Drayton Valley Minor Hockey 2018-19 Proposed Novice Program

Jun. 11, 2018

DVMH is proposing the following for the 2018-2019 Novice season. The program will follow a Minor and Major structure. Kids born in 2011 will play Minor Novice and kids born in 2010 will play Major Novice. This will bridge the changes that Hockey Canada has mandated for Novice where in 2019-2020 season all Novice kids will play the Minor Novice Structure.

The changes made to the Novice program by Hockey Canada only improve the development of children. There have been multiple studies done to show that changing the current model will only increase the development of our children.

Proven benefits for making the change

Individual technical skills develop more quickly.
More ice time for each player, each player's activity increases greatly.
Increased puck possession time for each player.
Scoring skills are enhanced since the players have more shooting opportunities.
Goalie reading & reaction to changing situations becomes more effective.
More repetitions for goalkeepers.
The game is full of continuously changing situations.
The speed in playing increases, which require quicker mental/physical reactions.
Due to increased tempo, all players on the team take part in solving playing situations.
Hockey sense, or understanding the principles of the game, is being developed.

Minor Novice - 2011 born players

Full implementation of Hockey Canada/Alberta half-ice program in effect.
Half-ice/shared-ice practices; Half or modified ice for games depending on availability.
NEW Hockey Canada/Alberta Novice half-ice game regulations.
Minor Novice Game Format 4v4 (can be modified if necessary, depending on roster size/game attendance).
Equal Play Model.
Consistent event locations, dates, times (some exceptions) - Hockey Canada/Alberta.
3 tournaments (maximum) - Hockey Canada/Alberta.
No score keeping (game sheet), no standings - Hockey Canada/Alberta.
1.5-minute shift buzzers during games, no faceoffs.
No playoffs, jamboree/celebration to finish - Hockey Canada/Alberta.
No participant medals.
Multiple station works practices to develop technical skills and individual tactics.
Progressive curriculum must follow the Hockey Canada Skill Development Pyramid.
Modified team roster sizes (18 minimum, 20 maximum) - one dressing room per team; your team will split into 2 teams of 8 and play the other team that also split their team.
No full-time goalies (40% maximum, goalie must also play out).
Rotate all players through all positions.
Regulation sized nets AND Blue pucks only (practices and games).

Major Novice - 2010 born players

Players will play standard Hockey Canada rules that are currently in place for Novice.
Full-ice games will continue for the 2018-2019 season.
Practices will be half-ice.
Coaches will not be required to follow the new Hockey Canada Development structure for Novice laid out by Hockey Canada, but will be required to follow the Player Development Pyramid.
There will be equal skilled teams picked to play in the Northern Alberta Interlock (NAI) league; based on communication from NAI that there will be only 2 tiers in that league for Novice for the 2018-2019 season.
The decision to have only 2 tiers next season is a lack of participation from other associations who are fully implementing the new Novice structure mandated by Hockey Canada for the 2019-2020 season

Read all the information thoroughly. If you have questions or concerns, please attend our AGM on June 18, 2018 at Holy Trinity. If you cannot make this meeting, please email president@draytonvalleyhockey.com or vicepresident@draytonvalleyhockey.com.

Sincerely,

DVMHA Board