As flu and cold season fast approaches, A few reminders.
Storm follows the CDC guidelines which state someone who tests positive must isolate for a minimum of 5 days, then continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
Due to many our player's possible compromises, and the COVID's ability to look like a simple cold, we prefer to err on the side of caution, so when in doubt, we ask that everyone stay home from Storm if there is any doubt for one week. Masks are encouraged but not required. Use your best judgement in helping us keep everyone as safe as possible.
>> Welcome back to another wonderful Storm Hockey season! So glad to see our returning players and welcome our new players! We look forward to a fabulous new hockey season.
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> Below, find our code of conduct statement for Storm Hockey. We’ve been seeing an increasing number of interruptions during our program time and would like to ensure that everyone understands our rules and procedures, and why they are in place. We believe one of the drivers of our program’s success over the years is due to our consistent adherence to these rules and procedures.
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>>> CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS.
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>>> Every Player, coach, parent, rink personnel and guest will be treated with respect at all times. The respect we will show to ourselves and to the individuals we come in contact is the essence of CT Storm.
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>>> As we are a specialized program, only our trained coaches and supervised mentors will be allowed to interact with players. No exceptions.
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>>> Non-coach parents may not instruct their child during practices and games.
>>> For your child to develop to his or her fullest potential, he/she needs to be focused on the coach’s instruction at all times.
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>>> Please refrain from yelling to and/or directing your child before, during, and after practices and games. It’s perfectly acceptable to cheer and clap or encourage your child with a thumbs up as they are skating past you.
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>>> Parents are to utilize the team manager, Mike Korchinski for any questions or issues. Parents who are concerned about coaching instruction, etc., should contact the team manager after a 24 hour cooling off period. The team manager will address any issue brought before him/her.
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>>> At no time will practices or games be interrupted. We have a very tight turn around between our two on ice sessions.Contact the manager the next day.
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>>> At no time, should a parent ever interrupt a practice/game, speak to a player (even their own), or speak to, or instruct a mentor.
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>>> Rink doors are to be kept closed at all times for the safety of our players. No exceptions! Some of our players are runners, and open doors could result in an accident.
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>>> Parents and caretakers are to remain in the stands area and off the glass. Unauthorized parents are not allowed in or near the bench area across the rink.
>>> If you are needed, a coach will locate you.
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>>> We are not a drop off program. A parent or guardian should be in the rink in case of emergency at all times.
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>>> Display appropriate behavior at all times. The Executive Board will review any situations and may assess a penalty, which could include your suspension from practice and/or games, or worse, your child’s ability to attend our program.
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>>> Thank you for your cooperation. We strive to continue to run a safe, powerful program for your children.
It is with immense sadness that I write to inform you of the sudden, unexpected passing of our beloved Co-Founder Coach John.
Words cannot describe the incredible impact Coach John had on everyone in the Storm Family - coaches, parents and most especially, the players.
Every Sunday since our first practice in 2006, he was skating, coaching, laughing, high fiving, and helping our players grow as hockey players and young people.
I know we all have a favorite Coach John story and memory of how he impacted each one of us.
His legacy of love and care of us all will last forever.
Southern Connecticut Storm Special Hockey’s Locker Room Policy
In addition to the development of our hockey players and enjoyment of the sport of hockey, the safety and protection of our participants is central to Southern Ct Storm’s Hockey’s goals. Southern Connecticut Storm Hockey adheres to USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program as a means to help protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of misconduct, including emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing.
To help prevent abuse or misconduct from occurring in our locker rooms, Southern Connecticut Storm Hockey has adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is designed to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms.
Locker Room Monitoring
Southern Connecticut Storm Hockey requires direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. Prior to and at the end of practices and games, Southern Connecticut Storm Hockey requires an adult presence in the locker room. The head coach, assistant coach, or screened parent volunteer must be present in the locker room before practices and games and accompany the team into the locker room at the end of practices and games.
Parents in Locker Rooms
Players who’s disabilities require parent assistance, parents must have background checks and Safe-Sport training in order to enter locker rooms. If a player needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear, if the player is or may be injured, or a player’s disability warrants assistance, then we require that parents submit to a background check and Safe Sport training.
Naturally, with our youngest age groups it is necessary for parents to assist the players getting dressed. We encourage parents to teach their players as young as possible how to get dressed so that players will learn as early as possible how to get dressed independently. In circumstances where parents are permitted in the locker room, coaches are permitted to ask that the parents leave for a short time before the game and for a short time after the game so that the coaches may address the players. As players get older, the coach may in his or her discretion prohibit parents from a locker room.
Co-ed Locker Rooms
The Co-ed Locker Room policy attempts to balance the social integration and camaraderie of a team sport while providing a safe and respectful environment for all of our participants.
All players should be required to arrive at the rink wearing their hockey base layers or shorts and t-shirts (in good condition - no holes or tears in clothing) under their street clothes. All members of the team must have this minimum attire before entering a co-ed locker room so that no player of one gender has the opportunity to see players of the opposite gender in a state of dress/undress.
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices
Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras, are not permitted for use in the locker rooms. Parents should instruct and coaches will remind players to POWER OFF cell phones before entering the locker room. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be used in public areas or outside the rink. A violation of the cell phone policy may result in disciplinary action by the board, which may include suspension from hockey activities.
Prohibited Conduct and Reporting
Southern Connecticut Storm Hockey prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook. Participants, employees or volunteers in Southern Connecticut Storm Hockey may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates the USA Hockey SafeSport Policies.
To report any actual or suspected violations, you may email Debbie McQuilkin at directorsoctstorm@gmail.com or
Please read the following information regarding the H19 Golf Memorial Tournament which helps raise funds for Southern CT Storm Special Hockey. If you are a golfer, and would like to help contribute to this fundraiser, please read the following details for this exciting golf memorial tournament.
** “Sadly, H19 will be the final Tournament. Cannot begin to thank Boyd for his dedication to Storm Special all these years!”
The H19 annual Holmes Harden Golf Memorial will be held on Thursday, September 26 at 10 AM at the Country Club of New Canaan. Please join us to help raise money for the Southern CT Storm Special Hockey, Inc. organization, and visit www.ctstormhockey.org to learn more about this impressive hockey program for children and young adults with developmental disabilities
Some of the the shenanigans include: putting with a hockey stick, teeing off with a 1-iron, drinking Cutty Sark to earn a mulligan, etc...
Price: TBD. We are officially partnered with CT Storm Special Hockey, Inc. so that the H18 will be an official, charitable outing. A portion of your entry fee will be tax deductible.
Our outing includes the following: golf cart, greens fee, drinks, gifts, range balls, cigars, and some thirst-quenching Cutty Sark. A silent auction of hockey items will be held.
Format: Best Ball Foursome
All tee slots will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis as we have greatly expanded our invitation list and only have spots for 72 golfers. RSVP via email to the host, Boyd Harden at boyd19@aol.com.
*** In order to receive a handicap greater than 20, you will need to have a current USGA handicap. ***
SPECIAL NOTE: The Holmes Harden Golf Memorial is for adults only, absolutely no children.