Eagles Welcome Letter 
Eagles Welcome Letter
Last Updated: Sunday, January 23, 2005
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Welcome
Eagles - Pee Wee Fall 2004, My name is Greg Era and I am the head coach of the Fall 2004 Pee Wee
Eagles along with assistant coach Kirk Eldridge. We would like to
take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the Eagles ice hockey team. I
have coached Kirk's son over the past few years in ice and inline and Kirk has
coached in competitive sports. We share many of the foundation values for creating good hockey
players and teams. We both emphasize and expect team play and game control.
Upfront, I am asking that parents approach Kirk or me with any compliments or
concerns before talking to DSCC staff. Provide us with the opportunity to say
"Thank you" or "resolve issues" first then carry them on to
the next level. This feedback is important to us in adding and reacting to the
value of the program. All I want you to take from the next paragraph is that I have experience training Travel level players thru Developing level players at many ages and skill levels. It is important to me that all players at all levels are given the opportunity to develop and play/learn the game (not just be a spectator skating on the rink for a few minutes at a time watching the big guys skate with the puck). I am a certified Level 4 (Advanced) USA Hockey Coach. I have developed ice championship house teams in both the mite and squirt divisions and very competitive teams in the pee wee division. I have coached at this facility since Fall 2000. I am currently an assistant coach of this season's Pee Wee B Road Runners.This is my 4th season in the Pee Wee division. Our last team, the Maple Leafs, finished 3rd place in regular season and 2nd in the finals. I am the South Western Zone (AZ, CO,NM, NV, UT) Coach-in-Chief for USA Hockey Inline. I have coached AAA, AA, and A inline hockey for the past 5 years with Team Excalibur at the Castle Sports Club. I currently train Team Excalibur at the 14AA, 14A, 12AA, 12A, 10AA, 10A, 8 A, and Women's age divisions. I also manage and run inline development/recreational programs for 17U, 14U, 12U, and 10U and run developing clinics for 10U and 8U. Get ready to build a solid team. Everyone on our roster was chosen for some team play they displayed either during evaluations or in a previous season. This is important to note because no matter what skill level each player is at now there are expectations that they will bring value to the team. This game requires you to possess mental as well as physical skills. All skill development will be geared towards playoff preparation (the long run). This means that the team skills will look rusty in the beginning but as the players develop their skills, timing, and understanding how to "read and react" to rink situations they will become more successful. The focus of my curriculum is on Individual Skills, Team Strategies (Off and Def), and Time/Space Management. In the early weeks we will build/strengthen individual skating and puck handling skills. As we are confident that players can execute using basic skills, we will introduce and develop team strategies. All team development drills will employ individual skills along with game knowledge. We will continue to emphasize team play throughout the season.
Although Kirk and I are very competitive, and would prefer to win every game, we would rather players try to do the right thing and fail (and learn
from it) during the season than do the wrong thing and succeed (rewarded for
selfish play). Successes are
not always measured by goals scored, final scores, or games won/loss.
"Chalk Talk" before and after practices/games is the hockey classroom so be prepared to
learn. Here are the Codes of Conduct for this team. Coach’s Code of Conduct
The coaching staff’s primary concern is that your child has fun, plays good hockey, and develops team and individual skills along with general knowledge/strategies of the game in a safe and positive environment. We will develop players in set positions and adjust as
necessary to allow both the player and the team to be successful. We strive for equal ice time but recognize that we are not perfect. We will work very hard to ensure a balance of ice time and development opportunities for all players. Player’s Code of Conduct
Work hard, have fun, develop team and individual skills, and learn the complete game of ice hockey. Practice ice time is valuable. Focus will be on skill
development in preparation for game situations. It is important that you attend
each practice and practice hard/fast, the way you would play during a game. Be
dressed in the locker room at least 15 minutes prior to every practice and game. 15
minutes before every practice there will be hockey class and a practice brief.
15 minutes before every game there will be a brief of the game to be played
(competitor highlights, positions to be played, strategies to be used). 15
minutes after every game will be a debrief of the game, discussions of what went
right and what needs to change, and how it all fits within our team strategies.. Players are expected to display good sportsmanship on and
off the ice. This means that all
members of the team will treat all players and coaches of any team, as well as
referees, with respect (on and off the ice). Players are expected to wear the issued team uniform to all Practices and Games. Parent’s Code of Conduct
Support your player’s game play and development along
with the other players on the team. Everyone can have an ‘off day’ or the
‘game of a lifetime’. Supporting
their development includes their attendance at practices. While we hope that
each player will be able to attend every practice and every game, we realize
that this is not always possible. In
those instances please inform the coaching staff. Recognize the varying age and skill levels on the team and
realize that all are developing together at different levels and at different
rates. Contact the Coach or Asst Coach with any issues,
compliments, and concerns before contacting DSCC Staff. If we don’t hear
from you first, we are not aware there is an opportunity or problem.
Thank you, and enjoy the season. Coach Greg Era Asst Coach Kirk Eldridge |