MINI THUNDER (U5-U7 Initiation Program)
Halton Hills Minor Hockey (HHMH) Mini Thunder program is designed to introduce young players, typically aged 4 to 6 years, to the fundamentals of ice hockey in a fun and engaging way. The program focuses on skating, skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship while fostering a love for the game.
Overview of the Mini Thunder Program:
-
Skill Development: Focusing on fundamental skills of hockey such as skating, puck handling, passing, and shooting. Using age-appropriate/skill level drills and activities to help children improve their coordination and confidence on the ice.
-
Fun and Engaging: Our program is designed to be enjoyable, offering children a chance to learn to skate and play games while participating in activities that keep them engaged. Our program focuses on having fun rather than focusing on competition, allowing players to learn at their own pace.
-
Inclusive and Supportive: Encourages participation from all children, regardless of skill level, experience or background. Our Instructors and Volunteer Coaches work together to create a supportive atmosphere that promotes teamwork and social interaction.
- Teamwork and Social Skills: Players will learn the basics of teamwork, cooperation, and communication, which are essential life skills both on and off the ice.
- Building Confidence: Introduce hockey through fun, skill-building activities, players will develop confidence in their abilities and grow more comfortable on the ice.
Program Structure
- Hockey School Format: Structured to be player-centered, with sessions that involve lots of drills and activities to keep the kids engaged.
- Stations and Rotations: Players rotate through different stations where they can work on specific skills like skating, passing, or shooting. This rotation helps keep the kids moving and prevents them from becoming bored.
Program Benefits
- Physical Activity: Provides a great outlet for physical activity and promotes fitness at an early age.
- Social Skills: Players learn how to work in teams, communicate with others, and make new friends.
- Foundation for Future Success: The skills developed in the HHMH Mini Thunder program can serve as a foundation for future hockey development for the success of a player who chooses to pursue hockey more seriously in the future.
WHAT IS CROSS ICE HOCKEY (U5, U6, U7)?
Cross-ice hockey, is a format where the ice is divided into two or more sections, with teams playing in a reduced space. This version of the game offers several benefits, especially for younger players, including:
Skill Development:
Puck control: With less space, players have to work on their puck handling, passing, and shooting accuracy more than in full-ice games.
Skating: Players get more frequent opportunities to skate and change direction, which helps improve their agility, speed, and overall skating technique.
Decision-making: The smaller space forces quicker thinking and faster decisions, helping players enhance their hockey IQ
Increased Puck Touches: Since the play area is smaller and there are more players involved, each player tends to touch the puck more frequently. This leads to more active participation and faster-paced action.
Teamwork and Communication: Cross-ice games promote better teamwork as players need to communicate and coordinate more closely to move the puck effectively through a smaller rink. The tight space emphasizes passing and moving without the puck, which are crucial elements for team play.
More Scoring Opportunities: The smaller ice surface and condensed play lead to more shots on goal and scoring chances, making the game more exciting for players and spectators alike.
Game Understanding: Young players can better understand the fundamental aspects of the game (passing, positioning, and strategy) when playing on a smaller rink. It allows them to learn how to create offensive plays and defend effectively in tight spaces.
Fun and Engaging: The smaller area creates a more dynamic and fast-paced game, which keeps players more engaged and makes it fun. The frequent transitions between offense and defense make it exciting.
Lower Costs: Cross-ice hockey uses a smaller portion of the rink, which can lower the costs for ice time. This makes it more accessible to younger or recreational players who might not have the financial means for full-ice games.
Coach Involvement
- Coaches in the Mini Thunder program are typically volunteers.
- Coaches will focus on encouraging positive experiences, teaching fundamental skills, and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to participate.
- Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s hockey experience. This may include helping out at practices, volunteering as a coach to help out on game days, volunteering as a trainer to help support the team on game days. Parent volunteers help to support player's development will fostering a positive attitude toward the sport.
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 Volunteering as a Team Trainer, or Team Manager:
We are looking for volunteers to help with the teams. Being a volunteer on your child's team is a great way to participate and contribute while your children spend the next years in hockey.
You will need to complete the OMHA Trainer course, obtain a Police Check/Declaration and complete Respect in Sport Activity Leader, and Gender Expression course.
We will call upon volunteers as we start the September season.
How do I Register/Get Started?
To get your player started in the HHMH Mini Thunder Program:
Simply go to the New to Halton Hills Page for information on Respect in Sport and Documents required for the Registrar.
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.
More Information on Mini Thunder Programs
Click here for Mini Thunder (U5-U7) Programs for the Season
Mini Thunder Registration 2025-26
|
Birth Year
|
Age
end of 2025
|
Division |
House League
|
*Fee for 2025-26
|
|
2019
|
4
|
U6 |
Mini Thunder
|
$
|
|
2020
|
5
|
U6 |
Mini Thunder
|
$
|
|
2021
|
6
|
U7 |
Mini/Junior Thunder
(See Note 1) |
$
|
Note 1: U7 has the ability to play MD Hockey under the Junior Thunder Program. See details by clicking here.
Payment Terms and Conditions
- An admin fee of $8.00 will be added to each fee in the HCR store for registration.
- No participant will be allowed on the ice until full payment received.
- Full payment can be made by credit card, cheque, e-transfer or cash (selected during registration in HCR)
- credit card, full payment is due at time of registration.
- cash payments, contact Wendy Highfield at [email protected]
- cheque payments, please make cheque out to "HHMH" and mail or drop off to:
16 Greystone Crescent, Georgetown, ON, L7G 1G9
- e-transfer payments, please email [email protected]. Make password "hockey2025"
Please include participant's name and date of birth in the memo of the e-transfer.
- You may register and postdate payment if paying by cheque or e-transfer by August 15th.
- Any issues/questions with payment, please contact Wendy Highfield at [email protected]
- NSF Cheque Charge: There will be a NSF charge assessed for any cheque returned by the bank. This fee will be in accordance with bank charges.
Registering for Mini Thunder
HCR 3.0
Click here for a guide to help you through the process. Note that the guide assumes a desktop or tablet type interface vs mobile phone. Mobile phone experience may be slightly different look.
If you are having troubles, see guide for above for help. Last slide shows how to ask for help.
If there are any TECHNICAL issues with registration on HCR 3.0, please email: [email protected]
For general Registration questions, please email our Registrar.
MINI THUNDER REGISTRATION OPENS - May 1, 2025
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR 2025-2026 SEASON
If House League is full, late registrants will be put on a waiting list in numbered order by the data base and if space permits, will be assigned to a team at the discretion of the appropriate Director of Hockey.
Return to General Information Page