Integrity, honesty, work ethic, selflessness: these are among the qualities embodied by the captain of a hockey team. Captains inherit added responsibilities while playing and practicing under the microscope of teammates, coaches, parents, officials. Not every team elects to appoint a captain. The Wooster Oilers 12U team did. Coaches Emily Busta and Shane Bennett made their choice last week, announcing it to both players and parents. Lily Robinson was chosen to be the captain for the 2022/2023 season. The coaches also named assistant captains: Brexton Fry, Noah Hardwick, and Adam Wilcox. Busta said, "It was an easy one sentence conversation for Shane and me. The difference in Lily from last year to this year is noticeable. She's confident and vocal. She'll make a great leader for the team."

In fact, Lily will be the first female team captain in Wooster Hockey history. When asked about how she felt about being the team captain, Lily said: "I won't let my coaches and teammates down. It's a pretty cool honor. I'm proud of it!" WYHA has almost always featured female participants. Girls like Lyndsey Galloway, Aubrey Melcher, Isabel Gracia, Paige Mellicant, and Brooke Huffman have been leaders and standout players who played at high levels for WYHA as well as for other organizations. Lily's accomplishment is a reflection of the past players mentioned here and many not mentioned; it's also a reflection of the present. Currently, WYHA features 116 players in total, among 8 teams, from 8U through High School. Of those 116 players, 17 are girls. It's the highest percentage of female participants in the history of the program. 

Nationwide, more girls are playing hockey than ever before. Locally, the opportunity for girls to play all girls hockey is limited and involves significant, though worthwhile, drive time. (Lily also plays for the Cleveland Lady Barons 12U Black team. The experience of playing all girls hockey allowed her to develop her skills under coach Tim Becka and cement her sense of self on the ice, as did the coaching she received last season from Nicole Hoekstra, along with Busta and Bennett, at WYHA.) However, girls almost always start out playing on teams with mostly boys. Many teams have zero female participants. Lily, however, has been fortunate enough to always have fellow girls for teammates. Her team this year features two others: Taylor Streblow, goalie, and Bella Canas, perhaps the team's most skilled and speedy player. No one was more excited for Lily than Bella when Lily was named team captain, with a big smile and a hug for her on the ice at practice. (Bella also plays for the Lady Barons 12U Elite team.) Bella and Lily have known each other since they were 4 years old, as their brothers grew up playing on the same team and often the same line with one another for 8 years. Taylor, Bella, and Lily were first teammates with one another as 8 year olds. Taylor is among the program's most versatile players who has split time as a skater and a goalie, as recently as last season, and does both remarkably well. The comradery felt by the three is reflected among the entire 12U team this year as the team is off to a 5-0 start in preseason competition. 

If you see Lily around the rink, congratulate her. More importantly, be proud of all 17 girls who play hockey for WYHA and all who play in the CSHL. Cheer for these girls. Invest in their success. WYHA and the CSHL would not be what it is without any one of them.

Sunday, September 25, 2022, Alice Noble Ice Arena will mark its 20th anniversary. There will be a celebration to thank patrons for their support and to recognize this gift to the community. There will be a Public Skate from 2:00-4:00 PM.  Admission and skate rental are FREE of charge. Refreshments will also be provided courtesy of the Noble Foundation. 

Please don’t just mark your calendars. Set this time aside to celebrate ANIA. Nearly 3 years ago, we faced the almost certain loss of the ice rink and the displacement of players, teams, families. However, our community rallied together to showcase the value of the facility and the character of our ice culture. Consider your attendance an opportunity to demonstrate your continued gratitude to the Noble Foundation and your continued love for the facility itself. 

Nothing would make a greater impression on the Noble Foundation than to see the ANIA packed with patrons more than it has ever been. Please set aside the date and time. WYHA, as a whole, should plan on attending and celebrating.
 

Jay Robinson 
WYHA President

October 7, 2022 at 8:00 am
Hawks Nest

Contact Bryan Smith- bsmith@nobleice.com or Dan Jech- djech4@gmail.com for further information.

The 2022/23 season budget was approved at the 8/29 Board Meeting and the dues are:
Mites $950
Squirts $1150
PeeWee $1350
Bantam $1550
High School $2450

RUBBERDUCKS FUNDRAISER
BUEHLER'S FUNDRAISER
LOWE'S FUNDRAISER
WALMART FUNDRAISER
DUNKIN' DONUTS FUNDRAISER
MUM SALE FUNDRAISER
FIVE GUYS FUNDRAISER
CHIPOTLE FUNDRAISER

 

Congratulations to the newly elected WYHA Board Members

Trustee: Seth Greenberg (2-year term)
Trustee: Ashley Twedt (2-year term)
Trustee: Troy Wilcox (1-year term)
Treasurer: Jenny Lykins (2-year term)

Many thanks to departing WYHA Board members Eric Robinson and Stephanie Bull.  Thanks as well to the entire group of board nominees. We were blessed by a tremendous group of candidates. Our organization depends on volunteer efforts. For departing board members, nominees, and anyone interested and motivated: please continue to be involved or get involved! We need you!

What is the WYHA Boosters? 

Mission: The mission of the WYHA Booster Club is to support the growth and development for athletes at each level while promoting a positive athletic experience for our players, parents, families, and coaches. 

Goals:
We will accomplish this by:
-Raising and managing funds that will positively impact the players, families, and the overall association. 
-Coordinating community involvement and volunteer activities.
-Organize and carry out association events to promote building a strong association that will value the enhancement of players at all levels.

*Want to stay informed and up to date with future events, spirit wear sales, fundraising, and more then make sure you join the WYHA Boosters Facebook group below! 
WYHA Boosters 

*Want lend a helping hand and be a part of the WYHA Boosters? Please feel free to email us at WYHABoosters@gmail.com. We look forward to working with you! 

Thanks to all who attended our End of Season Celebration last night at ANIA. Great to see so many players and so many families gathered in one place at one time. The event offered a reminder that we are stronger 'together' than we are apart. Hopefully, you had a fun evening and enjoyed the festivities!

For those unable to make it, here's the list of those who received individual awards for their efforts this season:

Congrats to all teams on great seasons and for representing our association so well throughout the year. 

Finally, on behalf of the entire WYHA Board, thank you to all coaches and team managers for all your hard work this year. 

Jay Robinson
WYHA President

 Playoff Scores:
Friday: NCHSHL (American) Playoffs): Canton-Akron 3, Wooster  2.
Saturday: CSHL Squirt A3 Semifinal: Winterhurst 3, Wooster 2 (2 OT).
Sunday: CSHL Peewee A1 Semifinal: Canton-Akron 3, Wooster 1.

16U Team Celebrates

Congratulations to the Wooster High School Oilers 16U team, which combined players from among both the American and National Division teams to form an eligible roster for The Show Tournament's Wooster Blowout event hosted by Alice Noble Ice Arena over President's Day Weekend. 

The 16U's went 4-1 over 3 days, including an overtime win in the championship game after trailing 3-1 halfway through the 3rd period. 

Highlights: 
Three players paced the attack for the Oilers and compiled ridiculous stat lines along the way: 
Sam Robinson (10 Goals, 8 assists) 
LuiG Cañas (8 Goals, 8 Assists) 
Avi Arora (3 Goals, 10 assists) 
21 Goals, 26 assists in 5 games. 
Fittingly, the trio combined on the title winning goal by Robinson.

Team defense also played outstanding at both ends of the ice--led by Carson Merryweather, Connor Reich, and Jake Allen. All three defenseman scored in the tournament, including Allen, who opened the scoring in the final game with a shorthanded goal to provide early momentum. 

Finally, excellent goaltending by Kyle Lesiw and Josie Zimmerman provided the backbone of the team. Lesiw demonstrated poise and consistency in his 3 starts--all wins. Zimmerman had a shutout in pool play and provided calm in the championship game during a rocky second period. Congrats to all the players, coaches, and parents.

Squirt Team's Banner Season
Congratulations are also in order for our squirt team, who won the CSHL Squirt A3 Division Banner with an impressive 11-1 record. 

Highlights:
Micah Robinson leads the team with 47 goals. 
Keagan Smith paces all skaters with 24 assists. 
Seva Raev proved to be the division's toughest goalie throughout the season. 

Thanks to these players and coaches, WYHA will be able to hang another banner in the rink and inspire the next group of young hockey players. 

Coach Bryan Smith credits his team with being one of the strongest backchecking teams he's ever seen and worked hard to gel together a group of players with varying levels of playing experience.

For the entire season, team defense was outstanding, impressive, and consistent as the team only yielded 17 goals in 12 games.

The 10U group has one more tournament remaining to conclude their season.

Thank You
To all Wooster Oilers Junior Hockey players who helped out at WYHA practices throughout the season, from the 8U level to the high school level. These young men provided leadership, great examples, and individual instruction. 

WYHA players have inherited great passion for the game from these young men, who always seemed willing to help. 

You will all be missed!

Thanks to a generous donation from the Wadsworth Veterinary Hospital, WYHA will offer one free skate-sharpening at Alice Noble Ice Arena for WYHA 8U rostered players. Vouchers for each player will be distributed to team managers for the Mite 1 and Mite 2 teams next week. The idea for this program came directly from Wadsworth Veterinary Hospital. Their continued support has had a great impact throughout the 21-22 season, starting with the October Team Boxes, and we cannot thank them enough for all they have given and done.

Sponsorship Recognition/Reward Levels

Level one- $250 - $500
-family/business listed on website
-team/program photo on sponsorship plaque

Level two- $501 - $1000
-family/business listed on website
-family/business appearance on digital screens in ANIA
-team/program photo on sponsorship plaque
-a couple of apparel items of choice

Level three- $1001 & above
-family/business listed on website
-team/program photo on sponsorship plaque
-family/business appearance on digital screens in ANIA
-a couple of apparel items of choice
-advertisement in rink via the WYHA dasher
 

Sponsorship Funds 

Funds donated to WYHA can be applied to a sponsor’s chosen area of focus, or applied as WYHA see fit, from among the following or other examples:

Scholarship Program
Tournaments
Association Day
End of Year Recognition
Equipment needs
Training Aids for Coaching
Future Programming (mini-mites, for examples)
Association Cohesion Projects (apparel, for example)
Game Day Expenses: High School

16U The Show Tournament Champions

Bantam AA Playoff Champions

PeeWee A3 Divison Champions

The Wooster Youth Hockey Association (WYHA) is a 501(c)3 organization located in Wooster, Ohio. Our mission is to introduce the youth of our area to the great game of ice hockey, such that every child, through their participation in the program, can enjoy a positive, character building sports experience while creating a passion for the game.

Emphasis will always be placed upon individual skill development, personal development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The individual conduct of WYHA directors, coaches, players, and parents will be maintained to ensure a positive culture in which all can honor the sport, and exemplify an organization in which to be proud of.

And above all else... "It’s always about the kids"

USA Hockey Registration
Important Link (registration session)
Important Link (volunteer policy)