Welcome to our Hockey 1-4 Webpage These first years of hockey for the kids is where us parents have the most questions, so hopefully this resource will assist you. Our motto: FUN, AND FAIR PLAY FOR ALL! The Hockey 1 to 4 Program is comprised of 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds. The following is some general information that will paint a picture of what parents can expect during their child’s  first few years of hockey. Hockey 1 Information(for boys and girls born in 2005) Typically, Hockey 1 has two ice times per week (usually Saturday and Sunday). The season starts in September and ends in March. The season focus, as the VTMHA organization motto states, is about “fun and fair play” for all. Everyone makes the team, and plays the same amount. There are no games played at this level, only practices. The closest these players get to a game situation would fall within informal scrimmages and the year-end Jamboree. On the rare occasion, the kids might play during the intermission of a Vancouver Giant’s game, and  participation is voluntary. Once the season is up and running, players will get an opportunity to try on the goalie equipment and take a turn in goal. Hockey 1 is all about fun and learning new skills. The hockey season ends in March with our Annual Thunderbird Initiation Hockey Tournament. Cost for playing in this tourmanment is covered by your original registration with the Thunderbirds. The player’s ability is not important. Although it is quite helpful if they can skate and that they have worn their equipment before, it is not mandatory. If your child has not been on skates or has not skated that much, your child would benefit by practicing their skating prior to the first session. The T-Birds offer a number of Pre-Season Hockey Camps. These popular camps are a great way to get a good start to the regular season. The Division Manager will be taking all of the registrants and placing them into equal groups. The number of groups and size of the groups will depend on registration numbers. Once the registration is complete, and players are allocated to their ice times, parents will be contacted. As much as we would love to tell everyone in advance when the ice times will be, we simply cannot until we are given this information from the City Parks Board and UBC in September. Thank you in advance for your patience. The equipment required (listed in the order that it is put on) is as follows: Jock for boys, Jill for girls, garter belt, shin-pads, socks, pants, skates, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, Jersey (supplied by the team), helmet, gloves and stick, (stick length should somewhere between the mouth and nose while wearing skates). The last piece is an optional mouth guard. Since there are so many options to each piece of equipment, sports stores that sell the equipment will be able to better explain the differences. Hockey 2 Information (for boys and girls born in 2004) - Similar to Hockey 1, these players are on the ice twice a week (usually Saturday and Sunday) and their season runs from September to March. Our governing body, the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association (PCAHA), schedules 6 games for the Hockey 2 teams. These games start in January. Additional games may be organized by the team up to a maximum of 30 games in total. Hockey 2 teams may play up to two tournaments.  All players play an equal amount during the season, and rotate shifts on a two-minute buzzer. The score is not kept and stats are not taken. There are no offsides, icing or players going into the penalty box. Players take turns playing goalie. Periodically, Hockey 2 is scheduled for additional power skating sessions (at no additional cost) that are hosted by our Technical Director of Hockey Operations: Jim Strang. It is mandated by the PCAHA that we have balanced teams. Therefore, the season starts with a series of on-ice sessions where we assess the player’s ability. We then use that information to place players ‘temporarily’ on teams of equal teams. These teams then play “balancing games.” It is likely that a few players may be moved to ensure that the teams are balanced and fair. After these moves, teams will be ‘official’ and the season will begin. Hockey 3 (for boys and girls born in 2003 who played Hockey 2 or Intro in 2009/10) - Hockey 3 is similar to Hockey 2, except that they play more games (up to 35 games) and have 3 ice times each week (usually Saturday, Sunday and one session midweek). The score is not kept and stats are not taken. Players are introduced to offsides, icing, and penalties may be called. Games have referees. The PCAHA schedules 13 of these games and the rest are exhibition games and tournaments organized by the team. They also participate in Power Skating. All players still take turns playing goalie. Because there are more games in Hockey 3, the notion of having balanced teams is crucial.  Even more so than in Hockey 2, it is not uncommon for players to be shifted around to ensure balancing. No one enjoys hockey when there is no hope of competing, or if things are not fair. Hockey 4 (for boys and girls born in 2002 who played Hockey 3 in 2009/10) - Hockey 4 is identical to Hockey 3, except that they play more games (up to 40 games). Score is kept for these games. Players no longer use the 2 minute buzzer and learn to shift on the fly. The PCAHA schedules 13 of these games, and the rest are exhibition games and tournaments organized by the team. They also participate in Power Skating. Goalies still take turns playing the position. Again, having balanced teams is crucial and the Hockey 4 balancing process is similar to what happens in Hockey 2 and 3.  Sessions are usually Saturday, Sunday and one session midweek). Intro to Hockey 3 and 4 (for boys and girls born in 2001 and 2002 who have never played organized hockey before) - Our "Introduction to Hockey" curriculum is geared towards Hockey 3 and 4 players who have not yet played the sport in an organized league. The objective of this full-equipment program is to use the highest level, paid expert hockey instructors to guide these youngsters through quick development of their basic hockey skills, while having fun and boosting their confidence. Jim Strang, our Technical Director is the coach. Similar to other divisions, parent volunteers will be needed to go on the ice and be Assistant Coaches. Assistant Coaches will also be mentored by Jim and will gain enough experience to coach their own team in the future if they so desire. A Team Manager will also be needed. This program is designed to be a one-year focus on skating and hockey skills enabling the player a jumpstart into full league play in his/her second year with the TBirds.  This group is on the ice three times a week (usually Saturday, Sunday and one session midweek), and the schedule is not set until September. Similar to Hockey 2 through Hockey 4, once the season is up and running, players will get an opportunity to try on the goalie equipment and take a turn in goal. See the FAQ link below on the VTMHA webpage for more ‘Intro to Hockey’ information. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Intro Program:         http://public.sd38.bc.ca/~BJuhasz/introfaqs Coaches Parents who are considering coaching should indicate this on their child’s registration form. From this information, Coaches will be invited via email to attend a coaches’ meeting in September. Information will be shared at this point to explain what is required for coaches to get their qualifications. For new Hockey 1 Head Coaches, the VP of Initiation will be in contact with you to personally discuss the role and explain the process. There is a huge amount of support for new or beginning coaches where experienced coaches work with new coaches in a mentoring role. There is an extremely helpful Hockey Canada coaching course that new coaches must attend and from this course, coaches get a binder full of drills, skills, and coaching ideas. Criminal record checks are also mandated. One of the more exciting features for our coaches is the on-ice coach sessions that Jim Strang hosts. These optional weekly sessions have the coaches suit up in their equipment and Jim takes them through new drills that they would in turn use with their players. After this informal instruction from Jim, we have a fun scrimmage. All abilities levels are welcome. Parent Volunteers Parent volunteers are the backbone to this organization.  Each teams’ success is predicated on the level of support it receives from parents. All coaches are volunteers. So too are managers. Each team has a qualified trainer who ensures team safety. Volunteers must take seminars to ensure their qualifications are up to date, and must have a Criminal Record Check done. All of these requirements are paid for by the VTMHA. Previous experience is not necessary, but helpful. Once you indicate your willingness to volunteer on the registration form, you will be contacted closer to the start of the season by the Division Manager or the VP of Initiation. For all of these volunteer positions there are organizational meetings where all coaches and managers get together to learn about their role. Throughout the season it is not unusual to have each parent volunteer in one capacity or another. In fact, the best teams have “many hands making light work.” During our Spring Tournament we also request help from the parents to help organize and run the event. In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact the Divisional Managers via email to ask questions. Hockey after the Initiation Program We are often asked by Intro and H4 parents what they can expect when their children move up to Atom.  Here are the answers to some basic questions.   Atom is a 2 year age grouping.  That is to say that each team will be made up of both 9 and 10 year old players.  Each child will play Atom for two years.  There are generally 8 teams in Atom, two of which are rep teams and six of which are house teams.    At the Thunderbirds, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on our house hockey program.  The level of play is very competitive and most teams are on the ice three times per week.  There are additional special skills development sessions put on by Jim Strang which are offered free of charge.  Although all players are expected to be highly committed to their teams, there is generally more flexibility in terms of making time for other activities. Missed attendances, while discouraged, do not result in any penalty to the player.  Many house players play soccer as well as hockey.  There has been a great deal of research completed on how useful it is for children to cross train in different sports and that is a theory that is well accepted in our house program.  Team balancing is even more scrutinized by the President's league at Atom than it is in H4 and player movement to accomplish balancing is to be expected and is mandatory.   In September of each year there are tryouts for the two rep teams over a 3 day period.  As one would expect, the majority of the players selected for these two teams are second year players.  To try out for rep, you must sign up your child when you register for enrolment in hockey for next year.  There is an additional non-refundable rep tryout fee.  If you are seriously considering having your child try out for rep you should be aware of the significantly increased commitment both in terms of cost and time.  Players on rep teams pay more to be registered as rep players.  In addition there are frequent calls for further payments throughout the year for tournaments, special training sessions, team uniforms and travel expenses.  The total cost is often several times greater than that for house.  In terms of time commitment, each child and parent must sign a commitment agreement before being placed on a team.  In general, this agreement requires that rep players will treat hockey as a priority and attend every single practice and game.  Rep coaches are authorized to and generally do suspend any player who misses a game or practice without an acceptable explanation such as a medical condition.  Players will often be required to sit out a period if they are late for a practice.  Players must show up for games one hour ahead of time for warm up and pregame lectures.  There are generally 4 or 5 rink attendances per week and sometimes more.  Attendance at 3 day tournaments is mandatory and there are generally 3 or 4 of these per year, one of which invariably takes place over the Winter holidays from school.  Out of town vacations are very difficult to facilitate when one has a child in rep.  Although it is not impossible to play another sport such as soccer at the same time as rep hockey, it is generally considered to be very difficult and your child's soccer coach is going to have to be informed that in the event of a conflict, hockey will always prevail. This description of Rep Hockey certainly falls in contrast to the more casual nature of Initiation and House Hockey, however, Rep Hockey can be a very satisfying experience for those players and families willing and able to commit. PLAYER MOVEMENT- REP:  An application may be made to permit the movement of an exceptional hockey player to the next higher division(in this case 'Atom') by applying IN WRITING to the Player Movement Committee before August 15th c/o our VP Rep (vprep@vancouvertbirds.ca). Two letters (one from last season’s coach, previous season’s Division Manager or another divisional coach that knows the player) must support this request by the parents. The Player Movement Committee in conjunction with the next higher division coach will decide if such a move is appropriate for this player. Unless the player can make the “A1” team in the next higher division, movement will not be permitted.   If you have any other questions concerning Atom hockey please feel free to contact any of our board members or your division managers.