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Mini Mite (ages 4 & 5)
The Mini Mite program is designed specifically for 4 and 5 year olds who are brand new to hockey and, in many cases, to skating as well. As the UMHA is an OMHA Initiation Program certified centre, there is a strong emphasis on skills development in this division.
General Mini Mite Division Framework
- Players are evaluated according to ability at skills evaluations held at the start of the season.
- Players are also placed on a team at the start of the season. All teams are put together by a computer program so as to be as balanced as possible.
- Players participate in two weekly one-hour, on-ice sessions during the season. Schedules are provided at the start of the season.
- Players join with Mite division players of similar ability to participate in a weekly skills development session led by the UMHA’s Initiation Program Technical Director. Initiation Program Lesson Plans are followed.
- The second weekly session, which is for Mini Mite players only, is led by volunteer Mini Mite coaches, a skills instructor and student volunteers. In this session, there is a continued emphasis on skills development based on player ability. As the players develop, more game type situations and ultimately cross-ice or half-ice games are introduced.
- Although there are paid instructors at both weekly on-ice sessions, it is expected that head and assistant coaches will be available to assist the skills instructors at each session.
FAQ about the Initiation Program
- What is the Initiation Program?
In the mid 1990’s, Hockey Canada established a curriculum-based program for beginning hockey players, called the Initiation Program. This program was formally adopted by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association in 2002.
The Initiation Program is a tested and recommended skill development program for teaching hockey to young players. It is comprised of a coaching course called “Intro Coach” or “CHIP” which we encourage all of our Mite/Hockey School coaches to take (the cost of this course will be reimbursed by the UMHA based on the UMHA refund policy) and a set of Lesson Plans which provide a consistent curriculum for teaching hockey to young players.
- Why use the Initiation Program?
- The goal of the Initiation Program is to teach hockey to young players in such a way as to give them a solid foundation of skills which will allow them to enjoy hockey for a lifetime. The goal of the UMHA is to use the Initiation Program to provide our players with the best opportunity to learn and hone their hockey skills in a safe and fun environment. As the Initiation Program has been developed by experts across Canada, by following it, our young players will get the best possible hockey experience as they begin their hockey careers.
- Is the Initiation Program new to the UMHA?
- No! The UMHA has emphasized skills development for many years in our Mite/Hockey School program. The weekly skills sessions that are a part of the UMHA’s Mite/Hockey School program have been in place for about ten years. In 2010, the UMHA was certified by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association as an Initiation Program centre.
- What are Lesson Plans?
- The Initiation Program recommended by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association has a set of Lesson Plans to be used when teaching hockey skills to young players. The skills that the Lesson Plans focus on are skating, puck handling, passing and receiving, and shooting. The Lesson Plans were developed by experts and have been refined over many years. The Lesson Plans provide the basis for teaching hockey in an organized and thoughtful progression of skill development from week to week so that players get the most out of their time on the ice. The use of Lesson Plans also ensures that players receive consistent instruction suitable to their skill level no matter what team they are on.
- What are the benefits of small-ice or cross-ice games?
- The benefits of small-ice or cross-ice games have been well documented. For more information on this game format, please view the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s Introduction to Cross-Ice Hockey.
The UMHA wants to give all our players as much ice time as possible so that they develop their skills as much as possible. The more ice time that each player receives, the more their skills will develop. With small-ice games, more players will be on the ice at one time, resulting in more ice time for each player. - How can I find out more about the Initiation Program?
- The website of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association contains a wealth of information about the Initiation Program.
Initiation Program Lesson Plans
- Lesson Plan A for D level players
- Lesson Plan B for C level players
- Lesson Plan C for B level players
- Lesson Plan D for A level players
Thank you to our Mini Mite team sponsors!
