Regulators Hockey, Inc
FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Q – What is Regulators Hockey and how does it relate to Chadder’s?
A - Regulators Hockey, Inc., (RHI) is a Utah Corporation. At one time the teams supported by RHI were known as the Regulators. Naming rights were sold two years ago to Chadder’s fast food restaurants. When that sponsorship contract expires, (and if not renewed by Chadder’s), the name may revert to Regulators or the naming rights may be sold to another sponsor.
RHI sponsors teams at the highest levels of hockey competition in the US at the Midget 16 and Midget 18 AAA levels. Last year RHI also sponsored teams at the Midget 18 AA, Bantam AA and Peewee AA levels as well as 2 Special Needs teams.
Q – What are the Regulators Hockey philosophies/long term and short term goals?
A – Regulators Hockey basic philosophies are:
First and foremost - to provide the opportunity, through intense training and competition at the highest levels of hockey, for our Utah players and our players from outside Utah to advance to play at a collegiate or junior level and to provide the roadmap for getting there while staying at home.
Second - to provide the opportunity to our players to be trained by the best coaches available in order to be prepared to play at a college/junior level.
Third - to provide an opportunity for competitive players to prepare to step into AAA programs, whether in Utah or elsewhere.
Fourth - to ensure that players have an enjoyable competitive athletic experience. “Fun” is not our primary goal – but rather our goal is one of individual self-satisfaction that comes through the hard work and dedication to achieve at the highest personal levels of athletic competition.
Q – Is Regulators Hockey, Inc. a non-profit organization?
A – Yes! RHI was incorporated in the State of Utah in March of 2005. It received its Internal Revenue Service Non-Profit designation in July of 2005. Its tax ID # is 72-1594732. RHI operates all of the competitive Chadder’s and Rocky Mountain Renegades teams under its non-profit banner.
Q – Do RHI teams participate in leagues?
A – As a rule, no! We have found that in order to provide the proper competitive game environment, the leagues available are not conducive to meeting our athletic goals. With that said however, RHI is a member of the AAA North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) operated by the North American Hockey League for Midget AAA teams. This League will provide not only consistency of the quality of games aspect of our program but will expose our players at that level to scouting opportunities that would otherwise be “hit and miss”.
Q – Who is RZ Sports and how does it relate to Regulators Hockey, Chadder’s and the Rocky Mountain Renegades?
A – Regulators Hockey contracts with RZ Sports to provide coaching services and to operate its tryouts. RZ Sports charges a fee directly to the prospective player for these services. All Chadder’s Tier I Hockey Coaches are employed by RZ Sports. A portion of each player fee is paid to RZ Sports to secure these coaches.
RZ Sports has no financial or other ownership interest in RHI and vice versa. Rikard Gronborg is the General Manager of Regulators Hockey and serves in that capacity as a volunteer. He is also a major stockholder in RZ Sports and receives his income from that company. Michael Holmes is the President of Regulators Hockey and has no interest in RZ Sports. Chadder’s Tier l Hockey, the Rocky Mountain Renegades and The Special Needs Teams are part of Regulators Hockey, Inc. and are operated under its auspices.
Q – Tell me a bit about the RZ Sports ID Camp/Tryout?
A – Regulators Hockey has selected RZ Sports as its official ID Camp company. The camp is designed to provide exposure for our players to top college and junior coaches, to provide an opportunity for our players to function in a highly competitive environment and for our players to experience what it will take to play at the highest levels. It is highly recommended that players aspiring to high level junior and collegiate hockey attend this camp.
In addition to these aspects of the camp, Chadder’s Tier l coaches will be in attendance and will be scouting potential AAA players. The majority of AAA players will be offered contracts at this ID Camp. Players will have to opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a controlled environment over several days. While there will be a tryout for AA teams later in the summer, this will be the only real opportunity for a potential AAA player to be effectively scouted.
Q – What if I can’t make the ID Camp/Tryout?
A – For prospective AAA Players, it is essential that you attend this ID Camp. Most contracts will be offered during that camp. For AA players who are not interested in AAA competition, it is still recommended that you attend the ID/Tryout Camp. There will be another single day tryout later in the spring, after the ID Camp has concluded, where the AA teams will hold tryouts.
Q – Where can I get more information on the ID Camps?
A – www.rmrenegades.com, www.nwregulators.com or www.chaddershockey.com.
Q – Who are the Rocky Mountain Renegades?
A - The Rocky Mountain Renegades are generally AA teams within the RHI organization. They compete at one level below AAA but are still function in an extremely competitive environment. The Rocky Mountain Renegades provide opportunities for players to compete at a very high level and prepare for possible AAA participation in the future but who are not quite ready for AAA hockey.
Q – What is the USA Hockey Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) concept?
A – USA Hockey has seen the numbers of quality players from the US participating at the NHL level remain stagnant for many years. As a result it instituted studies to determine why small hockey programs in areas such as Sweden and Finland are consistently able to turn out top quality hockey players in disproportionate numbers relative to the United States.
These studies have resulted in a new initiative announced recently by USA Hockey designed to take the vast numbers of players and resources available in the US and provide a training program modeled after other successful programs in other countries and in other sports in order to develop the USA Hockey player pool to a much higher level.
USA Hockey’s research has shown that by adhering to a set of basic principles, these goals can be met. This program is voluntary but RHI is signing on. Because of our smaller player base compared to other programs across the country, some slight variations will be necessary but the training concepts will largely remain intact.
To conclude, USA Hockey understands that the existing development model has not been a resounding success in preparing players to compete at the highest levels – hence this new initiative.
Q – Can other programs in the State offer the LTAD?
A - Yes!
Q – Can other programs in the State offer the High Performance Club aspect of the LTAD program?
A – The USA Hockey High Performance Club program will not be available until the 1010-11 season but only Regulators Hockey will be able to meet the criteria for inclusion in the program.
Q – I’ve noticed that the Utah Olympic Oval is becoming more involved with RHI – why and what does this mean for my child?
A – Although viewed as extremely important, RHI is simply not geared to providing development opportunities to youth in the mite and below age group or to girls/young womens teams. The Utah Olympic Oval, through its programs, will provide these opportunities. Learn-to-Skate and Mite and Girls opportunities will be under the supervision of the Olympic Oval with an eye to developing a player to move into a competitive world when that player is ready. The Olympic Oval will incorporate the LTAD concept into its youth programs as well.
The Olympic Oval will also provide Recreational opportunities for players at all levels of ice hockey who do not wish to meet the criteria for high level competition.
Q - Is RHI anticipating forming Girls/Womens Teams?
A – Not for the foreseeable future. RHI wholeheartedly supports the Utah Olympic Oval in its efforts to form Girls/Womens teams.
Q – What is the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM)?
A - This is the USA Hockey LTAD track designed to enhance the skills of players 13 years and under by placing more emphasis on learning skills than competition. RHI, while fielding competition teams at the 10, 11, 12 & 13 year old age levels, will adhere to this philosophy.
Q – What is the High Performance aspect of the USA Hockey LPAD program?
A – For the 2010-11 hockey season USA Hockey will institute its High Performance Club (HPC) initiative. This is the competitive aspect of the Long Term Athlete Development program. Select programs throughout the US will be brought into a league setting which will entail certain training requirements, summer programs, USA Hockey training, etc., with the goal of taking the more capable players to the highest levels of competition possible. RHI has applied for inclusion in this program.
Q – Does the NHL, the Junior Leagues & the United States Olympic Committee support these initiatives?
A – Yes!
Q – How are RHI Coaches selected?
A – RHI is constantly on the lookout for coaches who exhibit a high degree of professionalism and playing experience, who have had experience in coaching competitive players and who can adhere to our coaching philosophies. Occasionally RHI will go outside to recruit a coach at the highest levels of play but our general philosophy is to find them in Utah if possible. We look for coaches who are compatible with the organization and are able to fill several rolls in the training of our youth players.
Q – Is it true that RHI coaches are compensated for the services?
A – In order to provide the level of coaching necessary and the dedication to our young athletes at the highest levels, RHI compensates some of its coaches. Because high-level coaches are in demand, compensation is the only way to entice them to work here in Utah.
Not all RHI coaches are compensated and most who are receive only nominal payments. Many are strictly volunteers.
Q – I hear that RHI is not very supportive of parents coaching in the program. Is this true?
A – Our philosophy is generally that players above the Peewee level are better served if they can experience non-parent coaching. While this is not a “carved in stone” policy, it is one we work to advance, particularly at the Head Coach level. Coaching one’s own child brings extra stresses for all involved, not the least for the coach/parent himself.
Q - What do I need to do to apply for a coaching position?
A – Contact Rikard Gronborg at rgronborg@rzsportsgroup.com.
Q – Does RHI plan on having teams of players at birth year thresholds?
A – As a rule - Yes – numbers permitting. The USA Hockey HPC model is designed to incorporate teams at the 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 age groups. It is our intent to adhere to this model for 2009-10 – again - numbers permitting.
Q – Can a 13 year old player play on a 14 year old team?
A – The short answer is “Yes!” The longer answer is “Yes – depending!” Players will be placed according to our assessment of their readiness for competition at the applicable level. We will not hold a player back because of age, but conversely we will not move a player forward until he is ready.
Q – Can a 14 year old player play on a 13 year old team?
A – Yes – an odd year team will be registered as a Bantam, Peewee or Midget team thereby permitting such participation.
Q – How much does it cost?
A – Rough numbers say we can keep the costs near what they were last year. By pinching our pennies we should be able offer similar opportunities with no or negligible increases.
Generally you can expect the following:
Midget U18 AAA $12,500
Midget U16 AAA $12,500
Midget AA $ 4,950
Bantam U14 $ 6,100
Bantam U13 $ 2,950+/-
Peewee U12 $ 2,200
Peewee U11 $ 1,900+/-
Squirt U10 $ 1,650
The cost per player is based on a 19 man squad. Fewer players will require fees to increase slightly to cover costs and still deliver the same opportunities. These numbers are the result of preliminary budgeting and may change slightly either way. There will be no other requests for funds from parents throughout the season with the exception of special events such as parties, extraordinary travel, etc. These extraordinary costs will be determined by the team.
Q – Why does it cost so much?
A – Three major factors cause the price for competitive hockey to be substantially higher than that for the House/Rec hockey programs offered by organizations like Salt Lake County:
1 – Travel: In order to find competitive hockey tournaments, teams must leave the state of Utah. There are some good local teams but not in sufficient numbers for the Chadder’s and Rocky Mountain Renegades teams to be able to play in Utah consistently without playing the same one to two teams over and over again. At the highest levels of competition required for the U18 AAA and U16 AAA teams, there is no Utah competition at all. For safety and consistency the Midget teams are required to travel as a team by bus or air – with significant costs associated with such travel.
2 - Coaching Expense: The highest levels of competition require coaches familiar with true competitive concepts. Few of these folks are available here in the state and as a result, RHI has recruited several successful coaches from elsewhere. These highly qualified coaches are in high demand and as a result are able to command higher salaries elsewhere. What they bring to RHI is well worth the cost however.
3 - Practice Ice: The practice to game ratio delineated by the USA Hockey HPC program envisions teams being on the ice about 3 times a week. At the higher levels 4/5 times a week is the norm. These ice costs are a significant part of the fee structure. Because of ice availability constraints this will not be a “hard and fast” situation.
Q – I hear that in order to play for RHI I will need to sign a contract. Is this true? Why?
A – The RHI contract not only formalizes the agreement between a parent and RHI but it delineates what each party is responsible for and provides certain protections to the RHI program and the participants. Most questions that cause concern through the season are answered in the contract.
Q – I’ve participated in other competitive organizations where I’m “nickeled and dimed” to death. When I agree to the amount in the contract, will there be any other costs later?
A – No! The contract amount covers all normal competition expenses. Extraordinary expenses such as extra tournaments, extra games, parties, etc., are not included. Travel expenses for teams other than Midget teams are also not included. Travel expenses to USA Hockey Regional and National Tournaments is not included.
Q – Can I make payments? Can I make payments with a Credit Card?
A – Yes! & Yes! Credit Card costs are not budgeted however and can run as high as an additional 8%. If you use a credit card we must charge back to you 5% of the amount you are charging to cover the majority of those expenses.
Q – Do we have to travel on the bus to tournaments?
A – Traveling together as a team on the bus or airplane is mandatory for all Midget teams. All other players must provide their own transportation.
Q – Who are this years coaches?
A - Some head coaches have been selected and some are still under review. Announcements will be made as the spots are filled. For resumes and more information go to our web site at www.rmrenegades.com,
www.chaddershockey.com or www.nwregulators.com.
Information will be posted as it becomes available.
Q – Do you always get the coaching selections right?
A – Most of the time, but, like everything else, we are always looking for improvement.
Q – Do you screen your coaches?
A – Absolutely!
Q – I’ve heard of several programs for hockey in Utah. What is the difference between the RHI program and all the others?
A – Some Utah programs are only recreational programs. Most programs only provide lower level competition or none at all. Other programs offer little in the way of future opportunities or long term development and only offer competitive teams at some age levels and not others. RHI, with its partnership with the Utah Olympic Oval, is the only Utah organization to offer long term training, high end competition geared to the age-specific team and long term college and junior opportunities as an integral part of its program. If it’s a future in high level hockey competition you are looking for, RHI is the only Utah program, hands down!
RHI is not for all hockey players. We demand a high degree of dedication, a highly developed work ethic, adult behavior both on and off the ice, respect for our opponents, coaches, parents, management, arena staff, and all others with whom we come in contact.
We value players who are also students and who are dedicated to gaining an education, players who are willing to spend the time to excel as young men and as athletes. Time commitment is significant and only those who are truly dedicated to excellence through achievement will find the RHI experience worthwhile. And while our efforts are hockey oriented, it is essential that our participants prepare for other of life’s opportunities in the event a career in hockey is not forthcoming.
Q – Where can I get more information on tryouts?
A – www.rmrenegades.com, www.nwregulators.com or www.chaddershockey.com.
