KMHA Initiation Program
Welcome to the KMHA Initiation Program
As the upcoming 2011 – 2012 Initiation Program (IP) season is quickly approaching, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Ian Hames, this year’s IP Convenor for KMHA. This is my third season of being involved at the IP level and I absolutely enjoy watching the young hockey players having so much fun on the ice. I am very hounoured and excited to be responsible for the safety and development of all of your children as they grow as hockey players. I am always available to answer any questions you may have regarding the Initiation Program. Please note that all inquiries should be sent to initiationconvenor@kmha.ca
What to expect the first two weekends
Starting at the beginning of September, the first two weekends of the season are dedicated to evaluating and sorting each player to an appropriate team based on their ability. Each player will be assigned a specific time to participate in the sort out process, please make every effort to attend your scheduled session.
The first weekend will consist of two 1 hour practices (one per day). The following weekend we will begin the sort out evaluation, again consisting of two 1 hour sessions (one per day). At the end of the sort out process, players will be grouped onto teams based on their evaluation score.
In order for the sort outs to run smoothly, we need the following volunteers for the sort out weekends: on-ice evaluators, on-ice sheppards and registration table helpers. If you would like to volunteer and help out with sort outs, please send me an email!
What to expect for the remainder of the season
Once sort outs are completed, each player will be contacted by their coach. There will be two 1 hour practices each and every weekend until the middle of April, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. The practice times will vary from week to week but will be in the mornings or early afternoon. The majority of the practice times will be between 6am and 10am. Yes that’s right, there will be some early 6am mornings but the joy will be shared evenly across all teams.
IP teams do not play formal games with their KMHA allocated ice-time. Coaches will design practices that develop hockey skills and that are fun and challenging. Having said that, teams do choose to enter fun days or schedule fun games with other teams, but these activities are generally in the latter part of the season.
For parents that are new to Kanata Minor Hockey, please be advised that your son or daughter needs the following equipment before they will be allowed on the ice:
- helmet, hockey skates, shoulder pads, elbow pads, neck guard, jock/jill, hockey pants, shin pads, hockey gloves and socks/garter belt
- hockey stick: cut to appropriate size (generally between the upper lip and chin depending on the child. Too long or too short will make it difficult to handle). DO NOT use an adult stick cut down as the weight and balance are drastically different
- jersey: one will be provided near the beginning of the season but you will have to bring your own for sort-outs and to start the season
- mouth guard: DOES NOT have to be a custom one from the dentist, the ‘off the shelf’ ones work fine
Interest in Coaching or Assistant Coaching
If you would like to be considered for a coaching/assistant position and you haven’t already expressed your interest to me, please do so soon. Coaches will be assigned following the sort out process. No previous hockey coaching experience is needed as coaching clinics will be offered in the fall.
If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. I look forward to meeting you in September.
Kind Regards,
Ian Hames
KMHA IP Convenor
initiationconvenor@kmha.ca
