• MHL games officially started.

• 8U–16U teams all confirmed for Remembrance Day Tournament; schedules and rosters submitted.

• 8U Minor/Major games refined rotation timing (15–20 minutes).

• 10U games continue to require coaches to bring skates in case referees are unavailable.

• Tri-Cities 12U Rec Tournament confirmed; 10UB attending.

• Thunderbirds Girls Night (Oct 18): Successful event; 10U girls won ticket contest and skated at intermission.

• Sno-King hosting multiple tournament divisions (10U–16U) with out-of-state teams (AZ, AK, Vegas, Red Hawks, Kraken).

• State Camp announced for Dec. 19–21 in Snoqualmie (2013 birth year and older).

Coaching & Development

• Dryland Program fully deployed at all rinks — encouraged for practices and warm-ups.

• Picture Days: Nov. 2 and Dec. 7 scheduled; all teams to register.

• Planning underway for Spring Hockey 2026; ice availability to be released mid-November.

• Monthly “Chalk Talks” introduced for girls’ program (PWHL players, referees, nutrition, mental skills).

Program & Events

• IIHF Girls Hockey Weekend: Player highlights shared on social media; strong participation across age groups.

• PWHL Engagement:

  • First Chalk Talk led by PWHL representatives.

  • Home opener Nov. 28: Sno-King organizing ~200 group tickets.

  • Vancouver away game Nov. 21: group outing organized by Jeff H.

• Fall into Giving fundraiser: Ended Oct. 31 raising over $70K.

  • 14/16U girls ranked #1 overall; 10U girls teams also among top fundraisers.

• Elevate skate services moving out of rinks; G Force taking over Renton space.

• Sportsmanship reminder issued after multiple incidents; emphasis on respectful parent and coach behavior.

The Board approved ice-plant replacement project at Renton, addressing long-term compressor reliability and efficiency.

10/20 (Regular Board Meeting):

Administrative updates included post-AGM document reviews and signing conflict-of-interest forms by members of the board. New business covered:

• A Memorandum of Understanding with Star Academy for Renton ice use.

• Exploring Kraken ticket giveaways for members.

• Reviewing pro shop operations, including a proposals to provide equipment and sharpening services at SKAHA rinks.

• Transitioning to EVOLVE HR for staff management and onboarding a new auditing firm for future fiscal years.

Programs and Development

• Hosting: Sno-King was selected to host the PNAHA Tier II State Tournament in Snoqualmie (Feb 26 – Mar 1), featuring 15 teams across 3 age groups.

• An Adult Try Hockey Free event was held in Renton.

• Girls Program: Under Marah Wagner’s leadership, the program continues to grow. Tier I girls were invited to the Kraken home opener, and the new Stick Sisters buddy program launched with 90 participants pairing older and younger players.

• Events: Planning is underway for the PNAHA Girls Development Camp in Snoqualmie (Dec 19–21).

• Excellent turnout for the first All-Girls Skills sessions.

• Goalie Clinics launched Sept. 14 in Renton with designated ice times by age group.

• Skills and goalie coaches now attending practices weekly.

• Dryland training gear delivered to all rinks; workout plans being finalized.

• Marah Wagner joined and began attending practices across rinks!

• Coaches reminded to submit jersey orders to Melissa T. and verify player names/sizes.

Games & Tournaments

• Pre-season and interleague games underway for 10U.

• MHL schedule discussed, with release planned late September.

• Remembrance Day Tournament (Nov 8–10) registration opened — 8U, 10UC, 10UB accepted; 12U and 14/16U waitlisted.

• Tri-Cities 12U/14/16U matchups and Tier 1 games scheduled at Snoqualmie and Kirkland.

• Sno-King invested in external advertising for recreational tournaments (USA Hockey Magazine, digital ads, and social media).

• Winthrop tournament confirmed for 12U girls; travel limited to 250 miles for rec teams.

Events & Program Updates

• Try Hockey Free Day: Sept. 13 in Kirkland.

• Ice Cream Social: Sept. 21 in Snoqualmie, coinciding with 16U T1 home game.

• Stick Sisters program launched and open for signups.

• Thunderbirds Girls Night: Announced for Oct. 18, with team ticket sales competition for intermission skate.

• Board elections held Sept. 22 in Snoqualmie, several Girls Program members nominated.

• Managers meetings: Sept. 15 (Select) and Sept. 24 (Rec).

• TeamLink introduced for digital game scoring.

• Coaches added to Sprocket; compliance and certifications tracked.

Programs and Operations

The new season officially began with 65 teams across all divisions:

• Coaches completed training sessions and were reminded of USA Hockey requirements (SafeSport, background checks, and online modules).

• The Rookies (Learn to Play) program successfully advanced 67 players from R2 to R3, while 22 chose to stay for additional practice time.

• The Recreation program finalized rosters and launched a new coach-led dryland program to supplement on-ice development.

• The Tier I Girls program began its season following a strong pre-season camp.

Marketing, Fundraising, and Partnerships

• The Fall Fundraising campaign was prepared for launch, built around team-based peer-to-peer donations.

• The Girls teams participated in an Intermission Skate with the Seattle Kraken on September 29, while the Jr. Thunderbirds night sold over 500 tickets.

• SKAHA also began interviews for a new Marketing Manager to lead communication and sponsorship efforts.

Facilities

• Renton: A new sound system was installed, and minor buzzing issues are being fixed.

• Snoqualmie: The upstairs Goodman Room remodel was completed and looks great.

• Kirkland: Repairs were finished on the chiller, snow pit, and HVAC. Plans are in progress to replace the broken Zamboni garage door with a sliding barn-style setup.

• Game 1: Sat, 11/8 @12:30pm

• Game 2: Sun, 11/9 @12:00pm

• Game 3: Mon, 11/10 @1:45pm

Location & Directions

Rink:
Scotia Barn Sports Complex, Burnaby, BC

Hotel:
Most of the team will be at Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, (10mins drive to the rink)

Roster

Major team

1. Abby K

2. Aviana M

3. Chloe B

4. Emma Z

5. Maya W

6. Myla B

7. Piper J

8. Stella S

9. Theresa K

Minor team

1. Alice I

2. Autumn H

3. Evie W

4. Kate O

5. Kynthia N

6. Mira R

7. Melissa S

8. Millie F

9. Salma N

10. Sol P

11. Valentina F

Goalies

Major team (wip):

• Game 1: Stella, Theresa

• Game 2: Emma, Myla

• Game 3: Piper, Maya

Gear

1. Helmets - no stickers other than: Name tag, Seattle logo on sides, American flag and jersey number on the back

2. Game jerseys and socks (silver)

   1. Game jerseys for no purple players will be provided at the game

3. Neck guards!

• ✅ Vote for Milan to help improve our organization and ensure your voice is heard at SKAHA

• 🗓️ Attend the Annual Meeting on Monday, Sept 22 at 7:00 PM Snoqualmie Ice Arena and vote during the meeting, or

• ✉️ Email Jeff Sweeney (Jeff.Sweeney@snokinghockey.com) now to request an absentee ballot (a template is at the bottom of this email) and voting instructions.

• ⏰ Deadline: The Board Secretary (Jeff), or a designee must receive your absentee ballot by Sept 22 at 7:00 PM

How to vote

The election will take place on Monday, September 22 at the SKAHA Annual Meeting. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM and will be held at the Sno-King Ice Arena in Snoqualmie.

If you cannot attend and vote in person, you can vote by absentee ballot. Email the Board Secretary, Jeff Sweeney (Jeff.Sweeney@snokinghockey.com), to request an absentee ballot. He will reply with the official instructions. Absentee ballots must be received by the Board Secretary, or a designee, before 7:00 PM on September 22 to be counted.

More details available on SnoKing’s website.

A little about me

Many of you know me from the rink. I live in Snoqualmie with my wife and our two daughters, Stella (8) and Melissa (6). I’ve been part of the Sno-King community for years, playing in the adult league since 2018, and more recently coaching. Over the past two seasons I’ve had the joy of leading the 8U Golden Bumblebees, Spring Selects, and now the Snoqualmie 8U Majors girls’ team. I also serve as coordinator for all four of our 8U Girls teams. Like many of you, I’m a hockey parent who spends five days a week at the rink, tying skates, cheering in the stands, and adjusting family schedules around practices and games. I also see firsthand how important it is for our players, parents, coaches, and volunteers to feel supported.

Professionally, I have worked in big tech for more than 15 years, focusing on security, safety, and privacy. I am currently a Principal Technical Program Manager at Meta, where I specialize in building processes, improving communication, and helping large groups work together effectively. I specialize in planning, budgeting, and scaling efforts that grow initiatives from zero to a scale impacting millions (while keeping teams aligned and productive). These skills translate directly to the challenges Sno-King faces today and in the future.

We all share the same passion for hockey and the same desire to see Sno-King thrive. As our community grows, so do the challenges. I’ve seen firsthand, especially through our 8U Girls program, how much we can achieve when we work together. I believe I can bring your voices forward, help surface the issues we face, and most importantly start solving them not just from the bleachers behind the glass, but also from the top down.

My Goals

If elected, I will listen, lean on your feedback, and focus on five key areas that I believe matter most to families and to the long-term success of Sno-King:

1. Communication & Transparency

• Provide earlier, clearer, and more consistent updates to parents and volunteers.

• Ensure families know what to expect this season, next season, and in the years ahead.

• Build trust through open, transparent decision-making that shows families they are getting the most from their commitment to the program.

2. Development Pathways for Players & Families

• Help parents understand youth hockey at every stage, from new skaters to competitive programs.

• Provide resources to set realistic expectations and celebrate progress, whether the goal is fun, skill-building, or higher-level hockey.

• Support all families in making the best choices while balancing the needs of recreational and competitive programs so every player feels valued.

3. Girls’ Hockey Growth & Retention

• Expand opportunities for girls while recognizing the unique challenges they face.

• Make hockey more attractive and fun so everyone can stay engaged for the long term.

• Invest in programs, mentorship, and visibility that keep girls active as players, referees, and coaches.

4. Future Opportunities Beyond Playing

• Create clear pathways for players, coaches, and game officials.

• Offer mentorship and guidance for athletes pursuing hockey at higher levels, including college.

• Highlight role models and success stories that show hockey can be a lifelong passion in many forms.

5. Financial Stewardship & Long-Term Growth

• Explore modern opportunities for financing, budgeting, and efficiency.

• Address challenges we already see: limited ice time, onboarding new athletes, and waiting lists.

• Use my professional background in scaling organizations to help Sno-King expand responsibly in the years ahead.

Sno-King is more than a hockey association. It is a community where kids learn life skills, parents build friendships, and volunteers give their time to make hockey possible. My family has benefited greatly from this community, and I would be honored to give back by serving on the Board of Directors.

Thank you for your support. I hope to earn your vote on September 22nd.

See you at the rink,
Coach Milan

My daughters, Stella (left) and Melissa (right), with my niece Olivia (middle) at our family’s Learn to Skate session to recruit more girls to play hockey :)

Absentee Ballot Request Email Template (copy & paste):

To: Jeff.Sweeney@snokinghockey.com
Subject: Request for Absentee Ballot – SKAHA Annual Meeting

Hi Jeff,

I am a member of the Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association and would like to request an absentee ballot for the Annual Meeting on September 22nd. Could you please send me the official instructions and ballot?

Thank you,
[Your Full Name]

• Start cheap: borrow, rent, or buy used gear; a starter kit plus extras runs $300–$400, while full new gear starts at $500.

• Prioritize helmets and skates for safety and comfort; everything else can be budget-friendly or secondhand.

• Kids grow fast. Don’t stress about matching brands, use swaps/hand-me-downs, and save your budget for upgrades later.

Now let’s get to the details

Before you start shopping, check with your local hockey association. Most offer rental gear for free or at a very low cost, which is perfect for beginners. You can also look for used equipment from other families, or visit pro shops at the rink (such as Elevate Sporting). Kids grow fast, so there’s usually a steady supply of hand-me-downs available.

If that’s not an option, or if you’d prefer gear that doesn’t already smell like someone else’s hockey bag, you can start with a youth hockey equipment starter kit. These kits include most of the protective gear in one box. Popular options include:

• Bauer Vapor Xtend Youth Hockey Starter Kit

• TronX Youth Player Ice Hockey Equipment Starter Kit

• Sher-Wood Playrite Basic Youth Hockey Kit

Starter kits run anywhere from $125–$250 depending on the brand. Keep in mind you’ll still need to buy some essentials separately (helmet, skates, stick, etc.).

Here’s what every player needs and I am adding here the cheapest gear I would buy while making sure I don’t sacrifice the safety of my child:

• Helmet with cage/face mask $50 - $150

  • Bauer Prodigy Hockey Helmet Combo ($59.99 at Pure Hockey).

  • The helmet is the single most important piece of safety equipment. Always prioritize fit and certification over brand.

• Skates $80–$200 (used skates are a great option, kids outgrow them quickly)

  • Bauer Vapor X4 Ice Hockey Skates ($89.99 at Pure Hockey)

  • These are heat-moldable, which makes break-in easier and ensures a better fit. Used skates are also a great option since kids outgrow them quickly.

• Stick $40–$100 (starter sticks are lighter and designed for kids)

  • Beginner tip: Start with a straight wooden stick (e.g., Sherwood, $23). After 10 practices, observe which side your child prefers before buying a curved stick.

  • Budget composite option: Bauer Vapor Grip Composite Stick ($52.49, Pure Hockey).

  • I will make a post about how to buy and customize sticks separately, but if you don’t want to think about it, you can't go wrong with the P28Y curve and 20 flex.

• Gloves $30–$70

  • Bauer S24 Bauer X Youth Hockey Gloves - Youth ($44.99 at Pure Hockey)

• Shoulder pads $40–$80

  • Start with these

    • Bauer X Hockey Shoulder Pads Youth ($36.99 at Pure Hockey)

  • Later you can upgrade to something like this

    • Bauer Supreme Mach Hockey Shoulder Pads - Youth ($79.99 at Pure Hockey)

• Elbow pads $20–$50

  • For smaller kids: Bauer X Hockey Elbow Pads - Youth ($26.99)

  • For larger/taller kids (due the additional strap above the elbow): Bauer Supreme MACH Hockey Elbow Pads - Youth ($49.99)

• Shin guards $30–$70

  • Bauer X Youth Hockey Shin Guards - 2024 Model $29.99

• Hockey pants $40–$80

  • Bauer X Ice Hockey Pants - Youth ($29.97 at Pure Hockey) - these are great to start, whoever for starters I would recommend adding some protective pads underneath that are easy to find on Amazon. It is very painful to fall on the tailbone.

• Neck guard $15–$25 (required in USA hockey for all ages!)

  • Bauer Premium Neckguard Collar - Youth ($29.99 at Pure Hockey) this is probably the cheapest on the market. And I don't expect this to be a miracle. I carry a spare one in my coaching bag in case somebody forgets one, but I bought both of my daughters a top baselayer shirt with a built in neck guard:

    • Bauer Neckprotect Long Sleeve Baselayer Top - Youth $89.99

    • Warroad Tilo Pro Neck & Wrist Top - Youth $129.99

• Jock/jill with cup/pelvic protector $25–$60

  • Jocks for boy, you can go with shorts or long pants

  • Gills for girls Shock Doctor Women's Girl's Loose Hockey Short for $23

• Mouthguard $10–$20

  • Not needed under 12 years old, but recommended, there are good deals on amazon

• Hockey socks (the fabric ones that go over shin guards) $10–$20

• Practice jersey $15–$30

• Bag $40–$80

  • Go with the cheapest bag you can find, don’t bother with wheeled bags, you will be the one carrying it anyways.

  • Bauer S24 Core Carry Bag - Youth $49.99

  • If you don't care about the budget and want to get something with good access and visibility (bags that don't have black interior) I am happy with Pacific Rink bags.

Remember the fit matters more than the brand (or price). This is especially important with helmets and skates.

On top of that, don’t forget the small but constant extras: hockey tape, laces, and water bottles.

What It All Adds Up To

• Used gear route: $150–$250 total if you shop smart.

• New starter kit + extras: Around $300–$400.

• All new, piece by piece: $500+ (easy to spend much more if you buy top brands).
  

Final Tips for Parents

• Invest in a good helmet and good skates. These two make the biggest difference in safety and comfort.

• Don’t stress about everything matching or being brand new, kids grow out of gear every season or two.

• Ask other parents or your coach about swaps, Facebook groups, or used gear sales. Most hockey families are happy to pass things along.

Starting hockey can feel overwhelming (and expensive), but it doesn’t have to break the bank. With some smart shopping, your child can hit the ice safely and comfortably, and you’ll still have money left for those all-important post-practice hot chocolates.

Our friends at Sno-King are working hard to finalize all the details to get us started. In the meantime, I’d like to share some basics based on last season’s experience and recent meetings with Sno-King staff. Please keep in mind that some details (schedules, personnel, etc.) may still change at the last minute.

Teams

I’m very excited that we will have four 8U girls teams this season!

• 1 Major Girls team (Snoqualmie)

• 3 Minor Girls teams (Snoqualmie, Renton, and Kirkland)

Our head coaching volunteers are:

1. Major Snoqualmie - Milan

2. Minor Snoqualmie - Chris

3. Minor Kirkland - Mike

4. Minor Renton - Kyle

Each head coach will manage their roster and will be reaching out in the next few days. Expect to be asked for details like jersey numbers and sizes, volunteer sign-ups for team manager roles, locker room music, or even the goalie spot for the first week!

For new families: each team will be assigned its own color and can come up with a team name. For example, last year my daughter’s team was the Golden Bumblebees. It sounded cute, but they knew how to sting (and stink)!

Communication

This week Sno-King admins will set up communication channels and teams in the Sprocket App. Each player will be added to their team, and we’ll also have an 8U All Girls channel. Most updates will come through Sprocket once it’s ready.

I ask all parents and volunteers to use Sprocket regularly to mark your (and your athlete’s) availability for practices and games. This is very important for coaches to create effective weekly practice plans.

Practices

This is probably the most common question, I asked it a few times myself! The final schedule is not yet confirmed (nor published), but here’s what I’ve heard (please don’t hold me to it):

1. Snoqualmie - Monday and Friday

2. Kirkland - Monday and Thursday

3. Renton - Monday and Tuesday

Regular practices are scheduled to begin September 2nd and they usually start at 5-5:30pm.

Jerseys

If we follow last year’s model, athletes will receive practice jerseys and socks at the first practice. Practice jerseys will have random numbers and may all be the same size. Game jerseys and socks should be ready after a few weeks. These will be personalized with players’ names and numbers, and in the sizes chosen during sign-ups (coaches will share a spreadsheet soon to confirm this information).

Skills dedicated sessions

Sno-King plans to provide optional skills sessions again this season. They were very beneficial last year, and I’m grateful they’ll be offered again. While not officially confirmed, it might look like this:

• 8U/10U All-Girls skills session – Wednesdays at 5pm in Snoqualmie

• Goalie clinics – Sundays in Renton (time TBC)

• Possible skills session in Kirkland (day/time TBC)

More details will be shared as soon as they’re finalized.

Games

The Major team will play in the Girls Division of the Metropolitan Hockey League (MHL). This is the third year for a girls division, and it’s been very competitive. We’ll face teams from Tacoma, Kraken, and Seattle Jr. (Red Hawks), with possible coed games as well. Playoffs will take place at the end of the season. Games are expected to start in late September or early October.

Minor teams will alternate between House League and MHL games. Some say the split will be 50/50, others 75/25.

From last year’s House League experience games were usually Saturdays in Kirkland at 2pm, with occasional games in Snoqualmie at 8am. Each “game” is actually three 20-minute mini-games. Six teams (a mix of girls and goad teams) play at once, with the ice divided into three cross-ice sections. Teams change shifts every 90 seconds, controlled by a central clock/horn (managed weekly by a volunteer from a rotating team).

Tournaments

Tournaments are one of my favorite parts of hockey, they’re such fun weekends for the girls both on and off the ice! This season, we’ll be looking at:

• Remembrance Day. Burnaby, BC. November 7-9 (all girls)

• Great Outdoor Classic. Winthrop, WA. January 9 - 11 (coed)

• Voyagers Cup, Seattle, WA. January 18-20 (all girls)

• 8U SnoKing Jamboree, Snoqualmie. March 7-8 (coed)

• Tricities Female Ice Classic, Coquitlam, BC. Mar 14-16 (all girls)

• Richmond Ice Classic, Richmond, BC. March 27^th - 29^th (all girls)

Tournaments may be added or adjusted depending on opportunities and family interest.

For many of the tournaments up in Canada we will be mixing the teams. Combining teams allows for more players to attend and gives us enough players on the bench. All tournaments are optional! We'll share more information as the registration for these tournaments opens. Please watch out for tournament sign up sheets from coaches soon.

Accommodation during tournaments

As we will be registering for tournaments, Sno-King staff and our team managers will share details about recommended hotels to ensure we get the best rates and stay as close to the venues as possible. Many more details will be shared as we get further into the season.

Thanks for hanging in there with me and as soon as we have more information this week we will set up a meeting via Teams to go over details for the season. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.

Coach Milan