Prior to participating in any coaching activities the following steps must be completed.  Please complete at least two weeks prior to any on-ice activities to allow time for the AHYHA to clear each coach. 

Before participating in on-ice activities coaches must:

1. Register as a member of USA Hockey & Minnesota Hockey.  This is required every year.
2. Complete the USA Hockey background screening process.   This is required every two years. If last screened prior to April 1, 2019 a new screening against the USA Hockey National Screening process is required, after which the screening is good for two seasons.
3. Complete USA Hockey SafeSport Training.  If new to SafeSport a full training will be required, after which a refresher will be due for each year after.
4. Complete a concussion training course and save a copy of the course completion certificate.  Heads Up online concussion training offered by the CDC is open to everyone and commonly used to satisfy training requirements.
5. Complete the Minnesota Hockey Coach Concussion Acknowledgement Form.  Sign and scan the form, saving a copy to provide to the AHYHA. (no need to email this form, it will be collected by the association as a part of your AHYHA coaching registration).
6. Complete the USA Hockey online age-specific module(s) for the age level(s) of play you are coaching.   All coaches must complete the age-specific training modules each age group they intend to coach.
7. Complete the AHYHA Coach/Team Representative (Volunteer) registration process.

By December 31st, coaches must register and attend the required USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP) certification clinic. For more information see: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingcertification

Your coaching information is nicely organized on the USA Hockey coaches page:  https://www.usahockey.com/coaches

Minnesota law mandates certain procedures when an athlete is suspected of receiving a concussion.  All coaches must become familiar with the procedures for removing a player from a game or practice and the steps that must be taken before allowing the injured player back on the ice.  Essentially, if a player is suspected of receiving a concussion, the coach must remove him/her from the activity immediately and the player cannot return to action until cleared by a healthcare professional. 

Coaches will receive concussion training in their CEP courses as well as in their coaching Modules.  This training should satisfy the Minnesota law referenced above.  Additional concussion and brain injury information and training is provided on the Center for Disease Control website.:  http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html  

Parents and athletes may take the training as well.