To the Members of our Michigan Hockey Community:

The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) hopes everyone is enjoying their summer! The new Fall hockey season is quickly approaching, and we are optimistic that our return to the rink, in all areas of the state, will take place sooner than later. The MAHA will start the Fall season as soon as its legally possible.

While we may experience stops, starts, and changes in regular operation to comply with local, state, and national directives, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) must prioritize the safety and well-being of its members while participating in our programs. We will continue to monitor changes throughout the season, make adjustments and provide relevant updates to our membership as new information becomes available. In addition, we have already started the planning process for many MAHA-sanctioned events, including State Playoffs, along with contingency plans for holding those events with minimal disruption.

As of this writing, the majority of the state of Michigan remains in Phase 4 of Governor Whitmer’s Michigan Safe Start Plan. Per the Governor’s orders, rinks are not permitted to open for business in regions of the state (as outlined by the Michigan Economic Recovery Council map) that are in Phase 4. Furthermore, hockey activities and sanctioned events remain suspended by the MAHA in all regions currently in Phase 4. The suspension of these activities was taken pursuant to guidance from USA Hockey, as well as in conformity with the legal directives of the State and local authorities. (It should be noted that Regions 6 & 8 have advanced to Phase 5, allowing their rinks to re-open and hockey activity to resume)

In alignment with the June 2020 released  MAHA ‘Return to the Game’ plan, our Early Player Agreement Policy allows for team formation through player commitments without an on-ice tryout. As we await further direction on an advancement to Phase 5 of the Michigan Safe Start Plan, teams that have assembled are encouraged to utilize outdoor off-ice / dryland training as a means of resuming physical activity. Coaches should adhere to best practices, as it pertains to social distancing and personal hygiene. This includes, but may not be limited to, the following conditions:

• Participants should maintain 6 ft of social distance during all drills
• Individual skills focus
• Participants should wear masks between drills (not required during physical activity)
• Participants should bring their own water bottle (no shared team sets)
• Participants should bring their own hand sanitizer
• Equipment shared by multiple participants should be cleaned and disinfected frequently

We encourage coaches to refer to the page 7 of the MAHA ‘Return to the Game’ Plan for additional links and resources on off-ice / dryland training.

Despite efforts to communicate these guidelines and restrictions to our membership, the MAHA Executive Board has been made aware that some participants, programs, and/or rinks have chosen to disregard the mandated suspension of hockey activity in Michigan. Specifically, these reports include, but are not limited to:

• Rinks re-opening prematurely (while still in Phase 4 of the Safe Start Plan)
• Teams participating in on-ice practices
• Coaches attempting to hold private on-ice tryouts
•  Non-rostered teams participating in unsanctioned events

It must be noted that anyone who elects to participate in unsanctioned activities, such as these, also violate the legal directives of the State of Michigan and local government authorities. In addition, the unintended consequences of this may include placing USA Hockey insurance coverage at risk, as participants may be acting with gross or intentional negligence. Those involved are placing themselves at risk for substantial liability, as well as potential exposure to COVID-19, without the benefit of USA Hockey-provided insurance. The MAHA implores its Associations, coaches and leadership to proactively discourage these unsanctioned activities in order to encourage a safe return to the rink, once permitted to do so.

Furthermore, it must also be noted that pursuant to USA Hockey mandates, Associations that knowingly allow for unsanctioned activities, such as the above, will be subject to a disciplinary hearing held before the MAHA Board of Directors.

As previously indicated, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) has committed to providing regular updates to its membership, as we continue to navigate the disruption in activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the MAHA will continue to provide clarification on the temporary restrictions and policies, imposed upon our regular hockey activity, as information becomes available. We continue to thank our membership for its ongoing patience and support, during this unprecedented time.

We look forward to seeing you at the rink very soon!

Sincerely,

 George Atkinson, President

Michigan Amateur Hockey Association

Jason Reynolds, Director of Operations & Marketing

Michigan Amateur Hockey Association

All players interested in attending travel tryouts for any of the Griffins travel teams please use the link to register.  Pre-registration is required.  We are not allowed to collect money or handle tryout jerseys or pullovers.  Please make sure you fill out the jersey color and number information.

The schedule for tryouts will be posted as soon as we have the tryout dates provided by MAHA.  At this time the rinks have not been opened by the Governor and MAHA cannot open for tryouts or team events.

https://graha.sportngin.com/register/form/112200540

Please use the link below to register and reserve a spot on any of the house hockey teams and programs for the fall.  Space is limited on some teams so register early!  Use the link below to register.  More information can be found on the HOUSE tab of the web site.

~The girls 12U tier III team registration option is included in the house registration.

Please refer to these final documents for the MAHA return to play and travel early signing policy.

MAHA_Player_Agreement_Policy_2020-

MAHA_Return_to_the_Game_2020-21

Click on the link to see all the MAHA updates and links for information.

                               https://www.maha.org/covid19

          https://www.maha.org/news_article/show/1103167

GRAHA is a 501(c) Non-profit organization that provides ice hockey instruction and league play in the Grand Rapids area. Our program is designed to help young individuals develop as athletes, leaders, and members of the community through a competitive hockey program that emphasizes excellence, commitment, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Our goal is to have every participant, whether it is a coach, player, or parent have the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the game of hockey and still experience the enjoyment the game provides.

To make a tax deductible donation to the GRAHA Scholarship Fund please mail a check to GRAHA PO Box 559 Ada, MI 49301. 

GRAHA will offer the following teams for fall 2020-21. 

SQ A (2011)- Mike LaVallee 

SQ AA (2010)- Aaron Jacobs

PW A (2009)-  Craig Belasco

PW AA (2008)- Brody Brandstatter and Jim Mehney

Bantam A red (2007) Erik Stapleton

 Bantam A black (2007)- John Lapham

Bantam AA (2006)- Nate Baum

Midget A 16U (2004-2005)- Mike Ballard

Girls 12U- Tier III

16U -Tae Otte

19U girls- Matt Albers

19U girls- Michelle VanFleet

Check out the GRAHA programs offered for this coming season.  FUNdamentals, House hockey programs and Travel teams.  GRAHA offers Learn To skate through travel hockey for youth and girls only.

                                                                hockey_framework

                                            GRAHA_Booklet_2019.20

Interested in coaching at GRAHA?  Please fill out an application and return by the deadline. 

COACHING_APPLICATION_2020-21

Final_March_2019_Newsletter

Jan_2019_Newsletter__1_.pdf

Nov_2018_Newsletter

Oct_2018-_Newsletter.pdf

Oct_2017_Newsletter__2_

Nov_2017_Newsletter.pdf

Dec_2017_Newsletter__2_.pdf

Jan_2018_Newsletter__2_.pdf

March_2018-Final-_Newsletter.pdf

GRAHA welcomes Drury Inn as a sponsor. Check out their hotel amenities below.  Please contact Kim the general manager to receive the discounted rate for GRAHA.  dis.gr.171.gm@druryhotels.com

Drury_Inn_Grand_Rapids.pdf

Check the link below for the Amazon Smiles program.  If you are purchasing on Amazon please help GRAHA by using this rebate link.

The GRAHA Board of Directors meetings for the off season will be the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:30PM at Patterson Ice Center.   If changes are made to the meeting date the calendar will be updated!  All members are welcome to attend!