Approximately 600 ice hockey coaches are expected to be on hand when the annual American Hockey Coaches Association Convention takes place in Naples, FL, later this week. The AHCA, which was founded in 1947, now totals nearly 1,500 members, the majority of which are NCAA men's and women's coaches.

"This event has grown enormously in recent years," observed AHCA Executive Director Joe Bertagna, who also serves as the commisioner of the Hockey East Association, one of the nation's six NCAA Division I men's playing conferences. "In addition to our NCAA base, there will be nearly 200 coaches from the non-varsity ranks and another 200 people from those companies exhibiting at our trade show."

The convention begins on Wednesday evening when the annual Joe Burke Award Dinner takes place. This event honors women's ice hockey.

The formal meetings start on Thursday and go through Sunday afternoon. Among the highlights of the weekend:

• Discussions with the NCAA committees who oversee playing rules and the various national championships.

• A visit from Paul Kelly, new Executive Director of the NHL Players Association.

• An address from Dave Ogrean, Executive Director of USA Hockey.

• A three-day trade show (sold out) featuring over 70 booths of hockey-related equipment, products, and services.

• The Coach of the Year Banquet on Saturday evening, when the top coaches in non-varsity and NCAA varsity hockey will be honored, along with other awards given out by the AHCA.

The event takes place at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. For further information, including a complete agenda of events, please download this PDF file.