Handing out Team Jerseys

Things cooled down weather-wise outside so today, we ran 'um'. “Suicide drills” they call them in the sporting world.

Base line to foul line. Back to base line. Out to half court line. Back to base line. All the way out to the far foul line. Back to base line once again, only to have to run one last time to the far base line and back. If you think the description is winded, you should try running it. They don’t call them suicides for nothing.

In a normal hockey game the kids would have 6 or seven shifts. We had them run eight sets of suicides. Alternating, they would get maybe a 3 minute beak before starting the next one. They did pretty well I must admit. But land speed records were not set by all. Size and speed are definitely not what this Ashar team will be remembered for.

Team jerseys arrived today and were given out. The kids excited both to have their names on the back, and some of those "cool" sponsor logos.

Missing from the jerseys were the team Captain “ C” and Alternate Captain “A” initials. David and I had already decided who the team captain and alternates would be. It was decided they would be chosen from only 8th grade players.

Today though Dave and I asked the team to take a anonymous vote just to see who the team felt they would like for those positions. Ballots were made and every player on the team made a private choice for “Captain” and the two “Alternates”.

The following voting results coincided with the determination the coaching staff made days before.

Congratulations to Ari Cohen, who was elected team Captain by the coaching staff and by his teammates. With the title comes the responsibility of always leading and inspiring the team. All will look to you to set the standard for practice and play ethics.

Any real hockey player who has played the game knows the most dangerous opponents are the ones with the “A”s for Alternate Captain on their jerseys. While a Captain is chosen for leadership qualities, the “alternates” are always chosen because they are the players on the team with the most raw talent and skill.

On our team these two Alternates not only share the letter “A” on their jersey, but they also share the same first name.

Congratulations to this years Alternate Captains as chosen by the coaches and team;

Eitan Elkobi and Eitan Selter. Nice work boys!

I will need the above mentioned three player’s jerseys back please to get the “C” and “A”s placed on them.

What we have been up to....

Dear Ashar Hockey Parent

I have lost track of how many practices we have had already, but I can tell you Coach David and I do look forward to the two times a week we get together with your kids.

The boys have been great at practices. Maybe some of the Ashar teachers need a loud whistle, because when we have them, these boys are all well behaved and attentive. I must say, a real pleasure to coach.

A number of times I have stressed to the team that they must keep up their school work and grades in order to be allowed to practice with the team. Mr. Frank and I have been in regular contact to make sure the boys meet these standards. As a parent, it is important you remind your child of this requirement as well.

It has been extremely hot in the gym lately so David and I have not run the boys to hard. Stamina is very important in hockey. As the gym cools down a bit we will be running much more.

To date at practices we have tried to see what kinds of talent we have on the team. Who can play defense. Who can play forward. Who the first, second and third line players might be. Who needs individual attention to really improve.

As mentioned earlier we did allow some of the beginning players a “head start” and included them on the team for practices. I still stand by that decision and both David and I think it was the right choice for the hockey programs future, and already see it paying off.

Like an infielder in baseball, you cant make much progress if you cannot accurately make a throw to first base. In hockey, you cannot really compete as a team if you cannot make (and receive) a solid pass. We have spent much time getting the boys to look up and accurately make a pass. EA Sports Inc. was kind enough sponsor us with NHL 2006 video games. For the last few practices we had drills where a player stick handles the ball around the perimeter of the court. Once they reach a far corner they must try and accurately hit that NHL 2006 video game box placed at center court. If they hit it, they win it.

Thankfully for EA Sports, we still need a bit of work on our passing skills. In the past 4 practices, only Eitan Selter, Daniel Silvermintz and Donny Fuchs earned the prize.

I laughed when one of the boys told me " a video game box is too small to hit ....... We need a 50 inch Plasma TV sponsor. "

Like I said, our passing skills still need a little bit of work.

Coach Steve

Hockey Jersey Order

Ashar Floor Hockey Team Parent,

The Hockey Program has not yet been informed by the league as to our league fees or our travel schedule needs. Until we get that information, the Hockey Program costs as it relates to each player will have to be forth coming. We anticipate the costs to be around $150.00 per player, and will advise when that payment will be required.

One of the most exciting times for any youngster participating in team sports is the day he gets his official team jersey.

Many returning players already had jerseys. Those players are now excited to have the opportunity to have their names on the back of their jerseys for this season.

By the time you receive this letter, team jerseys and sweat pants will be ready for pickup.

The following players have ordered NEW ASHAR Jersey's;

Chesir, Cooper, Fisher, Katz, Katznelson, Klein, Rozenberg, Teichman, Winfeild, Wolfset

The cost of a new jersey for those who didn't have one will be $40.00. Additionally , every player on the team will need to purchase new "Ashar Hockey" sweat pants for this season at a cost of $15.00 each. If you wish additional sweat pants please inform us on your payment.

Please make your checks payable to Ashar in the amounts of $55.00 or if your child already had a jersey from last year, just the $15.00 for each sweat pant you wish to order.

Thank You

Ashar Hockey Program

Letter to parents

Dear Ashar Hockey Parent,

Congratulations! Your son has been chosen to be part of the Ashar Floor Hockey Team.

This year an extra effort has been made to go beyond the normal 14 player cut off in order to give some of the less talented, younger players a chance to develop their games. Twenty students have tried out for the team.

Twenty students displayed a desire to play and improve their games. Each one of these students showed heart and a love for the game and so a decision has been made by the coaching staff not to shatter any players dream to be on the school hockey team.

The team is definitely making a sacrifice by having these additional players. Practices now become more difficult and an extra effort must be made to help the weaker players to improve. But the players and the coaches are willing to give up a little to encourage these players.

Currently, however, not all 20 students possess the skill level needed to play in the floor hockey league in which Ashar competes. The team objective though cannot be sacrificed on game day. Although it will undoubtedly be difficult for any child to sit on the sidelines on game day, it is a valuable sporting lesson for a child to understand that the team must field its best 14 players come game time. While we will make every effort to play as many students as possible, realistically, there may be students who potentially might not see any game time this year.

I have stressed this point many times at practice. I’ve told the team honestly that some of them have made the team based on future potential, not their current ability. When asked if they would still like to be part of the team for practices even if they never got to play in a single game this year, your child raised his hand and replied yes, an attitude and a commitment that I truly admire and respect.

Your children will have had three practices by the time you receive this letter. I don’t think you will find one child who will say that he didn’t enjoy the sweat and hard work he put into it. All of these boys are excited to be on the team and look forward to getting their team jerseys. I will not cut one of these kids. They all have what it takes to enjoy this game of hockey, and to be better players for future teams.

I encourage you to talk with your son to confirm for yourself his desire to participate on the team no matter the game time. I hope you, too, will appreciate his admirable enthusiasm for the game. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to a enjoyable hockey season with your children.

Sincerely,

Coach Steve