Intro to Hockey (2019 Birth Year)
Registration $200 ($100 discount available to those who provide proof of CURRENT enrollment in a CanSkate program = $100 registration)
This program is designed for children born in 2019 only.
Participants MUST be able to skate on their own for this program - it is intended for learning hockey fundamentals.
There will be one ice session (shared) per week beginning in late October and running to the end of February. This program will follow the Hockey Canada guidelines for this age group and be focused on hockey fundamentals. There is no travel or games in this program.
It is strongly encouraged that players participate in a CanSkate program as well. Information for the Exeter Skating Club can be found at http://exeterskatingclub.ca/
This program requires a minimum of 10 players to proceed.
Registrants will be notified once this threshold is met through the registration system.
U7 Sabres
The U7 program is designed for children born in 2017 & 2018.
Season Start – Early October
Season End – End of March
The season consists of 2 ice times per week (Tuesdays and Saturdays) at Stephen Township Arena.
October Introduction: 4 skates to get players' feet onto the ice and their bodies moving. We will look at players' skill levels and divide them into mixed teams to ensure a balance of skill levels. Teams are kept small for lots of ice time and small group instruction (Ex. 2022-23-6 U7 teams with 7 or 8 players per team).
Tuesdays- Practice Day “Station Skates” (1 hour)
Practices are organized with skill-based stations while keeping it fun. Players are split into like-skilled groups to help maximize skill development, coaching and enjoyment.
Saturdays- “Game Day” (1-1.5 hours)
November-January: play weekly in-house half-ice games rotating amongst our own U7 teams. U7 games are organized with a buzzer to identify a shift change every 1-2 minutes. Players are given equal ice time and have their own turn in net. The focus of the games is to use the skills they have been developing at practice, including passing, shooting, and teamwork. One coach from each team will be on the ice to support players during the game and act as a referee. The score is not recorded at the U7 level.
Mid-January - onwards: the organization hosts and travels to adjoining centers for 1-hour games. Local centres we have played include Lucan, St. Marys, and North Middlesex. Generally, we try to stick to the one-game-a-week model when possible.
Jamborees
Jamborees are a one-day fun day! They include 3-4 shorter hockey games and lots of fun. In March, SHMHA hosts our own Jamboree for our U7 teams as well as limited outside teams. The Jamboree spots fill up quickly, with participating teams wanting to return every year. Our U7 teams are also allowed to enter in an additional Jamboree, based on team consensus.
Coaches
Our coaches are fully certified for the U7 level of skill development. We look to recruit coaches that are engaged, development-focused and enjoy the game of hockey and want to share this passion with our players. Additionally, SHMHA supports our coaches with training and development through Total Package Hockey with both on and off-ice sessions. This support helps ensure coaches are well-prepared as leaders for our U7s all season.
And FUN!
Throughout the season players will have opportunities for some special events and surprises! This past season Santa came for a shoot-out visit to show off his goalie skills to all the U7s. Other fun includes skills challenges (ex. pushing hockey nets as a team in a fun race against other teams), freeze tag with the coaches and a family favourite, the Parents vs Players game.
Cost
The U7 program is excited to offer the program this year for a reduced cost of $300. We hope this allows more families to join us and experience the fun of hockey.
CanSkate Credit
For U7 players who are actively enrolled in CanSkate while participating in U7 a $100 credit is available by submitting their CanSkate confirmation to the U7 Coordinator in the fall.
We look forward to welcoming your player and family to our SHMHA U7 Program!
Any questions please contact the U7 Program Coordinators,
Shannon Veldman ([email protected]) and Steve Rasenberg ([email protected])
To register for either of these programs, please proceed to How to Register page.