IMPORTANT CHANGES - Initiation Program (4, 5 & 6 year olds)
ATTENTION!! - All parents of players aged 4, 5 & 6 years old should read the following article !!!
Due to recent changes from Hockey Canada and the OMHA, the program structure, names and age groups of some categories will be changing, effective the 2017/18 season.
All players in this age range will be referred to as being part of the
"Initiation Program"
More specifically, Lucan Minor Hockey will align our category terminology to be consistent with Hockey Canada:
The category for players 4 years old on December 31 will be categorized as "Pre-School"
The category for players 5 & 6 years old on December 31st will be categorized as "Initiation"
This is replacing what used to be called Mite and Tyke.
Players who are 7 years old on December 31st will remain in the Novice category as is consistent with the past policy of Lucan Minor Hockey.
This program is still being developed, and will look something like this…
- Starts mid-late September and runs to mid March
- Focus will be on skill development.
- There will be NO games until December 1st
- Games will be cross ice.
- This is a hockey skills program not a learn to skate program.
Click here for the OMHA Initiation Program Overview Booklet
Hockey Canada developed the Initiation Program to make children's first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It's a structured, learn-to-play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game's basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play.
Benefits of the Initiation Program include:
- FUN FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS
- AGE APPROPRIATE SKILL DEVELOPMENT
- MORE PUCK TOUCHES
- MAXIMUM ICE USAGE
- INCREASED COMPETITION FOR ALL PLAYERS
Please find a number of links and video's below which further outline the Initiation Program, and benefits associated with these changes:
HOCKEY CANADA INITIATION PROGRAM
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INITIATION PROGRAM
AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT THE INITIATION PROGRAM
CROSS-ICE HOCKEY - REDUCE THE SPACE. INCREASE THE FUN!
The Initiation Program provides children to learn fundamental movement and fundamental sport skills in a quality sport program tailored just for them. The program maximizes ice utilization through the use of Teaching Stations and Cross-Ice Games. More puck touches means more skill development and more fun! in the Cross-Ice environment, a player's activity increases and so does their skill set and love of the game!
Like other sports, in addition to reducing the size of the playing surface, the Initiation Program also uses the 4 oz. Lightweight Blue Puck, giving players the opportunity develop confidence in their puck control and shooting skills.
NHL ANALYTICS TRACKING OF 8 YEAR-OLD HOCKEY PLAYERS
If you have any questions or comments regarding this program, please feel free to contact our Initiation Program (IP) Coordinator, Terry Genttner, at
[email protected]