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Oakland Bears Community News

#11, November 2023

November News!

November stands as my top pick for hockey season. The initial thrill hasn't faded, and the fatigue of holiday tournaments is still at bay. At this point, every outcome is on the table. Teams are beginning to click and establish their unique styles. Those who've stumbled out of the gate can still recover, while early front-runners must work to keep their edge. History reminds us that an early lead doesn't guarantee a smooth ride to the playoffs or beyond—take the 2022-23 Boston Bruins as a case in point. So, the message is clear: in hockey, nothing is a given.

A special shoutout to our Bears 10U squad who lit up the ice at the recent Cal vs. USC game. Joining Cal Berkeley during the national anthem and showcasing their skills during a lively scrimmage at intermission was a dream for the kids and the crowd really inspired them.

On a different note, the anticipated Big Freeze face-off against Stanford won’t be happening this year. Details are slim, but with Cal’s dominant performance in the Pac8, it's not hard to see why rivals might think twice. For those eager to catch the Cal Bears in action, mark your calendars for 11/11 at 8 pm. It’s a perfect family outing—affordable, entertaining, and the crowd can be lively. Plus, Cal’s impressive 9-3 record and a goal differential of +53 means there’s plenty of action.

If you're able to get away during the week, don’t miss this special treat. The San Jose Barracuda will be holding a practice session in Oakland next week. This is your chance to observe professional players without making a drive to San Jose -- seeing how they train and perfect their game. It's a unique and exciting experience, especially for those who love the sport. Details are listed towards the end of the newsletter.

Lastly, I can’t let this moment pass without honoring Oakland Ice Hockey Manager, Brad Martin, on his first anniversary. He stepped in during a pivotal time, bringing a positive and cooperative spirit that, along with our dedicated parent volunteers, kept our club afloat. The progress under Brad’s leadership has been remarkable, setting the Bears on a new and exciting path. And from what I hear, there are more exciting developments to come—stay tuned. A big thank you to Brad, and here’s to the future of Oakland hockey!

I’ll see you at the rink,

Jason Dearborn

Know The Rules

My name is Simon Becerra, a dedicated Bear parent and level three official, and I’m delighted to join in during Pink in the Rink month to show my support.

Knowing your hockey rules is key, whether they're well-known or less so. Let’s explore a common one and a not-so-common one.

Common

Rule 609 defines a cross-check as using the stick shaft between both hands to forcefully check an opponent without any part of the stick on the ice. This means as a defender, you can legally use your stick to keep an attacker away from the crease, avoiding a penalty by keeping the blade on the ice.

Less Common

Leadership on the ice goes beyond the “C” on a jersey. Rule 202 explains that only the captain or alternate captains can talk with the referee about rule interpretations during the game. This rule emphasizes the importance of the captain's role in communication and professionalism. As a referee, knowing the captains beforehand signals to me their seriousness about their leadership role.Understanding both the celebrated and the nuanced rules is crucial for the integrity and spirit of the game.

Coaches Corner

Currently, the 10Us’ most important lesson to learn is team unity. As mental preparation for practices we’ve been working on a call and response that goes something like this:

Coach: Who’s skating with me today?

Team: Bears!

Coach: How do Bears roll?

Team: With Pride and Honor!

Coach: What are you proud of?

Team: Hard work and development!

Coach: Who do you Honor?

Team: Those that serve our game! (Broken down further into parents, coaches, scorekeepers, refs, teammates, opponents, and anyone else they can think of.)

Then before we start skating, I issue a final reminder that the best players/teammates will rally around the good things we do and move forward from the mistakes we make without blaming others.

10U Coach Mike Cefola

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