Grant Opportunities 

With many associations closing the book on the 2020-21 season and starting to look forward to next season, here are a few growth related grants and initiatives to have on your radar.

Gear Up Minnesota: The application period is now open for the 2021 Gear Up Minnesota equipment grant program. Grant recipients will be announced in late June or July and will once again receive DICK’S Sporting Goods gift cards in late August. The gift cards can be used online or in store and can be used on whatever equipment is most helpful for growing hockey in your community.  Apply Now!

Pass the Puck Grants: Grants of up to $2,500 are available on a first come, first serve basis to support growth programs you’re planning for this coming season.  We highly recommend getting your application in soon for programs planned this summer or fall as these funds are limited. Apply Now!

Association Leader Excellence Conference: We have scheduled our annual leader conference for August this year instead of holding it in the spring, with the goal of hosting the event in-person rather than virtual. Additional details on the event will be available in a few weeks.

The 2021-25 USA Hockey Playing Rule change process was completed on June 12, 2021 as the USA Hockey Board of Directors approved nearly 90 rule changes and clarifications at its Annual Congress. The 2021-25 USA Hockey Playing Rules will take effect starting September 1, 2021.

The majority of the changes in this four-year cycle were designed to incorporate concepts from USA Hockey’s Declaration of Safety, Fair Play, and Respect, which was introduced in 2019 to enhance the safety of the game for all participants. Many of the changes were also focused on clarifying the intent of the existing rules or updating their language.

The D2 Supervisor of Officials has composed a summary of the rule changes and educational points on how we can strengthen the Coach, Parent, Referee and Player relationship.  See following attachment.

The Minnesota Whitecaps drafted a lot of home state talent during the 2021 NWHL Draft on Tuesday night.

The Whitecaps used their first round pick to select defender Mak Langei from Bemidji State University. The East Grand Forks, Minnesota native scored 47 points in her NCAA career, and finished her senior season leading the WCHA with 73 blocked shots, also good for second best in all of Division 1 hockey. Before her time at Bemidji State, she won gold with Team USA’s U18 team at the 2016 IIHF World Championships.  Full Article Here