Player Pathway
Player Pathways are programming philosophies that align with Hockey Canada’s Long-Term Player Development model and focus on the delivering hockey with an emphasis on player development. This framework provides the guiding principles for age-appropriate and skill-specific programming for all players in Hockey Canada’s minor hockey system. By utilizing LTPD principles, Hockey Canada membership offers systems and structures that are more consistent and ensure continuity as players move through the system from one age level to the next.
About the U7 Program
The U7 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 for every BC and Yukon Minor Hockey Association (MHA). Remember, the overall goal of the U7 Program Delivery is to teach the foundational skills of hockey while having fun so players can enjoy the game. Full-ice hockey has children chasing the puck much more than touching it. By moving to cross/half-ice hockey, 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.
BC Hockey's Timbits U7 and U9 Program Delivery/Cross-Ice
WHO BENEFITS FROM CROSS/HALF-ICE?
Cross/half-ice affects U7 (5-6) and U9 (7-8) aged players.
WHY WAS CROSS/HALF-ICE IMPLEMENTED?
Cross/half-ice was implemented to teach the FUNdamental skills of hockey in a safe and stress free environment so the players can enjoy the game. By moving to cross/half-ice hockey, direction changes, puck touches, pass attempts and puck battles are doubled and shots per player are six (6) times higher for each player.
- 6x more shots on goal/player
- 5x more passes received/player
- 2x more puck battles/player
- 2x more puck touches/player
- 2x more pass attempts/player
- 2x more change of direction/pivots
- 1.75 shots/minute vs. 0.45 playing full ice
WHERE WAS IT IMPLEMENTED?
Cross/half-ice has been implemented nationally.
WHEN WAS IT IMPLEMENTED?
BC Hockey has been a leader across Canada, implementing cross-ice for the 2016-17 season.
HOW WILL PLAYERS BE TRANSITIONED TO FULL ICE HOCKEY?
With the help of some of the best Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and technical hockey developers in the province, BC Hockey has developed a full, detailed U11 Transition Plan to assist players and coaches as they graduate from U9 to U11.
Hockey Canada's U7 Player Pathway
To read more about Hockey Canada's U7 Canadian Player Pathway click below!
Cross-Ice Hockey and Small Area Games
Dividing the playing surface is a decision that has been made in consultation with experts in athlete development. It is important to understand the benefits of cross-ice hockey and why Hockey Canada has a national policy ensuring all Timbits U7 hockey is played in smaller, modified spaces.
About the U9 Program Delivery
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 for every BC and Yukon Minor Hockey Association (MHA). Remember, 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. Full-ice hockey has children chasing the puck much more than touching it. By moving to cross/half-ice hockey, 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.
BC Hockey's Timbits U7 and U9 Program Delivery/Cross-Ice
WHO BENEFITS FROM CROSS/HALF-ICE?
Cross/half-ice affects U7 (5-6) and U9 (7-8) aged players.
WHY WAS CROSS/HALF-ICE IMPLEMENTED?
Cross/half-ice was implemented to teach the FUNdamental skills of hockey in a safe and stress free environment so the players can enjoy the game. By moving to cross/half-ice hockey, direction changes, puck touches, pass attempts and puck battles are doubled and shots per player are six (6) times higher for each player.
- 6x more shots on goal/player
- 5x more passes received/player
- 2x more puck battles/player
- 2x more puck touches/player
- 2x more pass attempts/player
- 2x more change of direction/pivots
- 1.75 shots/minute vs. 0.45 playing full ice
WHERE WAS IT IMPLEMENTED?
Cross/half-ice has been implemented nationally.
WHEN WAS IT IMPLEMENTED?
BC Hockey has been a leader across Canada, implementing cross-ice for the 2016-17 season.
HOW WILL PLAYERS BE TRANSITIONED TO FULL ICE HOCKEY?
With the help of some of the best Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and technical hockey developers in the province, BC Hockey has developed a full, detailed U11 Transition Plan to assist players and coaches as they graduate from U9 to U11.
Hockey Canada's U9 Player Pathway
To read more about Hockey Canada's U9 Canadian Player Pathway click below!
Seasonal Structure for U9 Hockey
Young players have an opportunity to continue their development while having a positive and fun hockey experience. The ideal season does not conflict with the start of the school year, provides a fair evaluation/selection process and is structured to maximize development opportunities. Read more below!
U11 Transitional Plan
The U11 Transitional Plan was developed to assist players as they graduate from cross-ice to full-ice hockey. To read more about the U11 Transitional Plan, click below!
About the U11 Program Delivery
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.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE U11 PATHWAY?
The U11 Pathway affects players aged 9 and 10 years old. All hockey coaches coaching U11 community sport streams require at a minimum Coach 2 – Coach Level Training
WHY WAS THE U11 PATHWAY CREATED?
Continue to grow their impression of hockey a positive one for players and parents. Play/games should be small area games in practice transitioning into full-ice for formal games. Some streaming of the players – goal is to have players working with players of like skills to develop confidence and self esteem. Introduction to position specific skills.
WHERE IS IT IMPLEMENTED?
The U11 Pathway is a program developed by Hockey Canada across the country.
WHEN WILL IT BE IMPLEMENTED?
The U11 Pathway and will see full roll out for Minor Hockey Associations to have the program running prior to the 2020-21 season.
Hockey Canada's U11 Player Pathway
Click HereAbout U13 Hockey and the U13 Player Pathway
The U13 level of play offers recreational and competitive streams, but development is at the core of all U13 hockey. The U13 Pathway focuses on skill refinement so players at either level will experience success in practices and games. Considering how kids learn and the number of repetitions of specific skills and situations that occur in practice versus a game, it is clear that practice is where players develop the most and is a learning environment that requires specificity in what it delivers. Children learn best through participating in practice drills and sessions, as well as informal and small-area games.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE U13 PATHWAY?
The U13 Pathway is a development prescription that delivers a progressive, learn-to-play teaching curriculum that is age-appropriate and skill-specific for 11-12-year olds. It makes recommendations for practice and game minimums/maximums for both the recreational and competitive streams, player evaluation and selection protocol, ice time, position specialization parameters, skill curriculum and development focuses, and more. Following these recommendations provides a continuous opportunity for players at this age category to develop and refine their fundamental movement skills (skating, turning, acceleration), manipulation skills (shooting, puck control, passing) and overall motor skills (balance, coordination, agility) and checking skills (stick checks, angling, body contact/checking) through a defined path of progressions in a fun and safe environment that promotes skill development through self-confidence.
WHY WAS IT CREATED?
The U13 Player Pathway is the next progression from the U11 Pathway and progresses to the next phase of developmental recommendations, building on the foundations laid down by the preceding Pathway documents. When players continue on a positive note, they enjoy the game and will go on to have fun playing hockey for many years.
Hockey Canada wants every Canadian youngster to have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from a program designed to meet their specific needs, one that ensures progressive skill development through well-delivered practice sessions and age-appropriate game play in an environment suited to their skill level.
WHERE IS IT IMPLEMENTED?
The U13 Player Pathway has been deployed at all 13 member branches across Canada.
WHEN WILL IT BE IMPLEMENTED?
The U13 Pathway was made available to Minor Hockey Associations ahead of the 2023-24 hockey season.
Hockey Canada's U13 Player Pathway
To read more about Hockey Canada’s U13 Canadian Player Pathway click below!
About U15 Program Delivery
The U15 level of play offers recreational and competitive streams (an introduction to body checking for first year players), but development is at the core of all U15 hockey. The U15 Pathway focuses on skill refinement so players at either level will experience success in practices and games. Considering how kids learn and the number of repetitions of specific skills and situations that occur in practice versus a game, it is clear that practice is where players develop the most and is a learning environment that requires specificity in what it delivers. Children learn best through participating in practice drills and sessions, as well as informal and small-area games.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE U15 PATHWAY?
The U15 Pathway is a development prescription that delivers a progressive, learn-to-play teaching curriculum that is age-appropriate and skill-specific for 13-14-year olds. It makes recommendations for practice and game minimums/maximums for both the recreational and competitive streams, player evaluation and selection protocol, ice time, position specialization parameters, skill curriculum and development focuses, and more. Following these recommendations provides a continuous opportunity for players at this age category to develop and refine their fundamental movement skills (skating, turning, acceleration), manipulation skills (shooting, puck control, passing) and overall motor skills (balance, coordination, agility) and checking skills (stick checks, angling, body contact/checking) through a defined path of progressions in a fun and safe environment that promotes skill development through self-confidence.
WHY WAS IT CREATED?
The U15 Player Pathway is the next progression from the U13 Pathway and progresses to the next phase of developmental recommendations, building on the foundations laid down by the preceding Pathway documents. When players continue on a positive note, they enjoy the game and will go on to have fun playing hockey for many years.
Hockey Canada wants every Canadian youngster to have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from a program designed to meet their specific needs, one that ensures progressive skill development through well-delivered practice sessions and age-appropriate game play in an environment suited to their skill level.
WHERE IS IT IMPLEMENTED?
The U15 Player Pathway has been deployed at all 13 member branches across Canada.
WHEN WILL IT BE IMPLEMENTED?
The U15 Pathway was made available to Minor Hockey Associations ahead of the 2023-24 hockey season.
Hockey Canada's U15 Player Pathway
To read more about Hockey Canada’s U15 Canadian Player Pathway click below!