FAQ

The 2010-11 season at MCSA incorporates lots of great energy, new ideas and positive changes for our association.  In an effort to provide some clarity, we have added this Frequently Asked Questions page.   If you have a question(s) and are unable to locate a satisfactory answer here or elsewhere on this website, please send an e-mail to info@mainecoastskaters.org and we will follow up with you promptly.

LEVELS
What are LEVELS and why are the necessary?

In an effort to improve the development of players and increase their overall enjoyment of the sport of youth ice hockey, we have implemented a Level System.  This system is designed to help coaches, team parents and other volunteers provide an exceptional, high quality experience for your young hockey player.

Level Directors oversee multiple teams and programs, develop practice strategies and are voting members of the Executive Committee (aka Board).  They work directly with the coaching staff at their Level, listening to their needs and providing guidance, strategy and oversight.  This frees up coaches to focus on tasks like designing drills, practice plans, working with individual players and building healthy teams.  By working with other Level Directors, they provide a consistent long term development path that enables the players to get the most out of their commitment of time, energy and money.

	Level I	Level II	Level III	Level IV
Ages:	Birth Years: 2002 and younger	Birth Years: 1998-2001	Birth Years: 1997 and older	All Ages: U12 and U19
Sub-Levels:	Atoms/Mites/All Beginners	Squirts and Peewees	Bantams and Midgets	Girls
Level Director:	Scott Carlson	Rick Bagnall	David Daniello	Maureen Morse

REGISTRATION
How do I register for MCSA Youth Hockey?

• The entire process is available ONLINE this season
• The first step is with USA Hockey and requires payment by Credit Card
• The second step is for our association and requires the USA Hockey Confirmation number received at the end of Step 1
• Pay by Credit Card or Check
• A single payment OR two (2) installments is an option
• Regsitration in person on October 3rd (noon to 4:00 PM) at MRC is an option.
• CLICK HERE to visit our registration webpage

GENERAL QUESTIONS
How do I know which age group my child is in?
Age is assigned by Birth Year (Jan 1st thru December 31st).

Birth Year	Age	Teams
2007	3	Atoms
2006	4	Atoms
2005	5	Atoms
2004	6	Atoms, X-Ice Mites
2003	7	X-Ice Mites, Mites, Girls U12
2002	8	X-Ice Mites, Mites, Girls U12
2001	9	Squirts, Girls U12
2000	10	Squirts, Girls U12
1999	11	PeeWee, Girls U12
1998	12	PeeWee, Girls U12
1997	13	Bantam, Girls U19
1996	14	Bantam, Girls U19
1995	15	Midgets, Girls U19
1994	16	Midgets, Girls U19
1993	17	Midgets, Girls U19
1992	18	Midgets, Girls U19
1991	19	Girls U19

Can my child play outside their age bracket?  No player should try-out at a level outside his/her appropriate age group. Players requesting to try-out at a level outside his/her age group shall follow policy as written in the MCSA Youth Hockey Handbook.

Can my child play on more than one team?  NO.

GIRLS PROGRAM
Are girls required to play on the Girls teams?   NO.  All of MCSA’s programs are CO-ED.   A player must decide which team they are going to play on during the registration period.

LEVEL I  (Ages 8 & Under)
How do I decide what program is best for my child?

• If your child is new to hockey and they are 6 years old or younger, they should start with the Atoms program.
• If your child has participated in the Atoms program and is ready to move up, they should register for X-Ice Mites.
• Tryouts for Travel Mites (extended play) will be in December
• Level I coaches will regularly evaluate individual players and recommend moving to the next program when appropriate
• Contact Us  info@mainecoastskaters.org if you have more questions.  We are happy to help you with your decision

What is X-Ice Mite  (Cross Ice Program)?
Designed to help transition younger and less experienced players from an Atoms (or similar) program to the more advanced Travel Mite level.  Games are played at home on Cross Ice.   They are fast paced games, fewer rules, do not require travel, and are LOTS OF FUN!   Players get plenty of ice time and develop rapidly.

PRE-SEASON

Are there other pre-season clinics scheduled this year?   TBD

TRYOUTS / EVALUATIONS
When are tryouts for the Tier III (Comp B) teams?
Two practice sessions (dates TBD) will be used by the coaches and other qualified personnel to accumulate unbiased information about each player. 

When are teams decided?
The Head Coach will use the inputs, select the Comp B team and contact ALL players who participated in the tryouts to inform them of their decision.  Dates TBD.

FUNDRAISING & RAFFLE
What is the Raffle?
The raffle is a required fundraising commitment for ALL MCSA members (Learn To Play Hockey, Atoms and Midgets are exempt).  It replaces the tournament program advertisement sales obligation we have had in recent years.

What is the Hat Trick Auction?
This is our most profitable fundraising event which is shared with the local high school teams:  Ice Cats and Windjammers.    All MCSA members are required to get invovled.  We all contribute and we all benefit.