U8 & Below Programs (U6, U7 and U8)
Our initiation programs run from the middle of September until the end of February and include practices on Saturday mornings and occasional cross-ice 3-on-3 games on Sunday mornings.
We are excited to get back to the rink for the 2024-2025 season! KAMHA is very fortunate to have their Assistant Director of Hockey Operations, Dave McMullan to be working with all U6-U9 teams this season!
We will be implementing and following the Hockey Canada Pathways for our young players. This will enable us to focus on fun while developing the foundational basic skills for our players. As we progress through this season, we will provide mentoring for our coaches to ensure they are well equipped with the tools that make their important role fun and rewarding. Our players will work their way through this season while focusing on the U6-U7-U8 Core Skills by using the Hockey Canada LTPD model.
Learn more about Hockey Canada Pathways:
If you have and questions, please contact our director of coaching and development at [email protected]
U6 (5 Years old as at Dec 31; Senior Kindergarten):
Most U6 players will have skated prior to the start of the season but have minimal experience with hockey (no skating or hockey experience is required for IP1). The focus of U6 will be on developing the fundamental skills of hockey with an emphasis on learning skate. Small area and cross-ice games are included to promote fun and skill development (score will not be kept and games will be refereed by coaches).
U7 (6 years old as at Dec 31; Grade 1):
U7 continues to emphasize skating and builds on the fundamental skills introduced in U7. U7 also serves as an introduction to hockey program for children entering grade 1 who have skated but have minimal experience with hockey (no skating or hockey experience is required for U7). Drills and small area and cross-ice games will continue to emphasize fun and skill development (score will not be kept and games will be refereed by coaches).
Tiering:
All teams in within U6 and U7 will be tiered to allow players of similar ability to practice together and play against each other. All tiers will participate in the same drills and games with adjustments made where needed to accommodate all players abilities. Movement between tiers will be encouraged as the season progresses to ensure that players are always practicing and competing against players of similar ability.
Future Canadians Program:
The U6/U7 Future Canadians program will offer advanced skill development and a more competitive environment for players seeking to pursue competitive hockey. The Future Canadians program is open to both U6 and U7 players with players participating in both their regular IP programs and additional Future Canadians practices and cross-ice games. There will be 36 roster spots available with try-outs held only if demand exceeds 36 skaters.
U8 (7 years old as of Dec. 31st; Grade 2)
The minor novice program will continue to build on the fundamental skills developed in the U6 and U7 programs and also serves as an introduction to hockey program for children entering grade 2 who have skated but have minimal experience with hockey (no skating or hockey experience is required for U8). The emphasis will continue to be on fundamental skill development and fun. Half-ice games will not have scores kept and will have OMHA referees.
Tiering:
The U8 division will be broken into tiered divisions to allow players of similar ability to practice together and play against each other. All divisions will participate in the same drills and games with adjustments made where needed to accommodate all players abilities. Movement between divisions will be encouraged as the season progresses to ensure that players are always practicing and competing against players of similar ability.
U8 Future Canadians Program: TBD
The U8 Future Canadians program will offer advanced skill development and a more competitive environment for players seeking to pursue competitive hockey. Players participating in the Future Canadians program will play in both their regular U8 program and additional Future Canadians practices and half-ice games. There will be 32 roster spots available with try-outs held only if demand exceeds 32 skaters.
** GOALIES - KAMHA PROVIDES GOALIE EQUIPMENT FOR OUR HOUSE LEAGUE MINOR NOVICE TEAMS **