Understanding U7 Hockey
GMHA's hockey programs at U7 (6 years old) are designed based on the guidance and best practices outlined in Hockey Canada's U7 Player Pathway, and incorporate the principles and benefits of "opportunity based programming".
What is the U7 Player Pathway?
The Hockey Canada U7 Player Pathway is an essential component in developing the skills of all young kids playing hockey in Canada. This skill development resource from Hockey Canada provides the official instructional curriculum for these age groups.
Learn More About the U7 Player Pathway
Available Options
Guelph Minor Hockey's programming at the U7 age group is broken into 2 different available options:
In line with Hockey Canada's U7 Player Pathway, GMHA's program at this age are broken into low-frequency and high-frequency offerings that players and families can pursue based on their desired level of participation and development.
U7 Development
This is the "low frequency" option for 6 year old players interested in 1 practice and 1 game per week. U7 Development is open to general registration and provides an introductory/recreational experience for U7 players.
Learn more about U7 Development here...
U7 Advanced Development
This is the "high frequency" option, combining additional ice-time with professional coaches to offer accelerated development for young players. The commitment includes 2 weekly practices and 1 weekly game (sometimes 2 once league play begins), as well as an additional "ADP Fee" that covers the additional associated costs.
Learn more about U7 ADP here...
Accessing Additional Skill Development
As a team-based program, U7 ADP is limited to 1 team of 18 players.
However, players who do not in ADP (either because they did not participate in ADP Evaluations, or because they were not selected for an ADP team), have the option to access additional skill development opportunities for an additional fee:
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Access by Desire, Not Skill
A key tenet of GMHA's U7 hockey programs is the ability for players to access programs based on their desire to participate and develop, as opposed to their current skill level.
Players interested in a low-frequency, recreational experience can simply register for U7 Development.
The high-frequency option of U7 Advanced Development (ADP) is for those players and families who want to invest more time and effort into development and are willing to make the commitment.
While team-based programs will always have a maximum capacity and involve some kind of player evaluation and selection, GMHA's goals at U7 include:
- Having players compete in games based on their current level of play (i.e. ADP teams if selected, or U7 Development teams if that is currently more appropriate).
- Providing access to extra skills sessions for players who are not yet ready for selection to an ADP team, but who have a desire to invest more time and effort into their development.
Equitable access to programming and coaching helps to avoid the early streaming of players, and helps to ensure that all of our Guelph players have an opportunity to be the best they can be!
Benefits of Cross-Ice Hockey
The focus of player development at young ages is placing kids into situations that suit their age-specific abilities. Dividing the playing surface into smaller areas is an important part of helping younger, smaller players develop.
- Smaller space places an emphasis on balance, agility, coordination, & quickness.
- Players are more engaged in the play, which helps to develop confidence and a persona of being involved and active in the game.
- Fundamental skills are used more frequently (stickhandling, passing, shooting).
- Players need to make more decisions, which helps to build an understanding of the game and its movements and develop ice awareness and "hockey sense".
Numerous studies have shown that cross-ice and half-ice formats produce significantly more action for younger players:
- 2x as many puck touches for players.
- 6x as many shot attempts in games.
- 3x as many shots on goal in games.
- 2x as may passes attempted.
- 5x as many passes received.
Learn More About Skill Development 1 for 6 Year Old Players
Learn More About Skill Development 2 for 7 Year Old Players