U7 Learn to Play Hockey

Directors

Ages

Players born in 2017 & 2018

Program Length

Dates: First skate is Wednesday, September 20 with regular practices beginning Tuesday, September 26, 2023 to the end of March 2024

Days:     
Tuesdays at 3:45pm every week   
Weekends will vary depending on home or away games but home ice slots are Saturday at 7:30am and every other Sunday at 7:30am

Away games are scheduled by your team manager and are recommended to be located within 60 minutes of Lacombe. Locations may include Sylvan Lake, Ponoka, Delburne, Bashaw, Blackfalds, Innisfail, Bentley, Clive and other communities within our local area.

Practices Format

Each practice is one hour in length.  Players are grouped together by like-skill and run through a series of drills by the coaches and on-ice helpers.  Players wear colour coded practice jerseys (provided by LMHA) for their designated practice group.

Game Play

The learn to play program follows the rules set out by Hockey Alberta which include:

• Half ice game play

• 4 on 4 with a goalie

• Goalie uses a goalie stick

• No score is kept

For more information on the Learn to Play program please see the Game Play guidelines from Hockey Alberta here 

Festivals (Tournaments)

Lacombe typically hosts a U7 home tournament. In previous years, this was held the first weekend in February with the U9 teams; however, the format may be changing for the 2023/24 season. 

Teams will choose to attend additional festivals (tournaments) based on team preference - there is typically is one within driving distance and one away.

Location

Gary Moe Sportsplex Arena #1 and Arena #2

Required Equipment

Full player equipment is required for U7 hockey. Below is a visual of equipment needed.  

Once hockey is started and teams are made players will receive game socks to keep.

Players / Team

Each team will have 8 - 11 players.  The teams are combined U7 teams, created to have even skills across all teams through evaluations with both 2017 and 2018 age players.  Players at this age develop quickly and the skill level of teams will change throughout the season.  No player team requests can be made for U7 teams, siblings will be kept together.  All players practice Tuesdays at 3:45 and players practice groups are different then their teams.

Player Registration Fee

$630.00

Team Slush funds to cover tournaments and team events are normally $100-150 per player and are due to the team once teams are made in October.

Registration Deadline is September 15th (but registrations may be accepted throughout the season as long as there is room on the rosters)

Parent / Guardian Attendance Required

U7 is not considered a drop off program.  A parent / guardian must be available at the arena for the child at all times.

Annual General Meeting / AGM Attendance Discount / Online Registration

Online registrations opened on May 1st, 2023.  Parents who attend the AGM will receive a $100 discount on their registration fee (per player) provided they registered before on or before the AGM.  

Handbook & Policies

The LMHA Executive has established a Handbook. The handbook, refund policy, evaluation process and other policies can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Coaches Required and Coaching Resources

A Head Coach is assigned to each team as teams are made.  Each team can have up to four additional Assistant Coaches.  Coaches and Assistant coaches must be available for some Tuesday 3:45 practices.  Each team is required to have two coaches per practice in attendance.

Coaches and Assistant Coaches can be parents or non-parents.  All coaching staff are required to fill out a Coach Application, provide an acceptable Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector and a current Respect in Sport Coach.  

Head coaches must email lacombehockeyregistrar@gmail.com and add any coaches to their coaching staff prior to them going on the ice.

Further information about coaching Intro to Hockey can be found under the Coaches tab.

Additional Information

For further information about this division, please contact the Division Director which is listed on each division homepage.  If a Director is not listed please email lacombehockeyoffice@gmail.com for further information.