Plymouth Youth Hockey

Frequently asked questions (actual questions received via email, letter or in person) updated frequently (17 Sep 2007)

• What is the deal with the calendars? PYH wanted to offer an opportunity for our membership to keep the cost of registration down. We charged $895.00 for the 2007/2008 season with the opportunity for you to get $100.00 back. If you don't want to sell them just write your name on them and you have an opportunity to win money.
   

• The Web site looks great and we love the info it provides, who is responsible for it and how much does PYH pay for it? Question part II...With the amount of money PYH pays for the website I think it should be updated more often! (Updated for the 2007/08 season of questions asked)  The web site has been designed by Ocean Edge Web Design (Scott Backholm) and by Gordie McClay (maintains and updates the entire site) who over the past Six years have donated the entire site including monthly/yearly charges to PYH. So in a nut shell it has cost the membership of PYH....$0.00 (nothing).  On average the weekly maintenance on the site is 10 hours (scheduling etc)...or 360 hours for the hockey season.
   

• Why does scheduling seem to be such an issue over the past couple of years? We at PYH cannot do the practice schedule until both leagues (Yankee and South Shore) give out their game schedule. The past couple of years there has been issues with them getting out on time and each conference starting at different times. With that, once we do have the games we go out as far as we can. In this recent case we were able to go out until the 31st of October. We want the info out ASAP and strive to provide that.
   

• Why isn't the Frequently asked question page updated more often? Because we don't have any FAQ's to post. If you have  a question that you need answered that doesn't get asked frequently than send us an email or call us and ask. The frequently asked question page is so that we don't have to answer the same question over and over. If a question is asked once or twice...technically that's not a frequently asked question.
   

• Why are some of the teams not getting stories in the paper? and who is responsible for the content? Over the last two years our Media coordinator Debbie Prince has given the template stories to each and every coach at all coaches meetings and via email. The coaches are responsible for writing the story or having someone write it for them and then submit to Debbie Prince, who in turn gets it to both Newspapers. We at PYH feel this is an excellent way to get the kids in the paper, feel good about there accomplishments, and has the coaches and parents involved in the process. If you are willing to help your coach out and he hasn't put any stories in...let him or her know.
   

• Why only 4 open board meetings...Why do we have to wait if we have something for the board? Good question...We have 4 open board meetings at the recommendation of Mass Hockey. We never want anyone to wait if they have a question, concern, or want to praise the board for the work we may be doing (all right I was in a fantasy world for a second...but I can always hope people think things are going well). You can email the board, call a board member, or approach a board member at the rink. We would also never turn away anyone who showed up at a meeting to discuss an issue. We meet the 2nd Monday of the month at the Armstrong Arena.
   

• Why do so many other towns use "Our" rink, Shouldn't we get first dibs on ice? The town of Plymouth or PYH does not own or have any stake in the rink. It is owed by the state of Massachusetts and is currently leased to Facility Management Corporation (www.fmcarenas.com) for the next 25 years. We don't have any more say with the operations of the rink then Marshfield, Duxbury...or any other town). The rink happens to be in our town and that's it. Hopefully with some of the other rinks opening we will be able to get some more ice for the coming years. We will keep you posted.
   

• How many teams and how does PYH decide what level the teams will play at? PYH holds registration and then tryouts. We take the number of kids at each division (level...pee wee, squirt...) We decide how many teams, trying to keep the teams to 15 skaters and two goalies (sometimes this is not attainable because of the number of kids who sign up). We then take the scores that the judges provide and decide how many teams at each level. The number of teams in each level (A, B, and C) all depends on the tryout scores and number of kids in the level. South Shore Conference requires that if we have any B teams we must have an A team. Yankee has no requirements but will have us move kids out of the C level if they feel they are too good for the conference. We always split the teams evenly if we have two teams in a conference...IE Two Pee Wee B teams would be split evenly by the tryout scores. This is a requirement by both the SSC and Yankee Conference.
   

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• Why aren't the game schedules posted on line? They are...please go to your league website (under standings on the main page) and go to either Yankee or South Shore Conference.
   

• It seems we have 6 am practice every third weekend, why is that? PYH has four 6 am time slots to fill every weekend with 13 teams available to use it...the math works out to just about every third weekend. ***Updated - We keep track of the number of 6am practices and make sure that everyone has as close to the same amount as possible.***
   

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• Why no team fundraising? PYH is trying to follow Massachusetts law and ensure that we are following all guidance, policy and law for our non-profit status. We are currently working with an attorney and accountant to come up with the best answer...PYH BOD of directors has put team fundraising on hold for the entire year. We will revisit the policy this spring prior to the 2006-07 season. If you have some thoughts please attend an open board meeting.
   

• What are state play downs and why are they played? Each Mass hockey program is offered the opportunity to submit teams into the state play down tournament. Whomever is the winner in each district plays for the states and whomever the winner is in the particular division is declared the State Champ. An example; the Pee Wee B team wins their first set of play downs on November 11th (they would compete against other Mass Hockey District 4 teams) they would move on to play in the state tournament in March. The winner of this tournament is the Pee Wee B State Champ. PYH pays for the first game and the team is responsible for all other games following until they make it to the state championship, then PYH pays for the tournament.
   

• Why only thirteen teams getting the 6 am, aren't there 21 teams in PYH? There are 21 teams but the Bantams and Midgets get the 9:30 PM hour every week.
   

• Why don't we play any games in Plymouth? The Yankee Conference (C teams) actually does schedule games in Plymouth (mostly the older team, Bantam C). The South Shore Conference (A and B teams) and PYH have added 4 games to Plymouth. So each team will have some games at Arsmstrong.