Thursday, June 20, 2013

EHL Becomes First Tier III League To Implement USA Hockey SafeSport

Press Release 

BOSTON, Mass. – The Eastern Hockey League is the first USA Hockey Tier III Junior hockey league to name a SafeSport coordinator and formulate a plan to implement USA Hockey’s innovative SafeSport program.

The EHL would like to announce that Cheri Bonawitz, a longtime USA Hockey Junior Council member, has been appointed the league’s first SafeSport coordinator. Bonawitz is a past president of Maine Amateur Hockey and she is a currently serving as a Director for the New England District of USA Hockey and is on USA Hockey’s Safety and Protective Equipment Committee. Bonawitz will work with the EHL staff to help ensure that all 18 member organizations are following the SafeSport protocol and providing the proper player environments.

Through the USA Hockey SafeSport Program, USA Hockey is committed to creating the safest possible environment for participation in hockey. USA Hockey has long had systems in place to protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of abuse and misconduct that can be harmful to youth hockey players. These include without limitation Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Screening, Locker Room Supervision and Hazing Policies, in addition to Codes of Conduct applicable to administrators, coaches, officials, parents, players and spectators. USA Hockey’s SafeSport Handbook is intended to update and collect USA Hockey’s various policies to protect its participants from all types of misconduct and abuse.

“Cheri is a great asset for our league,” said EHL Director of Hockey Operations Mark Kumpel. “Her ongoing dedication and passion for the sport of hockey is unparalleled. As a member of USA Hockey’s Tier III Junior Caucus and Safety and Protective Equipment Committee, she has full working knowledge of the SafeSport Program. She will be instrumental in educating our member organizations about the USA Hockey SafeSport policies and implementing them throughout our league, assuring our players’ parents that we are compliant with USA Hockey safety policies.”
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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