In U8, your child will be on a hockey team of kids ages 6 or 7.
Hockey jersey and matching hockey socks are provided by SSHA.
Full equipment is not provided by SSHA and is required including a neck guard. Parents should 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 ice session.
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: 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 supervised game.
Both the practice and the game will utilize a shortened or cross ice surface. Practices will focus on skating fundamentals as well as hockey skills through station based drills and small area games.
Players will typically rotate through all skating positions in each game.
Each player will get the chance to play goalie 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 so your child can familiarize themselves with the added equipment. 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.
