Code of Conduct

by registering your son or daughter to play hockey in Duluth all guardians agree to the Parent Code of Conduct

Parents play a major role when it comes to influencing youth hockey players to display good sportsmanship. Children often see their parents as role models and look to replicate their actions. Here are 11 principles that parents can use to promote good sportsmanship by displaying it themselves and teaching it to their kids.

It is expected that all Minnesota Hockey parents observe the following principles:

• Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. I will encourage and support my child’s desire to play his/her chosen sport but will not pressure him/her into participating.
• I will remember that the game is fun. I will not taunt or disturb other fans, or embarrass my child by yelling at players, coaches, or officials.
• I will support and promote Fair Play by encouraging my child to play by the rules. I will display good sportsmanship by applauding a good effort by both teams in victory and defeat, and respecting players, coaches, and officials.
• I will remember that “wins” are based on my child’s performance, teamwork, and playing within the rules.   
• I will recognize the importance of volunteer coaches and will take the time to attend team meetings to get to know my child’s coach’s philosophy, expectations, and guidelines. I will communicate with my child’s coaches and support them.
• I understand that when my child is on the ice, the coaches do the coaching. I will not yell instructions to my child from the sidelines or give my child instructions counter to those of the coach.
• I understand that it is my role to teach my child sportsmanship, how to deal with success and failure, and to support my child’s development in the game.
• I will strive to become knowledgeable about the rules of the game and support the official’s decisions on and off the ice.
• I understand the importance of skill development. For the lower age groups, I will remember that practices benefit my child more than games and competition.
• I will respect locker rooms as private areas for players, coaches, and officials.
• I will not place unreasonable expectations on my child.

I have read and understood the principles stated above that were put forth by Minnesota Hockey. I agree to abide by those principles with the understanding that if I do not follow them I may be asked to leave any practice, game, or event.

Questions for All Parents and Guardians of Athletes

Parenting a young athlete is hard, complex, and impossible to do perfectly. Everyday there is an opportunity to trip up. Below is a list of questions you can ask yourself. This is for every parent r guardian of a youth athlete. My hope is that parents will ask themselves these questions and that the answers will help inspire everyone to make, at the very least, some positive changes to how they interact with their athletes.

• Do I show as much enthusiasm for my son/daughter's academic performance as I do for their achievements in sports?
• Have I told my son or daughter that their athletic performance does not define their self-worth and that they are always free to try other sports or activities?
• Have I told my athlete that they do not play sports for my benefit or satisfaction, but rather for their teammates, friends, and themselves? Never hurts to remind them, despite how convinced we may be that they know this.
• Do I watch every minute of every practice? If so, why do I do that when I could be (insert activity)?
• Do I focus on my son/daughter's work ethic and effort when praising them after a game or do I often focus on their performance?
• Have I said anything negative about coaches or players on the team within earshot of my son/daughter?
• When I see problems in my association or team, do I work to help find a solution or just complain about the issues?
• Do I compare my son/daughter to other players?
• Does my son/daughter sit quietly in the car ride hoe from games while I do all the talking (often, about the game)? If so, here's a hint: stop talking about the game.
• Have I spent time considering how to positively influence sport to enhance my son/daughter's character rather than improving performance?
• Have I encouraged my son/daughter to be a leader and find ways to solve player conflicts on their team?

- Josh Levine, Assistant coach of the Bloomington Jefferson Girls Varsity Hockey Team