Letter from the GM:

Due to PCHA reorganization, the College of the Canyons Cougars have withdrawn from the PCHA and become an "independent."

COC understood and agreed with the plans to re-form the PCHA, for the near future, as a NorCal-only League and feels that action would benefit and be in the best interest of the players and competition of the programs involved. Based on the plan as presented to them, COC stepped away from the League on an amiable basis to allow the PCHA an opportunity to rebuild and thrive as it had so many times in years past.

Their desire is to continue the competitive ties they've built and maintained with the programs in this and future seasons, albeit as non-PCHA games. COC did not 'opt out' of the League; they do, however, fully agree with the new direction the PCHA wishes to pursue - without their membership - so that it can continue as the premier and longest-operating League in the Nation.

2012/2013 Season Information

Current and Future Cougar Ice Hockey Players,

As promised, this is the kick-off email to start the next season – even though the last season still isn't "finished." That's OK, though, as being 4-peat PCHA Champions and yet another National Tournament appearance (finishing 2-1, good for 7^th in the Nation, and the only Community College – again – at the Tournament) is long, tiring work…

In order not to ramble but to give you a current status of what's up, here goes:

Eligibility

• You must be a full-time student (12 units) and carry a cumulative min. GPA of 2.0.
• If you are a returning player, you must maintain the above AND have passed (‘D’ or better) at least 9 units in the previous semester.

Education

• New to COC? Here's the link for getting started:

http://www.cccapply.org/applications/CCCApply/apply/College_of_the_Canyons.html

• The general campus website, which is also loaded with info about COC, is: http://www.canyons.edu
• We have two Academic Counselor's specified for the Team. If you need to make an appointment with one of them, email me for more info
• Priority registration is July 25, 2012. You need to get all of your pre-registration requirements done ASAP and select your classes prior to that date. You will be registering on that date, at your given time. IF YOU MISS THAT DATE, THERE IS NO OPTION BUT TO FALL BACK TO YOUR 'REGULARLY' SCHEDULED DATE – AT WHICH TIME YOU WILL NOT (GUARANTEED) GET THE CLASSES YOU WANT. PERIOD.
• For continuing students, be aware that an outstanding balance from a previous semester will prevent you from registering for the new term

Hockey

• We have an excellent website with 99% of the info you need included in the site; before you email me back with a bunch of questions, be sure you read the entire site and "play around" with the included links http://www.canyonshockey.com
• Our schedule for the season is nearly complete and will be on the site by the end of May
• In addition to the game schedule, our practices will be twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday, starting the first week of Fall classes, at 10:15pm, Ice Station Valencia
• Cost is $1,500 per season PLUS travel costs (the Club makes all the arrangements – you just pay up and show up)
• Note that this season we’ll be doing a LOT of travelling – so make sure you save a little extra for airline tickets and your share of the transportation after we get to our destination
• We have Team jerseys, so there's no cost for uniforms except for socks

Am I good enough to play?

• We get this question all the time and here's the answer: it's up to you, not us
• We have never, since the inception of the program, cut a single player
• What has happened, however, is that players that feel they're good enough to play – but really aren't one of the top 18 or so, get frustrated after the first game or two and quit OR
• A player believes that if they're not playing in games, it's not worth the effort – so they quit
• The smart players, however, that aren't quite so egotistical, hang in there, pay their dues, continue to get their perks from being on the team, get much better on the ice and end up playing – even if it's infrequently in a limited role
• Figure it this way. We're past National Champs. We’ve won the State title the last 4 years in a row. So, we're pretty good then, right? So why wouldn't someone want to be on the ice, practice, learn and hang out with the best 18 players in the US? Dumb question, but more often than not players bail and miss the opportunity provided to them
• Bottom line: we don't promise ice time to anyone, anytime. They earn it. They have no expectation of bumping someone that's better than them, for any reason whatsoever. If you can't accept that, please find somewhere else to "follow the dream"
• Be forewarned. The words "entitlement" and "fair" don't exist in this Club; we're the Real World and you're adults – whether you like it or not

Alumni Players

• This is a very successful program. Past players have transferred to places like Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, Arizona State, UC San Diego, San Diego State, UC Irvine, Plattsburgh (SUNY), University of Colorado (both Boulder and Colorado Springs), USC and UCLA
• We have alumni practicing in the fields of Medicine, Psychology, Law, Business, Finance, Banking, Sales and Marketing and even a Rocket Scientist and a Brewmaster
• As for hockey, we’ve had a player go ‘Pro’ (Minor’s)
• As you can see, if you pay attention, you can continue your education and hockey for your entire college eligibility period

So there it is. We're about education first, hockey second. Or, maybe even third or fourth. We have an excellent educational program at COC and we offer a means of maximizing that opportunity. With hockey thrown in for fun. If you have any questions, please email back. In the meantime, here's our summer schedule of skates prior to the official start of practice (I'll be at these to answer questions):

Monday, May 21 – 6:30–8:00pm

Monday, June 25 – 7-8pm

Monday, July 16 - 7–8pm

All at Ice Station Valencia, $20 per skate.

Jim Schrage

GM, COC Ice Hockey Club

Summer schedule of skates:

Monday, May 21 – 6:30–8:00pm

Monday, June 25 – 7-8pm

Monday, July 16 - 7–8pm

Ice Station Valencia, $20 per skate

These are not practices.  They are for interested/returning players.  Make it a priority to be there.