Hudson Crusaders

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Mission Statement

To provide a venue for young high school graduates to continue to develop their hockey skills through education, hard work, practice, fun and sporting events. To create an environment of learning and positive feedback. To promote the advancement of players and coaches to the college level. To encourage each individual participant to meet their human potential through dedication to their craft, leadership, moral living and charitable giving of self to the community.

Goals

Create an elite not-for-profit first class junior hockey organization. To train athletes for advancement to the collegiate level through positive coaching, an enabling environment and bonding with like-minded hard working peers. Form a partnership with the Hudson Hockey Association where talented athletes become leaders and role models through the sharing of skills with their younger protégées. Form a partnership with the community to provide a safe entertainment environment at a minimal cost especially for youth under eighteen.

How to achieve

a.     Provide professional and dedicated on-ice training

b.     Provide professional off-ice training

c.      Provide a player personnel director who works for the players’ advancement

d.     Partner with local Division III college coaches to develop players

e.     Enforce player contracts that reward good conduct

f.      Partner with a local community college to develop a college level of study

g.     Provide college counseling for academic work

h.     Provide 48+ games in the MNJHL

i.       Provide 4 hours of on-ice practice per week

j.       Provide 2 hours of off-ice training per week

k.     Provide a before and after program for HHA

l.       Assign players to work with youth hockey teams

m.   Offer youth ages 6-10 tickets for $1 and ages 11-18 tickets for $3

n.     Work with HHA volunteers to provide a positive billeting experience

o.     Charge player training fees at value but below USA Hockey maximums

p.     Negotiate a concession agreement that provides team solvency

q.     Management shall work without compensation for a minimum of two years

r.      Provide a certified EMT at every game

s.      Provide a fun atmosphere 

Recruitment

Our roster shall be 25 players. Between 3 and 5 additional high school players shall be allowed to participate in the program prior to the high school season with the high school coach’s permission. All recruits must fill out an online application and attend a pre-season try-out camp. Roster openings, during the season, may be filled by players through the online application and by attending a practice session upon invitation by the coaches.

Contracts

All players must have a signed USA Hockey IMR and Crusader Hockey contract before they are permitted to play in games. All players must be current on tuition to play in games

Team Expectations

Each player shall be required to participate in 3 practice sessions per week of 1 hour and 20 minute duration (average) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Each player shall be required to participate in 2 off-ice skill training sessions per week of 1 hour duration. Each player shall be required to participate as a volunteer coach 1 hour per week with the Hudson Youth Hockey Association. Each player shall be required to participate in Crusader Hockey games as players and statisticians when not dressed. Each player shall be required to attend a minimum of one credit hour of pre-college or college learning at a community college, high school or adult program. None of the above requirements are optional.

Player benefits

Based upon the team expectations each player shall have his off-ice skill development measured and tracked throughout the season. Each player shall receive a professional assessment of his skill level and direction leading to improvement. Each player shall have his on-ice game performance measured using the following criteria, goals, assists, penalty minutes, +/- (plus/minus), minutes played and special teams assessment using the mean time between goals measurement(s). Each player shall receive weekly feedback on performance and positive reinforcement from the coaching staff.

Staff

Our staff include a Head Coach, an Assistant Coach, a Director of Skill Development, a Director of Player Personnel, a Graduate Coach, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a General Manager

The Head Coach shall be in charge of practices and the game bench with assistance from the Assistant Coach and Graduate Coach. The Director of Skill Development shall be tasked with the skill development program and the assessment of player needs. The Director of Player Personnel shall be the liaison between the college coaches and Crusader participants. The EMT shall be tasked with assessing injuries occurring in Crusader games. The General Manager shall be in charge of the Crusader Program.

Athletes

The Crusader organization is dedicated to true athletes who forego alcohol consumption, recreational drugs and performance enhancing drugs.

Finances

Junior Hockey Tier III is a pay to play commitment. Those players under the age of 21 shall require a parent signature unless the entire tuition is paid in advance. Scholarships and discounts are forbidden by USA Hockey Rules. All players are required to pay the exact same fees. The Crusader Program offers elite hockey training both on and off the ice. The fees on this team are greater than some league teams, so feel free to compare programs and benefits before committing. Players should be prepared to spend a maximum of four thousand dollars ($4000) for the season towards tuition. Game attendance ticket donations, merchandise sales and donations shall be used to offset player’s fees.

Players from out of town requiring a host family should expect to pay $250-$350 per month for room and board. Players should have access to transportation as travel to most away games is within the local driving area. A $1000 payment is due upon signing a contract along with an equipment deposit dependant upon the equipment required. For those players with season contracts, the balance is due by October 15. For those players on extended tryout contracts, $1400 is due for the contract period. 

Health insurance

Health Insurance is required for all participants. We can recommend several programs to you.

Try-out Camps

Crusader Hockey shall provide a minimum of 2 try-out camps each year. Prospective participants should fill out an online application. Invitations and directions for the camps shall be mailed two weeks prior. The try-out fee is $180 plus the USA Hockey IMR fee if a player has not previously registered (proof required at check-in).

Each participant shall attend 3 ice sessions and 1 pre-skate interview session with the coaching staff. The final ice session shall be by coaches’ invitation. Those participants not invited may opt to apply for a second camp if they believe they can improve their game by reporting in better shape or readiness for competition. All players shall receive an exit or intake interview.

Try-out fees are non-refundable as all spots are reserved. If your spot can be filled with another participant, requiring a minimum of 1 weeks notice, a refund may be made at the discretion of the Crusader Hockey Program.