HOUSE LEAGUE
  ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Last season close to 600 players participated in our house league.  Our goal is to provide an opportunity for friendly competition, promote good sportsmanship, team play, skill development, love of hockey and of course social interaction both on the ice and in the stands. As result we have an equal ice time policy entitling all players, regardless of skill level, to equal ice time to the greatest extent possible.

DIVISIONS & GAME TIMES

DIVISION           YEAR OF BIRTH            ICE TIMES*

Learn to Play         2004 & 2005    Sunday 8am to 9am

Squirt                       2002 & 2003   Saturday 9 am to 11 am

Novice                     2000 & 2001   Saturday 7 am to 9 am

Atom                        1998 & 1999   Saturday 4 pm to 6 pm

Peewee                   1996 & 1997   Saturday 2 pm to 4 pm

Bantam                   1994 & 1995   Saturday 11 am to 2 pm

Midget / Juvenile  1991 to 1993   Sunday 1pm to 4pm

*Note: These times are tentative and may be changed to accommodate actual registration numbers in each division.

SAFETY & UNIFORMS:  Safety concerns are paramount in hockey. It is mandatory that protective equipment be worn at all times. No player will be allowed on the ice without full C.S.A. approved equipment, including a BNQ neck guard and a full facemask.  All players will receive a team sweater and matching socks.

EQUALIZATION TRADES:  In order to promote participation and fun we try to ensure that the house league teams are as even as possible.  Accordingly we reserve the right to trade players between teams, in a manner designed to achieve a competitive balance. We try to conclude trades before the December break.

TEAM REQUESTS: We occasionally receive requests for a player to be placed on the same team as another player.   Such requests often make it difficult to balance the teams initially or to make appropriate trades.  Carpool considerations will apply only to registrants who must travel great distances to reach the arena.

GOALIES:  Unfortunately we often have more goalies than teams, with the result that some goalies must share the workload. Prospective goalies must be prepared to share goaltending duties. If numbers permit sharing goalies may at the option of the league be permitted to play out during their “off weeks”. Note: Goalies at the Atom level and above are expected to provide their own equipment.  Goalie equipment will be provided for Squirt and Novice Division goalies.

ATTENDANCE:  Players who miss more than three games owing to conflicting commitments (e.g. other sports or activities) may risk suspension without refund.  Such players may also be denied re-registration for the following season, so that more dedicated players will get the opportunity to play.  Select players who neglect their commitment to House League will not be allowed to play in Select games.

We realize that kids sometimes miss house league games due to illness, injury or other “exceptional” circumstances.  However, missing games for other reasons is against our attendance policy as stated above and is unacceptable.  Everyone has a specific reason why attending the house league games are difficult, but it makes it particularly hard for the conveners to balance the teams and for the coaches to run their teams when attendance is sporadic.

PRESEASON HOCKEY SKILLS: A skills program for Learn To Play, Squirt, Novice, and possibly Atom, subject to availability, will be offered, starting in October. An e-mail fully explaining the program and application form will be sent out by separate mailing during the summer.

PRACTICES: For players in the Learn To Play, Squirt, Novice and Atom Divisions we offer Sunday morning skill sessions throughout the season.