Overview
- The Initiation Program (IP4, IP5 & IP6) and U9 are designed to scale the game of hockey down for younger kids.
- As kids get older, the size of the playing surface scales with them. From Cross Ice, to Half Ice to Full Ice.
FAQ
Q: Who establishes the rules and guidelines?
A: Hockey Canada and the OMHA establishes rules and guidelines for associations like WMHA to follow. More information is available on the OMHA U9 & Below site.
Q: Will U9 (Age 8) be playing full ice?
A: Effective 2019-20 - Game play for the U9 age-group (8 year-olds) will be Half-Ice during the first half of the season and transition to Full-Ice during the second half of the season.
Q: What happened to Tyke?
A: Tyke is now known as U9 minor.
Q: My child is 7, can they tryout for U9 A (Age 8)?
A: Yes, a 7 year old can tryout for U9 A.
Q: My child is 8, can they tryout for Minor U11 A (Age 9)?
A: Yes, a 8 year old can tryout for U11 A.
Q: How do you divide the ice?
A: WMHA invested in a board system (shown in the picture) that divides the ice in half. It gives each section the unique feel of a complete playing surface. For some instances, foam dividers are also used.
Q: Will the teams be tiered?
A: WMHA had great success tiered teams last year and they will be tiered again for the 2019/2020 season. WMHA cannot control how other associations tier their teams.
Q:Will my child player a particular position?
A: Every child will have the opportunity to player every position to enhance their skill and understanding of the game.
Q: How many days a week?
A: IP4 and IP5 will have two ice times a week. IP6 and IP6 will have two ice times a week and allowed to go into three (3) jamborees starting in January.
Q: Do you tryout and when?
A: There are no tryouts but we do evaluations to tier. They will be in September but check the WMHA website often for dates and times.
Q: Am I required to volunteer?
A: You do not need to volunteer but volunteers are always welcome.
Q: Am I required to fundraise?
A: Each team will decide what they want to do as as far as fundraising.
Q: Is there travel for games?
A: Travel depends on the jamborees the team chooses to go in. Travel time for games/exhibition may vary from thirty (30) minutes to one (1) hour on average. It will also depend on teams that are within our league.
Q: When does the season start and end?
A: The season starts in September and ends in March.
Q: Are there referees?
A: IP4, there is no game play, all ice time is development. IP5/IP6, the coaches will referee the game. Minor U9 there will be one (1) referee per game. Jamborees will like have referees but this will depend on the host.
Contacts
Each age group will have a convenor:
IP4 - Kirby Martin
IP5 - Mike Stiles
IP6 - Scott Weber
U9 Minor Tier 1 Blue - Rod Bauman
U9 Minor Tier 2 White - TBD
U9 Major Rep - Sal Abate
U9 Major LL - TBD
Resources