What to Expect in Stanley Stick

If you are new to Stanley Stick or moving up a Division, here's a few things to keep in mind...  Also visit our FAQ page.

Learn to Skate (LTS)

• As the name implies, Learn to Skate is a program to help your child skate in a very fun and relaxed environment, that's optimal for learning.  Your child will not be on a hockey team, that's later.  The program is designed for children under the age of 6.
  
• Jerseys are provided with your child's name on it... a great keepsake!
• Unlike the other divisions, socks are NOT provided.
• Full equipment is required, including a neck guard.  Label all equipment, especially gloves, sticks and helmets.
  
• Don't forget a water bottle, clearly labeled with your child's name on it.  If you forget water, you may need to take your child to the water fountain part-way through the practice session.
• Parents are welcome in the dressing room at any time.
• Players should arrive at the rink wearing most of their hockey gear (with the exception of skates, gloves, helmets).  This makes it less chaotic in the dressing room as you as a parent only need to help your child with a few pieces of equipment.
• As you enter the arena, look on the whiteboard/chalkboard for the LTS dressing room numbers.
  
• Parents (or a designated representative) must always be at the rink to assist your child as required.  Occasionally you may need to help adjust your child's equipment or take your child to the bathroom (it happens!).
• Parents cannot be at the player's bench.  If a child needs to leave the ice, the parent should meet the child at one of the exits on the ice.
  
• The LTS schedule is found here

• In Novice, your child will be on a hockey team of kids between the ages of 6 and 8.
• Sweaters and socks are provided.
• Full equipment is required, including a neck guard.  Label all equipment, especially gloves, sticks and helmets.
• Don't forget a water bottle, clearly labeled with your child's name on it.  If you forget water, you may need to take your child to the water fountain part-way through the practice session.
  
• Mouth guards (optional, but highly recommended) must be tethered to the helmet, unless they have been custom-fitted by a dentist
• Players should arrive at the rink wearing most of their hockey gear (with the exception of skates, gloves, helmets)
• Players are expected to arrive at the rink at least twenty minutes before the start of the game.
• As you enter the arena, look on the whiteboard/chalkboard for the Team dressing room number.
• Parents (or a designated representative) must always be at the rink to assist your child as required.  Occasionally you may need to help adjust your child's equipment or take your child to the bathroom (it happens!).
• Parents are welcome in the dressing room at any time except during a 5-minute team meeting which occurs immediately after the game.
  
• Parents cannot be at the player's bench.  If a child needs to leave the ice, the parent should meet the child at one of the exits on the ice.
• Each session is usually 2 hours in length, with the first hour being practice, and the second hour being a game supervised by at least two on-ice coaches.
• The score is never posted on the scoreboard, and there are no wins nor losses.
• Off-sides are not strictly enforced, especially for the younger players.
  
• Coaches will try as much as possible to match lines, so that players of similar skills are playing against each other.
• Players will typically rotate through all skating positions in each game.
• Each player will get the chance to play goalie at least once during the season.
• The goalie will be selected for the following week's game.  They will take home the goalie equipment and dry it out.  Parents are encouraged to put all the equipment on the player sometime during the week.  Practice on soft carpets or in a basement is encouraged.  Playing on the street is NOT allowed, as this destroys the goalie pads. 
  
• MacWilliams PowerSkating will occasionally run the practice session, with the coaches assisting.  This is an hour-long session that focuses on improving skating speed, strength and agility.
• Usually, there is a "snack list" whereby each parent brings a snack for the kids to eat while taking off their skates.
• A "Super-Sport" Award will be given to each child once during the season.  They will receive a certificate and a prize package from The Hockey Shop.
  
• There may be a "Timbits" game during a Guelph Storm game, where the team will have a short scrimmage during one of the Intermissions.  Definitely a Kodak moment!

• In Atom, your child will be on a hockey team of 9 and 10 year old kids.
• Sweaters and socks are provided.
• Full equipment is required, including a neck guard.  Label all equipment, especially gloves, sticks and helmets.
• Don't forget a water bottle, clearly labeled with your child's name on it.  If you forget water, you may need to take your child to the water fountain part-way through the practice session.
  
• Mouth guards (optional, but highly recommended) must be tethered to the helmet, unless they have been custom-fitted by a dentist
• Players should arrive at the rink wearing most of their hockey gear (with the exception of skates, gloves, helmets)
• Players are expected to arrive at the rink at least twenty minutes before the start of the game.
• As you enter the arena, look on the whiteboard/chalkboard for the Team dressing room number.  Note that girls on the team can change in a separate dressing room, if required.
  
• Parents (or a designated representative) must always be at the rink to assist your child as required.  Occasionally you may need to help adjust your child's equipment or take your child to the bathroom (it happens!).
• Parents are welcome in the dressing room at any time except during a 5-minute team meeting which occurs immediately after the game.
• Parents cannot be at the player's bench.  If a child needs to leave the ice, the parent should meet the child at one of the exits on the ice.
• Each session is usually 2 hours in length, with the first hour being practice, and the second hour being a game supervised by referees.
• There will be 2 referees that call the game according to the rules of the Canadian Hockey Association, with a few exceptions (see here).
• Parents should respect referees and their decisions.  They are highly-skilled volunteers.
  
• The score is never posted on the scoreboard, and there are no wins nor losses.
  
• Players will typically play the same position throughout the game.  Over the course of the season, they will be able to play all positions, if they choose.
  
• Each player will get the chance to play goalie at least once during the season.
• The goalie will be selected for the following week's game.  They will take home the goalie equipment and dry it out.  Parents are encouraged to put all the equipment on the player sometime during the week.  Practice on soft carpets or in a basement is encouraged.  Playing on the street is NOT allowed, as this destroys the goalie pads. 
• MacWilliams PowerSkating will occasionally run the practice session with the coaches assisting.  This is an hour-long session that focuses on improving skating speed, strength and agility.
  
• Usually, there is a "snack list" whereby each parent brings a snack for the kids to eat while taking off their skates.
• A "Super-Sport" Award will be given to each child once during the season.  They will receive a certificate and a prize package from The Hockey Shop.

• In PeeWee, your child will be on a hockey team of 11 to 13 year old kids.
• Sweaters and socks are provided.
• Full equipment is required, including a neck guard.  Label all equipment, especially gloves, sticks and helmets.
• Don't forget a water bottle, clearly labeled with your child's name on it.  If you forget water, you may need to take your child to the water fountain part-way through the practice session.
  
• Mouth guards (optional, but highly recommended) must be tethered to the helmet, unless they have been custom-fitted by a dentist
• Some players will arrive at the rink wearing most of their hockey gear (with the exception of skates, gloves, helmets), while others prefer to change at the rink.
• Players are expected to arrive at the rink at least twenty-five minutes before the start of the game -- coaches may discuss strategy prior to the start of the game.
  
• As you enter the arena, look on the whiteboard/chalkboard for the Team dressing room number.  Note that girls on the team can change in a separate dressing room, if required.
  
• Parents (or a designated representative) must always be at the rink to assist your child as required.  Occasionally you may need to help adjust your child's equipment or take your child to the bathroom (it happens!).
• Parents are welcome in the dressing room at any time except during a 5-minute team meeting which occurs immediately after the game.
• Parents cannot be at the player's bench.  If a child needs to leave the ice, the parent should meet the child at one of the exits on the ice.
• Each session is usually 2 hours in length, with the first hour being practice, and the second hour being a game supervised by referees.
• There will be 2 referees that call the game according to the rules of the Canadian Hockey Association, with a few exceptions (see here).
• Parents should respect referees and their decisions.  They are highly-skilled volunteers.
  
• The score is never posted on the scoreboard, and there are no wins nor losses.
  
• Players will typically play the same position throughout the game.  Over the course of the season, they may start to specialize at one or two positions.
  
• Although every player that wants to play goal will be given the chance, there may be one or two primary goalies that play the majority of games during the season.
• Usually, there is a "snack list" whereby each parent brings a snack for the kids to eat while taking off their skates.

• In Bantam, your child will be on a hockey team of 14 to 17 year old kids.
• Sweaters and socks are provided.
• Full equipment is required, including a neck guard.  Label all equipment, especially gloves, sticks and helmets.
• Don't forget a water bottle, clearly labeled with your child's name on it.  If you forget water, you may need to take your child to the water fountain part-way through the practice session.
  
• Mouth guards (optional, but highly recommended) must be tethered to the helmet, unless they have been custom-fitted by a dentist.
• Most players will change at the rink.
• Players are expected to arrive at the rink at least twenty-five minutes before the start of the game -- coaches may discuss strategy prior to the start of the game.
  
• As you enter the arena, look on the whiteboard/chalkboard for the Team dressing room number.  Note that girls on the team can change in a separate dressing room, if required.
  
• At this stage, the players are fairly independent, although a parent (or a designated representative) must always be at the rink to assist your child as required.  
• Parents cannot be at the player's bench.  If a child needs to leave the ice, the parent should meet the child at one of the exits on the ice.
• Each session is usually 2 hours in length, with the first hour being practice, and the second hour being a game supervised by referees.
• There will be 2 referees that call the game according to the rules of the Canadian Hockey Association, with a few exceptions (see here).
• Parents should respect referees and their decisions.  They are highly-skilled volunteers.
  
• The score is never posted on the scoreboard, and there are no wins nor losses.
  
• By now, most players will have specialized into a position.  
  
• There is usually a primary goalie and one backup goalie on each team.