Metro Hockey League

The JG Playdowns are scheduled for 2/29/12 - 3/4/12 at the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine.

The Metro Hockey League handbook and team contact information are posted below. Updates will be made as needed.

Please note: The official version of the MHL Handbook is the online version posted below.

2011-12 MHL handbook updated: 

1/24/12 - Coach Appreciation Dinner date changed; 1/18/2012 - practice times and location for Select Game are at Highland Arena. Practice 3/20/12 from 5:50-9:00pm. Game 3/21/12 starting at 6:50pm; 12/5/2011 (Dennis Alm, Scheduler of Officials, email updated)

Congratulations to the 2010-11 Junior Gold State Champions!

JGA:
Champions - St. Louis Park defeated Wayzata 4-0
3rd Place - Edina defeated Burnsville 4-2
Consolation Champs - Eden Prairie defeated Minnetonka 4-2

JGB:
Champions - Woodbury defeated Wayzata Gold 3-2 OT
3rd Place - Edina Green defeated Edina White 3-2
Consolation Champions - Minnetonka defeated RAVE 1-0

16U:
Champions - Edina Black defeated Wayzata 2-1
3rd Place - Eagan defeated Hastings 3-2
Consolation Champs - OMG White defeated Tartan 4-2

Every year for over a decade, the Metro Hockey League and the Official’s Association sponsor an end-of-season game showcasing the best players from the League’s Junior Gold "A" Division. Players are selected by coaches for their exemplary play and sportsmanship. The 2011 Roster is posted below along with the team photos. The Select Game was played on March 23rd. Congratulations to all the players selected!

Coaches, Managers & MHL Board: The best meeting of the season, the Coach Appreciation Business Meeting at the Green Mill in Shoreview, is scheduled for Tuesday March 6, 2012 starting at 6:00 pm. Pizza and beverages will be provided.

The Wes Barrette Award and Made It Happen Award will be announced. Good Food, Good Friends and Good Conversation...And don't forget the mug!

Green Mill Restaurant
1000 Gramsie Road
Shorview MN 55126

 (ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – January 22, 2012) -- The Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors voted unanimously at its winter board meeting to strengthen the severity of the penalty issued to players who are cited for boarding and checking-from-behind infractions.  These rule changes are being adopted on a pilot basis and will be reevaluated at the conclusion of the 2012 Minnesota Hockey season. Minnesota Hockey will continue to work with the hockey community to evaluate the effectiveness of these changes.

“Player safety is and always will be the highest priority of Minnesota Hockey,” said Dave Margenau, President of Minnesota Hockey.  “However, as important as the rule change is, it is equally vital that the culture of hockey change to eliminate the intimidation and illegal hits.  Officials must call all illegal play and their calls must be supported by coaches, parents and players.”

Effective Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the penalty for boarding and checking-from-behind will be a minimum five (5) minute major penalty. This will cover all Minnesota Hockey sanctioned games played until July 31^st, 2012; after this time, the changes will be reviewed by the Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors.

Minnesota Hockey will work with its local community associations, coaches, and referees to ensure other existing rules continue to be enforced and that the rule changes will be enforced with zero tolerance. Additionally, Minnesota Hockey will continue to provide ongoing education regarding proper hockey techniques, rules and regulations.

“Referees for the youth games take their role of ensuring safe and fair play seriously,” said Eric Olson, Minnesota Hockey Referee in Chief. “These rule changes will be called with zero tolerance.”

As the governing body of youth and amateur hockey in the state, Minnesota Hockey has been a national leader in creating safety initiatives for youth hockey.  In 2004 Minnesota Hockey, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, introduced the Hockey Education Program (HEP).  The objective of HEP is to provide a safe and positive hockey experience by teaching hockey skills, educating parents and coaches and creating accountability through Fair Play.  Fair Play is a program that awards teams who play within the rules and respect their opponents with a league standings Fair Play point for each game, win or lose.

Minnesota Hockey coaches have and will continue to teach skills and techniques to ensure as safe of a playing environment as possible. Through the mandatory USA Hockey Coaching Education Program, clinics and materials provided by Minnesota Hockey, coaches are provided the training to accomplish the goal of player development.  Included in the training is a progressive approach to teaching body contact and checking. More information about these programs is available at www.usahockey.com. and www.minnesotahockey.org

Jack Jablonski is in the hearts of all of the hockey community.  Many people have reached out asking how they can help.   

Jack's caring bridge website is below if you would like to send him and his family your best wishes and follow his progress:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackjablonski 

If you wish to donate something towards Jack's future needs, you can send your donations to:

Jack Jablonski Fund

P.O. Box 16387

St. Louis Park, MN 55416-2618

You may also make your donations at any Wells Fargo Bank. Please mention "Jack Jablonski Fund."

You may also donate online at www.jabby13.com

The following remarks are from a chat board that is all about Junior Gold Hockey:

The Metro Hockey League oversees the Junior Gold/16U program in the greater Twin Cities area. The website has taken several years to evolve but we believe this site will improve your ability to track game results and stay current with Metro Hockey League activities and events.  This website has great flexibility and depth, and we certainly would appreciate your feedback regarding any improvements.

In the event a rostered goalie(s) is not able to participate in a scrimmage, league, invitational tournament or District Tournament game, a substitute goalie may play in place of the rostered goalie provided all requirements are met and the substitute goal request/approval form has been completed.