U9 & Below Programming for the
2023-2024 Season!
Since our
parent information meeting on Tuesday March 7, 2023, there have been further
updates to programming for U7, U8 and U9 for the 2023-2024 season.
The OHF
(Ontario Hockey Federation) had their semi-annual meeting and amended the
divisions that could be offered next season.
OPPORTUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING
A key philosophy
in the Canadian Player Pathways at U9 and below is to provide equal opportunity
to programming based on the desire of the player versus the skill of the
player.
All players regardless of skill level must have the same
access to ice if they desire to develop in the Hockey Canada system.
This means that any Association offering Minor Development
(MD) or Select in these age groups must provide an equal programming
opportunity for any HL/LL player who wishes to participate at that frequency,
regardless of that player’s skill level.
For example, if Minor Development (MD) teams receive three
(3) ice times per week, HL/LL Players must have the same opportunity to have
access to three (3) ice times per week if they desire.
Programming Benefits:
• Customer focused program
offering
• More players developing,
creating larger talent pool.
• Greater retention of
participants.
• Meaningful competition -
Like-skill players playing against like-skill players
• Better partnerships between MHAs
in geographic areas.
• Ability to counter
entrepreneurial hockey.
SEASONAL CALENDAR
Prep Phase May
begin Aug. 28 through Sep. 10
Evaluation Phase All Players must
have at least three (3) evaluation sessions (one skills, one small area games,
and one game) prior to tiering of Players.
No Evaluations the first week of school Evaluations may
begin Sep.
Development
Phase May begin
Sep. 18
2 exhibition games
1 tournament
*Development Phase must be a min. of 14
days regardless of start date.
Jamborees
& Tournaments May begin
Sep. 22 Regular Season Phase May begin Oct. 2 All teams must be engaged in
meaningful competition until March 1, 2022
What this means for North Durham?
With the
information we now have from the OHF/OMHA and our Lakeshore league, we have a
better understanding of what opportunities exist for next season. Decisions on teams will be made by NDMHA
based on desire from the membership and giving the most opportunities to all
players.
Options
could include:
U8 and U9
MD Tier 1 teams - these
are similar to Rep teams that do not participate in House league and travel to
play other centres) Costs based on 22-23
season $2200-$2400. The Lakeshore League
is also discussing offering Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams in the U8 and U9 programming. In the 22-23 season, all U9 teams
participated in the same division and for the following season, there could be
2 divisions)
House
League – locally
recreational programming. 2 hours per
week. Uxbridge and Scugog Arenas. Cost
for 22-23 season was approx. $600. In
addition to 2 ice times per week, there may be an option for those that desire
more to have a 3rd skate per week or a development instructor for
power skating etc. Additional sessions
would come with additional costs.
Select – Select Hockey teams are for players
who participate in house league. There
are evaluations for those players interested in forming a select team. Players
still participate in house league and must attend those practices and games but
also participate on a select team. The
select team is given 1 additional hour per week of ice in North Durham and can
participate in 3 games against other centres per month and 3 tournaments per
year. Costs for 22-23 season were
approximately $1450. Select could start
at U7 and also have teams at U8 and U9.
Blades
Rep – open to U8
& U9 Girls playing in the OWHA – 22-23 season approx. $2400 Travel hockey.
This
QR code links to a survey gauging interest in the above options for next season
so that we can begin to plan and purchase ice.
It would really help us if everyone participated in the survey so that
we can understand the desire of the membership for these different options.
