Hockey School

Overview:

The School is based on the idea of providing players between the ages of 5 and 7 an opportunity to learn how to skate and play hockey in a safe, structured and fun oriented environment. The program is run by Bill and Brett Richardson and takes place at Leaside Memorial Arena each Saturday starting in late September right up to the end of March of the next year. Parent coaches play a big part in the school by providing guidance and assistance to players in 4 teams of 10 to 12 players. Each team of players has a minimum of three coaches. The program teaches the fundamentals of skating and puck handling incorporating various games and activities into each 55 minute session. Each age bracket in the school will have a different combination of skill development and games.

How the school works:

• There are three age groups in the school – 5 yr olds called Mites, 6 yr olds called Tykes and 7 yr olds called Minor Novice
• There are 7 levels or ice times in the school – 8:30am, 9:40am, 10:35am, 11:45am, 12:40pm, 1:35pm, 2:30pm
• While the earlier ice times tend to be the younger players, more skilled younger players may be placed in later times. Our approach is keep each session as well balanced in terms of ability as possible
• Each of the seven sessions will have a maximum of 46 to 48 players divided into 4 groups each with a different colored uniform
• Uniforms will be handed out once we have confirmed players are in the right group. We know from experience you and your player should be at the rink at least 30 minutes ahead of the on-ice time ( e.g. for 8:30am , 8:00am ) to assist in this process working smoothly
• Each of the four teams in any given ice time can have up to four coaches plus Brett Richardson and myself. The primary role of the coaches is to work with their team of players in doing either the drills or playing in the games
• Each weekly session has three parts – warm up, skill development and games. Very often we will be dividing the rink into four quadrants where the teams will rotate through a series of different activities. Parents are encouraged to ask your player’s coach any questions on our approach.
• While there is a mini game played within each ice time, there are Game Days interspersed throughout the season where ¾ of the ice time is devoted to a game as follows:
• Mites – game day every third week
• Tykes – game day every third week
• Minor Novice – game day every second week
• With over 300 players in the school we are unable to accommodate players requesting to change teams or to be placed with a friend. However, if there is an issue requiring resolution you will be able to refer it directly to one of the coaches on your team who will refer it to the convener.
• The season opener session is where we introduce your player to the way the school works, the kind of skill development exercises we use and the overall routine.

What happens in September?

Hockey will start up in late September. The coaches meeting is in the middle of September to provide coaches with preliminary team lists to enable the calling of players with details as to ice times for the hockey school start up. During the first few sessions there may be some players that will be asked to switch from one session to another. Our goal is to have players of similar abilities on the ice at the same time. Hockey School is made up of lots of skills, fun drills and mini games in order to have the players improve their skating and hockey skills.

What equipment is required?

• Players - FULL EQUIPMENT is mandatory, including - helmet and cage, neck, guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, jock strap, hockey pants, shin pads, good fitting skates, stick and hockey gloves.
• The stick length should be somewhere between the players chin and nose (when on
   skates), with enough tape on the butt end of the stick, to prevent it from going through the cage of a helmet.
• The league supplies sweater and socks, but they are not distributed until after the first couple of sessions, so please bring your own jersey and socks to the first two ice sessions.

Coaches - On ice volunteer coaches are needed, and must purchase a subsidized LHA Hockey School Track Suit. They must also wear a hockey helmet, gloves and require a hockey stick, in order to participate as an on ice volunteer ice helper.