CODE OF CONDUCT

The Winnetka Hockey Club ("WHC") established codes of conduct (“COCs”) for its players, parents and coaches to provide for and ensure an enjoyable, safe and productive atmosphere and experience for all.

The WHC encourages enjoyment of the game of ice hockey, but at the same time it strives to ensure individual player development, discipline, teamwork, and respect for the game and its rules, teammates, coaches, opposing players, volunteers, fans, and referees, both on and off the ice. As our players, coaches and parents represent the WHC on and off the ice, the WHC expects everyone involved with WHC to conduct themselves appropriately and consistent with our COCs.

The WHC believes that its COCs and other policies will contribute to a safer and more enjoyable experience for all. All coaches, players and parents are expected to be familiar with the COCs, and Travel players, parents, and coaches must additionally be familiar with the WHC Travel Policies. 

The WHC asks that its players, parents, and coaches report in writing any alleged violations of the COCs to a member of the WHC’s Rules and Ethics Committee, which the WHC has established to investigate such violations and determine and implement any sanctions. Upon receiving a reported violation, the Rules and Ethics Committee will promptly investigate such violation, hold a hearing if appropriate, and determine and implement any sanction for such violation.

WHC Codes of Conduct and Travel Policies will be enforced throughout the season. All USA Hockey and AAU rules and regulations, as well as those applicable to AHAI, CUHL, and CSDHL, will also be adhered to.

Updated May 2026

As a Winnetka Warrior, I commit to the following:

Respect and inclusion

1. I will treat my teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, rink staff, volunteers, parents, and spectators with respect — regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic.

2. I will not bully, haze, harass, threaten, or intentionally exclude anyone, on or off the ice.

3. I will not use profanity, slurs, taunting, or language designed to demean another person at the rink or at any WHC event. I will choose other words to express how I’m feeling.

4. I will use social media, group chats, and other electronic communications respectfully. I will not use them to threaten, demean, intimidate, embarrass, or post images of teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, or anyone else without their permission.

Effort and being coachable

5. I will come to practices and games on time, ready to work, and I will give my best effort.

6. I will be coachable. I will listen attentively to my coaches and try my hardest to apply their feedback, even when it’s hard.

7. I will not be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning and developing.

8. I will ask questions when I don’t understand something, and I will never make fun of a teammate for asking a question — knowledge helps our whole team.

9. Through hard work, I will push myself and my teammates to grow, and I will take ownership of my mistakes instead of blaming others.

10. I will work hard in school and conduct myself as a student-athlete both on and off the ice.

Locker room and team environment

11. I will use the locker room only when a trained and screened WHC locker room monitor is present, and I will follow all WHC locker room rules, including no fighting or horseplay in the locker room.

12. I will not use a phone, camera, or any device capable of recording photo, video, or audio inside the locker room or any changing area. I will not take or share images of teammates in any state of undress under any circumstances.

13. I will respect my teammates’ privacy, bodies, and belongings.

Safety and reporting

14. If I see or experience bullying, hazing, harassment, abuse, or anything that makes me or a teammate feel unsafe, I will tell a parent, coach, team manager, locker room monitor, Board Liaison, or another trusted adult, or I will ask a parent to contact the Rules and Ethics Committee. I understand no one will be punished for making a report in good faith.

15. I acknowledge that playing hockey for WHC is both a privilege and a responsibility. I represent WHC on and off the ice — at the rink, at school, in the community, and online — and I will conduct myself accordingly.

WHC values: Hardest working. Best teammates. Proud Warriors.

As the parent or legal guardian of a WHC player, I agree to the following:

Sportsmanship and communication

1. I will model good sportsmanship and fair play at all times. I will never use abusive, threatening, or demeaning behavior toward any player, coach, official, volunteer, parent, spectator, or WHC personnel.

2. I will demonstrate positive support at practices, games, tournaments, and all WHC events and activities.

3. I will not create a public display of anger — in person, online, or through email, text, phone, or social media — toward coaches, players, parents, officials, volunteers, or WHC personnel. I will raise concerns through proper channels in an appropriate and respectful manner.

4. I will respect the integrity and judgment of coaches, officials, WHC personnel, and Board members.

5. I will remember that my child is looking to me for guidance. I will model the behavior I want them to show on the ice, in the locker room, and online.

My player’s participation

6. I will ensure that my player attends practices and games on time and prepared.

7. I will remember that each game is for our children. Win or lose, every game is a step forward for a young athlete.

8. I will contact the team manager, head coach, Board Liaison, WHC Hockey Director, Assistant Hockey Director, or WHC Travel Director if a problem or concern exists on my player’s team.

9. I understand that if my child violates the Player Code of Conduct, they will be subject to the sanctions set forth in the Travel Players Policy and other WHC policies, whether my child plays Travel or House League.

SafeSport and reporting

10. I understand that WHC is a USA Hockey Member Program operating under the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Handbook, and that the Club has zero tolerance for abuse, bullying, hazing, harassment, and misconduct.

11. I will report any actual or suspected abuse, misconduct, or Code of Conduct violation promptly:

◦ Suspected sexual misconduct, child abuse, or other matters within the Center for SafeSport’s jurisdiction: U.S. Center for SafeSport at uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern or 720-531-0340, and to Illinois DCFS (1-800-25-ABUSE) or law enforcement as required by Illinois law.

◦ Other conduct concerns: team manager, head coach, Board Liaison, WHC Hockey Director, or the Rules and Ethics Committee at rec@winnetkahockey.com.

12. I understand that WHC prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes a good-faith report, and that retaliation is itself a violation of this Code.

Administrative

13. I agree to pay my account on time according to the terms I have chosen.

14. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the WHC Codes of Conduct, Locker Room Policy, Electronic Communications Policy, One-on-One Interactions Policy, Travel Policy, and all other WHC policies, as they may be updated from time to time.

The following Code of Conduct applies to all WHC coaches.

1. Coaches will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, fans, volunteers, and officials and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
2. Coaches will treat players, parents, fans, officials, other coaches, opponents and facilities with respect.
3. Coaches will refrain from using inappropriate language around players.
4. Coaches will be responsible for the conduct of their players, both on and off the ice.
5. Coaches will maintain strict discipline in the locker room before and after practice and games.
6. Coaches will not physically or verbally abuse any player.
7. Coaches will treat disciplinary problems in accordance with the infraction and individual involved.