A description of the meeting, who was there, action items and the next meeting date.

Note: all minutes are marked “Draft” until official approved by the next committee meeting.

VPA HOCKEY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
VPA Office

Members Present: Sandy Bassett, Sean Farrell, Kris Peckham, Melba Masse, Dan Marlow, D.G. Weaver, Pam Arnold, Pat Burke, Joe O’Brien, Laurie Singer, Bob Johnson

Minutes:

- motion by Melba, second by Pat to elect D.G. Weaver as committee chair. Motion approved unanimously.

- motion by Melba, second by Sean, to approve minutes of 10/17/06. Motion approved unanimously.

- correspondence – discussion on the request going to the Activity Standards Committee concerning a Montpelier HS girl who would like to play on both the high schools girl’s team and a local boy’s bantam team during the same season. Issue is the VPA rule that prevents a student from playing on a non-school team during that sports season. Part of the argument is that boy’s and girl’s hockey are different sports. Consensus that the committee disagrees with this view. With the exception of checking, players use the same basic equipment, play on the same sized surface and with the exception of checking, use the same basic rules. If the concern is that the student could not participate in the showcase events, this can be dealt with by allowing the athlete to be added to the team roster after the showcase events and season has begun. Hockey Committee does not support this request.

Discussion on Montpelier Boy’s team. Are they having one? Rumor is that they are hurting for numbers and may disband. At this time they have paid fees and have a schedule. One issue that is developing is that if they do disband, are there any options for their few remaining players to join another team? Member to Member does not cover this. VPA has not had this request before, so it may need to go to ASC. Will need to wait and see.

Brief discussion on North Country Boy’s program. They will be meeting on 11/2/07 with ASC. This is required after violating the number of ejections allowed in a season. North Country does have a new coach and AD. Also, developing issue of passports needed for teams who play North Country. This issue is still developing and the final rules have not been set. There is Some indication that North Country may move all home games to Lyndon.

Brief discussion on MSJ hockey. Do they have teams? Indications are that they do, however there has been no communication from MSJ to verify this. VHL and VPA will continue to monitor this.
- review of 2006-2007 season. Regular season and tournament went well. Use ofa three man crew in semis and finals went smoothly and will be continued for this year. Remind Norwich if they need to have extra people on duty (traffic control) please do this. Bob J. will take care of this.

- 2007-2008 season – reviewed Fred Coan’s memo. Girl’s championships will need to move to Saturday since Norwich now has a “varsity” girl’s hockey team and they are scheduled to play Friday night and early Saturday afternoon. There is also an issue with UVM and the dates for the finals. Bob J. will work this out with UVM.

- rules changes – no major rules changes are noted. Wording with the stick and mouth guards not needing to be attached are the main issues. Also a new procedure if a mistake on an icing call is made.

- revised guide.

- adjourned