The Hockey Canada Long Term Player Development model sets out a vision for hockey that takes advantage of the history and culture of the game to increase participation and to lay the foundations of international success long into the future.
This model from Hockey Canada has been developed based on the following principles:
• doing the right thing for the player at the right stage in their development and observing all possible opportunities
• adopting a player-centered approach and not treating the development of all players the same way
• the broader the foundation of players the more successful the game of hockey will be
• aligning player development resources (skills sessions, manuals, DVDs) with coach development and education resources so that coaches are doing the right things at the right time
• a need to better educate parents on the hockey development of their child – realizing it is okay for parents to want their kids to get to the highest levels and they shall strive to do what is best for them while following all rules put in place
Parents, coaches and administrators are encouraged to utilize this to work at our local minor hockey association level to develop the best program possible for all players involved.
The age and skill level of the players defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
• Fun
• Introduction of basic skills
• Reviewing of basic skills
• Refining of basic skills
The Initiation Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 85% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 0% Team tactics
• 0% Team play
• 0% Strategy
NOVICE:
Under Nine (9) Years of Age as of December 31St of the Current Season(8 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the Novice Age Category Are:
• Fun
• Reviewing of basic skills
• Refining of basic skills
The Novice Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 75% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 10% Team tactics
• 0% Team play
• 0% Strategy
ATOM:
Under 11 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season(10 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the Atom Age Category are:
• Fun
• Refining of basic skills
• Intro to team tactics
The Atom Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 50% Technical skills
• 20% Individual tactics
• 15% Team tactics
• 10% Team play
• 5% Strategy
PEEWEE:
Under 13 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season(12 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the Peewee Age Category Are:
• Fun
• Refining of individual tactics
• Intro to team play
The Peewee Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 45% Technical skills
• 25% Individual tactics
• 10% Team tactics
• 10% Team play
• 10% Strategy
BANTAM:
Under 15 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season(14 and under)
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the Bantam Age Category are:
• Fun
• Refining team play
• Intro to team strategy
The Bantam Program Recommends the Following Practice Time Allotment:
• 40% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 20% Team tactics
• 15% Team play
• 10% Strategy
MIDGET:
Under 18 Years of Age as of December 31st of the Current Season
The age and skill level of the team defines the seasonal plan. The Hockey Canada skills development programs are based on progressive steps and follow the appropriate allocation of time illustrated in the skill development pyramid.
Goals for the Midget age category are:
• Fun
• Refining team play and strategy
The Midget program recommends the following practice time allotment:
• 35% Technical skills
• 15% Individual tactics
• 20% Team tactics
• 15% Team play
• 10% Strategy
GOALTENDERS:
To be a good goaltender you must be an efficient skater. Your goaltender does not necessarily have to be the fastest skater on the team, but the best in terms of control and mobility. Pushes from post to post and ability to get quickly to plays laterally are essential for goalies to be able to perform at a high level.
Goaltenders must learn to push with strength and stop hard when needed. So when doing t-push or shuffle drills it is suggested that everything is done in sequence. Example: a coach should be calling out for the goalie to PUSH-STOP-PUSH-STOP-PUSH-STOP etc. giving one second in between pushes. This will give the goaltender time to recover and will keep him from developing bad habits by doing the drill too fast.
The ability for a goaltender to change directions quickly is also an absolute must as today’s game is a lot about trying to create a situation to get a goaltender moving in the wrong direction. In order to do this, and be effective, skating drills are a natural part of goaltender development.
Beginner
• 75% Movement and positional skills
• 20% Save movement
• 5% Tactics
Beginner development should be built on practicing individual technical skills 75% of total practice time
Intermediate
• 50% Movement and positional skills
• 20% Save movement
• 30% Tactics and transition
Intermediate development should be built on practicing individual technical skills 50% of total practice time
Advanced
• 35% Movement and positional skills
• 10% Post-save consequences
• 40% Tactics and transition
• 15% Advanced positioning
Advanced development should be built on practicing individual technical skills 35% of total practice time
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