The game of hockey is iconic with Canadians. Many kids are starting to learn, at a young age, the skills of speed skating and hockey.
Road Hockey
One of the more popular outdoor activities for kids is playing road hockey. I’m sure there are countless times when you are driving in your neighbourhood and have to stop so the kids can move their hockey nets. For many kids, this is a prelude to playing ice hockey. Road hockey is a great way to learn team-building and social skills which are necessary when playing in a hockey league.
Ice Shinney
Shinney, also known as pick-up hockey, is another popular game in which a bunch of friends gather to play recreational hockey. It’s a lot of fun and can also help improve the skillset of hockey. Shinney is an informal form of hockey play.
Learn to Skate Programs and Speed Skating
Before kids can learn to play ice hockey, it is important that they first learn how to skate. Once they are comfortable and confident with their skating abilities, they can move on to speed skating. Ice hockey is a very fast-paced game on ice. Speed skating is a key component of playing ice hockey.
The Timbits Hockey Canada
The Timbits Hockey Canada has a program for ages under 7 and Novice programs for ages under 9. This program was designed to introduce kids to the game of hockey in a safe and controlled environment. The programs introduce both beginner and basic skills to the kids.
Other Hockey Canada Divisions
Along with Timbits and Novice hockey programs, there are other divisions also available for children over the age of 11. The divisions are as follows:
- Atom – Under age 11
- Peewee – Under age 13
- Bantam – Under age 15
- Midget – Under age 18
These programs are amazing for teaching kids all the skills they need to know about the game of ice hockey.