Orchard Lake United H.A. becomes first USA Hockey Model Association Program

By Stefan Kubus – 

USA Hockey officially announced today that the Orchard Lake United Hockey Association (OLUHA) will be the first USA Hockey Model Association Program in the entire United States.

Orchard Lake beat out not only other associations in Michigan, but also countless other applicants throughout the country.

“We’re excited to be chosen as a national ADM model program,” said Brian Lenaghan, president of the OLUHA. “The face of hockey in our country is changing for the better and our board, coaching staff, parents, and players, as a whole, are committed 100-percent to the ADM.”

Orchard Lake United Hockey Association’s site has the official letter from USA Hockey posted right here.

The Model Association Program is set to be a method used to further the progress and utilization of USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM), a program launched in January 2009 that has been endorsed by the National Hockey League from the beginning.

As the first designated Model Association Program, Orchard Lake has committed to teaching and following the ADM religiously, including the adoption of the age-appropriate training at all levels of the association.

The OLUHA will receive additional support from USA Hockey to help implement the ADM principles throughout the program, as a benefit of the selection. This will include things like provided equipment, signage, and educational materials. OLUHA coaches will also receive in-depth training from USA Hockey’s national office in early September.

“We had multiple applicants in Michigan and couldn’t be more pleased to have Orchard Lake as our first model association,” said Ken Martel, director of USA Hockey’s American Development Model. “We’ve focused on implementation of the ADM at the eight-and-under level nationally the past two years, but felt it important to select a few associations that will take the ADM and put it into practice from 12U and younger.”