Volunteer as a Coach
Our WHYHA volunteers and coaches are carefully selected to align with our program philosophy and goals which are to create a fun and positive environment that will leave a lasting impression on our youth hockey players. Our coaches are the cornerstone of our program. Aside from their hockey expertise, they are the drivers of development and growth for our players – on and off the ice. They're instrumental in advancing our players to their next level and creating a positive culture that creates lasting memories. We endorse USA Hockey’s American Development Model that prioritizes development and fun over the scoreboard.
Interested in joining as a volunteer and coaching a team?
USA Hockey Coaching Requirements
USA HOCKEY COACHING REGISTRATION
All ice hockey coaches as well as instructors of USA Hockey programs shall be registered annually as individual Participants of USA Hockey for the current season (before the start of the season) in order to be eligible to coach/instruct in any regular-season activities (practices, clinics, games, tournaments, try-outs, etc.), state, district, regional playoff, national championships or in the USA Hockey Player Development Programs. There will be an annual fee to register the coaches (head and assistants) and instructors. Coaches who also play on a USA Hockey registered team are required to pay this registration fee only once per year.
Below are instructions on how to register and complete the required training.
- Obtain a USA Hockey Registration number: https://membership.usahockey.com/register/age (this registration must be renewed each year; cost for 2023-2024 season is $61 + local CT Affiliate fee)
- Register as a Coach Volunteer
- Use the same Crossbar login information you use when signing up your child for each hockey season; you will need your USA Hockey Registration number to complete this volunteer application
- Complete/Pass the bi-annual (i.e., every other year) Background Screening requirement: https://www.usahockey.com/backgroundscreen
- Create an account on USA Hockey (this will be your ‘Coach profile account’ and is used for completing Safe Sport training and Age Specific Training Module): https://courses.usahockey.com/public/
- Complete online Safe Sport Training (this is a bi-annual requirement): https://www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining
- Complete online USA Hockey Age Specific Training Module for the age group that you are coaching: https://www.usahockey.com/agespecificmodules
- Enroll and attend by December 31st (most are available virtually) USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP) Clinic: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics
USA HOCKEY COACHING EDUCATION PROGRAM PROGRESSION
Continuing Education (CE) Re-Certifications
- Continuing education credits will expire after three years for all Level 4 coaches
- Continuing education credits will expire after four years for all Level 5 coaches
- Continuing education hours will not be permitted to accumulate "bank" toward recertification until after a coach receives his/her Level 4 certification
Evidence of Level
It is the responsibility of the local association to identify those coaches who do not meet the certification requirements. All coaches have until December 31 of the current season, or earlier date as established by the district and/or affiliate, to attend a USA Hockey coaching clinic. All coaches must complete the online age-specific modules PRIOR to participating with their team.
Prior to the start of all games throughout the season all coaches are required to indicate their current certification status on the scoresheet, regardless of their certification level. All coaches (except for juniors) must legibly print their USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP) card.
Beginning January 1 of the current season, prior to the start of each game, all coaches present are required to sign the designated area of the scoresheet in order to verify the accuracy of the playing roster, as it appears on the scoresheet, for that game.
Penalty and Enforcement
Any coach not in possession of these certification requirements will be ineligible to coach for the remainder of the season. Districts and/or affiliates are required to uphold this penalty. It will be the responsibility of the local association registering the team to enforce the national penalty.