Grand Rapids (Minnesota) Amateur Hockey Association

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Welcome to Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association!

Hockey Day In Minnesota 2013 to be played in Grand Rapids!

The MN Wild and FSN announced that Grand Rapids will be the host of the 2013 celebration of Hockey Day in Minnesota. The announcement was officially made during the afternoon game at the 2012 celebration held in Minnetonka. We are very excited and proud to have been chosen to host this event.

Sholom Blake and Jim Bonner have volunteered to Co-Chair this effort on behalf of GRAHA. To ensure the event is successful we will need significant support from the community, lots of ideas, energy and volunteers to make it happen. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase our community during the winter.

Minnesota Hockey Implements Rule Changes MID-SEASON

HELP WANTED

We have a current opening for one of our coordinator positions. The Meat Raffle Coordinator position is currently open due to Kasey Dunnell's recent resignation. This position enables us to earn annual contributions/support from the Eagle's Club which helps to reduce the costs of participation in our program. This position receives an annual $$ stipend. Please contact me if you have any interest. Thanks Kelly Hain, GRAHA President

Elections for Officers and Directors slated for the April meeting

Each year our April GRAHA board meeting holds elections for the officer and director positions that are due to expire at the end of June. Each position is elected to serve a two-year term. This coming April the positions open for election will be President, Secretary and two Directors. Please consider making your contribution to the future of this organization by nominating yourself or somebody else to serve in one of these capacities for the "Good of the Organization". If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me or any member of the GRAHA board. Kelly Hain, GRAHA President

Website link regarding Jack Jablonski, Paralyzed Benilde hockey player

We all recognize that hockey is a contact sport and its physical nature will sometimes lead to a player being injured. While most hockey related injuries are mild in comparison to the spinal cord injury sustained by Jack Jablonski of Benilde's JV team, we need to be mindful of the risks and examine the circumstances when injuries do occur. Talk to your players about the RISKS associated with Illegal HITS including Checking from Behind. Support Jack Jablonski's by discussing his situation with your player/child and the fact that his injury was the result of a Check from Behind that he received during a recent hockey game. As parents we can only imagine the nightmare the Jablonski's are currently living. Sometimes injuries result from mistakes and accidents but as a hockey community we must not tolerate any malicious intent. You can never spend too much time teaching your youth hockey player how to initiate and receive proper body contact and REMINDING them to AVOID dangerous hits such as Checking from Behind. Hold players accountable for their behavior and conduct on the ice and do all you can to keep the playing environment safe for everybody. Teach the players the skills they need, motivate them to give 100% effort, and instill in them to respect their opponents while striving to win the game. Kelly Hain, GRAHA President