In U10, your child will be on a hockey team of 8 and 9 year old kids.
Hockey jersey and matching socks are provided.
Full equipment is required, including a neck guard. Label all equipment, especially gloves, sticks and helmets.
Don't forget a water bottle, clearly labeled with your child's name on it. If you forget water, you may need to take your child to the water fountain part-way through the practice session.
Mouth guards (optional, but highly recommended) must be tethered to the helmet, unless they have been custom-fitted by a dentist
Players are expected to arrive at the rink at least twenty five (25) minutes before the start of the game.
As you enter the arena, look on the whiteboard/chalkboard or TV monitor for the team dressing room number.
Parents (or a designated representative) must always be at the rink to assist your child as required. Occasionally you may need to help adjust your child's equipment or take your child to the bathroom (it happens!).
Parents are welcome in the dressing room at any time except during a 5-minute team meeting which occurs immediately after the game. In order to allow your child to become more independant with their own equipment we encourage parents not to be in the changeroom after the game. SSHA Dressing Room Policy.
Parents cannot be at the player's bench. If a child needs to leave the ice, the parent should meet the child at one of the exits on the ice.
Each session is usually 2 hours in length, with the first hour being practice, and the second hour being a game which we be officated by the leagues volunteer referee's.
Games will include calling of off-sides, icing, and penalties with proper face-offs after each whistle.
Players will typically play a single position during a game and may rotate week to week.
Each player will get the chance to play goalie, if desired, at least once during the season.
The goalie will be selected for the following week's game. They will take home the goalie equipment and dry it out. Parents are encouraged to put all the equipment on the player sometime during the week. Practice on soft carpets or in a basement is encouraged. Playing on the street is NOT allowed, as this destroys the goalie pads.
SSHA utilizes a Power Skating provider and they will generally be scheduled once a month over the season and will use the entire practice time when scheduled.
