U9 Advanced Development Program (ADP)
Team Structure
U9 ADP is a team-based program, with players selected for...and organized into...teams for the season. At U9, teams are composed of 17 players each.
Season Structure
U9 ADP is a team-based program with players selected for the season. At U9 teams are composed of 17 players each.The ADP season structure is based on the best practices outlined in Hockey Canada's U9 Player Pathway, and moves through distinct phases:
Preparation / Evaluation - 2 preparation skates to help players get back on the ice after the end of the season, followed by 3 evaluation skates used to evaluate players and select teams.
Development - Heavy focus on skills development, with ice time dedicated to station-based practices, power skating, and small area games. This phase includes “Game Days” for internal competition as part of early season player development.
Regular Season - Teams participate in the Tri-County Minor Hockey League, which offers tier-based competition at U8 and U9. (U8 and U9 ages are no longer part of "rep" hockey.) For the first few weeks of the season, U9 games are all played in a "half ice" format that shrinks the playing area and keeps players more engaged and involved. Then U9 teams will begin full ice play November 1st.
End of Season - The final month of the season typically includes a season-ending league event, as well as an opportunity for teams to travel to a festival / tournament.
Schedule & Commitment
ADP is a "high frequency" program with a commitment that includes 3 weekly practices and 1 weekly game (sometimes 2 games depending on league scheduling).
Practice Format
The ADP skill development program includes station-based skills practices designed to emphasize the most critical foundational skills needed for young players: edgework and balance, puck handling, compete, and hockey IQ/awareness.
U9 ADP teams at Tier 1, 2, and 3 have solo skills practices each week with Tier 1 and Tier 2 also participating in PEP (Power Edge Pro) skill sessions once a week on Tuesdays. Practices are structured with a low coach to player ratio. This format has a number of benefits, including:
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Plenty of repetitions for young players learning skills.
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A focus on the individual skills and habits that are critical to establish with young players at these ages.
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Efficient use of all ice resources.
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Maximized value for all participants (costs spread across a larger group).
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Consistent practice plans and professional coaching across groups.
U9 skills practices are run by the University of Guelph Men's Varsity Ice Hockey program, featuring University of Guelph coaches as on-ice instructors. Parent coaches help to organize the groups and supplement on-ice instruction.
Preparation and Evaluation Skates
Preparation Skates are offered at the end of the season prior to Player Evaluations to provide players an opportunity to prepare for the start of Player Evaluations. Prep Skates are not mandatory for players to attend and registration is separate from the Player Evaluations.
To be considered for participation in the Advanced Development Program, players must participate in the ADP Player Evaluations Skates that take place in April.
To register for these skates you will need to purchase a Player Evaluations Pass online.
Preparation Skates - 2 separate 1-hour practices designed to give young players who may not have skated following the conclusion of the season a chance to get a feel for the ice again. No evaluations take place during these skates.
Evaluation Skates -These skates follow a sequential release process beginning with the highest tiered team (U9-GOLD). Once a player is selected to the team, they are removed from the process and await for the final team selection. Once a player is released from a team, they are removed from the remaining sessions for that team and can join in the next team's first evaluation session.
Goals for ADP
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Create a fun and positive learning environment.
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Have qualified instructors overseeing development in a low coach/player ratio.
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Build a foundation of the most important habits and skills needed to continue advancing in competitive hockey.
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Ensure that athletes are practicing and playing with other similarly skilled players.
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To be a representative (rep) hockey initiation program that bridges the gap to rep hockey at the U10 age group.
Program Costs
All players in the Advanced Development Program must register for the Guelph Minor Hockey U9 season and pay the base registration fee for the age group.
Those players who go on to participate in the Advanced Development Program will also be required to pay an additional "ADP Fee" for the season that covers ice-time, professional coaching, and game play that goes above and beyond the base U9 offerings (U9 House League).
The specifics of the U9 program and the fee will be provided as part of a special information session so that families can decide if they would like their player to participate.
**PLEASE NOTE** - Program pricing and structure are subject to change annually.
ADP Within Guelph Minor Hockey
The Advanced Development Program (ADP) acts as a bridge from the Skill Development 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.
