Cottage Grove Hockey Association

Selection of the hockey equipment is a key issue among coaches, players, and parents.  When purchasing and fitting hockey equipment, remember two important factors: assure that the player is adequately protected and that the fitting allows freedom of movement to properly perform the necessary skills.  By carefully including these two factors, your child will be more comfortable and will better enjoy the game.

A full set of hockey equipment can be purchased for a relatively reasonable cost.  Shop around for the best values.  Remember that you needn’t buy the most expensive equipment.  Inquire about the local equipment swaps and team discounts and remember that at certain levels of competition, a full set of equipment is not always necessary.  Used equipment sale/exchange is held each fall.

SHIN PADS: Check for proper length so they protect the knee and skin completely.  Required at all levels.

SUPPORTER & CUP: Essential protective equipment; check for proper fit. Required at all levels.

GLOVES: Check for proper fit with good finger and hand mobility.  Do not buy oversize gloves for Mites and Squirts.  At the younger ages, they have enough trouble learning how to handle a stick without large gloves adding to the problem.

SHOULDER PADS: Adjust to fit the individual at the time of the purchase.  Fiber cap is extremely important in helping prevent shoulder separations and should extend to the tip of the shoulders.

BREEZERS:  Breezers are held in proper position by suspenders.  Breezers provide protection for lower spine, hips and thighs.  Termites, Mites, – optional.  Squirts and older – required.

ELBOW PADS:  Properly fitted so that they do not slide.  Required at all levels.

SKATES:  Acquire to fit NOW with no more than ½ inch for growth.  Seek adequate protection in the ankle, toe, and instep areas.  Improperly fitted skates will hamper your child’s ability to skate.  This is one area you do not want to economize on.  A child’s hockey ability is based on good skating.  Good used skates are readily available at “Swap Meets” and Sporting Goods stores.

HELMET:  Must be sized at the time of purchase to fit properly, no slop.  The chinstrap must always be fastened.  Required at all levels.

FACEMASKS:  Must be of a design and construction to adequately protect the entire facial area.  Required at all levels.  Must meet current regulations.

MOUTHPIECE:  CGAA required at all levels.  USA Hockey required in Bantam through Midgets.

STICK:  Length should generally extend from the ice to the player’s chin (with skates on).  Quality and price differ greatly, so the choice is yours.

GOALIES

For goalkeepers special equipment is necessary, such as: gloves (catching and stick), chest and stomach protector, goalie skates (with protective shell), leg pads, shoulder and arm protectors.  The goalkeeper’s equipment is especially important, so seek advise from knowledgeable sources.  The CGHA board strongly recommends that goalies wear a neck protector when playing goalie.  CGHA provides goalie equipment for Mites through Bantams.

I. Objectives
• Enjoyable, FUN introduction and experience in hockey.
• Teach basic fundamental skills. Focus is on individual skills
• Keep them coming back!

II. Philosophy

Our philosophy will follow the principles of the American Development Model (ADM), that promote the development of fundamental skills, habits, and hockey intelligence set forth by USA Hockey. Creating a positive, healthy environment for the youngest members of CGHA is essential to a player’s long-term participation, growth and successful experience in hockey.

III. Season Structure

The Mini-Mite/Mite/U8 program is designed to provide the players and coaches the fundamental tools and experience to develop their skill and understanding of hockey and to grow within CGHA. The season will begin late September and go through February with ice times every Saturday and Sunday, except Holidays. If outdoor ice is available, there will be scheduled times for each group to participate in outdoor games. Groups and Ice-Times will be listed under the Mite / U8 program link.

Practices: Will follow the ADM practice plans located at www.admkids.com, under the Coaches link.

Description from ADM:

“The main body of the practice session includes station work so that kids are developing their skills in an efficient manner. The recommended breakdown

is with six stations so that there is enough variety to hold the interest of players at this age. Training should be structured so that a large part of the skill repetition is done in a games format. Players at all levels must be mentally engaged in order best acquire new skills. When skills repetition lacks an emotional element, children at this age quickly become bored. If the skills repetition is hidden in the form of a game, children are capable of extended periods of focused effort. Play is the key to emotional engagement in the skills repetition.

The six-station format should include the following breakdown:

• 1 station is of ABC’s

• 1 station of hockey competition, 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4

• 1 station is on puck control skills

• 1 station is of passing/shooting skills

• 2 stations are devoted to specifically skating skills

Out of these six stations, two to three at least should be in a games format.”

Games: 3 on 3 games will be scheduled throughout the season with a combination of 3 on 3 on the Studio, 3 on 3 cross-ice, and 3 on 3 Tag up. Mini-Mites will have games incorporated into their practices.

IV. Jerseys: At the beginning of the year jerseys will be handed out to each layer. As we progress through the year, their jersey may be changed to another color. This is to match up players into the appropriate skill level for game days. The players will stay with their current groups throughout the year, but their jersey may change.

Note: To cut down on costs with running the Mite program, we will be taking the jerseys back at the end of the year; therefore, we ask that names not be placed on the back of the jersey. Each player will receive a gift (e.g. T-Shirt) at the end of the year for his or her participation in the program.

V. Groups and Teams

Squirt C Teams: Players that are 8 years old or in 3rd grade can participate in the 8 year old evaluation for Squirts. The number that make Squirts is limited and based on the number of 9/10 year olds that are signed up for Squirts.

Upper Mite Team: We will be having an Upper Mite team that will consist of a limited number of 8 year olds (that do not make the Squirt team) and 7 year olds with at least two years of hockey. There will be a special evaluation conducted to select the members of this team. This team will have additional ice during the week and can participate in 1-2 Mite Jamborees. Note: There will be an additional ice bill for each player on this team.

Mini-Mite Groups: Players in the Mini-Mite group are age 3-6 and have not played hockey prior to this season or are under age 5 with one year of experience. Depending on their skill progression, players may move out of this group into the 5 & 6 years old group during the season.

Mite Groups: There will be two main Mite groups for players age 5 & 6 (that have played one year of hockey) and age 7 & 8. This group may fluctuate at the beginning of the year due to the Squirt and Upper Mite evaluations.

VI. HOCKEY FEST – January

This is a one-day jamboree showcasing all of the teams in our program. Each team will be playing a game on the main rink with various activities throughout the day. Mite parents are asked to volunteer for this jamboree.

The practice plans to the right were created by USA Hockey for their American Development Model.  This is the model that CGHA Mini-Mites / Mites / U8 will follow this year.