USA Hockey PYH Requirements to Coach
2021-2022 Season
Greetings PYH Coaches:
Welcome back to our returning coaches, and for those who are new, welcome aboard.
As you know, PYH consists of all volunteers, including our coaches. If you plan to coach a team, whether as Head Coach, Assistant Coach, or someone who hops on the ice/bench from time to time, USA Hockey requires you to complete a number of steps before you are eligible. We know this is time consuming, but in order to ensure the best experience for the kids, including their safety, anyone who plans to coach must follow the steps below, none of which are unique to PYH.
Many of our coaches put in the time (and money) to attend courses, get certifications, etc., and it is not fair to them if others do not follow the same rules. Fortunately, coaches who complete all of the requirements may seek reimbursement of their actual costs to get certified by submitting proof of payment to the Treasurer (Treasurer@parkwayyouthhockey.org).
Please note once again all USA Hockey certifications are being done online this season. There has never been an easier time to enroll or update your coaching certification to the next level then now. All usual certification classes are being done via Zoom, saving you a weekend in a class setting.
Note - for those intending to help with Instructional, Town Line or Learn to Skate, the only requirements are to: 1) Register with USA HOCKEY (which will conduct a background check), and 2) Complete Safesport.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Coaching Director and thank you in advance for your willingness to commit the time and energy necessary to become and be a coach. Without our dedicated and hard-working coaches, PYH would not survive.
Coaching@Parkwayyouthhockey.org
USA HOCKEY and PYH Requirements to Coach
First, you must register through USA hockey to get your coaching number. Then, using that number, you must register to coach through the PYH website.
After you register with both USA Hockey and PYH, you must complete the remaining requirements. This information is also available at: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingcertification.
Once you obtain your USA Hockey number and have completed the background check, you MUST register to coach through the PYH website here:
https://www.parkwayyouthhockey.org/program/coaches/25
by creating yourself as a “player” and then registering as either HC or AC (Team Managers are required to register in the same way). This is also the only way to ensure you receive pertinent “coaching” emails throughout the season.
HEAD COACHES
All AC that plan to be on the ice/bench must complete all the coaching requirements before the season begins. To help PYH monitor this, we are asking that Head Coaches submit a list of all coaches they intend to have working with them to the coaching director as soon as possible. You can email this list to: Coaching@Parkwayyouthhockey.org
CEP (Coaching Education Program)
All coaches must complete a live CEP clinic by December 31. If you are coaching Mite or below, your CEP Level 1 is good until you move up to Squirt/U10. Once you move beyond Mite, you will be required to complete Level 2 (yr. 1) and Level 3 (yr. 2). Level 3 is good for 2 years, and can then be renewed 2 times online, before you must attend the live course for Level 4. Many of you may have received an email regarding level 4 coaching clinics (CEP) being offered for next year, but just in case, you can find the info here: (https://www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics).
There are multiple Level 4 training clinics offered online, so if you need to complete Level 4 please sign up soon.
If you are unsure of your CEP level and/or when it expires, you can check using this link: https://cepsearch.usahockey.com/ (this also tells you which age modules you have completed).
Background Checks
As of April 1, 2020 when you register as a coach with USA hockey (https://www.usahockey.com/membership) you will be prompted to enter information for a national “CORI” check, and will also have to enter information for a Massachusetts CORI check (this will be a separate prompt screen, so please make sure you complete both).
SAFESPORT
All Coaches must complete Safesport (https://www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining) BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS - i.e. - September 7, 2021. When completing Safesport, please make sure you complete all sections (I believe there are 3) and receive a Certificate that states you are Safesport Certified.
AGE MODULES
Each age group has an associated age group module. The module for your age group, like Safesport, must be completed before the season starts. (https://www.usahockey.com/agespecificmodules)
SUMMARY
The following helpful summary is provided by USA Hockey:
Steps to Become a USA Hockey Coach.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND COMMITMENT TO PYH!