South St. Paul GirlS’ hockey
A Tradition of Excellence!

Record 4 State Championships
Record 14 State Tournament
Appearances
Overall Record of 465 – 141 - 19
“From time to time little men will come along to find fault with what you have done ….. They will go down the
stream like bubbles, they will vanish; but the work you have done will remain for the ages.”
Theodore Roosevelt
26th President of the United States
South St. Paul GirlS’ hockey
TEAM HANDBOOK


To Be A Champion…
1. Practice like champion.
2. Approach academics like a champion.
3. Behave socially like a champions.
Why I Coach

The reason I coach is to be a positive role model for my
athletes. I want to create a caring, safe, learning
environment where each of my players and all those
involved in our hockey program have the opportunity
to thrive and become the best athlete and person they
can be. I want to demonstrate strong integrity and
character for life that will be clearly evident to my
players and teach them life lessons that will take them
beyond the hockey experience.
South St. Paul GirlS’ hockey

PERSONNEL:

 Head Coach……………………Dave Palmquist – [email protected]
Cell – 952-220-6129
 Assistant Coach……………….. Joshua Palmquist 651-600-3539 [email protected]
Corey McGinn 612-275-2433 [email protected]
 Junior Varsity Coaches………… Maggie Fisher 651-308-9317
Jamie Shepherd 651-324-1142
 Team Captains…………………….. Sonja Pearson and Makena Burke
What a Packer Hockey Player
liveS by…

 A heart of thankfulness
 Accountable
 Committed
 Disciplined
 Good Friend
 Empathy
 Respectful
 Considerate
South St. Paul GirlS’ hockey

LAST YEAR:
 2015-2016 Overall Record
 2015-2016 Metro East Record
 Kaposia Record:
11-15-2
3-6-1 (4th place)
1-2 (4th Place)
TOP RETURNING SCORERS:
 Anna Barlow
9 goals + 18 assists = 27 points
 Taylor Cashman
5 goals + 8 assists = 13 points
RETURNING GOALIE:
 Sydney Conley
Wins/losses
16-9-2
Save %
93.7%
Goals against
2.14
“Teamwork is the collective talents of many individuals,
working together toward at common goal.”
PHILOSOPHY
•
•

Varsity – the coaching staff will attempt to put the best possible team
on the ice regardless of a player’s age or grade. We will look for athletic
ability, attitude and the ability to be a team player when putting together
a competitive team. If a younger player is ready to play at this level, she
will play.
Junior Varsity – it is our belief that this program is a development
program. We believe that every player will and should play to help their
development and development of the total program. Skill development
will be the focal point. We will attempt to put players in positions that
they can be most successful and help the team.
One man can be a crucial ingredient on a
team, but one man cannot make a team.
PARTICIPATION ON THE SOUTH ST.
Paul GirlS’ hockey teaM

• It’s a privilege, not a right.
• Players must accept all responsibilities in
order to be on the team.
• Nobody will be accorded equal or
guaranteed ice time.
“Teamwork: Simply stated, it is less me
and more we."
PACKER HOCKEY EXPECTATIONS

GENERAL
•
All players, managers, and coaches will always conduct themselves in
a first class manner, be encouraging of each other, and have a healthy,
positive attitude. We all represent South St. Paul High School and
the South St. Paul community.
•
Facebook, Text Messages, Twitter, Etc. If your mom, dad, grandma
and grandpa can’t read it, then its inappropriate. Any issues here
will be viewed as potential for dismissal from team.
•
All players, managers, and coaches are expected to attend and be on
time to all practices, games and team activities. 5 minutes early is 5
minutes late. 3:10 practice means 3:10 not 3:11. No excuses!
"Regardless of differences, we strive shoulder to shoulder...
Teamwork can be summed up in five short words: 'We
believe in each other.'"
PACKER HOCKEY EXPECTATIONS
•
•
•
•
•

All players must be at the arena by 3:45/5:30 PM on Game day.
Come PREPARED!!!!!
There will be an 12:00 PM curfew on all Friday nights so
designated by the coaching staff.
All players will wear SSP hockey warm-up gear to all team
functions.
Mouth guards must be worn at all practices and games!!
There will be workouts after designated practices. Each player
must have tennis shoes and workout clothes.
"Contrary to popular belief, there most certainly is an 'I' in 'team.'
It is the same 'I' that appears three times in 'responsibility.'"
PACKER HOCKEY EXPECTATIONS

•
All players will hustle on to the ice for practice. Once you step
on to the ice you are expected to be moving and ready to practice.
•
All players, managers, and coaches are expected to use
appropriate language in all practices, games and team activities.
•
All players are expected to turn cell phones off on game days,
team meetings, and team functions. No cell phones around team
functions!!
PACKER HOCKEY EXPECTATIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•

All players will sit as a team at all team functions. We don’t have cliques.
All players are to clean the locker room before leaving. Every day!!
All players and managers must in school by 3rd hour to practice or play in game.
(Unless excused absence) For example: funeral, doctor’s appointment, etc.
All players must be in attendance at the end of the day to play in game that
night. You cannot go home after 3rd hour and sleep and expect to play.
**IMPORTANT: A PARENTS NOTE SAYING YOUR ILL IS NOT
EXCUSED
All equipment must be turned in at the end of season. No exceptions.
PACKER HOCKEY EXPECTATIONS

If a student wants to drive home with a parent after a game/event here a
three things you need to know:
A permission note must be submitted in writing or via email.
The note must be turned in to the Activities Office by noon on the day of the
event.
A note must be received for each game/event We do not except notes giving
permission for the entire season. (We do this in case an emergency arises and
the parent is unable to pick up the child that day…it would not be good to leave a
student behind thinking “he/she never rides the bus home, so let’s go!”)
Breaking of any of these
guidelines could result in:

•
•
•
The first offense: the athlete or manager will miss part or all of the
next varsity game. The player will be in the stands in street clothes
and help with statistics.
The second offense: the athlete or manager will miss the next varsity
game. The player will be on the game bench in street clothes and
help with the statistics. In addition, the player or manager will not
return to varsity competition until after a conference with the
coaching staff and parent or guardian.
The third offense: the athlete or manager will be dismissed from the
hockey program for the remainder of the season.
"Remember upon the conduct of each
depends the fate of all."
UNAPPROVED ABSENCES AND
TARDIES

Definition:
An unapproved absence is an absence or a tardy (more than 20 minutes late) that is not approved
by the head coach or that does not result from an illness or an emergency.
•
The first unapproved absence: the athlete or manager will miss the next varsity game.
The player will be on the game bench in street clothes and help with the statistics.
•
The second unapproved absence: the athlete or manager will miss the next varsity
game. The player will be on the game bench in street clothes and help with the
statistics. In addition, the player or manager will not return to varsity competition
until after a conference with the coaching staff and a parent or guardian.
•
The third unapproved absence: the athlete or manager will be dismissed from the
hockey program for the remainder of the season.
SQUAD SELECTION

 Choosing the members of this team is the sole responsibility of
the coaches. We shall provide the following information to all
candidates for the team:
• Extent of tryout period
• Criteria used to select the squad
• Number to be selected.
• Practice commitment if they make the squad.
• Other commitments.
"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all
do small things, with great love, and together we can do
something wonderful."
TEAM GOALS

WIN METRO EAST TITLE
1.
2. SECTION 4A CHAMPIONS.
3. WIN ALL GAMES AT WAKOTA ARENA.
4. CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR GOOD REPUTATION
OF GOOD HOCKEY PLAYERS, GOOD CITIZENS,
AND QUALITY PROGRAM.
5. 2017 MINNESOTA STATE CHAMPIONS
6. HAVE FUN!
COACHES GOALS

• Create a highly competitive environment that stresses work
ethic, accountability and discipline to the team first.
• Build a trust between coaches and players and players
amongst players.
• Create a “Team” that will only accept its best from
themselves.
• Be enthusiastic about hockey and us.
• Over achieve! You can always do better.
COACHES GOALS

•
•
•
•
Create a plan and systems that will fit our skills and also give a feeling
of creativity.
Make our players better. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Be confident and positive about the team.
Get the team to believe in itself and the principles it will take to win:
– Work
– Team First
– Enthusiastic Confidence
– Conditioning
– Accountability
– Character
– Discipline
– Communication
PLAN FOR COACHES TO REACH GOALS
•
•
•

Take each day as a new day and a chance to teach and learn
ourselves.
Accept only our best effort. Our success will come from work
and execution of team play and using a player’s skills to
maximum. Simple skills must be used and done correctly –
skating, passing, shooting, and physical play.
Help each of our players to be leaders. Give them their role as
leaders. Hold them accountable. Expect nothing but their best.
Offer support and also expect support in return. Listen to
concerns.
PLAN FOR COACHES TO REACH GOALS

•
Give each player a role that they can fill that will fit
their skills and will allow that role to challenge them.
• Hold players and team accountable for their actions.
They must be responsible for their actions on and off
the ice.
• Get to know the players as people. Communicate 1-1.
• Set up goal-setting plan for players and team.
• Create a fun, learning environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ATHLETE

• Put the teams’ goals, welfare, and success before your
own.
• Attend all practice sessions.
• Be receptive to coaching.
• Be responsible for all uniforms and equipment.
• Represent South St. Paul well and follow the team rules.
• Report all injuries to the trainer or coach.
“I’ve always believed that if you put in the
work, the results will come.”
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COACH
•
•
•
•

Select the team.
Determine the style and philosophy of play.
Teach at practice sessions.
Determine who starts and amount of playing time for each
player.
• Establish team rules.
• Establish the requirements to earn a letter.
• Always make safety and the athletes’ welfare first.
“My responsibility is leadership, and the
minute I get negative, that is going to have
an influence on my team.”
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
PARENTS

• Be positive and supportive of your daughter. Did you have
fun? Did you do your best? It was fun watching you play!
• If you do not have something nice to say, than you are
probably not trying hard enough. Please always try to be
supportive of our program and if you have a concern let’s
talk about it.
• We want only the best for your daughter. Please trust that
this is our top priority. We will do everything that we can to
help your daughter achieve her goals.
Affirming words from moms and dads are like light
switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right
moment in a child's life and it's like lighting up a
whole roomful of possibilities.
DEALING WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

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•
There is a chain of command that must be followed when addressing
concerns:
1st Step – The player must talk to the coach.
2nd Step – Meeting between the coach, parent and player.
3rd Step – Meeting with coaches, the athlete, parents and Activities Director.
*All questions and concerns will be dealt with only if these steps are followed and
will never take place at the arena. Please schedule your appointment to meet at the
high school.
Don't be afraid of giving kids responsibility, be there to guide &
support them, not just to do things for them – Kevin Heath
LETTERING
STANDARDS

A letter is something that each athlete must earn.
There are three different ways to earn a letter:
LETTERING
STANDARDS

1.
2.
3.
If an athlete plays in at least as many periods as there are games. For
example, if there are 25 games in a season a player must play in at
least 25 periods to letter. In addition, the athlete or manager must
successfully complete the entire season and be on the final section
tournament roster.
If the varsity team qualifies for the state tournament all the players on
the varsity roster will earn a letter regardless of how many periods
she played.
The coaching staff reserves the right to letter any athletes that no do
not meet the above two standards.
relatioNShiPS iNvolveD iN the Girl’S
HOCKEY PROGRAM

 Player - Coach Relationship
 This is the most important relationship.
 Parents can affect this relationship by criticizing the coach to
their daughter.
 Parents should always remember that the athlete has to
return to practice the next day.
 Parental coaching at home may impede the athlete’s
progress.
Coach - Parent Relationship

 Allow the coaches to instruct and guide team.
 Do not question or confront the coaches
immediately after a game.
 If you want to discuss a problem with the coach,
make an appointment and discuss your concern in a
calm, courteous, and logical manner.
 Be positive and supportive without adding undue
pressure and unrealistic expectations.
MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL RULES

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•
You are expected to be an athlete of the highest level. Drugs and alcohol
are banned substances for you by law and the State High School League. Do
not make a choice that can cost you in any way. Don’t put yourself or your
team in that situation.
Failure to comply shows lack of commitment to the team. Please see
Student Activities Handbook.
Violations of these rules will be followed up with the penalties as they are
written.
Note: Any infractions of any of these rules or regulations or those of the
MSHSL by the captains of the varsity team will result in the loss of title and
responsibilities.
CAPTAINS SELECTION
AND AWARDS

*Each year the decision to have individual awards will be made by the coaching
staff.
•
•
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Team Captains will be voted on by each returning player, but selection
will be at the discretion of the coaching staff.
All other awards (MVP, Hardest Worker, Most Improved, and Rookie of
the Year) will be voted on by the players.
The coaches will select the Coaches Award and the Hobey Baker Award.
All players are eligible to receive the Scholar Award which goes to
players who achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher.
All Conference players are chosen by the coaches in the conference.
All-State players are chosen by a committee of coaches from around the
state.
COMMUNITY SERVICE

 It is our goal each year to give back to
the community in the way of community
service. It will be an expectation to work
with our youth teams. Team members will
be notified as these opportunities present
themselves.
Small & Random acts of kindness can
make the world of difference in someone’s
life – Kevin Heath