*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Media Contact:
Joy Pendowski
Oregon Girls Development Chair
541-321-3651
joy.pendowski@oregonstatehockey.com

Saturday, October 16, 2021

EUGENE, Ore. — Today, Oregon celebrates girls who play hockey as a part of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Girls’ Hockey Weekend, an international event aimed at building awareness, supporting current players and growing participation of females in the sport.

Girls hockey continues to be one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the United States and overall since 2009, total female participation (including youth and adult players) within USA Hockey has risen to more than 84,000, an increase of 37 percent.

Today’s event in Eugene brings together girls ages 4-19 years old and coaches from across the state to participate in on and off ice activities, including a special presentation from Seattle Kraken Youth Player Development Coach Katelyn Parker and a game where the state’s only all-girls team, Team Oregon 16U AA, will take on the Sno-King Jr. Thunderbirds 16U AA.

This event is free and open to the public.

Event Schedule:

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Off-Ice Activities with Nationally Recognized Coach Lanae Falls

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Team Oregon Practice / Player Seminar with Katelyn Parker

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Ice Session #1 (skills) / Team Oregon Seminar with Katelyn Parker

5:15 - 6:30 p.m. Team Oregon 16U AA Girls vs. Sno-King Jr. Thunderbirds 16U AA Girls

6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Ice Session #2 (game-like skills)

About the Oregon State Hockey Association:
The Oregon State Hockey Association is the governing body for Amateur Hockey in the state of Oregon. OSHA is sanctioned as an Affiliate of USA Hockey, the national governing body for Amateur Hockey in the United States. Oregon is fully committed to USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM) for player development, and seeks to provide playing opportunities for all ages at multiple levels of competitiveness. USA Hockey programs in Oregon include OSHA member associations and other USAH sanctioned programs. 

https://www.oregonstatehockey.com/

About Katelyn Parker:
A native of Bellingham, Wash., Katelyn Parker is returning to her home state after spending the last three seasons coaching for the Division I NCAA University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies Women's Hockey program. Parker helped guide the Huskies to playoff appearances in all three years including the Hockey East finals and Semifinals the past two seasons. Prior to joining the Huskies, she coached two seasons as an assistant at Brown University.
Before becoming a collegiate coach, Parker was a member of the Colgate Raiders women's hockey team, where she served as the team's captain. As a forward, she played in 141 games over her career, the most in program history. Parker was a four-time recipient of the Sportsmanship Award, given to person that represents the true meaning of "team". Growing up, she played for the Whatcom Warriors, Washington Wild, and Team Pacific.

https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/ktc-announces-youth-hockey-and-skating-academy-coaching-staff/c-323640192

About Lanae Falls:
https://www.oregonstatehockey.com/news/congratulations-coach-of-the-month

About IIHF World Girls’ Hockey Weekend:
https://www.iihf.com/en/static/5137/world-girls-ice-hockey-weekend

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Coaches, it is hard to believe we are quickly approaching July and many of us are starting to think about what the 20-21 hockey season may look like here in Oregon.  While we have been working with others in OSHA on things like our updated Guide Book, the National Office as well as others in the Pacific District have also been working on the new CEP program.  This past week, I along with others, have been in trainings and meetings on the new program.  As part of launching the new program, we will be doing most, if not all of our 20-21 CEP classes virtually.  Below is information from the CEP program for you to review and options for Coaching Certifications for 20-21. 

For 20-21 we will have level 1 – 4 virtual classes as our primary method for CEP trainings.   Please encourage your coaches or potential coaches to review the information about CEP for 20-21.

I hope you all have been well, and continue to be well.

Andy

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On behalf of USA Hockey, we hope that your family is healthy and safe! As states begin to open, we look forward to the day we are all back on the ice!

With the current situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken a hard look at how we will be delivering USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program, realizing the possibility that in person clinics this season may be different based upon social gathering criteria set by each state.

That being said, we are excited to be moving forward with online virtual clinics starting immediately. We will begin posting these clinics very soon, and you will have options for dates and times that best fit your schedule.

You can register for a virtual clinic just like you have done in the past at: usahockey.com/coachingclinics

As stated above our goal is to have in-person clinics as soon as they are allowed and safe for all participants.

This is a great time to get the following accomplished before the season begins:

• Register with USA Hockey: membership.usahockey.com
• Complete the required background screening: usahockey.com/backgroundscreen
• Complete the required SafeSport training: usahockey.com/safesporttraining
• Complete the appropriate Age-Specific Training Module (if necessary) for the level of play that you are coaching usahockey.com/agespecificmodules

​We appreciate all that you do for hockey and the players you coach! Stay healthy and safe. We will all get through this together.

​Yours in hockey,
USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program

Congratulations to Bend Rapids player Ryan Walker for being selected by WWU for the 2020-21 season! Oregon is proud of your accomplishment!

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From Western Washington University Ice Hockey's Facebook post:

Viks Nation please join us in welcoming our TENTH commitment of the 2020-21 season, Ryan Walker! The 6’ defenseman from Bend, OR has spent the last few years playing for the Bend Rapids where he put up 19 points (10G, 9A) in 15 games played as captain in his final season with the team! Walker is no stranger to Bellingham or to Coach MacDonald as he grew up playing here under the now Viks head coach! When asked what he is looking forward to most about joining Western, Walker replied, “I am looking forward to getting to play 4 more years of hockey for the coach I grew up playing for in a town that I love.” Vikings fans please join us in welcoming Ryan Walker to the University and to the team!

One of Oregon's own was recognized in USA Hockey Magazine as Coach of the Month for March 2020. Lanae Falls, who coaches in Eugene with Lane Amateur Hockey Association, works with players at all age levels helping them develop their skills off ice. As the association's off ice coach, Lanae focuses on strength, agility, and creates opportunities for players to practice body contact drills before getting on the ice.

Way to go, Lanae!

This year, the positions of OSHA President and OSHA Secretary are open for nominations. Please read the document below for more information about the nominations/election process.

All nominations (including bios) are due by March 4th, 2020 to nominating@oregonstatehockey.com.
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A reminder from USA Hockey for Coaches and Volunteers:

Safety is the top priority of USA Hockey each and every day. In 2006, USA Hockey took a significant step forward in enhancing safety by requiring coaches and volunteers to wear helmets when they are on the ice.

While most are in compliance with the rule, this past June, USA Hockey’s board of directors added a 30-day suspension from all activities involving registered programs for failure to comply with the rule.

The rule can be found on Page 144 Section A, of USA Hockey’s 2018-19 Annual Guide.

​Here’s to a fun and safe hockey season. Thanks for all you do to make hockey the greatest game on earth.

​Please join OSHA in congratulating Oregon's own Eve Knox from the Bend Rapids! This year's 2018 America's Showcase - Peggy Fikis Outstanding Goalkeeper Award recipient! Teams voted for players in each category through out the tournament but were not allowed to vote for players on their own team.  A great honor and achievement for Eve!

​Oregon had 4 players (Hana Bush - Portland, Malone Heibert - Portland, Anna Knox - Bend, Eve Knox - Bend) participate on this year's showcase team that went  1-1-1, just missing the playoff.  Team Pacific wrapped up the showcase with a win over Mid-Am (6-5).

For more information about Team Pacific visit here:  https://www.americasshowcasestlouis.com/roster/show/4063436?subseason=497869

For more information about the America's Showcase visit here:  https://www.americasshowcasestlouis.com/page/show/3414808-about

Note: The Portland Junior Winterhawks program was the only program to win two USA Hockey Youth national championships in 2017 (Youth Tier II 14U 1A and Youth Tier II 16U 1A).

Oregon State Hockey Association has opportunities for volunteers to get involved and help shape hockey in Oregon on a state level.  Participating in one of these roles would give you an opportunity to interact with people all over the state.  If you are interested please contact Lester Sparks, OSHA President at lestersparks33@yahoo.com.

Open opportunities:

• Chairperson for Disabled Hockey Committee
• Chairperson for High School Hockey
• Chairperson to establish an Adult Hockey Committee for OSHA to address and support Adult Hockey needs in the state