The team manager is critical
Organizing a youth hockey team is a very difficult, frustrating job. If you have a busy team, with lots of games, practices, and tournaments, the frustrations of the Team Manager are compounded. I have often done the job of both coach and manager, and managing is about 10 times harder. As an example, when I try to organize a tournament many of the parents would tell me they weren't sure if their player could go. Or they wouldn't call back at all. Or they won't read their Email. Or they will change their minds, etc. The lessons I've learned include:
Use a Website
Websites are great for posting schedules, etc. The key is to make the website the ONLY PLACE where you post schedules, and put a "last date changed" prominently on the schedule. If a parent or player needs current information they can go to the website and print it. I have found the “Sportsyou” website very useful (see https://www.sportsyou.com/home.html). The Sportsyou website allows you to have one calendar, and parents can link that calendar to their Gmail Calendar or ICal format. You can also communicate with parents and players via the site.
Push through the frustration
Whenever I manage the team I coach I feel like quitting at least 10 times during the season. It is just so frustrating dealing with some of the parents. I have to remind myself that I'm doing this for the kids, that tournaments are a great experience, and if I don't do it personally it just doesn't happen. But managing wears me out. I love coaching. I hate managing. A good manager is worth 100 times their weight in gold to the coach! So, you managers out there - when you feel the frustration, just remind yourself of all the good you are doing for so many people!
Make it Fun
In our Association some teams have a great time and others do not. Often it is the manager that makes the difference. Make fun things happen for the kids - arrange for pizza parties after games, or laser quest, or bowling. The game is only part of the overall hockey experience!