U8/U9 Advanced Development Program (Guelph Minor Hockey Association)

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GMHA's Advanced Development Program

 

The Advanced Development Program (ADP) acts as a bridge from the SD2/SD3 program and House League to Representative (REP) hockey. ADP takes the existing development structures used in other GMHA programs and enhances the model to offer a more competitive and challenging environment.

In line with Hockey Canada's U9 Player Pathway, GMHA's programs at this age are divided into low-frequency and high-frequency offerings, which are made available to players and families to pursue based on their desired level of participation and development.

ADP is the "high-frequency" option, and combines additional ice-time with professional skills coaches to offer accelerated development for young players...

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The ADP skill development program includes station-based skills practices planned and run by professional coaches, dedicated power skating sessions, and a season plan focused on development with a transition into competitive games.

Practice format includes:

  1. Small Area Games: these fun and competitive hockey drills done in a smaller area to increase intensity of drills and allow for more interaction.

  2. Station-Based Drills: players organized into small groups rotating through various stations on the ice specifically focused on individual skill development.


Goals for ADP:

  1. Create a fun and positive learning environment.

  2. Have qualified instructors overseeing development.

  3. Follow the Hockey Canada U9 Player Pathway.

  4. Ensure that athletes are practicing and playing with other similarly skilled players.

  5. To be a representative (rep) hockey initiation program that bridges the gap from house league / skill development to rep hockey at the U10 age group.


Registration

 

Those interested in the U8 or U9 ADP programs should follow these steps to register:

1) Register for the U8 or U9 age group in Guelph Minor Hockey as all U8/U9 players do.

2) Register for U8 or U9 preparation/evaluation skates as part of the GMHA tryout process.

3) After completing the evaluation skates, and once assigned to a group or team based on player evaluations and program capacity, register for the ADP program using instructions provided by GMHA.


Preparation and Evaluation Skates

 

To be considered for participation in the Advanced Development Program, players must participate in the U8/U9 Preparation and Evaluation Skates.

To register for these skates you will need to purchase a tryout pass online. Note that you MUST purchase a tryout pass to be included in the preparation and evaluation skates and be eligible to participate in the ADP.

Preparation Skates - 4 separate 1-hour practices designed to get young players back on the ice and skating after the summer. To help ensure that evaluations are as objective as possible, these skates give players who may not have skated in several months a chance to get a feel for the ice again.

Evaluation Skates - 4 separate 1-hour practices designed to evaluate player skill levels for the purpose of creating training groups (U8) and teams (U9).


U8 and U9 Program Details

 

In alignment with Hockey Canada's U9 Player Pathway, and in coordination with the varying game/league options provided by the Tri-County Minor Hockey League, he U8 and U9 programs are structured slightly differently.

For more information on each age group, please follow the links below:

U8 ADP Information

U9 ADP Information