PARTICIPANT LIABILITY WAIVER / ASSUMPTION OF RISK / RELEASE
Western Michigan Summer Hockey
Effective Date: May 8, 2026
IMPORTANT LEGAL AGREEMENT
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND WAIVER OF LEGAL RIGHTS.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
By registering, participating, or attending any activity organized by Western Michigan Summer Hockey, the participant agrees as follows:
1. Acknowledgment of Risk
Ice hockey is an inherently dangerous sport involving serious risk of bodily injury, permanent disability, emotional trauma, paralysis, or death.
Risks include, without limitation:
- collisions with players
- collisions with boards
- falls
- slips
- stick contact
- puck impact
- skate blade injuries
- head injuries
- concussion
- neck injuries
- spinal injuries
- broken bones
- cuts/lacerations
- dental injuries
- cardiac events
- equipment failures
- unsafe acts of other participants
- referee decisions
- facility hazards
- transportation-related risks
- emergency response delays
Participant fully understands and voluntarily accepts these risks.
2. Physical Fitness Representation
Participant represents that they are physically capable of participating safely.
Participant agrees to disclose relevant health conditions where necessary.
Participant assumes responsibility for determining their own fitness for participation.
3. Emergency Medical Authorization
Participant authorizes Western Michigan Summer Hockey and its representatives to seek emergency medical care if reasonably deemed necessary.
Participant accepts full responsibility for all resulting costs.
Western Michigan Summer Hockey does not guarantee medical personnel or medical response availability.
4. Release of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, participant releases and forever discharges:
Western Michigan Summer Hockey
its owner
directors
staff
contractors
coaches
officials
volunteers
facility partners
agents
affiliates
from all claims, liabilities, damages, injuries, losses, expenses, or causes of action arising from participation.
This includes claims based on negligence, except where prohibited by law.
5. Assumption of Risk
Participant knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks, known and unknown, foreseeable and unforeseeable.
6. Rules Compliance
Participant agrees to:
- follow league rules
- obey officials
- use appropriate conduct
- wear required equipment
- act responsibly
Violation may result in removal without refund.
7. Equipment Responsibility
Participant is solely responsible for maintaining safe, appropriate, and properly fitted equipment.
Western Michigan Summer Hockey provides no guarantee regarding equipment adequacy.
8. Indemnification
Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Western Michigan Summer Hockey from claims arising from participant actions, misconduct, or rule violations.
9. Media Consent
Participant consents to photography, recording, and promotional use of likeness unless otherwise prohibited by law or superseded by separate written agreement.
10. Governing Law
This agreement is governed by Michigan law.
11. Agreement
By registering, participant acknowledges:
- full understanding
- voluntary agreement
- legal intent to be bound
PARENT / GUARDIAN CONSENT FOR 17-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANTS
Western Michigan Summer Hockey
Parent / Guardian Authorization
For participants aged 17, the undersigned parent or legal guardian agrees:
- I am the lawful parent or legal guardian of the minor participant.
- I authorize the minor’s participation in Western Michigan Summer Hockey activities.
- I acknowledge the risks associated with ice hockey.
- I accept and agree to the Participant Liability Waiver on behalf of the minor.
- I authorize emergency medical treatment if reasonably necessary.
- I accept financial responsibility for emergency medical care.
- I consent to collection of required registration information.
- I consent to communications relating to participation.
- I consent to photo/video use for promotional purposes.
- I acknowledge the no-refund policy.
- I agree that this authorization is legally binding.