Hockey Streams
Hockey Initiation Program (U5-U7 Mini Thunder)
This is for as young as 4 year old players up to and including 6 year old players. To be part of the program you must be as young as 4 or as old as 6 in the year that the season starts. (E.g. for the 2023-2024 season you would have to be 4, 5, or 6 in 2023).
What is IP?
- A comprehensive program for the development of young children as hockey players.
- The main focus is on development and "Fun".
- Aims to create participants and instructors who will continue in the game.
- Resources include four program manuals, and an instructors manual.
- All on ice Lead Instructors must attend an Initiation Program instructors Certification Clinic, and be IP Certified to instruct.
How HHMH Got Started with this Program
Hockey for the "FUN" of it!
The OMHA was invited by the Canadian Hockey Association to demonstrate the Initiation Program ice session at the Air Canada Centre during an event called, "Open Ice Summit." All participants were given a tour of the Air Canada Centre before the Ice session. Halton Hills was well represented by twelve young players from the HHMH IP Program who attended along with four instructors.
The Halton Hills Minor Hockey Association was instrumental in the implementation of the OMHA's pilot IP Festivals. The very first "Skills First of IP Festival" was held on February 27, 2000. Not only was the Festival a huge success, it resulted in the production of an IP Festival Manual that is the basis for all other IP Festivals.
IP is about "KIDS" - Keeping Initial Development Simple.
Who is it for and what does it Consist of?
- This is a Hockey Program for the 4, 5, & 6 year old age group. (See note below)
- The program follows the OMHA recommendations for ages below U8.
- The program is known as the "Cross Ice" program (see below) consisting of 40 hours of skating skills development and hockey stick/puck skills development.
- Your child does not need to know how to skate to join this program! For the younger ages (4 and 5) it is a great alternative to other skating programs!
Are All Initiation Programs the Same?
HHMH provides a Certified Hockey Initiation Program under the auspices of Hockey Canada. We ensure that all our Lead Instructors are certified under the official program and follow the Hockey Canada Initiation Program manuals and guidelines. Further, these skills are passed onto the coaches, so as they move up into other hockey streams the proper player development continues.
More on HHMH Lead Instructors for the Initiation Program
All Lead Instructors on ice in the HHMH Hockey Initiation Program have attended a Hockey Canada approved clinic with at least six hours of class time followed by a two hour on ice session. This includes, running a "typical ice session" refining Teaching Skills, Skills Analysis etc. Classroom time is spent on; Leadership, Communication, Growth & Development, Teaching Skills, Skills Analysis and Lesson Organization.
How do I Register/Get Started?
To get your player started in the Hockey Initiation Program:
Simply go to the Registration Section of HHMH to Register.
Also, if you are new to the sport of hockey and wondering what you need for equipment visit the Parents Corner for Equipment Requirements and other information.
We look forward to seeing you!
Equipment Required
All players must wear full equipment as per the OMHA minimum equipment standard. Mouthguards are mandatory. Parents, you can find out more information on equipment required by going to our Parents Corner.
Interested in Coaching?
Interested to Coach? There will be considerable pre-season training for all coaches and volunteers and on-going guidance with presentation of sessions and use of the OMHA and Hockey Canada Manuals.
Coach 1 is required to coach the Initiation Program. The previous hybrid course which included Coach 1&2 is no longer being offered as an option. Courses are now separate.
Note: You cannot coach the Hockey Initiation Program if you only have a D1 trained/certification. Rules state you must have at least Coach 1, regardless of other credentials to coach the Hockey Initiation Program.
Please go to Coach Resources under the House League/Select link from the main page to find links and information on coaching.
Interested in Convening?
We are looking for volunteers to help with Convening. It is a great way to participate and contribute while your children spend the next years in hockey. The job involves overseeing the activities and the time commitment is 1-2 hours on Saturdays while your child is playing hockey.
You will need to complete the OMHA Trainer course, obtain a Police Check and complete Respect in Sport Activity Leader.
House League Hockey
This is a basic House League which starts at age 7 for U8 (Modified-Ice) then 8 years old for U9 (Modified/Full-Ice), then carries on up to U21 age. It consists of usually one game a week with about 10 practices a year depending on the age group.
Rostered Select Hockey
This is in addition (at additional cost) to the House League games and practices offered through basic registration. This becomes a travel hockey team that can play extra exhibition games and tournaments throughout the year. This team is picked via a tryout process in September. It would consist of 17-18 players (including goalies) which, during normal House League schedule, would be divided up on separate teams to ensure a balance of skill on each house league team.
The additional fees cover Ice Times, Referees, Timekeepers and Insurance. Individual Teams may request additional Fees from each Player for the Team fund; this amount will depend on Team Fundraising Activities, and is used to cover Tournaments, Extra Ice and other Hockey Development Programs that are implemented.
Select Teams can play up to 3 exhibition games per month during the season and can participate in a limited amount of tournaments.
The Select Program is designed to augment the House League Program for the Players selected and therefore players must be registered and play as House League Players.
Representative Hockey
Representative (Rep) Hockey is the highest level of hockey that can be played within HHMH. HHMH is an AA centre with 3 divisions within the rep program AA/A/BB. Rep Hockey consists of home and away (travel) games, development program for goaltenders and players, tournaments and play-offs.
The Rep team is a “tryout format” in which players/parents must previously register with HHMH to be eligible to participate and purchase a tryout card.
Representative Hockey is a great way to build a young player’s skill level, work ethic and team work while creating new friendships and having fun!
Note: Body contact is added to the Rep game starting with the U14 year.