The “Ice
Puppys” Program is Meadowvale’s “Initiation to Hockey Program”.
We’ve been at it for quite a number of years now and continually
modify the program to suit our needs and the needs of the
developing hockey players within our community.
Generally speaking, our program consists of 12 teams of 16 boys
and girls made up of 4, 5 and 6 year olds. We would ask that
your 4-year old have some background in skating (ie: having been
on the ice in some form - either at various public skates, or at
a Parent/Tot session with the City.
The Ice Puppy Program runs from mid-September through to the end
of March. In September we will have 2 evaluation sessions in
order to “start” your child at the appropriate skill level.
Players are split into
two divisions, Jr & Sr based on age and playing ability. Teams
run three lines; red, white and blue, also determined by playing
ability.
This
gives our players the opportunity to be on the ice, learning and
playing with other kids with comparable skill sets. No one's
bored waiting for others to catch up, or intimidated because
they can't keep up. It's a great way for kids to have fun, gain
confidence and develop their abilities.
The whole
ice puppy program is all about fun and learning, and the coaches
all work to ensure this is the main goal at all times!
The
season begins in the last week of September where each team
practices early Saturday morning and mid day Sunday. For the
few weeks, we run instruction only on both Saturday and Sunday
in a solidly laid out practice format. Eventually, we start our
game schedule on Sundays. From this point on, Saturdays will be
for practice, and Sunday will be for games. Jr. Division games
are running time with buzzers every 3 minutes. This ensures that
the same colour lines play against each other. (ie: Blue will
play blue until the buzzer and so on.) Sr. games run 2 minute
shifts. We do not keep score as this is all for simple
enjoyment.
Teams
practice for one hour Saturday mornings (rotating scheduled
start times are 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 am, and play 45 minute games
on Sundays (rotating scheduled start times, earliest is 10:00
am, latest is 2:15 pm)
Optionally, there is a Monday Power Skating session that is available
for the players to help improve on their skating skills.
We also
have one more sheet of ice that is rotated between teams
throughout the year for additional instruction.
Additionally, Meadowvale runs a program for the top 6 year olds
called Select 6. The Select 6 coaches will choose 15 players
and a goalie to compete against other organizations and enter a
few tournaments throughout the year.
The main
purpose of the Select 6 program is to prepare the players for
the Minor Novice Gold division of the following year. They will
be taught the rules of hockey including: where to be during a
face off, icing, offside, penalties and playing in a position.
All games played with Select 6 are refereed with certified
On-Ice Officials.
The
Select 6 team will be allocated an additional sheet of ice each
week to learn the game of hockey and all its rules.
At the end of our season
(around the end of March) we hold our “ALL STARS WEEKEND”. It is
“all stars” because, in our program, ALL the kids are stars.
On this last Sunday of the season, we have a big day of fun,
games and music, ending in our season ending banquet. We have
and need many sponsors for this day and it is made possible by
the many volunteers.
Our program is only as good as the volunteers that help, and we
need to hear from anyone that can help, be it coaching, helping
on the ice, or administratively.
Every year we have a parent’s meeting before the season starts
(after our evaluation days), to introduce the coaches, talk
about the program and answer any other questions.
Play It
Again, Canadian Tire and Hockey Pro Life offer very reasonably
priced new player equipment packages that start at about $
100.00.
To sign-up, please visit the “Registration”
section of our website.
If you have any further
questions please contact:
Ice Puppy Director – Jay Ramrekersingh
jay.ramrekersingh@sympatico.ca
MMHA President – Jim
Barbour
president@meadowvalehockey.com
Registrar
– Vikki Isted
registrar@meadowvalehockey.com
