Initiation Program (Consists of Junior IP, IP, and Senior IP)
Included in your child’s registration to our Initiation and Minor Novice Programs, Oro Minor Hockey will be bringing in Provincially Trained Hockey Development Coaches to run a 12 week Skills Development Program to parallel our organizations commitment to long term player development. To aid in this vision, numerous coaches (parent volunteers) are on the ice to help with player programming at each of the Initiation and Minor Novice Program levels.
Jr. IP – Junior Initiation Program (BIRTH YEARS - 2015 And Under)
Jr.IP - this program is designed for first timers. Focus is on the basic fundamentals of hockey such as skating, passing and shooting in a fun environment with some small 1/2 ice games. Players in IP are typically 4-5 year olds, by December 31st; who are learning to play hockey. Jr. IP players are on the ice twice a week for 50 minutes each practice. These times are frequently on a Saturday and Sunday and can be between 7am to 11am start times. Early start times are rotated through the younger hockey divisions. The Jr. IP season starts early October thru to the end of March.
IP - Initiation Program (BIRTH YEARS - 2013-2014)
IP - this program is designed typically for second year players or those who have the ability to skate forward on their own. Players will continue to build on the fundamentals of Jr. IP with a more structure, skill development & introduction to cross ice games as the season progresses. Players in IP are typically 5-6 year olds, by December 31st; who may be second year players. IP players are normally on the ice twice a week for 50 minutes each practice. These times are usually on a Saturday and Sunday and can be between 7am to 11am start times. Early start times are rotated through the younger hockey divisions. The IP season starts early October thru to the end of March.
Senior IP – Senior Initiation Program (BIRTH YEARS - 2013)
SR. IP - this program is designed for third year players or those players that have the ability to skate forwards and backwards and have the ability to stop and maneuver (turn). This will be the players first introduction to team hockey with a focus on half ice game situations. Players in Sr. IP are typically 6 years old, by December 31st; who may be third year players. Sr. IP players are on the ice twice a week for 50 minutes each practice. These times are frequently on a Saturday and Sunday and can be between 7am to 11am start times. Early start times are rotated through the younger hockey divisions. The Sr. IP season starts early October thru to the end of March.
Players will compete in half ice fun games against other centres running similar Sr. IP programs.
Minor Novice (Formerly Tyke) Program (BIRTH YEARS - 2012)
Minor Novice - this program is designed for the more experienced players that have the ability to skate forwards and backwards with speed and have the ability to stop and maneuver in tight spaces. This will be the players first introduction to team hockey played on a half ice surface. Players in Minor Novice are typically 7 years old, by December 31st; Minor Novice players will be on the ice twice a week, once on Saturday and once on Sunday for the months of October and November. Minor Novice practice times usually range from 7 am to 11 am. Early practice times are rotated through the younger hockey divisions. A 14 game season against other centres starts in early December. Days and times will be varying depending on game schedule and ice availability. Season start date for 2018 season is mid-September and the season will end mid-March.
The Minor Novice teams will be formed through an evaluation process similar to a REP team selection.
"HOW A PLAYER GETS THAT FIRST TASTE OF HOCKEY IS CRUCIAL."