Code of Conduct

1.    Make fun first!

2.    Create an environment that builds (in this order):

• Good people
• Good athletes
• Good hockey players

3.    Show unparalleled respect for:

• The Game
• The Officials
• Ensure all Nashoba players are taught to pick up pucks after the whistle and hand them to the referee
• Every player and coach will shake hands / fist bump and thank all officials post-game
• The Opponent (players, coaches, families)
• Teams should appoint game captains to shake hands/fist bump with referees and opposing coaches during warmups
• The Rinks
• Leave locker rooms cleaner than you found them (within reason)

4.    Play every player as equally as possible

• “Earning” ice time should not be a factor until high school

5.    Coach for long term improvement, not “wins”

6.    Have intelligent in-game interaction with players

• Coach on the bench, not from the bench
• Absolutely no “Joystick Coaching” (ie. “get there!”, “skate!”, “shoot!”, etc.)

7.    Allow players to make mistakes. Room to fail = Room to grow. “Let them play!”

8.    Maximize practice time by using practice plans (Don’t wing it!)

9.    Lastly, but most importantly, walk away from problems/disputes with other adults

• You are an ambassador for NYHA and an example to your players. Your players see everything. Remember that cell phones, cameras and LiveBarn are everywhere.
• Problems are never resolved with anger. Walk away and report problems afterward to a board member. It will not matter who was right or wrong, or who was the aggressor, when 10 seconds of an issue are on the news and/or social media.