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Detroit Compuware Girls Back in Business

By Mike Scandura - Special to USAHockey.com, 03/09/16, 11:00AM MST

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After dropping teams two seasons ago, association is growing again

Detroit Compuware was founded in the mid-1970s, but the association didn’t add girls hockey until 2009 with the formation of 12U and 14U teams.

One year later, a 16U team was added. The club expanded to include a 19U team in 2012.

“We’ve grown into the age divisions,” said Bob DeSpirit, associate youth director. “We started with 12s and 14s to make sure we were doing it right.

“As the girls matured and moved up in age divisions, the 16s and 19s were added.”

But two years ago the girls program hit a roadblock, and for unforeseen reasons, the 14U and 19U teams were dropped — temporarily. Those teams return this spring and the program is now on the upswing.

“Our intent each year is to field teams in every age division,” DeSpirit said. “Two seasons ago, we had teams in every age division, but for various reasons we had to disband the 14 and 19 teams which are going to be reinstated this spring.

“Half of the players on our 12U team are aging up to the 14U team so they can continue their careers at Compuware. Half of the 16s are also aging up to 19. If you’ve done your job right, they’ll continue developing within your program.”

In the face of challenges, the fact that Detroit Compuware declined to give up on its girls program will provide more girls with the opportunity to play hockey.

“In order to coach girls successfully, it requires a unique skill set,” DeSpirit said. “We feel we have some excellent coaches.”

Two major growth engines of the Compuware program include its learn-to-skate and try-hockey-for-free programs.

“We have a very large try-hockey-for-free program and a very large learn-to-skate program,” said DeSpirit. “Last year we had 106 players, male and female, come through learn-to-play and over 805 boys and girls come through our learn-to-skate program.”

Each program is held at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth Township, just west of Detroit. Each was developed to be a beginning ice-skating program that is challenging, rewarding, but most of all, fun.

“Participation in these programs enables skaters of all ages and abilities to learn the fundamentals of ice skating while teaching them the skills that are necessary to advance to a competitive or recreational hockey program,” DeSpirit said.

DeSpirit was quick to note that coaches and administrators all have the proper perspective before the girls step on the ice.

“At the 12U level, the coaches focus on skills and team play,” he said. “Our focus should center on mentoring, developing and shaping character of these fine, young people that participate in the Compuware hockey program.        

“We focus on having a good experience and skill development. If the wins come, the wins come. While winning has importance and should be stressed, let’s remember why we are all here.”        

Detroit Compuware also is a big proponent of USA Hockey’s American Development Model.        

“The small-area games which were implemented by our coaches are a pillar of the ADM and are embraced by all of our teams,” DeSpirit said. “The small-area games are of great benefit to our girls."

“If you have a small-area game, you’re striving to win the battle against whomever you’re competing with. Small-area games do instill competition and the desire to succeed. That’s what small-area games are all about.”

Just as important is what DeSpirit refers to as “ice utilization.” Done right, it provides more ice time, more development and better value for parents.

“We have shared-ice practices,” he said. “Efficient ice utilization is another pillar of the ADM philosophy.”

Like many associations, Detroit Compuware has had to educate players and parents about why the ADM is so important when it comes to developing player skills.

“By the time players reach Tier I, those parents and players understand the value and benefits of small-area games,” said DeSpirit. “More often than not, if there’s resistance, it’s from parents and players that are new to the game.

“The Tier I players are more mature and understand, along with their parents, the value of it. That’s one thing we have to do, educate them about those benefits.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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