Intro FAQs

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 the 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. 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.

Our Director of Hockey Operations, Jim Strang, has years of experience operating these types of hockey schools for young children and he has developed a strong reputation for using humour and fun to help beginners develop quickly. Jim will be in charge of overseeing this program for the Thunderbirds.

Yes, we are planning on skating and puck control to be the main focus through December, but after that the kids will get a taste of goal on a rotational basis, if they want .

Eventually yes. The intro program will be divided up into teams and they will have team jerseys. Although the intro program, is not allowed to have PCAHA registered teams to play league games.

The intro program will not just be endless drills, games will also be involved. Just like the returning players, practice will consist mainly of drills, fun games and a bit of scrimmage/game time at the end of each practice. Intro players will play in the Thunderbird's Annual Hockey Tournament in March.

This is your first year in organized and certified (PCAHA) hockey. In the PCAHA initiation hockey, the H1 kids (5 year olds) are not allowed to play any games at all. The H2 kids can only play games after the Christmas Holidays, and the H3 & H4 kids start their games mid November(12 games). So your daughter would never instantly start a 30 game schedule. The focus is fun and skill development. Jim will create game-like scenarios where skill development will have a 'real' game feel.

Yes, after three successful years, it is our belief that next year when your son/daughter joins one of our regular teams, they will be much further ahead and their confidence intact. Because this is a homogeneous group, the instruction will be specific to their ability level, thus meeting their needs directly. For context, watch if you can the current Hockey 3s and 4s to assess what they are able to do in relation to those players who have not played before. Since the experienced players have already had several additional years of hockey experience over the typical Intro to hockey player, the difference will affect the quality of the experience for the new player. The specific instruction from the Jim will meet their needs better, and thus prepare them better to join in with the experienced players the following year.

There will be a coaches meeting in September (date TBA) for all prospective coaches. At this meeting, volunteers will learn about the Coaching Clinics that will be offered, the Speak Out courses that will be offered and the crimminal record check expectations. In the meantime, contact Jim Strang (the Head Coach for Intro) and he will let you know how you can get involved during the pre-season sessions and prior to you getting your official coaching qulaifications.

Volunteers are a huge reason why this organization is so successful. Each team will have a manager, social coordinator, tournament volunteers, etc.. The organization is always looking for sponsors too. Contact your Division Managers for details.

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.