In U12, your child will be on a hockey team of 10 and 11 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. Note that girls on the team can change in a separate dressing room, if desired.
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 as coaches cannot adjust anything besides helmets.
At this level it is anticipated that most children are capable of dressing themselves and therefore it is recommended that parents not be in the dressing rooms before the practice. If your child needs assistance with their skate laces we ask that you please wait until the coaches have concluded any pre-game meetings with the players and everyone is dressed before entering to assist. Parents are also asked to wait outside the changerooms 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 supervised by SSHA's volunteer referees.
There will be 2 referees that call the game according to the rules of the Canadian Hockey Association. Parents should respect referees and their decisions.
Players will typically play the same position throughout the game. Over the course of the season, they will be able to play all positions (if they choose) and start to specialize in a particular position.
Although every player that wants to play goalie will be given the chance, there may be one or two primary goalies that play the majority of the games during the season. If a goalie needs to be selected for the next week, that will be done by the coaches and that player will take the goalie equipment home to dry it out. Parents are encouraged to have the player try on the equipment and adjust any straps as required in advance. Playing on the street or in a driveway is NOT allowed as this will destroy the goalie pads.
SSHA utilizes a Power Skating provider and they will generally be scheduled once a month, using the entire practice time when scheduled.
SSHA may also utiilize a Goaltending Coach who would come out to practices on occasion to work with those interested in playing goalie full time as well as conducting goalie clinics throughout the year. This is highly dependant upon ice time and Goalie Coach availability and is not a guarantee at this level.
