UMBAA Hockey Sheep Blog
Friday, November 04, 2005
Time to start thinking about getting the flock on the ice again. An email will come around soon. We're hoping to get a team (minimum of 6F, 4D, and 1G) to play in a cube Never Ever league starting in January. You can check out the cube's web site (www.a2ice3.com) to see their schedule -- right now it's mostly friday night games.
USA Hockey’s Adult Program and Labatt Blue combine to put on the 1st Annual 2006 Labatt Blue USAdult 4 on 4 Pond Hockey Championships in Eagle River, Wisconsin on February 17-19, 2006. Games will be played on Dollar Lake in the beautiful resort town of Eagle River, Wisconsin. The host hotel will be the Chanticleer Inn. There will be up to 60 teams on 6 rinks. Eagle River is the Snowmobile Capital of the World and hosts the famous Klondike Days. With the help of the local hockey association - Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association and the Eagle River Chamber and Visitors Center we look forward to a successful tournament. To register for this event contact the adult hockey department at 800-566-3288 or visit http://usahockey.com/adult/main_site/main/home/
Friday, August 19, 2005
It doesn't look good for a team for the fall. We have 7 skaters, no goalie, and a handful of subs... not enough to field a team. Please keep searching for players! We'll make the call go/no-go on August 29th.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Former Flock,
It's time to start thinking about getting the team back together. I'd like to field a flock for a fall league. Are you interested in skating with us again? If so, do you have a preference for where we play, or what division we play in?
Here are my thoughts:
- Several Sheep Alumni are skating with C-level teams at the Cube. If the Sheep skate at the cube, the C-ers probably won't be allowed to be on our team (Cube rules).
- Without those C-level skaters, the remaining skaters will likely get fleeced in D-II, so I'll suggest we play in the Never-Ever league in this case. We'd also need new players to replace the defectors.
- There are, of course, other rinks to skate at, including Kensingtion Valley Ice House in Brighton, the Arctic Colliseum in Chelsea, and others. If the C-ers want to skate with us, I can explore D-level leagues in these places.
Send me your thoughts. If we want to play at the Cube, the season will start in early to mid September.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Monday, April 04, 2005
Thursday, March 31, 2005
We lost our playoff game against South Lyon Hotel, 5-2 last night. Goals by Pete D and Khaled (both unassisted). Only one penalty - Khaled 3 minutes for roughing.
I've updated the leaderboard with current totals as I know them. The points board should be fairly accurate. The penalty minutes are guesses. If you know I'm wrong somewhere, send me an email and I'll update.
I enjoyed myself this season, and it is an honor to be your shepherd. I run this team because I enjoy hanging out with the people; the fact that we also get to play hockey together is a bonus.
We'll take the summer off and restart in the fall. Not sure yet if we'll go with D or NE; it would be nice to win once in a while...
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
The UM Hockey Garage Sale is now scheduled. Saturday, April 9, doors open at 9:00 am. This is a great source of hockey gear. If you want the good stuff, get in line about 12 hours early. But even if you show up at around 7am on Saturday, you will still have a chance to get some cheap sticks and maybe a shin pad or two.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Sheep sub David Myers is famous -- see this article in the ann arbor news. I'm sure he'll bring left overs the next time he comes out to play with us...
Monday, March 14, 2005
Result of the game on March 9 was a 4-0 loss. We improved for the game on March 12, and only lost 3-0. Next game is on Friday March 18 at 11:00pm (moved from Saturday). We are on a 3-game scoreless streak. There are some thoughts on an offensive scheme -- please get there a few minutes early on Friday to go over it.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Saturday's game with Cobrex ended in a zero-zero tie. Great game by Matt P in goal for us to give us our second point of the season. Also, welcome to Khalid and Ron - thanks for signing up and filling in at the last minute. Jennie will be leading the sheep into battle on Wednesday night. Khalid and Megan will be filling in for me and Pete L.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
"D" League - Tier II Playoff Schedule
Wed 3/30 Sta 10:00 PM 1st 12th
Wed 3/30 Sta 11:00 PM 4th 9th
Wed 3/30 Var 10:00 PM 2nd 11th
Wed 3/30 Var 11:00 PM 5th 8th
Wed 3/30 Oly 9:45 PM 3rd 10th
Wed 3/30 Oly 10:45 PM 6th 7th
Teams will re-seeded after the first round.Sat 4/2 Sta 10:00 PM 1st 6th
Sat 4/2 Sta 11:00 PM 3rd 4th
Sat 4/2 Var 10:00 PM 2nd 5th
Wed 4/6 Sta 8:00 PM Semi-Final Game
Wed 4/6 Sta 9:00 PM Highest Remaining Seed Practice
Sat 4/9 Var 8:30 PM "D" League Tier-II Champioinship Game
All Players Must Show A Valid Picture I.D. To Participate In The Playoffs.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
From: Shawn Spinner
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2005 9:32
Subject: Schedule Change
Hello All,
Due to a scheduling conflict, the games scheduled on Stadium Rink for Saturday, March 19th, have now been moved to Friday, March 18th on Varsity Rink. The game times and team match-ups have not changed. So, The Maroons vs. Cobrex
game will now be at 10 PM on Varsity on the 18th, and the South Lyon Hotel vs. UMBAA Sheep game will now be at 11 PM on Varsity on the 18th. Please inform all of your players of these changes. We will have a revised schedule posted on the website Wednesday. Also, we hope to have your playoff schedule out in the next few days. With as many teams as there are, we are having trouble finding enough ice to fit all of the games into the first night of playoffs on the 30th. Thanks for your patience and understanding,
-Shawn
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Game 10 on Saturday was a 4-2 loss to the Maroons. Goals by Pete D (assist to Pete L) and Marty. Thanks to Dave M., Chet, and Dave "The Goalie" Wilde for filling in for us.
I'm out for the next two games. Jennie will be your Shepherd.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Latest from our League Director:
After fielding numerous complaints from Tier-II teams, concerns from referees
and score keepers, and having watched or officiated many of the Tier-II games
over the last several weeks, I’ve decided it’s time to remove a few people from
some of the rosters. Clearly these players do not belong in a league one
step above the beginner level. I originally planned to wait until the
regular season was complete to remove these players, but after seeing how close
most of the teams are in the standings, and with the playoffs soon around the
corner, I decided it was best to not wait any longer. I do not want these
players to affect the outcome of the regular season standings, which are used to
determine seeding for the playoffs. That would be almost as unfair as
letting them play in the playoffs. I hope that the teams involved realize
that this is not a personal attack against their team, but an effort to keep the
league as fair as possible, and that I expect to remove a few more people from a
few other teams as soon as I get a chance to see the players in question.
At this time I would also like to give fair warning to all of the other teams as
well: I will continue to observe all Tier-II teams, as well as keeping
close contact with the game officials and score keepers, to insure that no other
players are playing in this league who clearly don’t belong in this
league. If any of you have comments or concerns about these players being
removed (especially the teams involved in this email), please feel free to ask
me. Here are the teams and players that are currently
affected:
Déjà Vu 5-Holes Steve Toth (Sub)
South Lyon Hotel Tommy Law (#18)
Miller Lite Carl Sheppard (#25)
That’s all, for now. I will keep all of you informed if any other players are removed from team rosters.
Thanks,
-Shawn
Friday, February 18, 2005
Forgot to blog results from Sat Feb 12 game. It was a tough 5-4 loss with Megan in net. Goals by Pete D, Steve, Ben, and Marty.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
If we make a run for the league championship, we can try for this: http://www.freestanley.com/index.html
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Last night's final was 6-0. But we beat them in penalty minutes! For those who want to express an opinion, we can rate each of the refs in these areas, from 1 (poor) to 5 (Excellent).
- Appearance
- Composure/Attitude
- Common Sense
- Position/Hustle
- Signals
- Face Offs
- Rules Application
- Decisivness
- Game Control
- Skating Ability
Plus there is an area for comments.
Monday, February 07, 2005
3-1 loss to Deja-vu on Sat Night. John scored our goal. Next game Wed night. Chet will be in for Ben.
Friday, February 04, 2005
More Details Concerning The New Beer/Alcohol Policy
(Latest from the Cube management)
Hello Team Managers,
Because of all of the emails and phone calls we’ve been receiving the last two days we’d like to go into a little more detail about this topic. Putting all legal issues aside, first let me say that we’re very sorry it has come to this, but, if it weren’t for the fact that many teams have been abusing our previous guidelines, this probably would not have been necessary. Every season we set forth guidelines for having beer/alcohol in the locker rooms and review them at the managers meeting. And part way through every season I have to send out a memo to everyone to get everyone to start abiding by those guidelines again. What were the guidelines we laid down for this and past seasons? It’s OK to bring beer into the rink as long as you: conceal it while you are entering/leaving the building, that you only drink it after your games, that it stays in the locker rooms, that you are out of the locker rooms no more than 40 minutes after your games (no matter what time your game is at!!!), and that you clean up after yourselves before you leave. The purpose of all of these guidelines was to allow the teams to hang out for a little bit after their games and have a few laughs while enjoying one or two “cold ones.” That’s not a lot to ask when you’re the only rink in the area that allows teams to bring beer into their locker rooms.
For the last 6-8 weeks virtually every one of those guidelines has been broken on a nightly basis. People are openly carrying in/out 12-packs and cases of beer without even attempting to conceal them at all. Players are leaving the locker rooms and walking around the rinks and throughout the rest of the building with beer in their hands. Players who weren’t even playing in games have been drinking behind the benches. Beer cans and bottles have been left around the rinks and common areas of the building. We even found a beer can in the railing of the main stair case the other night! Beer has been spilled in the hallways and not cleaned up. Teams have not been cleaning up their locker rooms before they leave. The staff has had to repeatedly ask numerous teams to vacate their locker rooms each evening. A few times the players have even been rude and insulting to the staff when asked to leave for the second or third time in the same evening. Several teams have been hanging out and drinking in the locker rooms for an hour and-a-half to two hours after their games. And the refs are smelling more and more alcohol on the players on the ice the further we get through the season. Add to that numerous occasions where players were smoking in the locker rooms as well and you can start to see that enough is enough.
So, from this point forward no alcoholic beverages of any kind are permitted in the building, period. It is the responsibility of the team managers to see to it that their players are complying with this new policy. If the team manager cannot attend a game, then it is the team managers’ responsibility to appoint someone else on the team to oversee the compliance of this policy that evening. Diane and I have decided to handle any violators of this new policy in the same manner that we handle players who receive game misconducts or have been kicked out of a game for being under the influence. We will be using the graduated suspension sentences already in place in our league rules when handling any violators, meaning any player who has already been assessed a game misconduct in a season will have to sit multiple games. The first violation of this policy by a player will result in a one game suspension. The second violation by a player will result in a two game suspension and that player and their team manager must have a meeting with Diane and I before that player will be allowed to play again. The third violation will result in immediate expulsion from the league for the remainder of that season, possibly even longer, as well as the suspension of the team manager for a game. In cases where the individual violators are not known (for example, everyone has left the locker room and beer containers are found), the team managers will have to turn in the players responsible or be forced to serve the suspensions themselves. In cases where an entire team is caught with alcohol, games will be forfeited along with the suspensions to players and team managers.
We are relying on you, the team manager, to enforce the compliance of this policy with your players. Though we do not wish to hand out disciplinary action to our players and team managers, this new policy will be strictly enforced. If any of you have any questions regarding the new alcohol policy and its enforcement, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in enforcing this new policy.
Shawn Spinner
League Director,
Ann Arbor Ice Cube
Diane Wilson
General Manager,
Ann Arbor Ice Cube
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
From: Shawn Spinner [mailto:sspinner@a2ice3.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 7:58 PM
Subject: New Policy Regarding Beer/Alcohol In The Building
Dear Team Managers,
In light of increasing liability issues throughout the state and country, we are imposing a ban on all alcoholic beverages at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube effective immediately. From this point forward no teams or players are permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into the building. We thank you in advance for your full cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Shawn Spinner
League Director,
Ann Arbor Ice Cube
Diane Wilson
General Manager,
Ann Arbor Ice Cube
Sunday, January 30, 2005
NEWS FLASH! The Sheep got their first point of the season with a 3-3 tie on Friday night. Goals by John, Brad, and Steve. I don't know who got assists, so if you got one, let me know and I'll put it on the leaderboard. Ken got the only penalty.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Saturday night's result was a 5-1 loss. Steve Coy scored our only goal, unassisted. (It was quite a pretty bank off the back of the goalie, actually). Pete L and Megan both had pretty good games, too.
A big Baa of thanks to Megan for filling in for game 5 on Friday in net. Some other UM season ticket holders have requsted subs, if we can get some. So if you are looking for a good time on a Friday night in January, let me know!
Thursday, January 20, 2005
We got beat by a better team last night. Their positioning was very good, and they did a great job of sending the trailing far-side defenseman down the slot as they brought the puck into the zone. Final was 6-1.
Next game is Sat at 11:15. I only show one person out -- Chip. Megan will be joining us for the fist time.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Game 2 ended in a 2-1 loss. Pete D scored the goal, with an assist from Chet. Photos from the game will be posted when I get some time -- thanks to Heidi for shooting them.
Friday, January 14, 2005
We're getting spam in the comments form. So I'm disabling comments until I can figure out a way to bring your spam-free comments.
Game 2 is Saturday night, Jan 15 at 11:15pm on the Varsity ice. Chip has a conflict, and Pete L. is on IR (knife wound -- you know those Ann Nasty Public Schools). So Chet will be filling in, and Matt R. will try to find his forward gear and play left wing. (Thanks for releasing him from the last 2 hours of your birthday celebration, Erin!). Should be a blast, come on out and watch!
The locker room talk is that our Game 1 opponent (Gates Men & Maidens) are average for our league. That's good news, since we counted it as a moral victory. Someday, the sheep will be able to post a real "W" (and not the presidential kind).
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Last night's game ended in a 4-1 loss. John H got the goal, and Jennie the assist. The leaderboard will be updated soon.
The way we figured it in the bar after the game, we should have scored at least twice more, and two of the goals we gave up we shouldn't have. If that were the case, the score would have been 3-1 sheep, and we wouldn't have given up that open net goal at the end, so we should have won. This is, incidentally, the same logic that we used to deduce that UM beat MSU at the GLI game recently...
Next game is Saturday the 15th at 11:15pm. We need one sub. I will send out an email begging for a fill-in early next week.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
The schedule for this year is posted on the main web page.
The first game is this Friday, January 7, at 9pm. It is smack in the middle of the UM hockey game.
There are several games that are directly in conflict with UM home and JLA hockey games. I will try to work with the Cube to get these games changed, but I seriously doubt that anything will happen. Those of you who can't play during UM games, please let me know ASAP so we can try to get subs.
-Joe
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Our deposit is in, so we are official. We will start playing the first week of January, most likely the night of January 5th. As soon as I hear the start time, I'll send out an email blast.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Flock,
Looks like we made it. We have exactly enough for a team. Here's what we look like:
Ken Christensen - D
Steve Coy - F
Jennie Dalton - F
Pete Dalton - D
Joe Gregoria - F
John Heins - F
Pete Larson - F
Marty McLaughlin - F
Ben Mueller - D
Matt Pickus - G
Chip Smith - D
Brad Carlson - SUB
Casey Coy - SUB
Zach Michels - SUB
Matt Ranville - SUB
Megan Torrance - SUB
We could use another sub or two, but I will work that out during the season.
Here's what I need each of you to do:
1) Go to http://www.usahockeyregistration.com/ and register for USA Hockey Membership. This is the player's insurance policy required by the Cube. It will cost you $25. PRINT OUT YOUR CONFIRMATION PAGE and bring it to me at the first game. Or, you can forward me your confirmation email.
2) Get me a check for $228. That will cover your part of the team fee. That works out to less than $15 per game! I don't need everyone's checks immediately, so if I don't see you over the holidays, you can pay me at the first game.
3) Watch your email, because our first game will be early in January.
4) Have a safe and happy holiday!
Friday, October 22, 2004
We'll be trying again this winter to put together a team for the Cube's D League. If things go as predicted, there will be a 16-game season starting in January with the same days and times as the fall league.
As required by amature hockey rules, here is the disclosure of my latest recruiting visit from October 9:
Me: Hey, Kris, if you're not doing anything in January, I am the manager of a D-league team here in Ann Arbor.
Kris Draper: Oh yeah...
Me: Yep. We need someone to play D.
Kris: Oh. I don't play D.
Me: Can't skate backwards, eh?
Kris: Something like that.
Me: Sorry. I'm already the third line center, and you can't have my spot. If you change your mind, let me know.
Kris: OK.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I won't be able to run the Sheep team this fall. With some luck, I'll be able to gather the flock for a winter league, probably at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
NEWS FROM ICE^3 ABOUT NEW INSURANCE:
The Ann Arbor Ice Cube is switching over to USA Hockey for our adult league player insurance. What does this mean for you, the adult league player? Well, it means that instead of filling out and turning in the ISI form with your payment, you will go to a website, fill out a form and pay your USA Hockey $25 registration fee online with a credit card, and submit your registration confirmation to your team manager (B, C & D league) or with your Never-Ever registration form. (Women's League players will register this way for our spring & summer seaons next year.) Read below for this new procedure.
Registration Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I have to register online?
Yes! Anyone who wishes to participate in the Ann Arbor Ice Cube Adult Leagues must register online for USA Hockey.
If you don't have an email address, access to the internet, or a credit card - we suggest you sweet-talk one of your teammates and ask them to register you when they register themselves.
2. How do I register online?
Go to http://www.usahockeyregistration.com and enter the required information.
You will receive a confirmation of your registration via email. This confirmation is also your USA Hockey Waiver of Liability and Release.
The confirmation comes in the form of an Adobe Acrobat PDF file so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.
3. What do I do with the member registration confirmation that I receive from USA Hockey?
Bring a copy of the registration confirmation to your team manager if you play in the B/C/D league, or to Shawn Spinner for the Never-Ever league.
4. Can I put in the information for myself and a couple of other players at the same time?
Yes. The other person should be present to acknowledge the Waiver of Liability. If they are not, then they need to sign a copy of the Waiver as provided by their local program.
If the team manager wants to register players on his team with USA Hockey - contact Shawn for special instructions.
5. What if I lose my confirmation e-mail? Is there a way to retrieve proof that I am registered?
Yes. You can log onto the online registration site (http://www.usahockeyregistration.com) and request a reprint of your confirmation page.
6. What if I am already registered with USA Hockey as a youth team Coach? Do I have to register and pay again?
You only register and pay once. Take proof of your registration for the current season to your league. This can be a copy of the approved team roster for the youth team that you are coaching or your USA Hockey membership (not coaching) card.
Conversely, if you register first as an Adult Player, turn in a copy of your confirmation to your youth team manager to also register as a coach.
7. What credit cards can I use to register online? Will I be charged additional money to process the online credit card transaction?
The process will accept VISA and MasterCard only.
No, you are not charged any additional fees for processing an online credit card transaction. USA Hockey is paying all verification and processing charges.
B, C & D League PLAYERS: you can individually go to the USA Hockey registration website (www.u sahockeyregistration.com) and complete your registration. You will submit your confirmation page to your team manager. REMEMBER - B, C & D League is for TEAM registration only - do not submit a USA Hockey registration form unless you are 100% sure you are playing on an existing Cube team this fall! The USA Hockey registration fee is non- refundable.
TEAM MANAGERS: Inform your players of this new procedure (maybe just forward this email to them). Please have them submit thier forms to you as the team manager, and then you must turn them in to Shawn a week before your first game. Also, talk to Shawn if you decide to register your players yourself (rather than having them each do it individually).
We are looking forward to this new registration process!
Sincerely,
Shawn Spinner, League Director
Ann Arbor Ice Cube
phone: 734-213-1600 x243
web: http://www.a2ice3.com/hockey
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
It's time!
Here's everything I know about the Ann Arbor Ice Cube Fall D League, gleaned from their web site:
- 16 games + playoffs = $2390
- Season runs September - December including playoffs
- Team Registration ONLY (individual player registrations are not taken for the D League).
- Rosters are limited to 20 skaters plus two goalies.
- Games Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Three 15-minute run time periods (50-minute ice times)
- Registration Deadline August 28
- $500 Deposit required with registration. Payment schedule will be available at a later date.
Based on previous experience, I would expect late ice times. We want at least 10 regulars, a goalie, and up to 10 subs, so we're looking at a price of about $240 for the 16-game season.
