Why Risk Management?
By: Dave Hetrick

To help USA Hockey provide an environment to help control the risks that exist in the sport, and insure effectively against those risks that still exist after good risks controls have been identified and implemented so that our players and volunteers can concentrate on the most important aspect . . . The Game.

Most people that I talk to regard insurance as just another expense that makes hockey more expensive; however many people do not realize that without adequate insurance coverage there would be no hockey and in many cases our sponsors would be unwilling to commit moneys to our program.

Insurance coverage is a necessary expense; however we can work together to keep our insurance costs down.

• Make an individual in your program responsible for safety.
• Review your risk facilities for possible problems.
  • Spectator exposure to flying pucks
  • Condition of boards and glass
  • Emergency exits in rinks and locker rooms
  • Spectator control during tournaments and league play
  • Emergency numbers lists
  • Emergency first aid
  • Ice contracts are reviewed to insure that your program is only responsible for normal ice activity.
• Coach selection process - knowledgeable people who are good role models.
• Make sure your program provides an equal opportunity for all players and volunteers.
• Make sure every decision made by your Board addresses safety and potential liability risks.
• Make sure that all players are properly dressed and there are no players on the bench during a game without a helmet.
• Make sure that proper safety precautions have been taken for your volunteers.
• Make sure that you have received proper tournament and special event sanctions.
• I strongly recommend that procurement of Direct and Officers Coverage.
• Make sure that no player steps on the ice without signed IMR's and waivers if applicable.
• Provide an orientation session for all new players relative to rules and equipment.
• Have your program's person who is responsible for risk control contact me so that I can put them on my mailing list and I can assist them in risk control.

I'll be the first to agree with you that our game is getting too expensive: however good risk management will help keep costs under control.

Call me so we can get started.

Dave Hetrick, Risk Manager, Mid-American District
2614 E. 26th Street
Erie, PA 16510

Home: 814-899-2936
Work: 814-875-5784
Fax: 814-875-6150