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Answers to questions from players
Answers are only a click away! Please take a moment to try to find the answers to your questions before calling or emailing one of our volunteers. That way, our volunteers can devote their time to making your UMHA hockey experience the best that it can be!
Frequently Asked Question
Below are answers to questions we regularly get from players, as well as information we think might be useful to players.
- I don’t know much about hockey. Where do I start?
- What are evaluations? When are evaluations held?
- Where do I find my schedule?
- Where do I find the standings for my division?
- Where will I play?
- Does the UMHA offer a higher level of competition?
- Can I be on my friend’s team?
- What recognition programs and awards are available to teams?
- Where can I find out more information about hockey?
Answers
- 1. I don’t know much about hockey. Where do I start?
- You are already on the right track! The UMHA website is a great place to start. Read the information applicable to your division as that will help you to understand our program. Read the information about registration as that will help you to understand how to get signed up for our program.
For more general information, check out our Hockey 101 page, the Hockey Canada website and the OMHA website. - 2. What are evaluations? When are evaluations held?
- In order to form hockey teams that are balanced for competition, the UMHA holds evaluation sessions each season. Typically evaluations take place during the first two sessions you are on the ice in mid to late September. During evaluations, volunteer coaches run drills and evaluate all players in the areas of skating, puck handling, passing, shooting and general hockey knowledge. The results of these evaluations are then fed into the UMHA’s computer program for team generation and the preliminary teams for all divisions are formed.
The UMHA may also do evaluations during playoffs in the spring. The results of these evaluations are combined with the September evaluation results to provide a more accurate picture of each player’s ability. - 3. Where do I find my schedule?
- Schedules are posted on each division page as soon as they are available.
- 4. Where do I find the standings for my division?
- Standings information is posted on each division page at various times throughout the season. The UMHA uses the OMHA standings program so the division page will have a link to this program offered by the OMHA.
- 5. Where will I play?
- The UMHA rents ice from the Town of Markham at local arenas. The two main arenas used by the UMHA for its program are Crosby Memorial Community Centre and Angus Glen Community Centre. From time to time, the UMHA also rents ice at other locations, such as R. J. Clatworthy Arena and Centennial Community Centre, for extra skills sessions and additional team practices. Details regarding the location of the program for you can be found on the page for your division.
- 6. Does the UMHA offer a higher level of competition?
- In addition to running a house league program, the UMHA also runs a select program for house league players who want a higher level of competition. Please see the Unionville Jets page for additional details.
The UMHA is part of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). The representative (rep) program for the UMHA’s centre is the Markham Unionville Waxers. For more information about this program, please go to the Markham Unionville Waxers website. - 7. Can I be on my friend’s team?
- The focus of the UMHA program is to develop the skills of players and to provide balanced teams so that the competitive part of the program is enjoyable for all. To do that, teams are formed based on evaluations rather than on special requests. The only exceptions to this are for siblings and for the children of the head coach and one assistant coach chosen by the head coach.
- 8. What recognition programs and awards are available to teams?
- In addition to the UMHA Awards Banquet where all teams receive trophies, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association has an Award of Hometown Excellence Team Recognition Program. This Program recognizes up to six teams in Ontario which demonstrate excellence in the community and/or excellence on the ice. The deadline for applications to this Program is May 15th. Learn more and download the application form.
- 9. Where can I find out more information about hockey?
- There is a lot of additional information about hockey available on the OMHA website in the Frequently Asked Questions section.
