The New Family Mentor Program is designed to provide new players and parents a personalized introduction to the sport of hockey and the local youth hockey association. The goal of this program is to ease concerns that new families may have with entering an unfamiliar sport and to educate them on best practices when playing hockey in Minnesota, and for their community association. Associations that choose to participate will determine active established hockey families in their community who will serve as volunteer mentors to first-year families in the association’s program. Mentor families can be from any level within your association, but should at least be in their second year within your association.

The mentor families will meet their new families within the first few practices of the season. The established player is encouraged to join the newcomer on the ice and help teach him/her basic hockey skills. Meanwhile, parents of both players will sit in the stands together. During this time, mentor families can answer questions and introduce new families to other established families in the association.

Associations can also choose to host a New Family Orientation night to welcome new members, and introduce mentor families as well. 

Throughout the season, mentors should check in with their new families to see how they are enjoying hockey and provide insight on any questions that may arise. 

Participating associations are also encouraged to have the following information on their website for new families:

• A “New to Hockey” page with information about the basic rules of the game and hockey terminology.
• Equipment resources including where to purchase equipment, where to get skates sharpened, how to put equipment on, and information about equipment sizing.

The association point of contact for the New Family Mentor Program will answer a brief survey about their association’s experience with the program. Mentor families will receive an extra entry into the January drawing for prizes if their association point of contact completes the survey by January 15th. New families can also fill out an optional survey to receive entries into the January drawings.

All families that serve as a mentor in their community program will be entered into a drawing at the end of January to win prizes that will include Minnesota Wild tickets, Minnesota Wild autographed items, State High School Hockey Tournament tickets, NCHC Frozen Faceoff tickets and more.

Additionally, the first ten associations to have at least five families sign up to be mentor families will receive a $500 Pass the Puck grant to offset costs for welcome gifts or for a New Family Orientation event. Three participating associations will also get priority to have a Mite team represented at the Minnesota Wild Mite Holiday Jamboree. 

Associations or families interested in participating in the New Family Mentor Program should contact Akua Tieku or register below.