The rinks are busy in Woodstock, and there’s plenty of youngsters skating up and down the ice learning the game at a very young age. The Pre-Novice (b. 2011) age group within the Woodstock Minor Hockey Association has 54 players in all, and they’re split into six teams of nine youngsters, with goalies rotating from week to week.
“We have adopted the new Hockey Canada mandate that all kids 6 and under play half-ice hockey games and small area practice groups,” says Chad Paton, one of the program’s coaches.
Games are played Saturdays, and practices are held Sundays (in two groups of three teams). There’s also a power skating session every Tuesday, which also alternates between two groups of three teams.
“The Initiation Program [younger age groups] was developed with the goal of the kids learning new skills, developing confidence, and having fun,” said Paton, who spent most of his 20’s coaching junior hockey and now helps with his son’s team in the WMHA. “The program helps introduce the skills of skating, passing, puck control and shooting – in a step-by-step manner.”
Much of the credit for the successful Pre-Novice program belongs to Pat Sloan, who is also the coordinator of the even younger age groups, including Tyke (b. 2012) and Peanuts (b. 2013). A long-time WMHA volunteer, Sloan spends countless hours every weekend helping – both on and off the ice – with all three Initiation divisions.
“WMHA is very fortunate to have Pat,” said Paton, who, along with Darrin Murphy, has assisted Sloan during the last six months in developing the best possible program within the new guidelines. “It’s a work in progress, and there will be continue to be small changes.”
The WMHA’s Pre-Novice Select program has operated for a few years, and it is made up from the six Pre-Novice teams. The program includes an additional practice per month, as well two games (one home and one away) and the option to play in two tournaments.
“Each game, we split our team into two teams and play two half-ice games to allow the kids as much ice time as we can,” said Paton. “We have very few whistles or stoppages too, which allows for the kids to just play and have fun!”
Contributions and photo by Chad Paton
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