Following the lead of high school hockey in Minnesota and in reaction to the severe check that paralyzed high schooler Jack Jablonski, the governing body for nearly all youth games played in Minnesota announced Monday that it is ramping up the punishment for certain penalties and calling on a "culture change" among those involved in the sport.

 In a midseason move starting Wednesday, penalties for checking from behind and boarding will be five-minute majors with another 10 minutes in the box after the offender's team returns to full strength. The Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors approved the change in a unanimous vote over the weekend at its winter board meeting in St. Louis Park.

Previously, checking from behind called for a two-minute minor and an additional 10 minutes in the penalty box, and boarding was merely a two-minute minor. The new penalities will begin on January 25, 2012.

Austin Youth Hockey operates the concession stands at both Packer and Riverside Arenas.  These are very important fundraisers.  The commitment for the 2011-2012 season is 12 hours for the first child, 6 hours for the second child and 3 hours for the third child, with a family maximum of 21 hours.  Families will be invoiced for uncompleted shifts- $200 for the each child. If you do not show up for the shift you signed up to work each hour is $40.

Open spots in the concession calendar are  listed as OPEN.  Details about who is signed up to work shifts can be viewed by clicking on the shift.

Concession sign-up for both arenas (Riverside and Packer) will be located on our website www.austinyouthhockey.org - concessions