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RETURN TO PLAY HOCKEY PLAN
For members who missed our Virtual Town Hall meeting, we are pleased to announce that our Return to Hockey Program is being put in motion, and has been approved by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).
To prepare for the upcoming season, we have been working within the Province of Ontario and the City of Guelph guidelines, along with direction from Ontario Minor Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada. Our goal is to get players back on the ice, as quickly and as safely as possible.
GMHA’s 2020-21 Programming was designed by local hockey professionals, and was created to ensure the safety of each and every player. Our program’s vision is one of lots of growth, competition, and most importantly fun during this unprecedented time.
Please find a breakdown of each program below.
Return to Play Hockey - Skills Development
Segment 1 (of 2) will cost $250 and is scheduled to begin the first week of October. Our skills development program has been developed to ensure the safety of each and every player. Our program’s vision is one of lots of development, competition, and most importantly fun during this unprecedented time.
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There will be two segments for the 2020-21 season.
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16 Ice Times, averaging 2 per week (1 practice and 1 game day).
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Players will be divided into teams of 10.
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Maximum 20 players on the ice at one time.
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Skills Development is a Hockey Canada designed program, based on 30+ years of success.
Return to Play Hockey - House League
Segment 1 (of 3) will cost $280 and is scheduled to begin the first week of October. Our house league program has been developed to ensure the safety of each and every player. Our program’s vision is one of lots of development, competition, and most importantly fun during this unprecedented time
U9-U16 - Program Breakdown
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16 Ice Times, averaging 2 per week (1 practice and 1 game day).
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Players will be divided into teams of 10 (9 skaters and 1 goalie).
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Each division will have 4 teams and games will be 4 on 4.
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Age groups may be merged, depending on registration numbers.
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Select hockey will not be permitted.
Return to Play Hockey - Advanced (Rep)
Segment 1 (of 3) will cost $575 and is scheduled to begin the last week of September.
U8 and U9 - Advanced Development Program (ADP)
Depending on the number of registrants, teams will be divided into 10 players each including a rotating goalie. Ten Annis will be the lead instructor and will be assisted by either Justin Stevens, Chad Wiseman, or Tyler Wiseman. The development plan will be communicated with the coaches prior to each session. This is a great opportunity to work with and help in the development of our coaches that are newer to coaching within the GMHA. Our goal is to develop coaches and players.
U10-U16 - Development Breakdown
The season will be broken down into 3 segments that will run for 8 weeks each, beginning the end of September. Payments for each segment will be individual and will be due prior to the segment beginning. Breaking down the season into segments, allows us to adapt, change, and evolve our development plan, pending guidelines set by our local government and municipalities.
On-Ice:
Each 8 week segment will include the following:
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21 on ice development sessions (3 sessions weekly that includes 1 station-based skills session, 1 solo skills session, and 1 small area game session.)
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The individual skills sessions will have a development instructor, skating coach, and/or a goalie coach (3 of the 8 weeks).
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Tournament weekend (during week 8)
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Towards the end of each segment, teams will be divided into two divisions per age group. We will run a “mini-tournament” and each team will play in 6 games. Games will be either half ice or cross ice, depending on the age group (U16 and U15 may be full ice, pending ice availability). Games will be 25 minutes in length and we will be working with local businesses for sponsorships.
Off-Ice
Each 8 week segment will include the following:
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Pursuit Fitness
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4 Off-Ice Sessions (per segment) for U10-U16
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4 Play Program Sessions (per segment) for U7-U9
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Complete details will be communicated to you from Pursuit Fitness.
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Parent Sessions
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One session per month and will focus on mental performance and how we communicate with our children. Hosts will include nutritionists, sleep experts, etc.
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This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the best ways to develop our young athletes.
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Coach Webinars
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One session per month and will focus on coach development including being a leader on the ice, improved communication, and better understanding of developing athletes. This will be hosted by Chad Wiseman and Ashwin Patel.
Important Notes:
While in Stage 4 of “Return to Hockey” the following will apply:
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There will be no tryouts, travel hockey, or tournaments.
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Your child’s representative level from the 2019-20 season as well as evaluations previously completed by our development team, will be considered for your child’s placement this year.
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Within each division, teams will be established to allow for internal scrimmages and games. Divisions will have a maximum of 50 players.
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Scrimmages and games will be played with a 4 on 4 format.
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There will be no-contact at all levels.
As per our OMHA, OHF, Hockey Canada, and the Provincial Government, these changes are anticipated to remain in place for the duration of Stage 4. If hockey can advance into stage 5 and return to traditional play, team structures will be adjusted accordingly
When we can begin a full and ‘normal’ season (Stage 5), tryouts for Representative hockey will occur for all players wishing to participate.
A Special Note for Our Goalies:
Goalies will receive one-on-one training for 3 of the 7 skill development sessions. If a parent would like to purchase more one-on-one sessions (during skills development sessions), it is possible but needs to be discussed with the coach.
Why small area games are beneficial in development for goalies.
“They're a great way to help goalies feel comfortable in uncomfortable or unfamiliar situations. Plus they're straight up fun.” - Justin Goldman, Founder of The Goalie Guild
1) Relying on Athleticism/Teaching Kids to be Athletes
We all know that the crease is essentially an in-zone marker that helps goalies have a better understanding of where they are in the net. Without it, the goaltender has to use natural athletic ability to help themselves stop the puck. If you can improve on your athleticism and "feel" for being in the net/knowing where the net is, it'll make the actual game easier when you get back in the crease.
2) Getting a feel for "Playing Net"
Without a crease, you don't know where you are in your net at all times - But you should be able to get more and more familiar. At the end of the day, you're playing net, you're guarding the net, you're playing in between a 4 x 6. This helps you build awareness about where you are in your net, regardless of where your net is on the ice
3) Learning How to Make Reads
Generally, a small area game involves a "multi-player" scoring opportunity or attacking play.
You're beginning to learn where you are in your net working outside of your crease, and now you'll be able to learn how to read your opponent as they try and make creative offensive plays to score on you. This teaches goalies how to really think the game and also teaches them how to hold their edges longer so that they don't slide out of position on the first pass. Learning how to be patient and anticipate will make you better regardless of where you're working on the ice.
Our Development Team:
ADP U8 and U9
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Skating Coach: Kelly Shock
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Lead Instructor: Ted Annis
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Instructors: Chad Wiseman, Tyler Wiseman and Justin Stevens
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
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Goalie Coach: James Prigone
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Instructors: Tyler Wiseman, Chad Wiseman, Brian Willsie and Ken Peroff
U15
U16
Mental Performance
Strength & Conditioning (Pursuit Fitness)