Dear Hockey Fans:

Cooler nights, pucks hitting the garage door and the sound of skate blades slicing along the ice can only mean one thing: it’s hockey time for the Midwest High School Hockey League. The Executive Committee would personally like to welcome players, parents and fans to another action-packed season of high school hockey.

At this time each year I sit down with a blank sheet of paper and draft my letter welcoming the players, parents and fans to another year of hockey. As part of this welcome I try and communicate a few special thoughts about the League and its growth. Last year we completed 30 years of high school hockey as the Iowa High School Hockey League, a heritage we will never forget. This year we proudly start play as the Midwest High School Hockey League—a name more representative of the geographical make-up of the league.

Centralization of the Varsity and Junior Varsity Tournaments is closer to reality. With help from the Des Moines Oak Leafs we’ve experimented with the organization and management of a centralized tournament over the past two years. This year we take a step closer when the Lincoln Jr. Stars host the Varsity Tournament in Des Moines with help from local businesses and the Des Moines hockey community. Next year’s Junior Varsity Tournament in Des Moines will be the first centralized tournament without an automatic berth to a host team. These may seem like small moves, but we are taking deliberate steps to ensure success and growth as an organization.

This year we will also see positive change in how the game is played. At USA Hockey’s Annual Congress, the Board of Directors unanimously endorsed a new standard of play and rule emphasis beginning this season. Specifically, zero tolerance of holding, hooking, slashing, tripping and interference. Use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck; the stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player’s progress; the use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player’s progress; players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation to gain a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent; players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature. I highly recommend that everyone visit the USA Hockey web page and view the video which describes the new emphasis in detail.

We salute our senior players and their parents! May your final high school season be rewarding. I personally want to thank all of the volunteers at every level. Without you, none of our players would have the opportunity to “live the dream.” I thank the executive committee as they continue to volunteer year ‘round to ensure an environment that is conducive to a high level of fair competition and continued improvement. On behalf of the League’s officers and directors, we wish the teams and their members the best for the season.

Sincerely,
Shawn Spencer
President, MHSHL