Learn more about the Novice Development program.
Note: Registration is now full in the program. Please contact Kevin Williamson, Director of Player & Coach Development, to be added to the waiting list.
What is the Enhanced Novice Development Program?
It’s a 23 week power skating and skills development program for Minor (born in 2005) and Major (born in 2004) Novice house league players.
Players who register for the program will have 4 hours of ice-time per week: 2 hours per week of power skating,skills and 3-on-3 games plus 2 hours of house league (1 practice, 1 game).
The 2 additional ice times per week will rotate through a cycle of Powerskating (Kelly Reed Hockey), Skills Development (Mike Walsh) and 3-on-3 games (1/2 ice pond hockey games). Each 6 week cycle will include four Kelly Reed sessions, four Skills Development sessions and four 3-on-3 games.
Example 6 Week Cycle
Week 1: 1 hour Kelly Reed, 1 hour Skills Development
Week 2: 1 hour Kelly Reed, 1 hour Skills Development
Week 3: 1 hour Skills Development, 1 hour 3-on-3
Week 4: 1 hour Skills Development, 1 hour 3-on-3
Week 5: 1 hour Kelly Reed, 1 hour 3-on-3
Week 6: 1 hour Kelly Reed, 1 hour 3-on-3
Who are the Instructors?
The Power Skating sessions will be conducted by Kelly Reed Hockey.
The Skills Sessions will be conducted by Mike Walsh (Hockey Canada Certified, Certified Power Skating Instruction, OMHA Development Level 2 Coach, head coach at Ancaster High School, head coach of the Ancaster Major Bantam AA team, OMHA Champs in 2009-2010).
The 3-on-3 Sessions will be conducted by certified AMHL coaches.
When does the program start and end?
It starts the last week of September (week ending September 21) and ends the week of March 8 (before March break). There will be no sessions over the Christmas break.
What days of the week will the program run?
The program will run during the week (Monday to Friday). There will be no weekend sessions since house league games and practices are scheduled for the weekend.
What is the cost?
The cost is $600 for 46 ice-times. This works out to only $13.00 per hour of ice-time / instruction. Please note that the $600 fee is in addition to the base house league registration fee.
Who is eligible?
All Minor (born in 2005) and Major (born in 2004) Novice house league players registered with Ancaster Minor Hockey for the 2012-2013 season. Players on the Ancaster Novice AA team are not eligible.
Are players eligible to try out for the Novice Select team?
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. In other words, anyone registered to play Novice House League can try out for the Select team, whether they register for the Novice Development Program or not.
Is there a limit on the number of players in the program?
Yes, there is limited space in the program. We will accept a maximum of 30 Minor Novice players and 15 Major Novice players.
When is the registration deadline?
The deadline to register is September 15, 2012.
How do I register?
Click here to register online. Login as you normally would to register your child for house league and select the Novice Development Program.
What if I have more questions?
If you have any questions about the program, contact Kevin Williamson, Director of Player & Coach Development.
If have any questions about registration, contact Brenda Coffen, Registrar.