Good Afternoon,

With almost three weeks past since Learn to Skate first hit the ice we are now really getting into the swing of things. Just a quick note to everyone with LTS with a few quick notes, a question, and an introduction to all the coaches who make LTS work. 

The notes

- Well fitted equipment, especially skates and helmet can have a huge impact on your skaters enjoyment. A helmet needs to be snug, not cranked down like a vice. A second used hockey equipment sale is going on this Sunday right before LTS. See ncyh.org for more details. Also located at 1985E Main Rd Portsmouth is Sell it Again Sports with a wide variety of hockey equipment.

- Group 3 players should bring sticks to practice. A stick for a skater of this age should be junior size and cut in height to somewhere between your skater's nose and upper lip with their skates off.

- The coaches will be continually working with your child to skate without a crate but some skaters will feel it absolutely necessary to use a crate in these first few weeks. 
During this time group one skater's interest is laser focused on their cheering fans along the glass. With the need to keeping the door to the ice closed for the safety of the skaters who are just learning how to stop I think it may be helpful for the group one fans to watch from the bleachers

- Our skaters work hard on the ice and water breaks off ice can distract them. our skater can bring a squirt water bottle to practice with their names on it to be kept off to the side on the ice.

- If not done so already PLEASE put your skater's name on the front of their helmet.

Now for the question.

Coaches have a love hate relationship with the black bumpers. They are important to have on the ice to help divide the ice, and they are also used for various games. On the other hand lugging them onto the ice, and then back off stowed at the end of practice in the back room is a real pain. If there are any parents who can lend a hand at the start of practice, and at the end, I know that the coaches and would be very grateful. The same goes for the crates store in the front room that are borrowed for the practice. 

The backbone of LTS and the reason this program works is a result of the dedicated coaches we have. They are at the rink early and stay late. They volunteered to be out on the ice with sacrifice to their chiropractic health. Next time you see your skater's coach, introduce yourself and say thank you.

The coaches for the LTS season are:

Kirby Kanne Sunday group 3
Tom Thramann     Sunday group 1
Eric Karoli     Thursday group one
John Dionne Sunday group 3
Ian Keller     Thursday group 3
JC Redfearn Sunday group 2
Dave McMullen     Thursday group 2
Lyford Warren Sunday 1 and 3
Brian Torello     Sunday group 1
Dean Roeben Sunday group 2
Chris McNally     Sunday group 1 and 3
Joseph Silveria     Sunday group 1
David Wheeler     Sunday group 1
Ashley Allen     Thursday group 1
Spencer McCombe    Thursday group 1

Thank you,

Dan O'Connor
oconnordan@icloud.com