East St. Paul 6 and under Hockey

This hockey program is comprised of participants 4, 5 & 6 years of age that have previously started to skate and play hockey. 

At this level, participants will learn basic hockey skills such as proper hockey stance, starts, stops and getting up off the ice.  In addition, the concepts of fair play, sportsmanship and teamwork will be introduced.

The joy of playing the game with their friends, having fun, waving to Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa in the stands are just some of the things that your child will always remember about their first experiences in hockey. There’s no score or stats at this level, it’s all about FUN!

Regardless of individual skill level, all players start out as beginners.  As a parent, this statement can be very important to consider if you ever feel your child may not be able to keep up with other players.  This program consists of players with a three year age difference, in addition to varying degrees of playing experience.  Don’t worry - most parents have experienced the same feeling as you!

PROGRAM

REGISTRATION

Register online at using our Online Sports Registration from Monday, August 29, 2011 to Monday, September 12, 2011.  Click here for the Fee Schedule.

In-person registration: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 – 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at East St. Paul Arena

Late online registration starts: Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Ages:  Children born from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007.

Please consider becoming a Coach or Manager on your child’s hockey team.  You will be asked to participate when registering your child.  It is your volunteerism that drives the success of this program, and can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! 

If your child has not skated prior to registration, you should strongly consider enrolling them in a learn-to-skate program first.  The results of their progress should assist in your decision to enroll them in a hockey program.

In terms of financial expectations, you should know your commitment does not end with registration.  There will be additional costs for equipment, practice ice, tournament registrations, name bars, socks and other items your team may decide upon (team apparel, photos, wind-ups, etc.).  Once the teams have been formed, your Team Manager will be communicating these items to you.

EQUIPMENT

Please ensure your child has properly fitted equipment, including a helmet with a full-face shield, mouth guard and a water bottle marked with your child’s name.  Further, the helmet should also be marked with your child’s first name on the front (use white hockey tape or label).  Game jerseys will be allocated to each Team Manager once team rosters have been finalized.

Please click here for a sample equipment list - don’t worry about the runners!

COACHING

No minor hockey team can exist without a coach.

Once you have expressed your interest to be a coach or manager when registering your child for hockey, you will be contacted to attend a Coach Meeting in September, prior to player evaluations and team formation.  Coaches are requested to participate in player evaluations.

Coaches will be required to complete an application, submit to a background security check, complete a Respect In Sport program offered by Coaching Manitoba and obtain proper coaching certification levels required by Hockey Manitoba.  All requirements will be outlined at the Coach Meeting.

If you are a first time coach, your attendance at this meeting will alleviate many of your concerns!

PLAYER EVALUATIONS and DEVELOPMENT CAMP

All 6 & Under players will be required to attend two player evaluation sessions.  You will be asked during your registration to select the first session you wish to attend (subject to availability).  The sessions will be available at 8:15 and 9:30 am on Saturday, September 24, 2011 and Saturday, October 1, 2011 at East St. Paul Arena.

Your registration includes enrollment in the River East Minor Hockey Association (REMHA) development camp (often referred to as “Rust Busters”).  It will consist of six ice times (once per week on either Saturday or Sunday).  Once player registration is complete, you will be contacted with the “Rust Buster” group number allocation for your child.  Please note Rust Busters will start on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Please click here for the schedule.

In the event there is a conflict between a scheduled player evaluation and “Rust Buster”, please attend the player evaluation session.

TEAM FORMATION

Once the volunteer coaches are assembled and evaluations are complete, the teams will be formed by the Conveners on the premise of fair play and fun!  At 6 & Under, you may request for your child to play with other players or be coached by a certain coach.  We will attempt to accommodate the requests where possible, but not all requests may be fulfilled.

Please contact your Conveners at: 8UnderHockeyConveners@espcc.ca

SCHEDULE

Practices

You can expect practices an average of approximately once per week at varying times and dates.  The first practice ice allocation is on Saturday, October 8, 2011.  All scheduled practices will be indoors at East St. Paul Arena.  Your team may apply to the Community Centre for outdoor practice ice during the season.

Games

You can again expect to play regular season games an average of once per week.  The games will mostly occur on weekends, starting either at the end of October or early November.  You may play at the following arenas throughout the regular season:  East St. Paul, Gateway, River East and Terry Sawchuk.

Tournaments

Aside from the end-of-season East St. Paul Tournament of Aces in late February and March, the number of tournaments your team plays in will be at the discretion of your Team Manager and Coaches, in consultation with the parent group.