Thursday, June 20, 2019  

Dear USA Hockey player and parent,

You recently received a summary of several significant changes to the USA Hockey SafeSport Program. Recent changes to federal law and by the U.S. Center for SafeSport require that adults in all sports and all organizations who have regular contract with minor athletes must complete SafeSport Training -- this includes adult-age players that play on a team in an age category that may also include minor-age players. USA Hockey’s Disabled Hockey programs typically allow for players that are, or will be, 18 years of age or older to participate on teams with players who may be under 18. To comply with federal law and to avoid being required to remove players from a team in the middle of a season, USA Hockey is requiring that all potentially affected players complete SafeSport Training prior to being added to or participating with a team.

You are receiving this email because you (or your son or daughter) were born in 2002 or earlier and are eligible to play on a Disabled Hockey team that allows minor-age players. If you intend to play on a team this season, you will be required to complete SafeSport Training prior to being added to the roster. Players who have not completed training will not be permitted on a roster and may not participate on any of the aforementioned teams until the training is completed.

The training requirement must be completed every year prior to participation each season. The training is provided by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and each player required to complete training must first take the “Core Center for SafeSport Training,” which is completed online and takes approximately 90 – 120 minutes. In subsequent seasons, players will complete the Center for SafeSport’s “Refresher Course,” which is also online and takes 30 minutes or less to complete. There is no cost to complete either training course.

We understand that players with cognitive disabilities may not be able to complete or understand the SafeSport Training, or that it may not be appropriate for them. If your player requires an accommodation for or a waiver of the SafeSport Training, please submit a request to USA Hockey. A form and instructions for making such request is available at www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining.

We strongly encourage you to complete the training now so that there will be no delay in you being allowed to participate or join a team. The training can be accessed at www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining and will require you to have your USA Hockey registration number.

It is also important to know that all persons of adult age in USA Hockey programs (as with adults in all youth sports organizations) are considered mandatory reporters of child abuse, including sexual abuse. Accordingly, in in the event of any actual or suspected sexual misconduct or child abuse, any adults must report such information to the U.S. Center for SafeSport and, when appropriate, to applicable law enforcement.

A copy of the USA Hockey SafeSport Program Handbook can be found at the USA Hockey website at www.usahockey.com/safesportprogram. Please refer to the SafeSport Handbook for details of these and other policies affecting USA Hockey programs. You can also reach out to your Affiliate SafeSport Coordinator or to USA Hockey if you have questions or need assistance.

Thank you again for all of your efforts in support of the safety of participants in USA Hockey programs.