Texas Amateur Hockey Association

I had the opportunity to attend the USA Hockey Female ADM Symposium that was held in Burlington, VT on April 12-15, 2012.  The symposium was coordinated by Michele Amidon, ADM Manager, Female Hockey and focused on the development of female athletes between the ages of 4?12 years old (8U?12U age categories).  The symposium included a variety of lecture presentations given by the world’s leaders in female youth player development on the topics.  I will briefly highlight one of the lecture presentations given at the symposium:

Female Athletes and Concussion Injuries: What Coaches Must Know, Diane M. Wiese-Bjornstal, Ph.D.,

A concussion is described as a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  Concussions occur via a direct hit or blow to the head or a whiplash movement of the head which leads to the brain moving rapidly inside the skull.  Athletes incurring a concussion may or may not lose consciousness.  The rapid movement of the brain results in physiological changes in brain function.  Concussions can happen in any sport, at any age and all are serious.  Younger athletes take longer to recover from concussions, and overtime, athletes can experience Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) – long-term, chronic symptoms of which 10% or more have prolonged (one month or more) symptoms.  Overall, males have a higher rate of concussion than females but females have a higher rate in comparison sports.  In high school and college hockey females have a higher rate of concussions as compared to males.  Females are also more likely to suffer from migraines.  Migraine sufferers are also more sensitive to head impacts.  A greater proportion of concussions are the result of illegal play.  Teaching good sportsmanship and skill development (body control, angling, and anticipation) can help reduce rates of concussion.

Tucker Center: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/tuckercenter/

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/

After participating in the Symposium, I feel that it is important for me to share the knowledge I gained in Burlington to members of our affiliate – especially those with girl’s programs.  A variety of topics were discussed in depth and I have put together a PowerPoint presentation from my notes and included some of the slides and videos that were provided to me at the Symposium.  If you are interested in having me present information from the Female ADM Symposium to your association’s administrators, coaches and parents please contact me directly at khanley@alleneventcenter.com.

Submitted by:   Kendall Hanley

Girls’ & Women’s Section President

khanley@alleneventcenter.com

We are recognizing female alumni who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and national levels.  Click on the tab "Girls Alumni" to view the on going list.  To be added to the Alumni List, please email information in the following format to Kendall Hanley at khanley@alleneventcenter.com.

NAME – GRAD YEAR / CLUB OR PREP TEAM / COLLEGE OR NATIONAL PROGRAM

Congratulations to the following players who have been selected to attend the USA Hockey National Player Development Camps this summer! 

Girls’ Select camps will be held throughout July at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  For specific information on Girls’ Select camp dates, please visit the 2012 Player Development Camps page. 

Alliance 19U girls won the 2012 Tier II national title.  They defeated the Mid-Fairfield Stars 8-2 in the semi-finals and went on to beat the Colorado Tigers Elite Prep team 5-2.  Congratulations to the team on this outstanding achievement. 

Story from Red Line http://www.usahockey.com/2012_Nationals/GTII19UChampRecap.aspx

For teams playing in Canada or directors of tournaments with teams from Canada, please review the agreement below between USA Hockey and Hockey Canada related to the recently approved 12U Body Checking rule of USAH.