HOCKEY CANADA MANDATE
For 2018-19 season it is recommended that age-appropriate programming being offered in U9 hockey featuring cross or half ice games with a transition to full ice games in time frames permitted by Hockey Canada.
For the 2019-20 season, it will be mandatory that that age-appropriate programming being offered in U9 hockey featuring cross or half ice games for the entire duration of the season.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT HOCKEY NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Hockey Northwestern Ontario is following the recommendation and implementing half ice hockey in U9 for the 2019-20.
Associations running U9 hockey mixed age programming (2011 & 2012) born players on the same team will:
Deliver age-appropriate programming to players seven (7) and eight (8) years of age consisting of half ice games for the entire duration of the season with the understanding that the players seven (7) years of age will repeat the programming as an eight (8)-year-old.
WHO DOES HALF-ICE AFFECT?
Half-ice affects U9, aged players.
WHY WAS HALF-ICE IMPLEMENTED?
Half-ice was implemented to teach the FUNdamental skills of hockey in a safe and stress-free environment so the players can enjoy the game. By moving to half-ice hockey, direction changes, puck touches, pass attempts and puck battles are doubled and shots per player are six (6) times higher for each player.
- 6x more shots on goal/player
- 5x more passes received/player
- 2x more puck battles/player
- 2x more puck touches/player
- 2x more pass attempts/player
- 2x more change of direction/pivots
- 1.75 shots/minute vs. 0.45 playing full ice
There are four main tenets to age-appropriate, age-specific hockey:
- More Puck Time
Smaller spaces mean more opportunity for a player to touch the puck – and ultimately improve their skills. - Age-Appropriate Training
By scaling the ice to their level, children are more involved, more engaged and developing their skills more efficiently. - Cost Savings
Because multiple teams share the ice, parents save on ice time costs. - Increased Competition
A smaller ice surface makes players of all skill levels think and act quicker, resulting in more frequent battles for the puck and hockey decision-making.
