SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR
FIRST-TIME HOCKEY PARENTS
Welcome to Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club!
This information guide is intended to provide answers to
questions commonly asked by parents of children becoming involved in hockey for
the first time. This guide is for you if:
• you are registering a child in
hockey for the first time
• you have not been involved in
a hockey program before, and
• you have questions about how
the game of hockey is organized and played at your child’s level, what is
required, and what you can do to prepare for his/her first hockey season.
Most of our first-time players begin at the “Initiation” level. The levels are explained in the “Organization” section. Part of this booklet describes these categories. As it is not unusual for players to join at other levels, there is useful information for parents of new players at all levels.
This guide presents information in a question-and-answer format in the following subject areas:
The decision to become involved in hockey is an important step for you and your child. The skills and personal development that your child experiences will serve him/her for a lifetime. The rewards for you as a parent can be many. The time you spend together can bring some of the most satisfying experiences that you can share with your child.
At the beginning level, hockey is not about winning – it is about learning the basics of the game, coupled with personal development and acquisition of life skills. Hockey is a unique opportunity for your child to grow and for you to share in that growth.
Your child needs your help and support to make the most of this opportunity. Understanding your responsibilities as a parent is an important step toward ensuring your child's success in hockey
How much work is involved for me as a parent?
At a minimum, you are expected to provide for your child’s transportation, equipment and fees. Normally, your child will have one practice and one game each week. At the Initiation level these are often both on the weekend, one each day, but for older players the practices may take place during early morning (rare) or evenings (common) of weekdays and week-ends. Transportation to and from the games and practices, as well as purchasing and maintaining equipment, and registration fees are parents’ basic responsibilities.
In addition to the basic responsibilities, the amount of work for you as a parent depends on the extent to which you become involved in your child’s team and/or club. You may want to coach, assistant coach, manage or time keep for the team, there is position for each parent on every team or you may want to become involved in the Northstars Athletic Club or its activities. Becoming more involved, while requiring a sometimes-substantial time commitment, can also greatly increase the satisfaction that you and your child derive from the hockey season. The club is run entirely by the efforts of volunteers, so the efforts of parents like you are vital to the continuing success of the club.
What is the “Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club”?
The Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club is a chartered,
non-profit organization that operates hockey, baseball and softball programs
for youngsters between the ages of seven and 21 The club is run by an elected
executive of (parent) volunteers from the communities of Beverly, Beacon,
Newton, Montrose, Eastwood, Parkdale, Alberta Avenue, Delton, McCauly, Virginia
Park, Killarney, Rosslyn, Glengarry, Delwood, Balwin and Belvedere.
The Executive includes at least one Director for each of the four player categories: “Initiation” (age 4-6), “Novice”(age 7-8), “Atom”(age 9-10) , “Pee Wee”(age 11-12), Bantam (age 13-14) and Midget {15-17}. Most first-time players will play in the Initiation and Novice categories, but it’s not unusual for players to join at the other age levels. (Since Pee-Wee hockey involves body checking, this is the most difficult age for a first-time player to join.).
What is the “Initiation” category?
Initiation is the beginning level for hockey. All kids who are less than eight years old and do not turn eight before January are classed as Initiation players. A player who turns eight after December of the current calendar year is still in the Initiation category.
The Initiation level is divided into two programs: Initiation 1 (beginner), and Initiation 3 , ½ ice for the first half of the year and full-ice after in January ice permitting. Availability of Initiation 1 program depends on level of interest during registration. Beginning players usually play “half-ice” and those who have played before and who have appropriate abilities usually play “full-ice”.
What does it cost to register?
Registration fees are set each year with the authority of the executive. Roughly two-thirds of the fees are used to pay for ice rental. The remainder pays the cost of insurance, scheduling, and various other operating costs. (Hockey at the Initiation level has traditionally been subsidized by the club).
What other costs are there?
Depending on your team’s preferences, in addition to
registration fees and equipment costs, you may encounter the following
additional expenses during the season
• additional tournament(s)
• additional practice ice
• year end party
How do I get my child into hockey?
In-person registration is held early in June and August.
Announcements are normally distributed through the schools in the various communities
served by the Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club and advertisements are placed
in community newspapers, etc.
Early Registration is encouraged
Registration forms must be completed to register your child. A non-returnable photocopy of your child’s birth certificate must be supplied. You will also be asked for your child’s Personal Health Number (as listed on his/her Alberta Personal Health Card) and the name and phone number of your child’s doctor or some other emergency contact person.
The information on the registration form is used to officially record the player with Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club, the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association (EMHA) and Hockey Alberta, as well as to apply for insurance and prepare for player evaluations and team selections.
Your child will need the hockey equipment listed below. Used equipment in good condition is generally a good alternative to new equipment.
These are only a rough guide to the average cost of good quality used and new equipment for younger players. Prices may vary depending on current market prices, availability, quality and condition, and for older players you should expect to pay more for some items. “Rec. Buy” indicates a recommendation as to whether the item should be purchased new or used.
|
Item |
Used |
New |
Rec. Buy |
|
n/a |
$80 |
New |
|
n/a |
$15 |
New |
|
$15 |
$25 |
New or used |
|
$8 |
$15 |
New or used |
|
$8 |
$15 |
New or used |
|
$20 |
$30 |
New |
|
$20 |
$40 |
New or used |
|
n/a |
$12 |
New |
|
$15 |
$25 |
New or used |
|
$5 |
$10 |
New or used |
|
n/a |
$6 |
New |
|
$50 |
$100 |
New or used |
|
n/a |
$15 |
New |
|
n/a |
$5 |
New |
|
$15 |
$30 |
New or used |
|
|
|
|
|
n/a |
$5 |
New |
|
n/a |
$15 |
New |
|
Total (not including optional equipment): |
$289 |
$423 |
|
In addition to the equipment noted above, a numbered jersey for each player and home and away socks to be worn for games only. Your team may want to add players’ names to the back of their jerseys, at a cost of about $7.00 per player. (Please discuss this with the coach.)
A number of items of clothing in club colours, including warm-up suits and hooded sweat shirts may be purchased. These are good quality garments featuring the Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club crest on the front. Team names may be added. You may order these at the registration sessions or through your manager
What should I know before buying hockey equipment?
The most important pieces of equipment are skates and helmet. Skates should fit snugly, but should not “pinch” the foot when tightened. Have the child’s foot measured and have the skates checked by a qualified individual to ensure that they fit properly. Skates should not be more than 1/2 size larger than your child’s current skate size. Don’t buy skates that are too big and wait for your child to “grow into them”. Your child will find it much harder to learn to skate, and could develop ankle problems if his/her skates are too big.
It is up to you to keep the skates sharp! Put in new laces and keep a spare pair of laces in the equipment bag. (Tip: thin foam insoles cut to fit the inside of the boots may make the skates more comfortable to wear.)
The helmet must fit snugly at the front and back, as well as the sides. (Tip: put the helmet on your child and hold it securely in your hands. Ask the child to move his/her head up and down, and side to side. Watch for excessive head movement inside the helmet. Adjust to fit snugly.) The face guard may be either wire-cage or clear plastic – plastic is easily scratched and therefore may be more suitable for older players who can take care of it. Be sure that the chin strap fits snugly, but does not hurt the chin.
Be sure that the hockey sticks are junior-sized. Small hands need a hockey stick with a small shaft. (Cutting the end off Dad’s old hockey stick won't do. The shaft will be too broad for your child to grip comfortably.) Cut the stick at the child’s chin level when standing in skates or nose level when standing in shoes. (A stick that is too long can hinder player development.)
Why are the players evaluated?
All registrants must attend player evaluation sessions during September. This is to ensure that each team contains a balance of players of all levels of ability. In the other categories, it ensures that players of similar abilities play together at a level appropriate to their abilities.
Note: during the evaluations there will be many players on the ice who are unknown to the on-ice staff. At the Initiation level we like to be able to address the players by name, so in order to help us, parents should write the player’s first and last names in BIG letters on a piece of masking tape and stick it to the front of the helmet. At the other levels, anonymity is thought to be fairer, and players will normally wear numbered pinneys.
Where do we go?
The evaluations will be held at one of the city arenas, usually on the north side.
You will be notified at or soon after registration of the exact time, date and location of your child’s first evaluation. If you are unsure, call one of the directors for your child’s category. At higher age-levels, four or more evaluation sessions are used.
What equipment should be worn?
ANY TIME YOUR CHILD IS ON THE ICE, including during the evaluation, all of the equipment listed in section 4 above must be worn.
What is evaluated?
Players are evaluated on forward and backward skating,
stopping, puck handling. behaviour and performance in game-situations is also
assessed.
My child can’t skate. What should we do?
If possible, before the season begins, take your child to public skating sessions at local arenas. It will help to build up confidence on skates, as some children are very shy or self-conscious when starting out. Having tried earlier in a public setting might ease this a little. If you can skate, please bring your skates and be prepared to help on the ice with your child.
If your child is shy or frightened at the first evaluation, please tell one of the on-ice evaluators – a little gentle encouragement is often all that’s needed.
Above all, don't worry. Young players soon learn that everyone falls down lots when starting out, and that it doesn’t hurt when you’re wearing all that padding – in fact, it’s actually fun! You’ll be amazed how quickly your child learns to stand, walk, glide and stop on the ice.
Hockey professionals say that 80% or more of the game of hockey is skating. Most of the practice time is devoted to learning to skate. The coaching staff and others will help your child learn to skate. If you want more professional instruction, several excellent power skating programs are available throughout the year. There’s no substitute for ice-time, so if you can, practice skating as often as you can at outdoor community arenas and public skating facilities. Your community league membership entitles you to free public skating at the indoor city arenas – contact the City at 496-4897 for details of arena times.
How many players are on a team?
The target is an 11 or 12 player team at the Initiation level, increasing as the players get older. The actual number will depend on the total number of players available, late arrivals, drop-outs, etc.
What can I do to help the team?
Your team will welcome any help that you can offer. Become involved as a coach, assistant coach, manager or timekeeper, if you can. (Please indicate your preference on the registration form.)
Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club requires that all team officials (Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Managers and Trainers) provide a completed application for a Volunteer Security Clearance Check from the Edmonton Police Service. All team officials are required to complete the Canadian Hockey Association (CHA) “Speak Out” program that focuses on awareness of physical and sexual harassment and abuse. One person on each team list (hard card) must have completed the CHA Safety Program. Initiation coaches are required to complete the Initiation coaching program. Participation in these courses is paid for by the Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club.
If you can skate, bring your skates and hockey stick, and skate with the kids during practice. Even if you didn’t volunteer as coach or assistant, your help will always be appreciated during practices. If you can’t skate, there will be many off-ice tasks that need to be done during the year. You may be able to help with some of these - ask your manager.
Support the coaches on and off the ice. They are all volunteers and they need all the help and support that you can give them. If you have any questions or concerns resolve them as quickly as possible.
Work with the other parents to car-pool or assist with transportation to practices or games. Single parents may especially need this assistance.
Tired bodies need refreshment! Each team should develop a schedule for post-game refreshments (e.g. juice boxes). Remember which game(s) are your responsibilities.
Be on time for the games. Games must start as scheduled, or they will impact on others to follow. If you can’t make it to a game, let the coach, manager or another parent know.
Initiation 3 games are played on “half-ice”. The arena will be split into two playing surfaces with boards placed on the center ice line. Two games will be played simultaneously on these surfaces, with both games controlled by the same game clock. At the beginning and end of these ice-sessions we need lots of parental help to bring out or put away the dividing boards.
Each game consists of three fifteen-minute running-time periods, with a short break between periods. For half-ice games, and for full-ice games in the early part of the season, the clock will sound every three minutes, signaling teams to change all players, including the goaltender.
Every player will have a chance to play forward, defense and goaltender in the course of the game. Goaltenders may use the team goal stick or their own hockey stick. No other goaltending equipment is used in half-ice games. For full-ice games the goaltender wears pads and a blocker.
Coaches from each team act as co-referees.
For all other categories, games are played on full-ice. During Initiation 3, rules such as offside are taught and introduced partway through the season. Referees may be provided for these games. Coaches continue to act as co-referees. At Novice and above, sanctioned referees are used, and all rules are enforced. Body checking begins at Pee-Wee level.
Practices are important. They are the best opportunity your child will get to learn to skate and play the game of hockey. They are not optional. If you must miss a practice, let the coach, manager or another parent know.
Your child will normally have one practice per week, either on the weekend or in the early evening on a weekday, at one of the north Edmonton arenas {some rural arenas are also used}. You will be notified in advance when and where the practices are to be held.
Practices generally include a combination of skating, puck handling and passing drills designed to teach skating and the basics of hockey. They may also include on-ice games and/or scrimmages.
If you have problems getting to practice, talk to the coach. You may be able to work out an arrangement with another parent, family member or friend.
Help is available, whatever the problem.
Before and during the registration process, contact a registration official or the Registrar.
During evaluations, talk to the Directors for your child’s age category, but please bear in mind that this time is extremely hectic for them – contacting 150-200 players, evaluating them and placing them on teams, all in the space of a couple of weeks, requires a huge time-commitment.
Once your child has been placed on a team, the coach (or manager) should be the first point of contact if you have problems or need help. If this is not possible, or does not help you, then contact one of the Category Directors.
As a last resort, you may contact the President, who will bring the matter to the Executive if necessary.
The names and phone numbers of the registration officials,
Directors and President are on the separate sheet “Edmonton Northstars Athletic
Club” for the current year.
|
Initiation Programs |
|
Program |
Description |
Features |
Estim. Games |
Estim. Pract. |
Fees |
Initiation 1(Beginner) |
A program for beginning skaters focused on learning to move and skate wearing hockey equipment. Usually for 4 and 5 year olds. This structured program delivered by professional instructors teaches basic movement and skating through development drills for about 2/3 of each one-hour ice slot. The remaining 1/3 of the session is devoted to playing non-competitive fun games that develop the skills learned in the practice portion of that ice slot (e.g. frozen tag, broom ball, soccer, bean-bag toss, etc.). Note: availability of this program depends on level of interest indicated during registration. Time and location have yet to be determined. |
· Non-competitive · Same ice time each week · Structured program (based on CHA Initiation program) · Professional
instructors |
None |
20 |
$100 |
Initiation 2/3(Half –Ice)
First Half of the Year |
Introduction to hockey. Usually for 5 and 6 year olds. (Note: Initiation 1 is not a pre-requisite for registration in Initiation 2.) This program focuses
on development of forward and backward skating, stopping and puck
handling. Teams of 10 to 12 players are formed. No regular
goalies – players rotate through all positions, including goaltender.
Half-ice games are played (i.e. boards at centre ice separate the ice surface
into two halves and two games are played at the same time on these half-ice
surfaces). Most games and practices are held on weekends.
Games are held at north side Arena. Locations of practices vary - mainly
at four arenas on the north side. |
· Emphasis on skating · Learn basic hockey skills · Introduction to team concept · Half-ice games and practices |
21 (half-ice) |
17 (half-ice) |
$150 |
Initiation 3/2(Full-Ice) |
Introduction to hockey concepts. Usually for advanced 6 year olds and 7 year olds. This program
prepares participants for Novice hockey in the following year. Skating
and puck handling are emphasized. Basic concepts of the rules of the
game of hockey are taught, including off-sides, icing, etc.
Goaltending equipment is supplied to each team. Games are played on the
full ice surface. Practices are shared (half-ice). Most
games and practices are held on weekends at four arenas on the north side. |
· Emphasis on skating · Learn basic hockey skills · Learn basic rules of hockey · Develop team concept · Full-ice games; half-ice practices |
21 (full-ice) |
17 (half-ice) |
$150 |
Bingos
Each year, Edmonton Northstars Athletic Club operates a fund-raising bingo program. In addition to benefiting families who work bingos by reducing their players’ registration fees, profits from bingos benefit all players by subsidizing fees.