USA Hockey Registration, League Fees, Financial Assistance, and More…

USA Hockey Registration

All players must register online with USA Hockey before the first practice on September 21. For liability reasons, you will not be allowed to step on the ice without having registered. The cost is $35 and is paid by credit/debit card.

This year's process for collecting your USA Hockey confirmation # will be different from last year's, as we now have a bar code scanner and related software. Thus, we request that you bring the printout of your registration confirmation with the bar code to either the stick taping party or the first practice for scanning. If you do not have access to a printer, then please forward to the recruiting committee (recruiting@madisongayhockey.org) the email that you will receive from USA Hockey that contains a link to your confirmation # and bar code. The league will also assist players without web access or a credit card.

Note that if you play in more than one league, you only need to register with USA Hockey once per season. If you have any questions about the USA Hockey registration process, please contact the recruiting committee.

League Fees

This year's MGHA league fees are $160.00.  You have the options of paying the fees in full or partial payments. 

If you pay your fees in full on or before Tuesday, October 21, 2008, you will receive a $10.00 discount.  There is also an installment plan that consists of two $80 payments.  In an attempt to keep league fees down and reduce the Paypal processing fees, it was decided to only have two payments instead of the five like last year.  The first payment is due no later than Tuesday, October 21, 2008, and the second payment is due no later than Tuesday, November 25, 2008.

Both the full payment and two-payment plan can be paid online. Please note that you must be logged into your MGHA account to access this page.  If you do not want to pay online, or aren’t able to pay online, please contact MGHA Co-Treasurers Matt Jelinek and Jenn Rotman to make payment arrangements.  Also, if you need to discuss any payment issues please contact the treasurers.

Financial Aid

The Madison Gay Hockey Association is committed to making hockey accessible to all members of the LGBTQA community. The need for protective equipment and the high cost of ice time makes hockey a pursuit that carries unavoidable expenses. Thus, the MGHA has set aside some funds to assist players with financial need to cover part or all of their league fees. 

Please note that financial aid is awarded based on the availability of funds, and the MGHA cannot guarantee that funds will be available for all players who apply. Also, in return for receiving financial aid, players are asked to volunteer at one of the MGHA-sponsored or related events during the season.

To apply for financial aid for this year's fees, please send an email to recruiting@madisongayhockey.org  by Sunday, September 28, 2008 with the following information:

1. The amount of financial aid you are ideally seeking.

2. A statement describing your financial need in 500 words or less (no supporting documents are required).

3. Your name and contact info within the email body. 

You will receive an email confirming your application within 48 hours. You will also be notified no later than October 15th as to whether or not you will receive any financial aid. If you have any questions about the financial aid process, please contact the recruiting committee.

Meriter Sports Medicine Hockey Clinic 2008:  Skating for Fun – Skating for Health

Meriter is holding a hockey clinic to learn about some of the more common over-use hockey-related injuries and how to mange/prevent them by using appropriate stretching and conditioning activities.  Former UW hockey star Peter Johnson will lead people through ice drills and activities to enhance your skill level and enjoyment on the game.  It is for men and women who are novices to intermediate hockey players.

The clinic is on Oct. 1 from 5:45pm to 7:45pm at the Eagle’s Nest Ice Arena in Verona.  Cost is $15 and space is limited.  For more information on the clinic, please visit the Meriter website.  

TGHA Friendship Tournament

Toronto Gay Hockey Association will hold its annual Friendship Tournament 2008 on the weekend of Oct. 10 - 13.  For more information about the tournament, please visit their website.