Parent Code of Conduct

Lake Forest Hockey Club, (LFHC), plays under the governance of the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois (AHAI).  AHAI’s Zero Tolerance Policy may be found in its entirety in Article 22 of its Rules and Regulations, (AHAI Rules & Regulations).  

With a long history of over 50 years, LFHC seeks to positively impact our players’ lives through hockey while teaching life lessons in teamwork, community service, commitment, and sportsmanship.  Parents represent an important part of the culture and reputation of LFHC and we depend on parents to conduct themselves in a manner that supports LFHC’s mission.  

References to “volunteers” in the Code of Conduct includes, but is not limited to, those involved as team managers, all LFHC board members, tree sales, uniforms & equipment, community outreach, sponsorships, special annual events, minor game officials, (penalty box, clock etc).

References to “parents” includes any legal guardians or other family relationships bearing responsibility for the player, (grandparent, aunt, uncle etc).

Below is the LFHC Parental Code of Conduct:

1. Parents understand this sport is about your player and not yourself.  Your player should be encouraged to advocate for himself and his hockey career with LFHC.
2. Parents will fulfill the minimum volunteer responsibilities that are required of all LFHC families: tree sales, game jobs (clock, iPad, Gamesheet etc) and others as described in program communications from time to time.
3. Parents will conduct themselves in a manner which exemplifies good sportsmanship, fair play and will be supportive of all team players and coaches, both on and off the ice, win or lose.
4. Parents will refrain from negative or derogatory comments about players, coaches, officials, other parents and LFHC volunteers, at games or in the community.
5. Parents will follow reasonable communication guidelines:
6. Parents will not call, text or email a coach or the LFHC Board about team placement or playing time.  Your player should address these questions with the coach, employing the “24-hour” rule if appropriate.
7. Parents should not text or call a coach during the game for non-emergency matters.
8. Questions about the game schedule, tournaments, volunteer game jobs or team logistics should be directed to the team manager.
9. Parents should communicate with coaches about problems at home, school, illness or other situations which may affect a player’s participation with LFHC.
10. Parents will be respectful with the use of social media.
11. Parents will act as “Good Samaritans” at LFHC and step-in or notify security officials if inappropriate behavior, (pounding on the glass, throwing objects on the ice, inappropriate language), is witnessed.
12. Parents will not confront or taunt any coaches, players or officials when serving as a minor off-ice official in any games.
13. Parents will not yell at any officials, parents, coaches or players during any game and will not confront any officials, parents, coaches or players after the game.  Parents will leave the rink without incident.
14. Parents understand there is no affiliation between LFHC and Lake Forest High School or District 115 Board of Education.
15. Parents understand that if a disciplinary allegation needs to be reported and requires investigation, it will be done within 48-hours under the LFHC Rules and Ethics procedures outlined on the program website, (LFHC Rules and Ethics).
16. Parents understand that decisions regarding the number of teams, the number of players per team and an individual player’s team placement are the responsibility of the LFHC coaching staff.  While coaches try to accommodate all players, there may be cuts after tryouts for a variety of reasons.  Parents will follow the communication guidelines detailed in #5.
17. Any parent’s behavior occurring in or about any ice arena, (or another location of a LFHC related event), that brings discredit on LFHC or any of its players, parents, volunteers or coaches is subject to investigation and possible disciplinary procedures by the LFHC Rules and Ethics Committee, including probation, suspension or other from games, practices, rinks and any LFHC related events.  Failure to comply with disciplinary measures may result in the player of that parent being suspended from the program.