The EHMHA values player development over individual game results. We want our players to look back at their time spent with EHMHA with fond memories. Players play for fun and they would rather get equal and fair ice time on a losing team than sit on the bench of a winning one.
It is impossible for all players to receive the exact same number of shifts or minutes of play time in a single game. Many times the shift length depends on whistles or what end the puck is in.
Equal Ice Time means that, on average, all players in the same general position will be on the ice the same amount of time.
Fair Ice Time recognizes that game situations present opportunities for coaches to ice specific lines; for example, power play or penalty kill. Fair Ice Time means that over a season coaches will afford all players the opportunity to play in these situations.
As a coach, you have the responsibility to encourage players to be the best they can be, and provide equal opportunities for them to develop self-esteem and sport skills. When you play your talented athletes more often, you make other players feel less important and deny them the chance to improve their skills.
Additional guidance for Representative Coaches is provided in the Rep Ice Time Guidelines.
As a parent, you have the responsibility to understand the challenges of equal and fair ice time and speak up if you feel it is abused. Give our coaches some latitude and consider your position over at least 3 games. Please don’t bring your stopwatch to the game.
This Policy assumes that all players are eligible to play in every game. Any review of player ice time, formal or informal, should average playing time over two or three games and must take into account penalties, injuries, suspensions and absences.
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