The AMHL is introducing an exciting new initiative for the upcoming 2012-2013 season – the Enhanced Novice Development Program. Instead of fielding a rep team at the Minor Novice age level that carries a high participation cost and large time commitment for very young players and new parents to rep hockey, we are running a 23 week power skating and skills development program for Minor (2005) and Major Novice (2004) players.
Note: Registration is now full in the program. Please contact Kevin Williamson, Director of Player & Coach Development, to be added to the waiting list.
In addition to their regular weekly house league game and
practice, the players who register for this program will be on the ice an extra
two times a week in skating, skills development and 3-on-3 hockey sessions. There is
no travel involved and the cost is significantly less than the cost to play on
a rep team.
Summary of the Program
A 23 week program of power skating, skills development and 3-on-3 games for Minor (2005) and Major Novice (2004) age players running from September 17 to March 9. Players will be on the ice for a total of 4 hours per week: 2 hours with the Novice Development Program and 2 hours with their house league team. The cost of the program is only $600 for 46 hours of instruction (approximately $13 per hourly session). Players registered for the program are eligible to try out for the Novice Select team along with house league players who are not registered for the program.
There is limited space - a maximum of 30 Minor Novice age players and 15 Major Novice age players will be accepted.
“It's
like going to a hockey camp every week, but at a much lower cost.”
We believe the development opportunity at this young age
will be as good if not better than playing on a rep team and will give a
greater number of players an opportunity to accelerate their development as
young hockey players.
The Enhanced Novice Development Program is exactly what the name implies. The
skill development is enhanced by the constant and consistent exposure to
excellent coaching. The family experience is enhanced by reduced financial
burden and vastly reduced time commitment. The player's ability to compete for
Ancaster AA teams or Hamilton AAA teams
in the future is greatly enhanced because of the level of instruction offered
each and every week.
- Kids will have 4 hours per week of ice time (vs 2 hours of house league only).
- Coaches are trained, certified profession hockey coaches (Kelly Reed Hockey, Mike Walsh is Hockey Certified Power Skating Instructor, OMHA Development 2 Certified). Kids will be taught the proper techniques at every session with consistent instruction on the fundamentals.
- The number of "puck touches" will be maximized through the use of specialized skills sessions, 3 on 3 sessions and well designed half ice HL practices (vs rep programs which tend to focus on "team strategies", the HL practices will be designed by Mike Walsh and the coaches will be taught the key teaching points as well as half ice techniques.)
- The same number of hours on ice as a rep team but for roughly 1/2 of the price! The cost for the program is only $600 versus $1,500 for a rep team.
- All sessions are to be held at local rinks. Rep teams must travel for 50% of their games and each away game consumes roughly 4 hours of family time on average.
- Kids registered for the program are eligible to play for Novice Select team along with house league players who are not registered for the program.
There is limited space - a maximum of 30 Minor Novice age players and 15 Major Novice age players will be accepted.
The registration deadline is September 15 but register now because there is limited space in the program - a maximum of 30 Minor Novice age players and 15 Major Novice age players will be accepted.
Note: Registration is now full in the program. Please contact Kevin Williamson, Director of Player & Coach Development, to be added to the waiting list
Click here to see the FAQ page.
If have any questions about the program, contact Kevin Williamson, Director of Player & Coach Development.
Click here to register.
If have any questions about registration, contact Brenda Coffen, Registrar.