Welcome to our NMHA hockey family! These are special years, marking your player’s (and your family’s) introduction to hockey. We couldn’t feel more honoured to be a part of your experience.
We are so very grateful to Tim Horton’s for their generous and ongoing sponsorship of the Timbits program. Each player will receive a team jersey, socks, year-end medal and a special commemorative gift during the season.
If posting any photos or videos to social media, please use the hashtags #TimbitsSports and #TimbitsHockey so they can celebrate the Timbit program along with you!
Please see below for some very high-level details about the NMHA’s U7 Program.
Who Can Play Timbits U7 Initiation?
- Any player turning 4 on or before December 31 of the current season can register. The Timbits U7 division for is for players ages 4, 5 and 6.
- Never skated? No problem! Our program is designed to teach young players skating fundamentals including balance, stride, turning and stopping; all in a fun and supportive environment. Our instructors work with each player, and before you know it, they will be blazing a trail up and down the ice.
FULL HOCKEY EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE AT ALL TIMES. THIS INCLUDES SHARPENED HOCKEY SKATES AND A HOCKEY HELMET. Please kindly refer to our equipment guide equipment guide, and equipment videos to help you outfit your player.
HOW and when DO I REGISTER?
Please visit our registration page for information and fees. Registration for hockey usually begins in June. If your player is new to hockey, you will need to follow a few extra steps, such as providing proof of age, such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of address. This could be in the form of a utility bill, leasing agreement, or the like. This is to be sure you live within the NMHA’s boundary. You can check your home association on the Hockey Eastern Ontario website by entering your address.
Respect in Sport Parent Program
One parent/guardian per household will need to have completed the Respect in Sport Parent program before their player is placed on a team. This course only needs to be completed once.
ON ICE INSTRUCTORS
The NMHA runs an instructor-led program. This means that there will be on-ice instructors who will be teaching and overseeing all programming. We encourage parent/guardian volunteers (more on that later!) To assist, but all of the practice planning and equipment is taken care of for you.
We have found our instructor-led model to be very successful over the past 17 or so years. Above all, this allows us to deliver consistent programming across all teams, regardless of the hockey or coaching experience of the on-ice team volunteers. We hope to also begin preparing parent/guardian volunteers for future volunteer roles within the organization. It is our fondest hope that over the course of your time in Timbits hockey, you will fall in love with volunteering and continue to do so for the duration of your players' hockey career. The entire organization is run by volunteers, and there is truly nothing more rewarding than becoming a NMHA volunteer.
Team Volunteers
Each team will need a representative to act as the point of contact for that team and disseminate information from the NMHA to the team and vice versa. The parent representative can also choose to help on ice or behind the bench. Additional parent volunteers are encouraged to ensure proper supervision of the players on and off the ice. All volunteers participating on-ice, behind the bench, or in the change rooms will need a valid police vulnerable sector check, as well as both the Respect in Sport Activity Leader and Gender Identity and Expression online programs. People interested in volunteering with their child’s U7 team can email [email protected] for more details on volunteer requirements as set out by Hockey Canada and Hockey Eastern Ontario.
When Does the Hockey Season Start and How Long is the Season?
September – April: There will be a few optional skates for all players after Labour Day. Dates and timeslots will be assigned and emailed. The Respect in Sport Parent Program must be completed along with registration. Full hockey equipment is required to participate.
Players will then be placed on teams of approximately 16 – 19 players per team. Teams will practice in pairs (shared ice) each week.
The regular season will begin approximately the last week of September/first week of October, and last approximately through the first or second weekend of April. There will be a few breaks for the holidays, and March Break.
What is the Schedule?
The season usually starts with two practices for the first two weekends, one Saturday and one Sunday. This is to help accelerate learning and comfort on the ice.
Following this, there will be one practice per week on the weekends. The times will vary each week, as each team will rotate through each time slot. Practices will be 50 minutes in duration.
Approximately mid-November, a mini game will be added. These games are played cross-ice and are usually played in the early evenings on a weeknight. Games will be 50 minutes in duration.
Kindly note information on dates may vary depending on the ice allocation from the City of Ottawa. These are approximations only, based on past years.
How are the Players Divided Among Teams?
In a typical hockey season, teams are split between “U7-1 / IP1” and “U7-2” / IP2” depending on player experience. Players new to hockey will generally fall into U7-1 and players with a year or two of hockey under their belt will generally play U7-2. This allows the instructors to focus on the drills and lessons appropriate to the skill set, and the players to grow and develop as a group. U7-2 players will have an opportunity to try out goaltending equipment and receive some goalie-specific instruction.
We do not formally evaluate players in U7, hence teams are made on a best effort basis, considering many factors, such as interested parent volunteers, age, and experience. Players in this age group have an extremely wide range of skills and comfort on ice. Our objective is learning through play. It is our primary philosophy to make this a fun, positive, and engaging experience for all. Should your player be struggling or looking for an extra challenge, please do not hesitate to speak with the head instructor.
Administrative (off-ice): [email protected]
On-ice: Head Instructor, David Vesey at [email protected]
What to expect from Timbits Practice?
For more videos on Equipment, please visit the Equipment Guide page.