Welcome to the 2019 Minnesota Hockey Rec League Season, presented by Hiway Federal Credit Union.  We are pleased to offer a unique, co-ed, no-check, fun hockey experience for players of all skill levels.  In this, our 10th year, we have more than 600 players on 41 teams at four age levels, with games starting this weekend and extending through March.  Team photo sessions are currently being scheduled, and our annual Rec League Festival will be March 16 & 17 at Bloomington Ice Garden (teams will play on one of the two days but not both).

In December, we initiated our first Rec League goalie clinics, with goalies in all age levels getting goalie-specific training from Mike Fette (a Rec League parent & coach).  The smiles on the goalies' faces showed that they enjoyed the clinics, and we hope they are able to practice the skills they learned at the clinics during the season. We also hope that they will return for the next goalie clinic on February 17 to learn more skills (details will be provided in a separate email).  It was apparent from the skills clinics held in December that the players were also having lots of fun and were ready for the season to start.

The Rec League is a volunteer-led organization, so in addition to thanking Hiway Federal Credit Union for their sponsorship, I would like to acknowledge our Rec League Board, who have been putting in a lot of hours to provide a fun & safe hockey experience for all of our players.  Many of the board members are parents of Rec League players, who coach or manage teams and will be at the various Rec League rinks during the season, so please feel free to ask us questions when you see us (we’ll often be wearing Rec League apparel identifying us as board members).  We welcome your input and hope you will provide your suggestions for making the best possible hockey experience for all players in the Rec League. 
 
Tom Mickus - Minnesota Hockey Executive Director
Derek Ricke – Vice President, Administration
Chuck Gerlach – Vice President, Operations
Tom Osen – Coaching Director
Jeanne Gin - Communications Director
Valeria Lindberg – Apparel & Events Director
Scott Ambourn – Co-18U Level Director
John Mallow – Co-18U Level Director
Andrew Zaloski -  16U Level Director
Shawn Conradi - 14U Level Director
Angela Campbell – 10U/12U Level Director
Justin Litman – League Administrator
Ed Litman – Past President
 
The Minnesota Hockey Rec League Board is committed to providing players from across the metro area with a fun & safe hockey experience by promoting respectful participation & good conduct that promotes a love of hockey & helps develop life-long hockey players.  We hope that every player, parent, volunteer and game official has an enjoyable 2019 season & look forward to seeing you at the rink!

Eric Hedblom
President
Minnesota Hockey Rec League