Leduc Minor Hockey
Director: Devon Stout
Phone: 780-288-2950
Email: [email protected]
I am extremely excited to be a part of your young hockey players’ introduction to the great game of hockey!
Many of you have become familiar with the Cross Ice practice format that we have been working with based on the USA Hockey
Red, White and Blue Program. We have seen some impressive improvements in our young hockey players’ since we started
working with this program and maximize our kids exposure to it by offering each child TWO ice times each week to enjoy their
time on the ice. We have been taking into consideration the suggestions we have received from coaches and parents alike and
have made some changes to our program that I believe will be beneficial to all of our kids. Each team has two cross ice
practices, a TEAM half ice practice and an “in house” game each month. The cross ice practices are pre-planned and provided to
each head coach. The half ice practice gives the coach an opportunity to work with their team directly and encourage team
bonding. The games will be scheduled vs other Leduc teams that are at a similar development stage for healthy competition.
Any games against teams outside of Leduc will require a request for additional ice time from the Ice Scheduler and proper
permits from Risk Management. It is recommended that these additional games not take place until after Christmas.
This is a 3 year program that promotes skill development and fun! It is our goal to prepare these young hockey players for the
Novice Division while enjoying their time on the ice. It is important that we allow these kids to develop at their own pace with
proper encouragement and instruction. We are promoting a “no pressure” environment for them to flourish in.
The season will begin by evaluating the kids’ level of development. We will use the 1660 Hockey League Initiation model to
categorize the teams.
Category Descriptions:
I-1
The team is playing at a near novice level
- Majority of players know their positions
- Majority of players can skate well
- Goalies may be assigned or dressed
- Some players can skate backwards
- Some players can raise the puck
I-2
The team understands the concept of the hockey game and are competing well
- Some of the players know their position
- Goalies may be rotated
- Most of players can skate well
- Most of players can carry the puck 30 ft
I-3
The team is developing and are competing but positioning is non-existing.
- The team has some stronger players
- Half the team know how to skate
- Half the team can carry the puck 30ft
- All players are rotated through the net during the game
- Half of the players know how to score
I-4
The team is developing and having a lot of fun
- 1-4 players know how to skate
- 1-4 players know how to score
- several players know how to starfish mid game
- All of the players are rotated through the net during the game
The I-3 and I-4 teams will use the U6 practice plan while the I-1 and I-2 teams will use the U8 practice plan.
One thing that I can't stress enough is that “It takes a team to run a team”! You will have a Head Coach, Team Manager, 4
Assistant coaches, Safety Parent and Jersey Parent. If you are going to be in regular contact with the kids you MUST complete a
Criminal Record Check and Intervention Record Check. Please email LMHA Risk Management at [email protected] for a copy of
the letter that you will take to the Leduc RCMP detachment with you so that the fee is waived. Please bring photo ID with you.
For the Intervention Record Check, you will need to go to Child & Family Services in Leduc at 4901 50 Avenue to fill in your
request form. Please bring two pieces of ID (one must be photo). Both of these must be handed in to Risk Management by Nov.
15, 2016 or you will no longer be allowed on the bench/ice/dressing room with the team.
A great source of information is the LMHA website at www.lmha.ab.ca - if you haven't checked it out yet please do so as you
will use it a lot during the season to check practice schedules, game schedules, stats, or especially changes to schedules. By
giving your coach your email address (make sure to give them the one you use all the time) they will be able to email you any
changes of times places or any special events coming up.
If anyone has any questions before during or after the hockey season please give me a call or email me.
Benefits of cross ice format
The USA Hockey Cross-Ice program is based on a model of practicing and playing hockey across the ice surface as compared to
practicing and playing lengthwise along the full length of the ice surface. This cross-ice practicing and playing model has been
used in many of the leading hockey nations in the world for a number of years and has stood the test of time. It has been
shown that children who begin their hockey training in this environment have an outstanding hockey experience.
Parents may ask the question why should my child play cross-ice, what will this bring? I want my child playing like the
professionals do, full-ice, because I want my child to experience "real hockey." To help address these questions, let's think
about a child trying to skate with a puck while performing a drill from one end of the rink to the other, how long will this take?
How much energy will this require? Will the player's decision-making skills be enhanced more in the close action of the smaller
cross-ice surface or in the wide-open area of the full-ice surface? In which situation will the child be more involved in the
action?
A study of hockey games played on the full-ice surface by George Kingston in 1976 found the following:
In a sixty-minute running time hockey game between 6-8 year old children, the average player had possession of the puck for
20.7 seconds. Top National Hockey League and international professional players were also timed and no player exceeded 85
seconds of puck possession time. In a sixty-minute children's game the actual playing time of the game was 20 minutes and 38
seconds. Taking this into consideration, the individual player is only on the ice every third or fourth shift depending on how
many players are on the team, resulting in even less ice time. An average of less than 0.5 shots per game for youth players and
only 1.5 shots per game for junior and professional players.
The study concluded that:
* For young players in the "full-ice game model" of development, the youngest players would require 180 games and the older
youth players would require 80 games to enjoy 60 minutes of actual puck possession time to execute their stick handling,
passing, pass receiving and shooting skills.
* Professional and international players would require 60 games to ensure 60 minutes of puck control skill development.
Many players never touched the puck in the game, especially in youth hockey. USA Hockey firmly believes that by giving
children the opportunity to participate in the Cross-Ice hockey program, which supports cross-ice practicing and playing, that
their enjoyment of hockey as well as their hockey skills will be greatly enhanced.
Cross-Ice Program
To help you further understand the benefits of the cross-ice practicing and playing model, some of the advantages are listed
below.
PRACTICING
* The children have more energy with which they can improve their skills when they are skating 85 feet across the ice surface as
opposed to the 200 feet length of the ice surface.
* Group sizes become smaller which means learning and teaching will become more effective.
* The close feeling of belonging to a team will motivate a child to participate with even greater enthusiasm.
* Drills designed according to the varying skill level of players within the group are easier to organize.
* More puck contact, resulting in improved puck control skills.
* More repetition/frequency in drills in one ice session.
* Decision-making skills are enhanced, as more decisions must
be made more frequently at a higher tempo.
ACTUAL GAME
* Playing on a smaller rink results in increased puck possession time for each player.
* Individual technical skills develop more quickly.
* More frequent line changes in the game means more ice time for each player.
* Line changes are made quickly since the players are directly beside the playing surface.
* Each player's activity increases greatly.
* Scoring skills are enhanced since the players have more shooting opportunities.
* The goalkeeper's reading of the game and reaction to changing game situations become more effective.
* More repetition for goalkeepers.
* The game is full of continuously changing situations.
* The speed in playing situations increase, which will require quicker mental and physical reactions by the players.
* Due to increased tempo, all of the team members take part in solving the playing situations, which leads to a sharing of
responsibilities between players.
* The feeling of being an important part of the action increases because of the small size of the rink.
* Hockey sense, or understanding the principles of the game, is being developed at a young age.
* There are no unnecessary breaks in the game (i.e. off-sides, icing).
GENERAL ORGANIZATION
* More efficient use of ice time and space.
* The size of the rink is in proportion with the size of the players.
* USA Hockey recommends that teams play with two or three units of four or five players and one goalkeeper, which results in
each player having more ice time.
* More ice time for practicing and playing is made available to more teams within a single association.
* Many teams can practice together by sharing the ice surface.
GENERAL SPIRIT OF PARTICIPATION AND FUN
* More children get a chance to play ice hockey.
* More children will experience a feeling of success when playing hockey.
* The same exciting and fun environment as in a "real" game is created.
* More and less gifted children will benefit from close/tight action on the ice.
* Children are excited and motivated to continue playing hockey.
Hockey will be more appealing and rewarding to a wider range of children and their parents.
10 myhts about the 8U ADM model
I realize any change—good, bad or indifferent—is still a change and can be difficult for people to accept. So I started to collect a
few of the negative comments I have heard about the American Development Model (ADM) with regards to cross-ice play, all in
the hopes that I can dispel these myths.
1. IT ISN’T REAL HOCKEY. USING HALF THE SURFACE AND THE SMALLER NETS WON’T HELP KIDS LEARN THE REAL GAME.
Do other sports ask their youngest athletes to play on a full-size football field, use a 10' basketball net, run 90' bases or use a
full-size soccer net? No. Smaller fields and equipment are used everywhere except in hockey. Age-appropriate surfaces and
equipment help put the game into perspective for younger kids, allow for better development of their skills and, most
importantly, help make the game more fun for the kids!
2. IT WILL BE TOO CROWDED ON THE ICE.
I have now seen two practices in person with 60+ Mites on the ice at the same time and have watched multiple videos of
practices with the same amount (or more) and have yet to see it look crowded. Well-planned practices with the right number of
coaches to help run stations are effective ways to use ice efficiently without crowding. All of the kids I witnessed at these
practices and jamborees were engaged in fun drills or games with lots of puck time and plenty of smiles!
3. THE KIDS WON’T LEARN TEAMWORK.
How much teamwork is involved with one skater taking the puck from one end of a full sheet of ice, skating it all the way down,
and then shooting before most of the other teammates can catch up or get involved in the play? You know you have seen it at a
Mite full-ice game over and over. Cross-ice forces kids to work together in smaller areas to develop scoring opportunities and
be creative.
4. THE KIDS WON’T LEARN TO SKATE.
The ADM actually emphasizes age-appropriate skating drills and places a lot of focus on fun drills and activities that help players
develop more over the long term. The smaller areas also help kids increase their quickness and explosive speed, which is best
developed at the younger ages.
5. THE KIDS WON’T LEARN ABOUT POSITIONING.
It won’t matter if kids know where to be if they can’t skate there or if they don’t enjoy the game. Also, teaching positions too
early can stifle creativity and the ability to think on the fly. When they are older, players can learn more about positioning,
breakouts, and forechecking systems without hurting their development early on.
6. THE ADM IS ONLY FOR THE AVERAGE PLAYER.
Kids learn, grow and develop at different speeds. The 7-year-olds who you think might be the next superstar may not develop
as fast as others later on. Providing good coaching and development to all is important when kids are young since early
segmentation has proven to be unreliable as a predictor of which kids will develop into elite athletes. It’s best for those kids
who excel early on to continue to focus on age-appropriate drills that will best help their long-term development. Those drills
can help both the 6-year-old who has been skating for three years and the 8-year-old who is enjoying his first season.
7. HOW WILL KIDS GET IN SHAPE OR GET THEIR CONDITIONING?
Have you battled for a puck in the corner and gone back and forth in about a 10' space for 20 seconds? Have you ever gone
back and forth between the point and the slot four times? There are numerous ways kids can get conditioned in small areas or
in small games, so don’t worry about missing out on that aspect with the ADM. There are a lot more ways than skating lines on
a full sheet to build up conditioning, especially with fun drills and small-area games that keep kids smiling and wanting more
even though they are dead tired!
8. TOO MUCH FUN IS A BAD THING.
Really? If the kids are enjoying the puck touches, small games and scoring, and are learning to love development, how can that
ever be a bad thing? I just don’t get that comment but hey, people have said it (I can’t make this stuff up). Think about it. If the
kids come off the ice tired, developed, smiling and excited about when they can come back again for more, where is the down
side? I wish everyone could find something they enjoy so much that is also great for their long-term development!
9. THE RINKS AND ASSOCIATIONS ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE MORE MONEY BY JAMMING MORE KIDS ON THE ICE.
It couldn’t be further from the truth. First, re-read the myth about crowding. Second, more efficient use of the ice can decrease
your costs and can increase the number of times you practice each week. I, too, was once a hockey snob when my kids were
younger and thought they needed more full ice. They would have been better developed if they had used the ice they had more
efficiently and practiced more often than having a full sheet all to themselves. This could have improved their skills, made the
game even more enjoyable, and helped reduced the costs mom and dad incurred each season.
10. THE KIDS WON’T HAVE AS MUCH FUN.
Ask your kids if they like to play games or stand around? Ask them if they like to carry the puck and score goals? Ask them if
they like whistles and stoppages in play? Kids invariable have more fun when they are actively engaged during practice or in a
game. High-energy drills, variety of drills, drills with pucks and small games all help develop kids while they are having loads of
fun! Also cross-ice games support these same ideals with more puck touches, more scoring opportunities and less stoppages
and make for a more enjoyable game for everyone involved! USA Hockey put a lot of research and effort into looking at how to
approach the game—so give the ADM a chance when your organization implements the model. I am very confident you’ll be
pleasantly surprised with the results!
Leduc Minor Hockey Registration Information 2017-18
Registration for the 2017-18 Season will open May 15, 2017. At that time, please go to www.lmha.ab.ca and click on the
Registration Tab and read through the information and the at the bottom select CLICK HERE to Register for LMHA 2017-18
Season.
Pre-Registration Deadline is July 1, 2017. Pre-registration is very important to Leduc Minor Hockey in order that we have a very
close idea of the player numbers that we will be dealing with for next season. There is a LATE FEE of $200.00 for all registrations
received after July 1st. (Final Early Registration Day). Of course this does not apply to new members to our association. The
purpose of this late fee is to ensure that everyone registers prior to this date so that we can plan accordingly with the
registration numbers at each level. These numbers are then used to determine our team numbers, request the amount of ice
required from the City of Leduc, the number of goalies we have at each level, and so on. Fee Payment is NOT required until
October 1, 2017, however, it's the registration numbers that we are most interested in. Even if you think that your child may, or
may not play, please ensure that you register to ensure that space is available.
Please help us effectively plan for the upcoming season and REGISTER online prior to the July 1st deadline. We cannot be
sure that space will be available for those who register after July 1.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
1. Respect in Sport is mandatory with Hockey Alberta this season and each new family must have one parent complete the
course prior to the deadline.
2. CREDIT CARD INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS are available as a payment option. 50% of reg. fee paid at time of registration and
remaining 50% paid September 15th.
3. Cheque & Cash payment option is available. Postdated cheques can be given to our treasurer and made in increments that
work for your schedule. Registration fees are due IN FULL by October 1st, 2017. Please contact [email protected] for
more information regarding postdated cheques & payment schedules.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
If you, or anyone you know, requires financial aid in order for their child to participate in the Leduc Minor Hockey Association
program, please be aware that there are several programs available to remove the obstacles of kids participating in Minor
Hockey. Some of the programs available are:
a. Canadian Tire Jumpstart - Leduc Chapter- Everyone Gets to Play - Recreation without Barriers - Everybody Gets to Play is a
national initiative to enhance the quality of life for families by increasing access and participation in recreation, athletic and
cultural opportunities. Through Everybody Gets to Play, the City of Leduc offers several program options. Please visit Leduc's
website "Everybody Gets to Play" for further information and details of the programs. Please know that you may be eligible to
apply for assistance for two sessions, once in the fall and once in winter. Jumpstart Package
b. Kidsport - Feel free to contact or download a Kidsport application form from the following website at
http://www.kidsport.ab.ca/ . Not all kids have the opportunity to be involved in sports. For those who dream of playing goalie,
scoring goals, taking one for the team and making new friends, it's all possible through KidSport. For a happier, healthier
lifestyle for Alberta kids, KidSport makes a difference. With the help of sponsors, volunteers and dedicated directors and staff,
more and more kids are getting the chance to play sports. If possible please apply to Kidsport before registration so your child's
hockey registration is not delayed. This information is kept strictly confidential.
c. The Brick Sport Central -Our primary goal is to gather, recycle and redistribute equipment to those kids who would otherwise
be denied the opportunity to participate. Volunteers donate time to collect, inventory, repair and outfit those in need and raise
funds to support operations. Gently used sports equipment is collected and sorted. Repairs are made to ensure the equipment
is safe and serviceable. New equipment is often purchased to supplement supply and meet safety standards. "Kids" are referred
by individuals or referral agencies, including schools, government departments, Community Leagues, and the Edmonton Police
Services, and are outfitted by volunteers in the Sport Central Store. Please visit https://.sportcentral.org for further
information and details of the program.
FUNDRAISING
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Leduc Minor Hockey relies on events and activities such as Casinos, Oilers 50/50's, Tournaments, Raffle Ticket Sales, and
other possible fundraising activities to fulfill our fundraising budget and maintain our fees as low as possible.
For every player registered, LMHA requires a Fundraising/Volunteer Commitment of $300.
There are a variety of Fundraising/Volunteer Options to Sign up for.
Each option is valued at $100.
For every player registered, you are required to select 3 options from the list below.
LMHA is using SignUp.com to organize the Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments. These are a few options that could
become available for you to sign up for upon regististration:
1. Player Evaluations in September
2. Tournaments
3. Raffle Ticket Sales
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4. Monetary payment
Additional events may become available and will be updated and communicated to all members as the season unfolds.
3 X $100 UNDATED Fundraising/Volunteer cheques MUST be received by LMHA by Sept. 1, 2017. Please make the cheque
Payable to LMHA. These cheques will ONLY be cashed if you do not fulfill your Fundraising/Volunteer commitments
selected.
If LMHA does not receive the UNDATED Fundraising/Volunteer cheques by Sept 1, 2017, $300 will be charged to your
players registration account and only removed if you fulfill your fundraising/volunteer commitments.
Please Mail to:
OR
LMHA
Box 3876
Leduc, AB
T9E 6M8
Attention: Administrator
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Drop Off to:
LMHA
146 Corinthia Drive
Leduc, AB
Attention: Administrator
You are responsible to complete you Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments that you choose from the above list. LMHA will
email to remind you of these shifts.
If you change your email address it is your responsibility to update your account.
If you cannot attend the event you signed up for, it is YOUR responsibility to find a replacement (friend or family
member).
If you fail to fulfill your selected Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments, the player’s registration account will be charged
$100 for every Fundraising/Volunteer Commitment NOT MET.
Please Note:
1. Board Members of LMHA volunteer commitment counts as all 3 Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments. If you are a board
member for LMHA, DO NOT sign up for any volunteer commitments.
2. Head Coaches count as all 3 Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments. You must first select your 3 Fundraising/Volunteer
Commitments and submit a Coaching Application. If you are selected to Head Coach by the Coach Selection Committee,
contact the Administrator LMHA Administrator to remove your 3 Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments previously selected.
3. Assistant Coaches that LMHA pays to card count for 2 Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments. You must first select your 3
Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments and submit a Coaching Application. If you are selected to Assistant Coach and the Hockey
Alberta carding is paid for by LMHA, contact the Administrator LMHA Administrator to remove two of your selections.
4. Team Managers count as 3 Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments. You must first select your 3 Fundraising/Volunteer
Commitments and submit a Manager Application. If you are selected to Manage a team, contact the Administrator LMHA
Administrator to remove your 3 Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments previously selected.
5. Co-Managers count as 2 Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments. You must first select your 3 Fundraising/Volunteer
Commitments and submit a Manager Application. If you are selected to Manage a team, contact the Administrator LMHA
Administrator to remove 1 of your Fundraising/Volunteer Commitments previously selected.
We are looking forward to everyone's support this season to help make Minor Hockey in Leduc the best possible!
This is a great opportunity to raise funds for all the kids of Leduc Minor Hockey.
If there are any questions about Evaluations, please contact the Director of the division you are interested in volunteering
for. www.lmha.ab.ca , in the middle of the page select Executives, select the appropriate Director.
If there are any questions about Tournaments, please contact [email protected]
If there are any questions on the Raffle please contact [email protected]
NEW TO OUR ASSOCIATION?
If you are new to Leduc Minor Hockey Association the following additional information will be required:
1. Check the MAP (found our Registration info page) to ensure that you reside within the Leduc Minor Hockey Boundaries.
2. A copy of player's birth certificate is mandatory.
3. A Parent Declaration Form (found online on our Registration Page) is to be filled out in its entirety.
4. Two pieces of (Proof of Residency÷ are required that has the address that is located within Leduc Minor Hockey
Boundaries. Proof of Residency can include:
- Parent Driver's License with new Address
- Utility Bill with New Address
- School Registration with New Address
** Please remember that Leduc Minor Hockey does not support the manipulation of residency for the purpose of
playing or hockey and will support all Hockey Alberta's investigations, initiatives and penalties.
5. If you are an import player, a Player Movement Form is required prior to stepping on to the ice for tryouts. Remember that
an import player is considered any child who does not reside within the Leduc Minor Hockey Boundaries.
6. If you do not have a place to play in your resident association you will be required to provide a Player Movement
Form. Make sure that it is filled out in its entirety and has your Resident Minor Hockey President's signature.
7. Respect in Sport - In an ongoing effort to foster a safe and enjoyable environment for our athletes in this great game. Hockey
Alberta implemented its Respect in Sport program platform in September 2012. At least one parent or guardian of each player
registered in minor hockey in Alberta will need to complete the online RIS Parent Program as a condition of their
participation. For more information please read Hockey Alberta's Letter to Parents! This course must be completed by
November 15, 2017.
The online course will only take about 1 hour to complete with both audio and visual features that can be taken whenever you
want and does not have to be completed all at once. It will cost $12.60 to complete the course for each family unit and
multiple children can be attached to each parents completed course. Please remember that the Coach Respect in Sport will
NOT qualify for the Parents Respect in Sport requirement. These are two separate courses. To complete the online course
simply go to www.hockeyalbertaparent.respectgroupinc.com and follow the instructions provided.
Remember that it ONLY takes 1 hour and it is MANDATORY.
Should you have any other questions about our association please contact the Administrator at [email protected]