SafeSport
SafeSport Policies & Requirements
McKinney Ice Hockey Club SafeSport Policy
Effective August 2025
(Aligned to Current USA Hockey Policy)
The McKinney Ice Hockey Club (MIHC) is committed to providing a safe, positive, inclusive, and abuse-free environment for all participants—athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, and administrators. This SafeSport Policy reflects current requirements under the USA Hockey SafeSport Program and the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code.
Our goal is to eliminate all forms of abuse and misconduct and to ensure that everyone in our program is protected from emotional, physical, or sexual harm.
1. Scope and Definitions
This policy applies to all MIHC participants and aligns with the definitions and standards established by USA Hockey and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Key definitions include:
- Abuse – Physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of a participant, including grooming, coercion, or exploitation.
- Harassment – Unwelcome behavior (verbal, physical, digital, or visual) that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
- Misconduct – Any violation of this or related USA Hockey policies, including bullying, hazing, retaliation, or inappropriate relationships.
- Retaliation – Any adverse action taken against a person for reporting misconduct or participating in an investigation.
- Mandatory Reporter – Any adult under USA Hockey governance who is legally and ethically required to report suspected child abuse or misconduct.
USA Hockey Safe Sport
The safety of its participants is of paramount importance to USA Hockey. USA Hockey Safe Sport is the organization's program related to off-ice safety.
USA Hockey has long had systems in place to protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of abuse and misconduct that can be harmful to youth hockey players and other participants. These include without limitation Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Screening, Locker Room Supervision and Hazing Policies, in addition to Codes of Conduct applicable to administrators, coaches, officials, parents, players and spectators. The USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook is intended to update and collect USA Hockey’s various policies to protect its participants from all types of misconduct and abuse.
2. Prohibited Conduct
In accordance with the SafeSport Code and USA Hockey guidelines, MIHC strictly prohibits the following behaviors under any circumstances:
- Sexual Misconduct – Sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or any unwelcome sexual interaction or behavior.
- Physical Misconduct – Non-accidental physical contact or attempts to cause bodily harm.
- Emotional Misconduct – Verbal threats, degrading remarks, persistent humiliation, or controlling behaviors.
- Bullying & Cyberbullying – Targeted, repeated aggressive behavior that causes harm or fear, including digital communications.
- Hazing – Acts that have the potential to humiliate, degrade, or injure, including so-called initiation “traditions.”
- Repeated Use of Racial, Ethnic, Religious, Gender-based, or Derogatory Slurs – Language or behaviors that demean, isolate, or target others based on personal identity or group membership. ➡️ There is zero tolerance for discriminatory or hateful speech of any kind.
- Inappropriate Use of Social Media or Digital Communication, including harassment or sharing explicit content.
3. Required Reporting Procedures
In accordance with federal law and USA Hockey policies:
- Anyone may report suspected abuse or misconduct. Reports can be submitted anonymously but must be made in good faith.
- All adults affiliated with MIHC are Mandatory Reporters and must report suspected child abuse or sexual misconduct to:
- The U.S. Center for SafeSport (for sexual misconduct and abuse)
- Law enforcement or child protective services (where applicable/required)
- USA Hockey SafeSport Program (for policy violations)
- MIHC SafeSport Coordinator (for local risk management)
No internal investigation should delay or replace the obligation to report. Retaliation against any person who makes a report is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disciplinary action.
4. Investigation and Disciplinary Response
Upon receipt of a report, MIHC will follow the current USA Hockey Disciplinary Framework:
- MIHC will cooperate with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and/or law enforcement as applicable.
- Allegations not under SafeSport Center jurisdiction will be handled by USA Hockey or MIHC through a local disciplinary panel
Sanctions may include:
- Suspension from club activities
- Removal from coaching or volunteer roles
- Temporary or permanent playing bans
- Referral to law enforcement or other safe sport bodies
All investigations will be conducted fairly, promptly, and with full respect for privacy and due process.
5. Training & Education Requirements
To promote awareness and prevention:
- All coaches, officials, board members, team managers, locker room monitors, and volunteers who have regular contact with players must complete:
- U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Core Training annually
- USA Hockey’s background screening process
- Players turning 17 years or older must complete the SafeSport for Athletes course annually.
- Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to review SafeSport resources available through USA Hockey.
Policy Review, Compliance & Enforcement
- MIHC’s Board of Directors will review this policy annually and update it as needed to comply with evolving SafeSport directives.
- Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Violations will result in disciplinary outcomes as determined by USA Hockey, SafeSport, or MIHC leadership.
Player and Parent Acknowledgment
All players and parents are expected to read, understand, and agree to comply with the MIHC SafeSport Policy as part of registration and participation. Ignorance of the policy is not a valid excuse.
Culture of Safety and Inclusion
McKinney Ice Hockey Club believes every participant has a right to compete and grow in a safe environment free of exclusion, abuse, or intimidation. By following the SafeSport framework, we protect the development, confidence, and mental health of every athlete in our program.
We thank all families, volunteers, and staff for their continued partnership in maintaining the highest standards of care and integrity throughout our hockey community.