Mini Thunder U5-U7

(Hockey Initiation Program)

Sponsored by Tim Hortons Tim Bits Hockey Program

U7/U8 House League Extra Development Schedule
(also available on U7/U8 Development Team Site)


U5 Teams Full Calendar U6 Teams Full Calendar U7 Teams Full Calendar




If you are interested in the U7 Jr Thunder Program See Junior Thunder/MD below.

ABOUT ROB RICCI HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT

Rob, a Georgetown resident is going into his 9th year of player development and during this time has trained a wide range of athletes all the way from youth to pro players.  Rob has been able to use his 7 year pro playing experience and combine that with his 8 years of coaching experience to understand the needs of young athletes and help them make improvements toward their individual goals.  Rob and his staff are looking forward to helping the Mini Thunder formulate a solid base of skills and knowledge that will help them along their young hockey journeys.

I'm new to hockey, I've registered... what now?

Please see our Parent's Page for information.

Click here for the OMHA New to Hockey Document.

Click Here for a video on selecting the right equipment for your child from Coach Jeremy.

Click Here for an instructional video on putting hockey equipment on from Coach Jeremy.

More on Equipment - Required Equipment for Players and Goalies

Ensuring safety on the ice is priority, and proper fitting equipment plays a critical role in player safety. Three important factors should be stressed when evaluating hockey equipment:

• good working condition
• well maintained throughout its life span
• proper fit

‘Hand-me-downs’ are a great way to save money, but be sure to carefully inspect the items to ensure they are safe to wear and properly functioning. Be sure to note the helmet expiry date sticker on helmets. Plan a budget for purchasing equipment. The most expensive equipment is not always necessarily the best for your child. We recommend you consult a professional sporting goods retailer for advice before you purchase any product.

Click here for more information on equipment fit, with emphasis on helmet, mouthguard, neck guard and danglers.

JUNIOR THUNDER INFO

MD and House League

(U7-U9 Players)
Click Images for more information.

Representative Hockey (U10-U18)

Representative (Rep) Hockey is the highest level of hockey that can be played within HHMH.  HHMH is an AA center with 3 divisions within the rep program AA/A/B and non-contact BB.  Rep Hockey consists of home and away (travel) games, development program for goaltenders and players, tournaments and play-offs. 

The Rep team is an “evaluation format” in which players must purchase a HHMH evaluation card for the level the wish to try out for.

Tryouts and Evaluations

Tryouts and Evaluations start in the spring at the end of the previous season.  For more information regarding evaluations and purchasing evaluations cards, visit HHMH's Tryout and Registration pages.

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 (AA/A) year.          

House League Information

General information - Halton Hills Minor Hockey - HL Program U8-U21   

The Thunder House-League program is a recreational level of hockey offered to players U8 to U21.  The teams are rostered using a major/minor mix.  For example, U15 consists of U14 and U15 players.

U8 to U15 will be playing in an Interlock League with Milton Minor Hockey, there will be minimal travel to Milton throughout the regular season. Our partnership with Milton will provide HHMH's players the opportunity to enhance their hockey skills while competing in a league that provides a variety of team competition.

U16 to U21 if registration numbers allow, this age group will be split into two divisions. Once registration numbers are completed in September, we will update. 

Please note: the below is subject to changed based on registration and ice planning.

Season Dates:

Schedules for the below will be posted on the HHMH website under the player's team. How to find your schedule can be found under the "find your team and schedule" link

September - player evaluations, development, exhibition games
October - pre-season exhibition games
November - Regular season begins
March - Champs Tournament -  March (schedules for playoffs will be posted early March)

Season games/practices:
U8 to U13 1 game/week (minimal travel), team practices, team development, goalie development. U14/U15 1 game/week, rotational team practices, added practices when able. U16 to U21 1 game/week     
  

Player Placement:

 Player draft takes place in September. Note; if required, player movement can take place up to mid November.

Scheduling:

It is planned to have the House-League schedule posted in August. It is important to note that the schedule is subject during the season, therefore, it is recommended that you check the team schedule each week prior to game or practice time.  

Tournaments:

(Optional)

House-league teams may enter their teams in a travel tournament if they wish. Once our coaches are placed to a team, we will provide more information to our coaches to inform their team.

Week/Weekend of Champs Schedules will be updated in March following the regular season.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED:

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your hockey community, meet new friends, as well, give back to HHMH's young athletes. 
If you are interested in either coaching, being a team trainer, please email:
Wendy Highfield at: [email protected]
Brenda Geim at [email protected]
as soon as possible so we can prepare you for the upcoming season.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Communication

Most communication from HHMH will be via email and/or this website. To ensure communications reach you or your family:

• Keep email addresses up to date.  Email addresses are obtained when you register via the Hockey Canada registration system. Please check that we have the right information on file by keeping your Hockey Canada profile up to date. Other than the HHMH website, email is the tool that we use to communicate to you.  You can access your profile through the Hockey Canada Registration site.
• Please do NOT send an updated email to HHMH as we do not have access to the registration system of Hockey Canada to change your information.
• Throughout the season, always check our website for Information on events happening in House League.

If you need clarification on any matter, reach out to your Coach first, then Convenor, then the Director of House League.

If your information is correct, periodically check your email spam folder for any possible missing emails from Coaches or HHMH.

Equipment

Players

All players are required to provide and wear full hockey equipment which will be current CSA approved and per Current OMHA regulations.
Directors, Conveners, Coaches and team staff must advise players or parents of players improper fitting or illegal equipment. Any player not suitably outfitted will not be allowed on the ice. HHMH requires that players use a mouth guard. Click here to go to our Parents Corner for more information on equipment guidelines.

Coaching Staff

Coaches and Assistant s must wear protective head gear properly secured during activities on the ice in accordance with O.M.H.A rules.

Sweater and Socks

HHMH will supply a sweater and socks to each House League player. Once a player is assigned a sweater he/she must use this sweater for the remainder of the season, without alterations.

Advanced Hockey League/Select Information

Advanced League hockey competes in a formal, competitive league made up of Tri-County associations, including Brampton, Halton Hills, Orangeville, Guelph, CW, Hespeler, Oakville, Erin, Flamborough, Woolwich and more.

WHAT IS ADVANCED LEAGUE?

The 'Advanced League' is a recreational competitive program that will offer players an enriched hockey experience, enhancing competitiveness, all within a structured seasonal framework that will cultivate healthy competition among different associations.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE ADVANCED LEAGUE:

The Advanced League is a structured league governed by both the Tri-County Minor Hockey League and the OMHA. The league is designed for 2 distinct programs to play within and against each other, which are:

*AT HHMH, AGE GROUPS WILL EITHER HAVE AN ADVANCED FULL TIME TEAM OR AN ADVANCED PART TIME TEAM (SELECT). 

COMPARISON FOR ADVANCED LEAGUE TEAMS SCHEDULING AND COMMITMENT:

HOW DO THE ADVANCED LEAGUE TRYOUTS WORK?

In order for your child to play on an Advance League team (full time or part time), your child must register and partake in the essential evaluation process, U11 to U16 tryouts are Spring 2025, U10 Select and U18 Adv. L will be held September 2025.

More information regarding Evaluations (Tryouts) can be found on our Registration/General information page.

Please note: The U10 division, will have Select evaluations ONLY in the Fall (subject to change pending player registration) taking part in the Adv. PT league.
This determination is made in recognition of the shift from 1/2 ice to full ice transitioning from U9. Its objective is to afford them supplementary opportunities for skill development and hockey comprehension within a less rigorous hockey regimen. 

*The above information (age groups participating) is subject to change pending interest and registration numbers.

ADVANCED LEAGUE FAQs

Q: Can a player try out for Advanced League from another center?

A: Whether participating in the full-time or part-time stream within the Advanced League, players from other centers are eligible to tryout with Halton Hills Minor Hockey. Although there are no boundary restrictions for players/goalies within the Advanced League, it is important to note; players from Associations outside of Halton Hills Minor will not be eligible to be called up to a Representative team due to the residency boundary rules in the Representative program.

Residency boundary policy as per OMHA can be found in the OMHA Manual of Operations

Q: Do you need to register and pay for House League, or do you just wait to register and pay for Advanced League?

A: No matter which program you are enrolling in or playing for, all HHMH members must pay the base registration membership fee (House League Cost) before tryouts. For players selected for Rep and Advanced League hockey teams, the base registration fee is not refunded as it is built into the Rep and AL fees. Those who are not selected for a team within the Advanced League continue with House League and no further payment is required.

HHMH refund policies can be found here.

HHMH registration is now open and can be found here.

Q: Can a player who makes an Advanced League team, play for another team or another association?

A: No, a player within a minor hockey association can only play for one team, except for the Select program. In Select, where players participate in House League and form a separate Select team, all of this must occur within the same association.

Q: When are tryouts for the Advanced League?

A: Tryouts for the Advanced League will take place in the Fall for the 2024-2025 season. More information will be sent out late summer, so please check out website and social media for more details.

Q: What game jerseys do the Advanced League teams wear?

A: The Advanced League teams will wear the same jerseys as the Rep teams (White, Black and an optional 3^rd jersey)

Q: How many games will the Advanced “full time” teams play?”

A: Season overview:

·      The regular season will begin end of Oct/start of November through to March.

·     Full time teams are allowed up to 3 regular season tournaments, 1 Christmas and 1 March Break tournament if the team      chooses.

Q: What is the difference between full time teams and part time teams?

A: Full time teams will play as a designated team in the Advanced League (the teams do not play both HL and Select)

Part time teams will play in both the Advanced League and on their HHMH House League team, following the OMHA select game policy (max games allowed per month).

Q: Will HHMH still have Select teams PT teams?

A: Where HHMH is not able to roster a full-time team, a part time (select team) will be considered pending player interest. For the upcoming season. Select teams will play the tradition program (HL and Select). *subject to change

Q: Will HHMH enter a team in the Advanced League in every age group?

A: It is planned where there are enough participants to have a full time in all single birth years except for U10 (part time). In the event we need to enter a two birth year team due to not having enough players in a single birth year, we will to allow the players the opportunity to play.

NHL/NHLPA FIRST SHIFT

Introducing the NHL/NHLPA First Shift.

Thousands of children across Ontario will have the chance to fall in love with hockey this season thanks to the First Shift program. A number of programs will be held across OMHA centres over the fall and winter in the upcoming season.

First introduced in 2014 as a pilot project, the First Shift program is a learn-to-play hockey program designed for kids aged 6-10 who are new to the game. To-date, more than 15,500 Canadian boys and girls have been introduced to Canada’s game through the First Shift, with many programs filling up on the first day of registration.

With an emphasis on fun, the First Shift allows participants to easily try hockey for $299, which includes enrolment for a six-week, on-ice curriculum and head-to-toe Bauer Hockey equipment that each child can keep.

Playing hockey allows kids to learn teamwork and leadership skills, inspire hard work and dedication and the experience of being involved in a community. The core values and lessons taught help to develop good citizens and healthy athletes.

The First Shift covers a vast area of routines, games and activities that will be beneficial to the participant’s enjoyment of the program and experience as a hockey player. All drills are run in small groups and focus on a variety of skills throughout each session.

More Info here.

First Shift Sign Up - OPENS JUNE 2, 2025

The NHL/NHLPA First Shift is open to children ages 6-10*, who have never previously enrolled in minor hockey within Canada or the NHL/NHLPA First Shift program.

*For 2025: To be eligible to participate, children must be born between January 1, 2015 and May 1, 2020.

FALL Session Sign-up

Important Registration Information

To register, you must have an HCR account — we recommend creating one in advance.

Please note:

A) Participants may only be registered for one program. Please ensure you select the correct program during registration.

B) Children who have previously participated in the First Shift program or have been registered with a Local Hockey Association are not eligible. For questions, contact:[email protected].

C) No transfers will be permitted between June 2 and June 8.

More Info and to Register with Hockey Canada click here


Already have an HCR Account then,

Click here to Register (use search bars to find Georgetown)