Stouffville Initiation Program

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Stouffville Initiation Program

• Changes to the Mite Tyke Divisions 2008-09
  Season

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Hockey CanadaInitiation Program Overview

• The Initiation Program sets the foundation for
  all future enjoyment and success our young
  players will have in the sport of hockey.
• Jenna Hefford, Team Canada National Womens Team
• As a National spokesperson for Hockey Canadas
  Initiation Program, I believe it is important for
  every player to have access to the best program
  in the world for developing skills, while having
  fun.
• Paul Kariya, Team Canada, Nashville Predators
• A Minor Hockey Associations Initiation Program
  is its very foundation the base on which it
  builds its house leagues and Rep Teams
• Hockey Canada

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WSMHA Initiation Program Mission
Create a fun and safe learning environment for
the development of respectful young hockey
players by combining fundamental skills,
team-building concepts, active community
involvement and positive parent participation.
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Where We Are NowCurrent Mite Tyke Structure
Mite House League
Tyke House League
Beginners With Skating
2nd 3rd Year Players
Beginners With Skating
2nd 3rd Year Players
Raw Beginners
Select Level Players
Raw Beginners
Select Level Players
Player Pool Ages 4-6
Player Pool Age 7 Only
With a goal of creating
With a goal of creating
Balanced Teams
Balanced Teams
Balanced Teams
Balanced Teams
Balanced Teams
Balanced Teams
Balanced Teams
Balanced Teams
But, there remains
But, there remains
Large variation of Individual skills
Large variation of Individual skills
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Current Mite Tyke Structure

• Outcome
• Unbalanced learning environment vast difference
  in ability to master drills
• Difficulty in running robust practices with
  progressive skill development
• One or two players carrying the play and scoring
  the majority of goals in 3 on 3 pond and full
  ice game situations
• Lopsided scores in many games
• Majority of players have limited puck-time as
  better players dominate
• A few stars, with more non-participants

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Revised Initiation Program Structure
Beginners With Skating
2nd 3rd Year Players
Where were going
Raw Beginners
Select Level Players
Player Pool All Ages 4-7
Individual Skill Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Keith Acton Division
Brad May Division
Bill Hassard Division
Balanced Teams, with Balanced Individual Skill
Sets
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Revised Initiation Program Structure

• Desired Outcome
• Balanced skill-set on balanced teams
• Easy to run, robust, progressive development
  practices
• More players touching the puck more often
• More team development vs. individual development
• Fewer stars as competition is balanced
• Fewer lopsided games, more exciting, close
  scoring games
• More opportunity for outside training as skill
  set is equal and balanced for team skill
  development (ie. Ilir and Total Hockey Skills)

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Revised Initiation Program Structure

• Next Steps
• Confirm alignment of the WSMHA Board on new
  Initiation Program Structure
• Confirm final number of registered 5, 6 and 7
  Year Olds
• Confirm scheduling of all Divisions
• Confirm Coach Selection Process
• Develop Progressive Practice Planning Guide for
  new coaches
• Determine Player Selection Process criteria,
  selection committee, on-ice team
• Confirm and communicate Sponsorship Plan
• Develop and deploy Parent Communication Plan

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Questions Answers

• How will coaches be selected for this new
  Initiation Program?
• Nothing really changes from what was done in the
  past. We will continue to evaluate player
  registration forms to understand which parents
  have volunteered to coach. The Convener of the
  Initiation Program will follow-up with potential
  volunteers and select coaches.
• What are the requirements to coach in the
  Initiation Program?
• Head Coaches are required to complete the
  Canadian Hockey Initiation Program (CHIPs)
  course. This will be offered in early September
  by the WSMHA. A police check is also required
  for all volunteers. All volunteers actively
  involved with coaching, training or managing must
  have completed the PSR Course (Hockey Canadas
  Speak Out!). This is mandatory, and will also be
  offered by the WSMHA in September.
• How will the available ice-time be allocated
  amongst these new Divisions?
• This is currently being evaluated by the Head
  Convener of the House League Program and the
  Convener of this level. Details will be
  communicated in early September.

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Questions Answers

• How will players be split up amongst these new
  Divisions?
• As indicated, the underlying principle of the
  structure of the Stouffville Initiation Program
  is to place players in the Divisions based on
  their overall fundamental skill level. This will
  allow for a more positive hockey experience,
  where players of equal skill level can learn
  together in a progressive manner.
• Who is responsible for evaluating and placing the
  players?
• Experience Coaches will run the on-ice evaluation
  sessions to ensure every player has the
  opportunity to demonstrate the fundamental
  skills. A committee of experience coaches will
  evaluate these sessions from the stands,
  following a checklist of fundamental skills for
  each player. There will be a minimum of three
  (1) hour evaluation sessions.
• Can this be considered a try-out?
• No. This is not a competitive team environment.
  For many, it will be their first experience in
  the game. We are simply trying to split out the
  vast number of players into three divisions where
  they can best learn the fundamental skills of the
  game - in a fun, safe and respectful
  environment.

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Questions Answers

• How soon will the kids be playing games?
• This will vary by division. For the division
  made up of mainly first year players, the focus
  for the first 4 months will be on progressive
  skill development practices. At this early
  stage, there is no sense getting into a game
  situation without some degree of mastery of the
  fundamental skills of the game, especially
  skating and puck control. They will play informal
  games (3 on 3, shinny) in this first 4 months,
  but will not get into formal games until mid to
  late December. For the 2nd or 3rd year players,
  there will still be a heavy emphasis on practice
  in the first 4 months, but formal games may be
  introduced on an earlier timing.
• Why have you chosen to name these Divisions as
  you have?
• We have chosen to name these new Divisions after
  three Stouffville residents who have both played
  in the Stouffville Minor Hockey Association as a
  child, and who have made significant
  contributions to the game of hockey at a
  profession level. Keith Acton, Brad May and Bill
  Hassard fit this bill perfectly. They have made
  a difference in the game, are proud of their
  Stouffville roots, and are strong role models for
  our youngest players who want to develop in the
  game of hockey.

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Questions Answers

• How can I find out more about these changes?
• There will be parent/coach information sessions
  in early September to help answer any questions
  you may have. Dates and times will be posted on
  the WSMHA website. You can also send an e-mail to
  info_at_wsmha.com with any questions you may have
  and they will be answered returned to you. To
  find out more about the Hockey Canada Initiation
  Program overall, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca
  or www.omha.net.

This is a fun time for our youngest players. We
want parents to be actively involved and to help
us make this program a success.