Coaching Application

Welcome Coaches to the 2023-2024 season!

We want to thank all coaches that coached at all levels last year and hope to see you all applying this year. See the new application process below and make sure to get your application in on time.

All applications are due by August 1, 2023.

PLEASE READ CHANGES TO THE 2023-24 APPLICATION PROCESS

WCYHA will be moving to a new process but as always we encourage all WCYHA members that would like to apply for coaching to do so.

The biggest change to the process this year, pertains to coaches at the 10u-14u levels. Applying now puts your name on the list and does not necessarily guarantee you will be selected to be a rostered or skill night coach.

All interested 4u-8u coaches looking to coach should apply, as on-ice help is extremely crucial to development and practice coverage. We prescribe to the “all hands on deck” approach for these levels.

Once all applications have been received, the Director of Hockey and the Coaching Director will confer to identify head coaches and skill night coaches for 10u-14u.

All selected 10u-14u head and skill coaches will then be notified to complete their USA Hockey registration and all other coaching requirements.

Rostered assistant coaches, practice coaches and off-ice coaches will be selected by the head coach after tryouts. Those selected coaches will also be notified to complete their USA Hockey registration and other coaching requirements.

4u-8u coaches can start on their certification requirements right away.

For all coaches selected at the Mini-Mite level and above (Ice and Ice-Lynx); you need to complete the following:

• Register with USA Hockey as a coach (membership.usahockey.com/)
• Complete Safe Sport certification by the start of the season (https://courses.usahockey.com/public)
• The SafeSport Training and Refresher Training are each valid for one season.
• Complete the age appropriate module by the start of the season (usahockey.com/agespecificmodules)
• Complete your background screening by the start of the season (https://courses.usahockey.com/public)
• Screenings are valid for two seasons
• Complete your coaching clinic by 12/31/23 (usahockey.com/coachingclinics)
• Both virtual clinics and in-person clinics are available.

Intro to Hockey, Little Ice/Lynx & Mighty-Mite coaches only need to complete Safe Sport training and the Background Screening.

Coaches at the Mini-Mite and Mite levels may remain at Level 1 (or their current level) as long as that is the only level they are coaching, even if their certification has expired.

Related USA Hockey Links for Coaching requirements:

https://www.usahockey.com/coachingcertification

https://www.usahockey.com/rules

Why did the amount of volunteer hours go down for 8u coaches?

Historically 8u coaches, that were not the 8u lead, did not receive their full hours for coaching and instead it was a partial amount. The hours given for the 22-23 season were done so due to the hours not being spelled out in the coaching application, so more credit was given that in the past. We are moving back to "the norm" for hours awarded.

What happens if I'm not selected as a rostered coach or skills coach, but I'd still like to help out?

We will still need coaches for team practices. This is where practice coaches come into play. Once teams have been selected please reach out to the head coach to inquire about ways you can still help and participate. Our Intro and Try Hockey for Free programs will always need coaches, so there will be plenty of opportunities to help during those sessions.

How do I know if I need to renew my background check or Safesport?

When you login to your USA Hockey account you can find the status of each in your coaching profile.

1. Go to: courses.usahockey.com
2. Click on "My Profile' in the top navigation
3. Click on "Coaching Information' and you should see sections for Safesport and Screening, if they have a green "Verified" then you're all set, otherwise it will have a red "Renew"