To all of the Coaches, Team Managers, Parents, Officials, and of course, the Players:
Welcome to the 2009-2010 NEMHL playoffs (schedule hyperlinked). This has been an exciting year of Midget Hockey and we look forward to an exciting end to our 12th season. Congratulations to the remaining founding member teams, the Griffin Flames and the Saratoga Blue Knights, on their 12th season in the NEMHL. Thanks to all of our volunteers, several who have no children in the League, who have embraced the ideals of the League. Without them, we could not have evolved as we have, celebrating the season with our League awards banquet, offering scholarships, All-Star skills challenge, and banners for championship teams.
As you enjoy the games this weekend, please take time to thank a few of the individuals I will personally thank here. Maria Morris, Director of Hockey Operations, is a highly skilled, compassionate individual who has devoted nearly all of her spare time during the season to the League. Joan and John Maxam are pillars of our league who accomplish many events behind the scene without recognition. Thanks to Dave Goyer for taking on the chore of game scheduling this year, working tirelessly to orchestrate our season. Linda Smith, our Chief Financial Officer is primarily responsible for the success of the Awards Banquet, and the financial responsibility of our league. John Mishoe manages the decisions on which players are best qualified to receive the NEMHL scholarships. Ray Schmitz is Director of Business Development, finding fund raising opportunities for our league. And finally thanks to our newest directors, Joe Moffre and Mark Mansour. Again, please take a minute to thank these individuals who are dedicated to providing a venue of sportsmanship, fun, and development for all.
We should also recognize the efforts of the coaches, managers, and parents who volunteer throughout the season for the day to day and game to game duties that make a youth hockey season a success. It is easy to neglect the contribution by those who keep score and run the clock, and often miss much of the game due to the demands of these tasks. Thanks to the dedication of all the coaches who work every day to improve their teams, develop their players, and advance life’s ideals from the game. Managers are the lifeblood of every team. Without their efforts, teams would be in chaos. Please take a moment and thank all of your team volunteers for their dedication to your player’s sport.
Finally, please make a point of thanking our League President and Commissioner, Dave Luke. As the founder of the NEMHL, he and his family are truly the champions of the League. This League would not exist without Dave’s leadership. He is one of the few involved with the League who knows what Midget Hockey was like in NY and NE before the League. Players without a high school or junior option, had to spend the last 4 years of their youth hockey experience in what could only be described as totally disorganized bedlam, if they had any team to play for at all. The NEMHL has provided these players with a structured, meaningful end to their youth hockey days, and helped to grow Midget Hockey in our region. It has served as a model for other midget leagues which have formed in recent years. Thank you Dave, for all you have done and all you continue to do for each and every player who has participated in the League.
Please enjoy this weekend as it is truly a celebration of our teams’ accomplishments throughout the 2009-2010 season. Feel free to reach out to me anytime during the weekend.
Sincerely,
Scott Springli
Vice-President and Director of NEMHL Playoffs
|
League News
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
