Code of Conduct

Cloquet Amateur Hockey Association

Code of Conduct Policy

Effective Date: September 1, 2025 (to be reviewed annually)

Approved By: Cloquet Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) Board of Directors

Cloquet Youth Hockey supports the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance policy as it relates to conduct by coaches, players, parents, and fans in the sport of youth hockey. It is our hope that by enforcing this policy, those participating have a positive youth hockey experience.

I. Purpose

This Code of Conduct policy outlines the expected behaviors for all players and parents/guardians involved in the Cloquet hockey program. It is designed to promote respect, integrity, sportsmanship, safety, and to ensure alignment with Minnesota Hockey and District 11 standards.

II. Scope

This policy applies to all players, parents/guardians participating in the Cloquet hockey program, both on and off the ice, during practices, games, team functions, and related events.

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

To be reviewed and signed at the beginning of each season by players, parents, and coaches. This will be reviewed, signed, at the time of registration.

No swearing or abusive language on the bench, in the rink, or at any team function.
No inappropriate conduct directed toward officials. The coaching staff will handle all matters pertaining to officiating.
Anyone who receives a penalty will skate directly to the penalty box.
Fighting will not be tolerated.
There will be no drinking, smoking, chewing of tobacco or use of illegal substances at any team function.
Players will conduct themselves in a befitting manner at all facilities (ice rink, hotel, restaurant, etc.) during all team functions.
There will be no Horseplay in the locker rooms or any area of the rink. This includes throwing objects, fighting, pushing, wrestling, etc.
Show respect at all times:

A) No derogatory comments or Hazing

B) No Ethnic, Racial, Sexual comments or behavior.

C) No Profanity or Profane gestures.

D) Be ready on time for practice and games.

E) Listen to coaches when addressed individually or as a group.

F) Keep areas clean - pick up trash in locker rooms and other areas

G) Players will be held responsible for any destruction of property.

H) Do not take items that do not belong to you, give them to a coach, parent, or rink attendant.

The Locker Room is a place to get ready, to learn, or a place to get dressed. Inappropriate behaviors will not be tolerated. Misconduct will be addressed by coaches, disciplinary committee, Cloquet Youth Hockey Board of Directors, District 11, or USA Hockey.
No cell phone cameras, video, or camera equipment of any kind in the locker room. Locker rooms are for changing. Players who take pictures, videos, etc in the locker room can be subjected to disciplinary action.
No weapons of any kind are permitted at any CAHA practice, game, or event.
In the presence of members of the opposite sex, all undergarments need to be covered. If a skater needs to change to anything less than this, it must be done where no members of the opposite sex are present (i.e. Bathroom).
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions or sanctions that include, but are not limited to, verbal reprimands, written reprimands, games suspensions, season suspensions, and (in extreme cases) termination from Cloquet Hockey and its activities with no refund for season fees. Cloquet Hockey Discipline Committee is designed to review conduct related activities and resolve them at the lowest level. Individual appeals can be made to the Cloquet Amateur Hockey Board of Directors.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

To be reviewed and signed at the beginning of each season by players, parents, and coaches. This will be reviewed, signed, at the time of registration.

Encourage your child to play by the rules.
Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all its participants, your child will benefit.
Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize games and competition in the younger age levels.
Know and study the rules of hockey and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game.
Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice. It is destructive. Work toward removing physical and verbal abuse in youth sports.
Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and support them.

THEREFORE, we agree to the following Code of Conduct Policy:

Rule 1. 24-Hour Rule: No parent/legal guardian of any Cloquet Youth Hockey Association player, in frustration/anger will contact the coach, or any other member of the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors for 24 hours after an incident. This includes email, phone call, text message, written/typed letters or any other social media avenue. After 24 hours has passed, the parent/legal guardian is to contact the level coordinator with the complaint. If the 24-hour rule is NOT followed by the parent/legal guardian, sanctions may be issued by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors in accordance to the CAHA sanctioning guide lines (Appendix A).

Rule 2. Parents and/or players who are removed from any rink may sanctioned by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors in accordance to our sanctioning guide lines

Rule 3. Parents and/or players who create public displays of anger towards their coaches in any arena or via email, phone call, text messages, written/typed letters or via any other social media site may be sanctioned by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors in accordance to the CAHA sanctioning guide lines (Appendix A).

Rule 4. Parents and/or players, who create public displays of anger towards referees, parents/players of any Cloquet Youth Hockey Association teams or any opposing team, which includes verbal abuse/threats or actual physical abuse/violence or any other conduct determined to be detrimental to Cloquet Youth Hockey Association will be sanctioned by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors in accordance to CAHA sanctioning guidelines (Appendix A).

Rule 5. All inappropriate actions and resulting sanctions will be maintained in confidence by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors and be cumulative throughout the family's participation in the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association. If need be, all sanctions will be forwarded to District 11 and/or Minnesota Hockey for review and enforcement.

Rule 6. If I do not abide by the Code of Conduct Policy, I realize my child/children can be restricted from play for the term set forth by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors; all applicable fees still apply during the duration of the sanction.

Rule 7. The parent agrees to abide by all the rules set forth by USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey, District 11 and the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association. Any violation will be sanctioned by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors in accordance with our sanctioning guidelines (Appendix A).

Rule 8. The Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors, or any Committee appointed by the Cloquet Youth Hockey Board of Directors, will enforce all violations and notify the individual(s) in writing, after a disciplinary hearing, outlining the sanction that is being set forth. This will be done in a timely manner.

Rule 9. Any Cloquet Youth Hockey Association member witnessing or involved in a violation of any portion of the Cloquet Youth Hockey Association Parent Code of Conduct can bring an issue forward, after the 24-hour rule, to the Board of Directors by contacting the Level Director, President and/or the Vice President. Issues can also be brought to the Cloquet Hockey Board of directors directly by submitting an email request to the CAHA President. The issue will be heard at the next available board meeting.

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

To be reviewed, signed at the coaches meeting by each coach before the season. Coaches who do not sign, shall not be allowed to perform team functions. See Rules and Standards signature page, Appendix B.

Never verbally or physically abuse a player, official, parent, spectator or other coach.
Care more about the child than winning the game--winning is a consideration, but not the only one, nor the most important one.
Be concerned with the overall development of all players. Stress good health habits and clean living.
Give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence, and develop self-esteem.
Adjust to each player's personal needs and challenges. Be a good listener.
Encourage all your players to be team players.
Be a positive role model to your players, display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety of your players.
Be generous with your praise when deserved, be consistent, honest, fair and just.
Never criticize players publicly.
Maintain an open line of communication with your players and their parents.
Reinforce the goals and objectives of CAHA.
Teach the basics, continue to study and learn the game to become a better coach and communicator.
Know the rules, techniques, and strategies of hockey.
Organize practices that are challenging and fun for your players.
Encourage equal playing time for all skaters
Follow all USA Hockey Coaching Requirements
Follow the USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey and district 11 rules and guidelines.
Refrain from the use of tobacco, nicotine, or other electronic devices while supervising players.
Never be under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol while coaching any game or practice.

Appendix A

Sanctioning Guidelines

CAHA believes in positive pro-social interactions between our coaches, parents, and those who attend CAHA events. In the event that these values are jeopardized, coaches/players/and spectators may be subjected to disciplinary sanctions set forth by the CAHA Board of Directors and/or Coach and Player Development. The guideline below will address the corrective action process.

1^st offense

Depends on the severity of the action, first offense will be a verbal warning.

2^nd offense

Depends on the severity of the action, second offense will be 1 practice/1 game

3^rd offense

Depends of the severity of the action, third offense will be 1 week suspension or 3 practices/2 games

4^th offense

Depending on the severity of the action, fourth offense will be separation from duties and/or removal from the rink and its operations.

*** At any time, the Discipline Committee and CAHA Board of Directors can deviate from progressive levels to address the nature of any incident.

***At any time, the discipline Committee and CAHA board of directors can deviate from these corrective action processes in order to successfully manage unique incidents.

Appendix B

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT- Rules and Standards Signature Page

To be reviewed, signed at the coaches meeting by each coach before the season. Coaches who do not sign, shall not be allowed to perform team functions.

Never verbally or physically abuse a player, official, parent, spectator or other coach.
Care more about the child than winning the game--winning is a consideration, but not the only one, nor the most important one.
Be concerned with the overall development of all players. Stress good health habits and clean living.
Give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence, and develop self-esteem.
Adjust to each player's personal needs and challenges. Be a good listener.
Encourage all your players to be team players.
Be a positive role model to your players, display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety of your players.
Be generous with your praise when deserved, be consistent, honest, fair and just.
Never criticize players publicly.
Maintain an open line of communication with your players and their parents.
Reinforce the goals and objectives of CAHA.
Teach the basics, continue to study and learn the game to become a better coach and communicator.
Know the rules, techniques, and strategies of hockey.
Organize practices that are challenging and fun for your players.
Encourage equal playing time for all skaters
Follow all USA Hockey Coaching Requirements
Follow the USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey and district 11 rules and guidelines.
Refrain from the use of tobacco, nicotine, or other electronic devices while supervising players.
Never be under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol while coaching any game or practice.

_____________________________________________ ________________

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CAHA Code of Conduct Policy- Sept 2025.pdf

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Code of Conduct