Jun 28, 2017 | Brady Parr | 745 views
2017/18 Initiation Program Overview
This is for players 4-6 years old, born between 2011 & 2013. We will be following the program which was rolled out last year which better suits the needs of the kids aged 4-6. It is more focused on skill development and practices will include multiple small stations following the mandated Hockey Canada model.
This program leads to your child being able to better develop the basic skills of hockey, increase the amount of coaching they receive and significantly raise the number of times they touch the puck. When the focus turns towards playing games the ice will be 1/2 ice instead of full ice which leads to your child being more engaged and allows them to have an overall better experience. Click here to read more about the Initiation Program and see some videos on the changes.
Starting September 23rd your child will be on the ice twice a week until the end of March. Once on Saturday morning for one hour (between 7:30am - 11:30am) and once on either Wednesday or Thursday night for one hour (between 5:30pm - 7:30pm) mostly at Kinsmen Arena.The first two weeks (4 ice times) will be an evaluation period. In early September your child will be assigned to Evaluation Group A, B, C or D. The evaluation period will allow us to properly place your child into either the White division (generally 4-5 year olds) or Red division (generally 5-6 year olds). Your child will need to bring a practice jersey & socks. After the evaluation period your child will be assigned to an ice group for the next couple of months.
In the middle of the season the Saturday morning ice times will turn into half ice games and your child will receive a jersey and socks. Additionally, your child will have the opportunity to participate in a game at the Budweiser Gardens before the London Knights play, a one day tournament during March break and a year-end party.