House League Program Overviews
Initiation
The Initiation (IP) program is for players who are 5 or 6 years old by December 31st of the season. Players will participate in the sort out process in early September of each season. Once teams are formed each team will be allocated two one hour shared ice practices each week. Ice for the IP program only takes place on Saturdays and Sundays and specific times will vary from week to week. IP practices typically take place between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm. The IP season runs from the first weekend in September until mid-April.
Per the Hockey Canada development guidelines the goals for the Initiation age category are:
- fun
- introduction of basic skills
- reviewing of basic skills
- refining of basic skills
The Initiation program recommends the following practice time allotment:
- 85% technical skills
- 15% individual tactics
- 0% team tactics
- 0% team play
- 0% strategy
Teams may participate in IP Fun Days during the season.
Team fees will be levied to cover the cost of items such as extra ice, Fun Day fees, team events etc. This fee is in addition to the registration fee and will be discussed with the coach at the beginning of the season.
Note: Each year the KMHA receives numerous requests to accept four year olds into our IP program. Four year olds will only be accepted to the program once all 5 and 6 years olds applying have been accepted.
Novice
The Novice program is for players who are 7 and 8 years old by December 31st of the season. All players will participate in the sort out process in September of each season. Players will be sorted into in to A, B and C Divisions based on the results of the sort out process. Once teams are formed each team will be allocated two hours of shared practice ice each week. Ice for the Novice program will typically take place on Saturdays and Sunday though an occasional early weeknight session may occur. Specific times will vary from week to week and may be scheduled on weekends anytime between 6:00am and early evening. The Novice season runs from mid-September until mid-April.
Per the Hockey Canada development guidelines the goals for the Novice age category are:
- fun
- reviewing of basic skills
- refining of basic skills
The Novice Program recommends the following practice time allotment:
- 75% technical skills
- 15% individual tactics
- 10% team tactics
- 0% team play
- 0% strategy
Teams may participate in tournaments during the season. The number of tournaments will vary by team and level and may include both local and out of town events.
Team fees will be levied to cover the cost of items such as extra ice, tournament fees, team events etc. This fee is in addition to the registration fee and will be discussed with the coach at the beginning of the season.
Atom
The Atom program is for players who are 9 and 10 years old by December 31st of the season. All players will participate in the sort out process in September of each season. Players will be sorted into in to A, B and C Divisions based on the results of the sort out process. Once teams are formed each team will be allocated two hours of shared practice ice each week. Ice for the Atom program will typically take place on Saturdays and Sunday though an occasional early weeknight session may occur. Specific times will vary from week to week and may be scheduled on weekends anytime between 6:00am and early evening. The Atom season runs from mid-September until mid- April.
Per the Hockey Canada development guidelines the goals for the Atom age category are:
- fun
- refining of basic skills
- intro to team tactics
The Atom program recommends the following practice time allotment:
- 50% technical skills
- 20% individual tactics
- 15% team tactics
- 10% team play
- 5% strategy
Teams may participate in tournaments during the season. The number of tournaments will vary by team and level and may include both local and out of town events.
Team fees will be levied to cover the cost of items such as extra ice, tournament fees, team events etc. This fee is in addition to the registration fee and will be discussed with the coach at the beginning of the season.
Peewee
The Peewee program is for players who are 11 and 12 years old by December 31st of the season. All players will participate in the sort out process in September of each season. Players will be sorted into in to A (Checking), B and C (Non-checking) Divisions based on the results of the sort out process. Once teams are formed each team will be allocated two hours of shared practice ice each week. Ice for the Peewee program may take place on weeknights or weekends. Specific times will vary from week to week and may be scheduled on weekends anytime between 6:00am and 8:00 pm or weeknights with times ending not later than 9:00 pm. The Peewee season runs from mid-September until mid- April
Per the Hockey Canada development guidelines the goals for the Peewee age category are:
- fun
- refining of individual tactics
- intro to team play
The Peewee program recommends the following practice time allotment:
- 45% technical skills
- 25% individual tactics
- 10% team tactics
- 10% team play
- 10% strategy
Teams may participate in tournaments during the season. The number of tournaments will vary by team and level and may include both local and out of town events.
Team fees will be levied to cover the cost of items such as extra ice, tournament fees, team events etc. This fee is in addition to the registration fee and will be discussed with the coach at the beginning of the season.
Bantam
The Bantam program is for players who are 13 and 14 years old by December 31st of the season. All players will participate in the sort out process in September of each season. Players will be sorted into in to A (Checking), B and C (Non-checking) Divisions based on the results of the sort out process. Once teams are formed each team will be allocated two hours of shared practice ice each week. Ice for the Bantam program may take place on weeknights or weekends. Specific times will vary from week to week. Bantam ice time allocated in the evening will end not later than 10:00 pm. The Bantam season runs from mid-September until mid-April
Per the Hockey Canada development guidelines the goals for the Bantam age category are:
- fun
- refining team play
- intro to team strategy
The Bantam Program recommends the following practice time allotment:
- 40% technical skills
- 15% individual tactics
- 20% team tactics
- 15% team play
- 10% strategy
Teams may participate in tournaments during the season. The number of tournaments will vary by team and level and may include both local and out of town events.
Team fees will be levied to cover the cost of items such as extra ice, tournament fees, team events etc. This fee is in addition to the registration fee and will be discussed with the coach at the beginning of the season.
Midget
The Midget program is for players that are 15 through 17 years of age by December 31st of the season. All players will participate in a evaluation process in September of each season. Players will be sorted into in to A (Checking) and B (Non-checking) Divisions based on the results of the evaluation process. At the Midget level, no practice ice is allocated from the Kanata Minor Hockey Association, the teams play a game only schedule. Ice for the Midget program occurs on weeknights and/or weekends. Specific times will vary from week to week. Most Midget ice time will be allocated in the evening ending no later than 11:00 pm during both weeknights and weekends. Weekend afternoons may also be scheduled. The Midget season runs from late-September until mid-April
Teams may participate in tournaments during the season. The number of tournaments will vary by team and level and may include both local and out of town events.
Team fees will be levied by individual teams to cover the cost of items such as extra ice, tournament fees, team events etc. This fee is in addition to the registration fee and will be discussed with the coach and/or team manager at the beginning of the season.
Juvenile
The Juvenile program is for players who are between 18 and 21 years old by December 31st of the season. All players will participate in the sort out process in late October of each season. There are no separate levels in the Juvenile program, the sort out process is simply to create balanced teams. There is no ice allocated for practice at the Juvenile level. Each team will play one game per week from late October to January and two games per week from January until the end of the season in early April. Ice for the Juvenile program will be the same from week to week and typically takes place on Sundays and Thursday evenings. The Juvenile season runs from late October until early April.
