CALLING ALL COACHES
Please fill out an application if you are interested in an NJC coaching position for the 2025-26 season.
TEAM COACHES: DO YOU HAVE THE "SECRET SAUCE"?
The Colonials coaching staff is the tasked with developing each player's skill level within an overall team structure. The head coach creates practice plans for both on and off ice training. The coaching staff are expected to establish individual and team guidelines that are communicated to the team manager, players and parents. Good things happen when expectations are understood and teams face the season challenges together!
All coaches, regardless of CEP level, must ensure the following are valid and/or renewed before taking the ice with your team:
- Register as a coach for USAH # each season: USA Hockey Member Registration
- Ensure USA Hockey coaching requirements are complete by deadlines.
- Coaching Certification (usahockey.com)
- SafeSport Training: SafeSport Program Training (usahockey.com)
- Background Screening: Background Screen (usahockey.com)
- Age specific modules: Age-Specific Modules (usahockey.com)
USA Hockey Coaching clinics are offered until the end of December each season to complete their coaching clinic requirement. Numerous clinic dates and times are scheduled throughout each month.
REGISTER FOR CEP CLINIC:
https://www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics
- Most clinics are virtual (online) clinics and you may attend any clinic, hosted by an District/Affiliate across the country.
- Clinics are first come, first serve, and are not guaranteed to have seats available if the class roster is at full capacity.
Make sure you register for the correct clinic level that you need. Click here to look up your certification if you're unsure about which Level coach clinic you need to complete.
- Coaches can only take 1 clinic per season. For example, if you attend a Level 1 in 2024, you must wait until the 2025 season to attend a Level 2 clinic.
- No refunds if you cancel a registration. You may request a transfer to another clinic but no transfers the last 3 weeks of the clinic season (ends December 31st).
EXPIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Coaches with any expired certification will retain their previous certification levels provided the certification can be verified. Coaches may re-enter the certification system at that previous level and be subject to the certification guidelines.
Are you already a Level 4 or 5 Coach? Here are the instructions and options on obtaining Continuing Education credits:
Level 4 coaching certifications are valid for three (3) seasons, and Level 5 coaching certifications are valid for four (4) seasons, each as indicated by an expiration date.
Before the expiration of their level, coaches must accumulate 5 credit hours of continuing education by attending USA Hockey continuing education offerings. The USA Hockey clinic listings will indicate all continuing education offerings and the credit value of each.
- Online CE
- In-Person CE
GOALTENDER CLINICS
Goaltender courses are no longer be applied as a level up for the general Coaching Education Program track. However, these courses can be applied toward continuing education units for Level 4 and 5 coaches. Both Bronze and Silver clinics are worth 5 CE units.
LEVEL 5 SYMPOSIUM
The Level 5 Symposium only counts as 5 credits of continuing education if you are already a Level 5 coach.
If you are a Level 4 coach you will receive your Level 5 and your continuing education timeline will restart. For example, if a coach receives their level 4 in 2023 their expiration date is 2026 to receive 5 credits of continuing education. If that same coach takes the Level 5 in 2024 their new expiration date is 2028 to receive 5 credits of continuing education.
BANKING CREDITS
There is no banking of continuing education credits. Continuing Education is only mandatory for Level 4 and 5 coaches.
Coaches that are not Level 4 or 5 can do continuing education clinics but will not receive any credits. Level 4 and 5 coaches cannot bank any credits over the mandatory 5 credits for the future. No CE offerings can be used to level up in place of clinics.
PRE-SEASON
- Identify and submit preferred tournaments to your Hockey Director by May 15.
- Submit blackout dates to hockey director and scheduler by May 15. Include potential practice day and time conflicts.
- Work with team manager to find non-league opponents.
- Complete all USAH requirements except CEP Clinic by July 20.
IN-SEASON
- Check practice and league schedules for accuracy and updates. Communicate issues with Hockey Director and Master Scheduler (Steph Eick).
- Attend all scheduled practices, dryland and games. Communicate with your Hockey Director for coverage in the event of an unavoidable conflict, injury or illness.
- Track attendance, create and execute practice plans and offer age-appropriate video sessions, when necessary.
- Hold parent meetings at the start and conclusion of the season and as necessary.
- Hold at least one player/parent meeting to provide individual feedback.
GAMES
- Oversee pre-game preparation and post-game review.
- Set a positive example running the bench and with game officials.
- Send injury reports to Director of Hockey Operations (Callie Smith).
EXPENSES
- Submit tournament and overnight travel expenses to Hockey Director for approval.
- Submit for up to $250 for one team party during the season.
INJURY REPORT
Complete an injury report and submit to the Director of Hockey Operations when a player requires medical attention for an injury suffered in a game, practice or off-ice training.
CONCUSSION RETURN TO PLAY
This USA Hockey form must be completed by a medical professional when a player diagnosed with a concussion is cleared to return to the ice. Submit to NJC Director of Hockey Operations.
GAME TEMPLATES
The blank Scoresheet Template is used for AYHL and non-league competitions. A good back-up in case of issues accessing Gamesheets.
Print Roster Stickers for games where paper scoresheets are used.
The Scout Lineup sheet can be printed for scouts, usually 14U+ teams.
Use Coach Cards to reference lineup, special teams and make notes during game play.
- Every team is asked to participate in 1 community service project.
- Spearhead your own project or collaborate with other NJC teams/programs.
- NJC goalies participate in the October Saves Challenge.
- Other ideas include Hockey Fights Cancer, Family Promise, Wishing Well, Hope For The Holidays, Special & Warrior Hockey.
- Be a positive role model! Help them learn and develop as hockey players and people. Foster a love of the game.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help from the club, hockey director and your team manager.