Bob Halkidis

20 Years of Professional Hockey Experience

• 1984 - First Team All-Star OHL

• 1984 - Max Kaminsky OHL Top Defenseman

• 1987 - Calder Cup AHL Championship (Rochester Americans)

• 1997 - Turner Cup IHL Championship (Utah Grizzlies)

• 1998 - Finland  Elite Championship

• 2007 - Hockey Consultant

Minor Hockey

• Toronto Young Nationals

• Toronto Marlboros

Junior Hockey

• London Knights

NHL

• Buffalo Sabres

• Los Angeles Kings

• Toronto Maple Leafs

• Detroit Red Wings

• Tampa Bay Lightning

• New York Islanders

EUROPE

• Finland

• Germany

• Russia

• England

EQUIPMENT

• Proper equipment is important in order to prevent injuries.

• Sizing is important – don’t buy equipment that is too big in order to make it “last” – buy equipment that fits correctly.

• Equipment doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Comparison shop. Buy gently used equipment and participate in equipment swaps when available. Players like gently used equipment that has already been broken in.

• Once players reach peewee where checking is a part of the game, helmets, shoulder pads and shin guards are extremely important. Protect the head and the knees!

• Helmet Cage: $75 - $100

• Mouthpiece: $3

• Game Jersey: $25 - $125

• Shoulder Pads: $40 - $150

• Elbow Pads: $30 - $100

• Gloves: $40 - $150

• Jock-Shorts: $25 - $50

• Pants: $40 - $150

• Shin Pads: $30 - $100

• Socks: $10

• Skates: $70 - $500

• Sticks: $20 - $200

• Tape: $3

• Hockey Bag: $25 - $100

HEALTH & NUTRITION

• Teaching your child good nutritional habits will help their game. This isn’t easy with travel hockey because fast food places are so convenient. Help your child make good choices even at fast food restaurants.

• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep before practices and games. Setting a team curfew when you’re on the road will help with this.

• Don’t pressure your child to exercise or work out, but praise them when they do. This level of self-discipline usually comes at the bantam level. Pushing too hard too soon could cause your child to be “turned off” to the game. Remember, hockey is supposed to be fun!

DISCIPLINE

• Discuss the USA Hockey rules that your child signs at the beginning of the season. Make sure that they understand the rules, and understand that they will be expected to obey them.

• You absolutely must support the coach when your child needs to be disciplined. Even if you personally disagree, your child needs to see that you are supporting the coach. Do not let your child know that you disagree, or you are undermining the coach’s authority and jeopardizing the whole team.

• If you want to discuss disciplinary actions with the coach, always make sure to do that when players are not around.

• Parents are expected to discipline their children for unacceptable behavior. Don’t expect the coach to do it all. The coach needs to focus on the team as a whole, not the discipline of each individual child.

HOCKEY "CAREER"

• Youth hockey starts at the house league level. This is the time to determine if your child enjoys the sport.

• This is also the time when you can expect equal playing time to a certain degree. House league is meant to develop the player and teach the fundamental skills and rules of the game.

• House Select is the next step. This level is more competitive, but still emphasizes player development over winning.

• Travel hockey is more about winning. Make sure you and your child are ready to accept the fact that some players may get more playing time than your child.

• Playing time is earned by performance at this level.

• You must be willing to accept the coach’s decision on the use of players to win a game.

• If your child is interested in taking hockey to the next level, participate in all USA Hockey select tryouts and camps that start as a rising bantam.

• What to expect at each age group in travel hockey?
  - Mite (8 & under): focus is on core skills (skating, puck control, passing & shooting)
  - Squirt (10 & under): begin to learn team concepts and understand positions
  - Peewee (12 & under): checking begins – play is more physical, begin to incorporate work
    ethic and taking responsibility on & off the ice
  - Bantam (14 & under): this is crunch time, the season is both fun and hard work, players
    need to be dedicated and commit their time, the players are going through puberty and
    have the added interests of peers and social life, team camaraderie is important
  - Midget (18 & under): this level is for the serious athlete, must be willing to sacrifice social
    time and junk food, must be self-disciplined and willing to work hard

• Organized Hockey Options
  - House League (including House Select)
  - Travel (Levels: Recreational B, A, AA, AAA with AAA being the most advanced)
  - Junior A, B, C (with A being the most advanced)
  - Prep School (middle and high school options)
  - College (Division I & III with I being the most advanced)
  - Professional (NHL, AHL, ECHL, Europe, Minor Pro)
  - Adult (Recreational, great exercise, fun, good camaraderie)

• Typical Association Costs (doesn’t include travel expenses)

House: $300 - $500
Travel: $2000 - $4000
Junior: ~$6000
Prep School: $18,000 - $40,000
College: $6000 - $40,000