid-19 and no symptoms
   1. Individual is restricted from hockey, can return after 10 days have passed since the positive test
   2. An individual who tests positive for COVID-19, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, must not return to sport activities until a documented medical exam is performed clearing the individual to return to play. The documented medical exam must specifically include an assessment of the cardiac/heart risk of high-intensity exercise due to the potential of myocarditis occurring in COVID-19 patients**
   3. Team will contact trace if a team activity occurred within 48 hrs of sample collection date
2. Player or coach develops symptoms within 48 hours of a game or practice
   1. Individual is restricted from hockey for
      • At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
      • At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
      • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving**Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​
   2. Team will contact trace
3. Player or coach has close contact* with another player, coach, official, parent who is infected
   1. Individual is restricted from hockey for 14-days following the exposure
4. Player or coach receives quarantine exposure letter from school or work
   1. Individual is restricted from hockey during the quarantine period defined in the letter

Swords player or coach has close contact* with the family member and

1. Family member tests positive for Covid-19 and no symptoms
   1. Player or coach is restricted from hockey, can return after 10 days have passed since the date of the positive test for the family member
2. Family member develops Covid-19 symptoms
   1. Player or coach is restricted from hockey for 14 days after the last close contact with the family member, assumes the player will not have further close contact
3. Family member receives quarantine exposure letter from work or school
   1. Player is restricted from hockey during the quarantine period defined in the letter

* Close Contact as defined by the CDC:

 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html

When a player or coach can return to hockey is taken from the following CDC link:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html

** Responsible RestartOhio: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Youth-Collegiate-Amateur-Club-Pro-Sports.pdf

Swords Team COVID-19 Policies

Swords families: Please note that a Health Wellness check will need to be completed prior to arriving at the rink, your Team will be keeping a record of this information just in case we need to contact you – this is for contract tracing purposes. Teams are using a variety of apps to do this check.  Please make sure you know what your team is using.  Temperatures will also be taken before every game and practice.  Sports Plus does have Hand Sanitizing stations throughout the facility and they also disinfect the lobby area and locker rooms between games.

Coaches:

• Wear masks at all times throughout the facility until on the ice / bench areas. We strongly recommend that masks be worn by coaches as well when on the benches.
• Any trainers or parent volunteers that also need to be in close proximity to a player shall also wear a mask when in contact with the player(s).  We also suggest that a trainer wear gloves when dealing with an injured player as well as the mask.
• Any parent volunteer that is in the penalty box and/or the scorer’s area will need to wear a mask at all times.
• Suggest to come inside the facility partially dressed or dress your team at intervals to minimize the time players are in a locker room.
• After a game proceedings – a handshake line can still happen (agree with coaches before the game) will need to be fist bumps (players gloves on) and / or elbows.
• Get out of the locker rooms as fast as possible so they can be cleaned – No congregating or long discussions with the team after a game – the lockers rooms need to be cleaned and ready for the next team to use.

Players:

• Wear a mask at all times until helmet is on to go out on the ice.  This also includes in any locker room area or walking around the rink. Also, a mask must be worn as soon as the helmet comes off.
• Socially distance when not on the ice, even if in full hockey gear
• Before and After games please do not touch the glass or the boards – you can watch games from a distance.
• Rink Lockers rooms, maintain social distancing where you can by leaving a space between you and your teammate.
• Do not mess around in the locker room, get dressed and ready to go. Get undressed and leave.

Parents:

• Wear a mask at all times
• Socially distance where possibly around the rink
• Can sit with immediate family members in the stands but maintain 6 foot socially distance between you and the next family – Please limit the number of family members.
• You can space yourself around the rink but please do not touch the boards or glass
• Please do not congregate in the lobby before or after a game, take your conversations outside once your player is out of the locker room.

Sincerely – Swords Leadership Team

Please note as part of the tryout registration, families agreed to the Swords refund policy.  While we do understand that COVID-19 presents the Swords and our families with a certain amount of uncertainty, we believe the current rink policy and our refund policy will be followed and includes:

1. Rink closure per Sports Plus (level 3 emergency or State of Ohio mandate) – Sports Plus will only close in the event of a level 3 emergency or by a State of Ohio mandate.  If they do not close, we are obligated to pay for our commitment.  If the rink closes, we will be able to stop payments to Sports Plus and work on refunds based on time closed, etc. 
2. Injury/Illness – if a player misses more than 1/3 of season and we have doctor’s confirmation of diagnosis we do a pro-rated refund.  COVID-19 diagnosis would fall under illness.