East St. Paul 7 & 8 Hockey

This hockey program is comprised of participants 7 & 8 years of age that have previously started to skate and play hockey.

At this level, more aspects of the game of hockey - off sides, penalties, and goalies with full equipment – will be introduced.  During regular season games, players will have a timed shift of two minutes each and will play three – 12 minute periods.

Participants will develop their individual skating, puck handling and shooting skills.  In addition, the concepts of fair play, sportsmanship and teamwork will be introduced and developed throughout the season.

Regardless of individual skill level, all players start out as beginners at some point.  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 can consist of players with a two year age difference, in addition to varying degrees of playing experience.  Don’t worry - most parents have experienced the same feeling as you!

We encourage all players, coaches and parents to embrace the joy the game of hockey can provide, set a positive example, and remember it is still about having FUN and making new friends!

PROGRAM

REGISTRATION

Late online registration starts: Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Ages:  Children born from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004.

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.

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

7’s and first time 8-Year Olds

All 7-year old players and first time 8-year old 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 10:45 am and 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2011 and Saturday, October 1, 2011 at East St. Paul Arena.

Returning 8-Year Olds

All returning 8-year olds are required to attend an 8A1 evaluation session as indicated during your registration process. The 8A1 evaluations start on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at East St. Paul Arena.

The 8A1 program is comprised of players born in 2003 from East St. Paul, Gateway and the Henderson Park areas to form River East Royals team(s).  The number of teams formed is dependent on the number of players registered.  The teams will be formed utilizing a competitive evaluation process and draft.  This program is geared toward higher skill level hockey players.

There will be no “Rust Busters” available for returning 8-year olds as REMHA provided these players with the option to participate in a development camp in August 2011.

TEAM FORMATION

Once the volunteer coaches are assembled and evaluations are complete, the teams will be formed by a draft.  There are no cuts at this level – all participants will be drafted to a team.  The rules governing the draft will be determined by the Conveners and communicated at the Coach Meeting in September.  As there will be a draft to form the teams, requests for your child to play with other players or be coached by a certain coach will not be accepted by the Conveners.

SCHEDULE

Practices

You can expect practices an average of approximately once per week at varying times and dates.  Please note the last evaluation session for 7&8 is on Saturday, October 1, 2011 and the first practice ice allocation is on Monday, October 3, 2011 – please be ready to practice as your team may be allocated the first practice ice time!  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.