U9 Program
The U9 Development League focuses on continuing to develop foundational hockey skills in a fun, safe, and team-oriented environment.
Divisions
- Players are evaluated and placed on a team where they are best suited across four U9 divisions
program focus
- Continued development of: skating, puck control, passing and shooting, and game awareness
- Promotes fair play, sportsmanship, and teamwork
format
- Half-Ice Gameplay for the first half of the season (through December)
- Transition to Full-Ice Games in January
- Equal ice time and rotation of positions is encouraged for all players
- Every player will have the opportunity to play as a goalie - gear will be provided to each team to use for the season
typical schedule
special events
- Esso Minor Hockey Week - participates in 1 game
- Team-hosted U9 division tournaments
gameplay & Rules
- Referees are introduced
- Scores and standings are not officially tracked in the half-ice portion
- Coaches continue to play a major role in on-ice instruction during games
- Full CSA-approved hockey gear is required for all practices and games