RECREATION HOCKEY

Recreation or House Hockey is the type of hockey played by the majority of CRMHA Players. Its fun hockey intended for fitness, fun and friendship!

The objections of the recreation program are to:

• FIT THE NEEDS OF THE PARTICIPANTS AND PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE TYPES OF HOCKEY
• PROMOTE ENJOYABLE PARTICIPATION FOR THE FUN ASPECT
• GIVE PLAYERS EQUAL ICE TIME
• ASSIST IN AN INDIVIDUAL’S PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
• CREATE A SOCIABLE ENVIRONMENT
• ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL TO PARTICIPATE FREELY IN OTHER SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
• DE-EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF WINNING
• EMPHASIZE SPORTSMANSHIP, FAIR PLAY AND RESPECT FOR FELLOW PLAYERS, COACHESAND OFFICIALS.

Recreation Hockey is central to the entire amateur hockey structure, many players coming out of the initiation (U7 and U9) program will go into the recreation program. Most representative players spend time as recreational players, both before and after their competitive days.

Recreational Teams are allotted approximately 25 hours of Practice Ice Time per season. CRMHA recognizes the vast majority of Player skill development is gained at Practice. To maximize Player involvement and utilize the limited Ice Time, CRMHA strongly urges that all Practices be well planned and executed. Practice planning shall follow the Player Development Criteria for each Division as outlined in APPENDIX II of the CRMHA Policy and Procedures  Manual. CRMHA requires the use of multiple rotating ‘Skill Stations’ that utilize the breakdown of the practice group into 2 to 5 smaller groups.

Teams typically have one practice each week:

U7 - Thursday @ 5:15pm

U8 - Tuesday @ 5:15pm

U9 - Wednesday @ 5:15pm

U11 - Tuesday or Wednesday @ 6:30pm

U13 - Tuesday or Thursday @ 7:45pm

U15 - Tuesday or Wednesday @ 7:45pm

U18 - Tuesday or Wednesday @ 9:00pm

Under-7 (U7) - Ages 5 & 6

Our youngest players are introduced to hockey in a fun, supportive environment focused on basic skills and teamwork.

• Two half-ice practices or games each week
• No scorekeeping - the focus is fun and development
• 2-minute buzzer shifts so everyone gets a turn
• All players rotate through all positions, including goalie
• Coaches follow a CRMHA-provided skill development plan

Under-9 (U9) - Ages 7 & 8

Players continue to build on their skills while enjoying game play.

• Two half-ice practices or games each week
• No scorekeeping - we focus on improvement, not winning
• 2-minute buzzer shifts for equal play time
• All players rotate through all positions; after Christmas, those interested in goaltending may play more frequently in net
• Coaches follow the CRMHA skill development program

Under-11 (U11) - Ages 9 & 10

At this level, players experience full-ice hockey and more structured practices and games.

• Two ice times per week (typically one practice and one game)
• Practices are full-ice, about 1 hour long
• Games are around 1 hour 15 minutes
• No tiering - players of all levels play together on balanced teams
• Coaches follow the CRMHA skill development program

Under-13 (U13) - Ages 11 & 12

Players continue building their skills in a full-ice, team-focused environment.

• Two ice times per week (typically one practice and one game)
• Practices are full-ice, about 1 hour
• Games are typically 1 hour 15 minutes
• No tiering - teams will be balanced for fairness and fun
• Coaches use the CRMHA development plan

Under-15 (U15) - Ages 13 & 14

U15 is non-body checking recreational hockey with a strong focus on skill and confidence.

• Two ice times per week (one practice and one game)
• Practices are full-ice, typically 1 hour
• Games are usually 1 hour 15 minutes
• 🚫 Body checking is not allowed in regular league play
• No tiering - teams will be balanced for fairness and fun
• Coaches use the CRMHA development program

Under-18 (U18) - Ages 15 to 18

This division is focused on fun, fitness, and keeping players in the game through their high school years and beyond.

• Games are usually 1 hour 15 minutes and held twice a week
• No regular practices, but optional practice opportunities may be offered
• Coaches use BC Hockey development materials if practices are held
• New players are welcomed and offered a beginner development program before joining games
• For safety, new players must complete the intro program before participating in league games
• No tiering - teams will be balanced for fairness and fun
• 🚫 Body checking is not allowed in regular league play

PLAYER MOVEMENT

Players will be able to play at equal skill and ability levels regardless of age. Unless the player has exceptional ability, beyond his/her age group, it is in the best interest of the players social, psychological and emotional development to play in his/her age category. No player in CRMHA may play or practice with any division other than his/her own without prior permission from one of the following: Division Managers, CRMHA Recreation Head Coach, Executive or the President. Any parent wishing their child moved to another division must write a letter of application to the President, stating all the reasons why the child should be moved. Once a player has moved to a different division, further movement up or down must be approved by the President and CRMHA Recreation Head Coach. BC HOCKEY does not permit player movement between teams in the same division. Recreation teams may only pick-up players according to BC HOCKEY requirements. The Division Manager must approve the final roster.

AFFILIATE PLAYERS

House player affiliation and movement will take place as follows:

• Players can only be moved to the higher division/level of play
• Players can only affiliate with one other team
• Rep Affiliate Players are not permitted to move to a higher house division. However, U11 Development players are not typically affiliated with a U13 Rep team and are permitted to affiliate with teams in the U13 house division.
• Division Manager must explain the Affiliate Program to the parents, obtain permission from the parents for the player to be an Affiliate, and then talk to the player to obtain their permission.
• The Division Manager and Head Coach are to supply a list of qualified second year players to the Division Manager and Head Coach in the division above them. From that list the Head Coaches will place the AP’s on rosters in a fair and equal way to play for the season.
• Coaches and Managers will make sure to rotate through the AP’s on their roster.
• No player can AP for more than 3 games consecutively or more than 10 total in a season. Any AP abusing these rules will become ineligible.
• Affiliated players must be identified on game sheets by placing an “AP” beside their name