Huskies Hockey Club - Club Policies

Club Policies

Registration Refund Policy

All registrations for the Huskies Hockey Club’s Fall 2025–2026 Hockey Programs include a NON-REFUNDABLE registration/tryout fee.

If a player registers for tryouts and then decides not to attend, a refund may be requested only if the request is submitted prior to the first scheduled day of Fall tryouts. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Huskies Hockey Club. If approved, a refund of the registration fee, less a $50 processing fee, may be issued.

Once tryouts begin, no refunds will be issued, regardless of whether the player attends any tryout or evaluation sessions. This policy applies to all levels and teams, including Central States Development Hockey League (CSDHL) and Chicago United Hockey League (CUHL).

Once rosters are posted on the Huskies Hockey Club website at the conclusion of tryouts, you are financially responsible for all season-related fees.

To decline a roster spot, you must notify the Huskies registrar via email at atomcho16@huskieshockeyclub.com within 24 hours of roster posting. No exceptions will be made beyond the 24-hour window.

 

Injury Policy

In the event of a hockey-related injury, the Club may elect to credit up to six (6) weeks or a maximum of 25% of the member’s financial obligation, for non-career-threatening injuries. More severe injuries may qualify for additional credit, reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Directors.

For non-hockey-related injuries or illnesses, credit requests must include medical documentation describing the injury and its cause. Standard credit for such injuries shall not exceed 25% of the member’s financial obligation. Severe cases may be considered for greater relief.

All requests must be submitted at the conclusion of the season and are subject to the Club’s financial position and Board approval. All Board decisions are final.

 

Return to Play Policy (Post-Injury or Illness)

If a player misses three (3) or more consecutive Huskies Hockey Club events (games/practices) due to illness or injury, a doctor’s note indicating full medical clearance to return to sport is required before resuming participation. No exceptions will be granted.

 

Concussion Information & Acknowledgment

In accordance with Illinois state law (Public Act 099-0245) and USA Hockey policy, the Huskies Hockey Club requires all participants and parents/guardians to understand the risks associated with concussions.

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that causes rapid movement of the brain. Signs and symptoms can appear immediately or over time. Even mild concussions must be treated seriously.

The Huskies Hockey Club follows USA Hockey’s Concussion Management Program, available at: http://www.usahockey.com/safety-concussions

By acknowledging this waiver, you agree:

  • You have reviewed the concussion information provided by USA Hockey.
  • You assume the risk of concussion in hockey and hold Huskies Hockey Club harmless.
  • Any player suspected of a concussion will be removed from play and will not return without written clearance from a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Clearance is ideally provided by the diagnosing provider, but if not possible, the Club may review the documentation and request further evaluation.
  • The player must follow USA Hockey’s Return-to-Play Protocol in full.

 

USA Hockey Medical Care Waiver

The parent/legal guardian of the registered participant (or adult participant), must authorize the Huskies Hockey Club, and any designated medical personnel, to obtain emergency medical care from certified emergency responders, licensed physicians, hospitals, or clinics for injuries sustained during any USA Hockey-sanctioned event.

 

Zero Tolerance Policy & Classifications

The Huskies Hockey Club, in alignment with USA Hockey and AHAI, strictly enforces a Zero Tolerance Policy. All members—players, parents, coaches, officials, and spectators—are expected to maintain respectful and sportsmanlike conduct at all times.

Violations will result in suspensions, disciplinary action, or expulsion from the Club. Penalty classifications are outlined as Class 1 (minimum 30 days), Class 2 (minimum 60 days), and Class 3 (permanent suspension possible).

Class 1

  • Inappropriate verbal or non-verbal disrespectful behavior not covered in Class 2 or Class 3
  • Minimum 30 day suspension

Class 2

  • Open disputing or arguing with the decision of an official, coach, administrator, spectator, or players
  • Obscene or vulgar language or the use of a physical act that is vulgar or obscene or racial or swearing
  • Visual or verbal sign(s) of dissatisfaction with any official, coach, or administrator's decision)
  • Encouraging disrespectful or unsportsmanlike behavior in any player, coach, official, administrator, or spectator
  • Taunting or ridiculing officials, coaches, players, administrators, or spectators
  • Throwing any object directed in the spectator's viewing area, at a person, in the playing area (including the bench area) the ice or as to create the potential of a safety hazard or issue
  • Physical contact using the body or stick after the whistle is blown or the buzzer has sounded
  • Not stopping Zero Tolerance conduct once advised to do so
  • Not voluntarily leaving a facility once advised to do so by any official, administrator, or security personnel
  • Minimum 60-day suspension

Class 3        

  • Complete loss of self-control
  • Physical violence, fighting, or physical contact while the person is upset or angry
  • Threats of any nature
  • Intimidation
  • Returning to the facility after being ejected
  • Any actions that require the use of third parties to control the conduct or situation, such as rink personnel, league or Club personnel, or security personnel
  • Any other loss of self-control

 

“24-Hour Rule” Dispute Policy

To promote calm and constructive communication, no complaints or concerns may be raised with coaching staff until at least 24 hours after a game or incident.

The formal process includes:

  • Waiting 24 hours before contact.
  • Contacting the Team Manager to arrange a confidential, documented meeting.
  • If unresolved, elevating to the Hockey Director, Joe Tomasek for the following teams: Lil Huskies, Mites, Squirts & Assistant Director Jeremy Zabrinas for Peewees and Bantams, if necessary, to the rules and ethics committee.
  • Violation of the 24-Hour Rule is subject to a minimum 30-day suspension.

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the President of the Club within 14 calendar days of a ruling.

 

Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco Policy

The Huskies Hockey Club strictly prohibits the use, possession, or distribution of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco by players at any time during the season. Violations will result in:

Drugs:

  • 1st Offense: Five-game suspension
  • 2nd Offense: Permanent suspension and forfeiture of all fees

Alcohol/Tobacco:

  • 1st Offense: Five-game suspension
  • 2nd Offense: Ten-game suspension
  • 3rd Offense: Permanent suspension and forfeiture of fees

 

Photo & Video Media Consent

By signing this waiver, I give permission for my child (or myself if an adult) to be photographed, video recorded, or interviewed during Huskies Hockey Club activities for promotional use in print, digital, and social media platforms. I consent to the use of name, image, and likeness in these contexts.

To revoke consent, a parent must notify a board member in writing.

 

Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy

The Huskies Hockey Club holds all members accountable for respectful online conduct. This includes:

  • No cyberbullying, harassment, or derogatory comments
  • No sharing of confidential team information
  • No unauthorized posts claiming to represent the Club
  • Locker room photos/videos are strictly prohibited per USA Hockey & SafeSport policies.

Violations will be reviewed by the Rules and Ethics Committee and may result in sanctions, including expulsion and/or reporting to AHAI or SafeSport.

 

Rules & Ethics

RULES & ETHICS COMMITTEE

The R & E Committee is appointed for the purpose of investigating and submitting findings with respect to alleged violations by corporation members, players, coaches, employees or agents of any applicable by-laws, rules and regulations, and/or policies, whether promulgated by the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL), Chicago United Hockey League (CUHL), USA Hockey, the corporation, or other governing body having jurisdiction over the corporation, and its members, coaches, and players.

Suspensions and/or Disciplinary Hearings shall be conducted pursuant to USA Hockey By-Laws and Rules in effect at the time of the alleged violation or rule infraction. The current USA Hockey By-Laws and Rules can be found on the USA Hockey website in the annual guide.

Committee Members:
Mike Hill (Committee Head)
Blake Gibbs
Keri Zschach
Brooks Clinton

 

COMPLAINTS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING

A written complaint/Incident Report is required. Verbal complaints to board members or R & E committee members will not be reviewed. The written complaint/Incident Report must be made in writing and sent to:

Huskies Hockey Club
Attn: Rules & Ethics Committee
Email: michaelhill@huskieshockeyclub.com

If there are situations that involve criminal conduct or pose any threat to the safety to our children, players, families, coaches, guests, referees, officials, or anyone else, we encourage everyone to contact the police immediately. The Huskies R & E Committee is not a law enforcement agency and does not have powers of arrest.

The Huskies Incident Report Form

 

Uniform and Equipment Guidelines

Uniform Requirements

All Huskies players are required to wear the following items as part of the official uniform

  • Huskies issued home and away jersey
  • Huskies issued home and away socks
  • Black pants or black shells
  • Black helmet*
  • Black gloves (accents of white and light blue are acceptable)*
  • Team practice jerseys

* For the 2025-26 season, navy helmets and gloves are allowed for returning players

 

Jersey Number Policy

All player number assignments will follow the guidelines as set forth in this policy:

  • Even birth-year players will have an even number, and odd birth-year players will have an odd number.
  • If the player was with the Huskies for the previous fall season, they will have their number reserved for the following fall season.
  • For incoming new players, they shall request three numbers as their choices. If all three numbers have been assigned to other players within their birth year, then the board-appointed Uniform Committee Chairperson has the right to assign a number that is not in use.
  • The only exception to this guideline is the use of sibling jerseys. The Board will allow the use of a sibling jersey number as long as it does not create a conflict with other players within the group of potential teammates that have already entered the rank of playing on a travel team.
  • In the event of a conflict where two players using the same number are rostered on a given team, the Equipment Committee Chairperson will determine who has participated in the Huskies program the longest. The player with the most seniority will be allowed to keep the number unless he/she wishes to change numbers.

 

USA Hockey Waiver

WAIVER OF LIABILITY, RELEASE, ASSUMPTION OF RISK & INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

THE UNDERSIGNED IS REGISTERING WITH USA HOCKEY AS A MANAGER/VOLUNTEER. IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR THE MANAGER/VOLUNTEER TO EXEMPT, WAIVE, RELEASE AND RELIEVE RELEASEES FROM LIABILITY FOR BODILY AND PERSONAL INJURY AND ILLNESS, INCLUDING WRONGFUL DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE AND ANY OTHER LOSS SUFFERED BY MANAGER/VOLUNTEER CAUSED BY OR ARISING FROM ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION, INCLUDING THE NEGLIGENCE, IF ANY, OF ANY RELEASEES, WHILE PARTICIPATING IN ANY USA HOCKEY ACTIVITY OR EVENT.

“Releasees” include USA Hockey, Inc., its districts, affiliate associations, local associations, member teams, event hosts and event operators, other participants, coaches, officials, sponsors, advertisers, and each of them, their officers, directors, agents and employees. By signing this Agreement, Manager/Volunteer acknowledges that he/she is of legal age and has read this entire Agreement and understands its contents, or, if under the age of 18, that Manager/Volunteer’s Parent(s)/Guardian(s) has/have read this entire Agreement and understands its contents. For and in consideration of the undersigned Manager/Volunteer’s registration with USA Hockey, Inc., its affiliates, local associations and member teams (collectively referred to herein as USAH) and being allowed to participate in USAH events and member team activities, Manager/Volunteer (and parent(s)/guardian(s) if applicable) waives, releases, holds harmless, and relinquishes any and all claims and demands for liability and cause(s) of action, including for personal injury, illness, wrongful death, property damage, or any other losses incurred by Manager/Volunteer, arising out of participation in USAH events, member team activities, the sport of ice hockey, and/or activities incidental thereto, including the premises, services or facilities, whenever or however they occur and for such period said activities may continue, and by this Agreement any such claims, rights, and causes of action that Manager/Volunteer (and parent(s)/guardian(s) if applicable) may have are hereby waived, released and relinquished, and Manager/Volunteer (and parent(s)/guardian(s) if applicable) does(do) so on behalf of my/our and Manager/Volunteer’s heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

Manager/Volunteer acknowledges, understands and agrees that the sport of ice hockey and hockey activities can be dangerous and involve inherent risks of injury, and assumes all risks relating to ice hockey and any member team activities, and understands that ice hockey and member team activities involve risks to Manager/Volunteer’s person including bodily injury, partial or total disability, illness, paralysis and death, and damages which may arise therefrom and that I/we have full knowledge of said risks. Manager/Volunteer further acknowledges, understands and agrees that these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the Manager/Volunteer or the negligence of others, including the “Releasees” identified above. These risks and dangers further include risks of sickness arising from any and all communicable diseases, germs, bacteria, viruses or infections, including without limitation the virus responsible for COVID-19 and other similar viruses or infections, whether now known or later discovered. Manager/Volunteer further acknowledges that there may be risks and dangers not known or not reasonably foreseeable at this time. Manager/Volunteer acknowledges, understands and agrees that all of the risks and dangers described throughout this Agreement, including those caused by the negligence o Manager/Volunteer, a Releasee, and/or others, are included within the waiver, release and relinquishment described herein.

Manager/Volunteer acknowledges, understands and assumes the risks, if any, arising from the conditions and use of ice hockey rinks and related premises, and acknowledges and understands that included within the scope of this release is any cause of action (including any cause of action based on negligence) arising from the performance, or failure to perform maintenance, inspection, cleaning, disinfecting, supervision or control of said areas and for the failure to warn of dangerous conditions existing at said rinks, for negligent selection of certain Releasees, or negligent supervision or instruction by any Releasee.

As a condition of registration and membership in USA Hockey and participation in USAH and member team activities, Manager/Volunteer agrees to abide by and be bound under the playing rules and governing regulations of USA Hockey, including the USA Hockey Bylaws Rules and Regulations, Policies, Codes of Conduct, and the mandatory dispute resolution and discipline provisions applicable there to, as published in the current USA Hockey Annual Guide, and the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program, as published in the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Handbook. Copies of the USA Hockey Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, Policies, Codes of Conduct, including the mandatory dispute resolution and discipline and arbitration provisions, are available from USA Hockey’s offices or may be found at www.usahockey.com/annualguide. The USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook can be found at https://www.usahockey.com/resourcesanddownloads. Any dispute, claim or cause of action regarding the terms of this Agreement or its subject matter, or participation in USA Hockey activities or events, shall be brought (i) individually, without resort to any form of class or collective action, and without joinder or consolidation of claims of third parties, and (ii) exclusively in the manner provided in the applicable rules of USA Hockey (including, without limitation USA Hockey Bylaw 10).

As further consideration for registration and participation in USAH events and member team activities, Manager/Volunteer, hereby (1) consents and agrees that USAH, its licensees and designees may make video and/or audio recordings of and/or otherwise film, photograph or memorialize some or all of Manager/Volunteer’s participation in such events and activities, and (2) grants to USAH, its licensees, designees, successors and assigns, a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, fully-paid, royalty-free, transferable and sublicenseable right and license to use, copy and disseminate Manager/Volunteer’s image and personal attributes, and to modify and present same in any form, manner and media, now known or hereafter devised, for any purpose whatsoever.

If the law in any controlling jurisdiction renders any part of this Agreement unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain enforceable to the full extent, if any, allowed by controlling law. This Agreement affects your legal rights, and you may wish to consult an attorney concerning this Agreement.

Manager/Volunteer agrees if any claim for Manager/Volunteer’s personal injury or illness or wrongful death or property damage is commenced against any Releasee, he/she shall defend, indemnify and save harmless Releasees from any and all claims or causes of action by whomever or wherever made or presented for Manager/Volunteer’s personal injuries or illness, property damage or wrongful death. Manager/Volunteer acknowledges that he/she has been provided and read the above paragraphs and has not relied upon any representations of Releasees, that he/she is fully advised of the potential dangers of ice hockey, agrees that no oral representations, statements or inducements apart from this Agreement have been made, that he/she agrees to and sign this document voluntarily, understanding that these waivers and releases are necessary to allow amateur ice hockey to exist in its present form. Significant exclusions may apply to USA Hockey’s insurance policies, which could affect any coverage. For example, there is no liability coverage for claims of one player against another player. Read your insurance brochure carefully and, if you have any questions, contact USA Hockey or a District Risk Manager.