Hello IYHA Families-

We hope this message finds you and your family happy and healthy!

While it seems that hockey has been on hold for some time, we have a few announcements we would like to share with you all.

Following the guidelines set out by the NYSAHA (https://www.nysaha.com/) travel teams can begin being selected starting on June 1st. Please use the following link (https://forms.gle/3ePyqYAJs6dnzDu96) to express your interest in playing for your age appropriate travel team (10u, 12u, or 14u) in the 2020-2021 season. This information will be shared with the coaching staff so they can begin formulating their teams. To ensure the safety of players, IYHA is waiting to schedule tryouts for the 2020-21 season. We will continue following health recommendations and we hope to be able schedule on-ice tryouts in late summer.

Our apologies for the short notice; these guidelines were just sent to us last week.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your respective coach or a member of the board. 

Since we are now on the topic of board members, let's all give a big welcome to our newest board members Megan Pasto, Kristina Savage and Jason Brennan. Also, we should recognize that John Leshinski has come back for more and that sadly, TR Wagenet will be stepping away from his position on the IYHA board as of May 31st. He has, however, graciously offered to help when needed.

We had hoped to recognize TR’s contribution to youth hockey at our year end awards gala – pizza and all.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans.  We would have thanked him for being a force of enthusiasm and passion for the sport; organizing coaches and games; and carrying the initiation program on his back for several years.  The fact that we can’t say that in front of the IYHA community is a lost opportunity, but it doesn’t minimize his lasting impact on the kids of IYHA. So, when you see TR out and about this summer, give him a huge air-high-five. 

Thank you, TR, for everything you have given to IYHA through the years!!

If you look closely you will see that we now have 10 members on our 9-member board, this is because we have decided to take all 4 candidates that volunteered to run for board positions. To make this work Treva Levine generously and selflessly offered to step aside as a full-time board member; she will take a position as an 'emeritus' member of our board for the upcoming year. This will allow her to remain an active member of the board, continue to act as our ice scheduler, and make room for our board to have representation for more of our age groups. Treva, thank you for everything you do for IYHA!!

There are many unanswered questions as to how things will shape up for the 2020-2021 season, but we wanted to share what we know so far. Please feel free to contact any of us should you have questions.

Be well and stay safe!

Your IYHA board

**Please note that if you are coming from another association, you will need to obtain a release from your previous association in order to tryout, no exceptions**