Hockey Pathways

 

Not sure about what level your participant should be in? This is to help with clarification on the different levels of hockey and the pathways a participant can follow

 

 

U7 (previously Initiation) – Ages 5-6

Initiation ONE Program is an introduction to hockey with the focus on fun while developing skating and hockey skills in a structured format. It provides a positive beginning to the sport in a cost friendly environment. A single one-hour ice time per week. Full hockey equipment is required. Runs mid September to late February. (there is an option to start with ONE and switch to Initiation in October, paying the fee difference.)

 

NOMHA Initiation Program typically runs two practices a week. Initiation will participate in weekend games starting January, games are all half ice. Focusing on fun while developing skating and hockey skills in a structured format. It provides a positive beginning to the sport. Full hockey equipment is required. Runs mid September to Late February.

 

 

U9 (previously Novice) – Ages 7-8

The U9 Program Delivery is BC Hockey's exclusive program for young players learning to play hockey. It is the proven foundation of early skills development AND love of the game, the overall goal of the U9 Program Delivery is to teach the foundational skills of hockey while having fun so players can enjoy the game. Players participate in games starting in the middle of November using the cross/half-ice hockey format. Research shows that direction changes, puck touches, pass attempts and puck battles are doubled and shots per player are six (6) times higher for each player.

 

2nd Year U9 players may participate in the Skate and Skills Sessions offered by NOMHA on Monday nights, see more information below. 2nd year players will also be offered some full ice training at the end of the season to help them get ready for full ice in the next season.

 

 

U11 (Previously Atom) – Ages 9-10

The U11 Pathway is a progressive, learn to play teaching curriculum. This pathway is an important component in the transition from the U9 Pathway and serves as preparation into the U13 Pathway. The U11 Pathway consists of four (4) phases of instruction, designed for players graduating from U9 hockey and for entry level hockey players who may start playing hockey at this age level. The U11 Pathway curriculum introduces, develops and refines the skills of skating, passing, puck control and shooting in a progressive step by step manner.

 

NOMHA offers both a recreational program and a development (dev) program. The Dev program is designed for players who would like to step up to the next level of competitive play. Players in this program are often the players who WANT to be on the ice more and are craving that extra level of competitive play. Your player must try-out for the dev team and it is required that players participate in the skate and skills session offered on Monday nights. If a player does not make the Dev team the first time they try-out, but wants to pursue a higher level of play they should attend the skate and skills sessions to help increase their skills for the next season.

 

 

U13 (Previously Peewee) - Ages 11-12

U13 is a continuation on the building of skills previously taught in the lower levels with an increase in speed and skills. NOMHA offers both recreational and representative (Rep) hockey at this age category as long as the numbers permit to have both groups running fully independently, should for any reason there are not enough numbers in the U13 category, NOMHA will only run a U13 recreational program and Rep players may try-out at an adjoining association. Players are not normally allowed to try-out elsewhere unless special circumstances apply and must be approved by BC Hockey. Your player must try-out for the Rep team and it is required that players participate in the skate and skills session offered on Monday nights

 

 

U15 (Previously Bantam) – Ages 13-14

U15 is where the more talented players begin to separate themselves. NOMHA has not been able to host a Rep team in category for a number of years as many players tend to leave the association to play at higher levels.  If numbers were to permit and families were wanting to have Rep at home, NOMHA would still host a Rep team, please note that NOMHA must host a Rec team first. U15 Rep players see the introduction of hitting in hockey and it is incredibly important for players to attend a clinic on how to properly hit. There is no hitting in the recreational programs.

 

Rep level players can tryout at the North Zone league. This league is made up of all players in the North Zone area (Vernon, North Okanagan, Sicamous, Revelstoke, Golden, Salmon Arm, Kamloops and everything in between areas). Players can choose to start at the highest level of tryouts, AAA, and if they do not make the team they can then tryout for the next level at AA. There is a large time and money commitment for these participants, for more information you can contact the registrar at register@nomha.com. For players who do not make either of these teams or are not able to commit to these teams, they can also tryout at the Rep level in any adjoining association. If for any reason they are not accepted at any of the above, or because of players choice, then players are sent back to NOMHA to play for the recreational team. Players are unable to play for another association at the recreational level unless they are waitlisted in their home association or special circumstances apply.

 

 

U18 (Previously Midget) – Ages 15-17

U18 looks very similar to U15. NOMHA has not been able to host a Rep team in category for a number of years as many players tend to leave the association to play at higher levels.  If numbers were to permit and families were wanting to have Rep at home, NOMHA would still host a Rep team, please note that NOMHA must host a Rec team first.

 

Rep level players can tryout at the North Zone league. Players can choose to start at the highest level of tryouts, AAA, and if they do not make the team they can then tryout for the next level at AA. There is a large time and money commitment for these participants, for more information you can contact the registrar at register@nomha.com. For players who do not make either of these teams or are not able to commit to these teams, they can also tryout at the Rep level in any adjoining association. If for any reason they are not accepted at any of the above, or because of players choice, then players are sent back to NOMHA to play for the recreational team. Players are unable to play for another association at the recreational level unless they are waitlisted in their home association or special circumstances apply.

 

 

Skate & Skill Development/Dryland/Goalie Training Program (Ages 8+) - NOMHA offers a program that will combine skate & skill development/training both on and off the ice.  Goalie development will also take place during this program.  The on-ice program will be held at Nor-Val arena and the off-ice dryland sessions will be held at the Hassen Arena and will be held every Monday night. It is highly recommended that players who want to “be the best” that they can and are wanting to follow the dev or rep pathways take this program. Skate and Skills is mandatory if you are on the Dev or a Rep team.  NOMHA has seen a huge improvement in players who apply themselves at skate and skills and have moved on from playing recreational hockey for several years to playing on the rep teams with a higher degree of skill than players who have not.

 

For any further questions please do not hesitate to reach out and talk to any member of the board, we are here to help and are wanting the players in our association to play at the level of hockey they want to play at while having as much fun as they can and making lifelong friends and memories.

For any further questions, please contact the Association Registrar:  register@nomha.com