| 8 & under |
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8 and Under
Welcome to the start of another hockey season! Hugh Murphy, Jr. is the 8 and Under coordinator for this division. This year we will not be having a Mite team or be playing full ice. Not playing full ice next season is mandatory, but with our current numbers at this level the board determined that putting the changes into effect this year would have less impact on our players. Those that would have been mites for a second year or played full ice games, have been allowed to move up to the squirt level. We will have our Cross-Ice program and Initiation Program this year. The plan is to have a Cross Ice I and Cross Ice II. Both will have strong emphasis on skills with the more skilled players being on CI 2 and those that are coming out of Initiation being CI 1. The big question is about playing games. Games will be played, and many of those games will be played amongst us, by simply splitting up and playing together. Depending on our readiness, games outside our club may/probably be scheduled. Initiation will continue as primarily a learn to skate program. Many of our coaches are back this year and are fortunate that many of them played this great game. FUNdamentals are the name of the game at this stage. Our goal is to teach the skills in a fun atmosphere. Every child needs to leave the ice with a smile and wanting to come back. This is the time when we lay the foundation, so that more advance skills can be learned later. We can’t teach players to “cycle the puck” unless they can skate and pass really well as an example. Our focus and that of USA Hockey for this stage is: 1. Develop a passion for hockey in all of our children. 2. Develop on ice balance, coordination, agility and speed. 3. Introduce basic puck control skills We encourage all parents to go to the USA Hockey website and find out more about the Cross Ice program and the American Development Model (ADM). The ADM is the future of USA Hockey and is something we all need to support. Cross Ice starts October 22 and Initiation the first week of November. Initiation Equipment Handout is November 5th, starting at noon. On November 5th we are hosting a “Play Hockey for Free Day” This is for new children ages 4-9. If you know of any one who might want to play on the ice for fun, let them know of this event. We will also need volunteers to help with the event and if you have any old skates in small sizes that you would be willing to let us use for the event it would be appreciated! Please feel free to contact Hugh with any questions, comments or to volunteer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call him at 391-8479. |
