What is an Ice Scheduler?
Every hockey association has an Ice Scheduler! They are the person who makes sense of the number of teams in each House League division, the number of Rep teams, the required amount of ice needed for practices, home games, exhibition games, tryouts, interest skates, tournaments, etc...
The Ice Scheduler has to consider appropriate time slots for our different aged players, different venues and their availability, focus on consistency and balance across the board.
They are tasked with making arrangements with our arenas, buying ice, allocating it, then returning if necessary.
Ice Rentals are the NMHA's single biggest expense - and our Ice Scheduler is in charge of ensuring that we use it in the most efficient manner possible!
This time of year, is the busiest, most chaotic and downright overwhelming time for our Ice Scheduler!
These last few weeks, I have been inundated with special, personal requests for our Ice Scheduler to consider when the schedule is being finalized.
The NMHA has over 800 players! With that many players, it is simply not possible to consider accommodating everyones individual needs. There will be conflicts with parents work schedules, with other siblings, and with other commitments. We would love to present you a schedule that works perfectly, but sadly that isn't always the case.
We do appreciate many of your suggestions, and patience and willingness to go with the flow. Your support is very much appreciated!
The Ice Scheduling position is tough, arguably one of the most thankless ones that we have. So when you are looking at the week of hockey ahead on your calendar, remember that there are many moving parts, countless considerations and an unbelievable amount of hours involved.
If you haven't met our Ice Scheduler, his name is Mark Rice. He is a Dad, a husband, a teacher and a volunteer, and he is a very nice, organized and competent individual. When you see Mark around the arena - be sure to thank him for all of his efforts!