Quote:
Originally Posted by dubc80
With hockey these days, kids have more options that we did in the past.
- For the younger kids, there are lots of Try Hockey options like Flames First Shift, and many Intro to Hockey programs put on at places like the South Fish Creek, Seton YMCA, or Trico, etc. Once a week for a month or two.
- Most associations have a house league option, which is cheaper and more recreational than regular hockey. Its a set # of days per week with practices and games on the same days. No tournaments and no fundraising. I think they have this for U9 (novice), U11( Atom) and maybe U13 (Peewee)?
- In Calgary, you have RHC. Recreational Hockey Calgary which goes up to U18. I think you can request to be on friends teams in this league as there are no residential boundaries.
- I think the biggest positive change is also the ability to choose the NBC (Non-Body Contact) stream. Kids no longer have to worrying about getting murdered by a big kid wanting to run a kid for the laughs. When I played, hitting started in peewee for everyone at all levels with no training what so ever. Many kids got hurt.
In addition, there are many financial supports which families can apply for.
Not diminishing the financial and time commitment aspect as it is truly a massive barrier, but things are better now than when I played in the 90's.
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Here in Lethbridge we have Lethbridge Rec Hockey. It costs 50-75% less than minor hockey, depending on the kids age. They have 5 divisions divided by age range and each division gets one ice time per week on the same day, time and rink. Pretty easy. They do drills for the first half of ice then scrimmage and once a month they light up the clock and have an actual game. It's a great program and anyone of any skill level can play. It has been around since 2016 as Lethbridge Rec Hockey but it started in the 90s in Coaldale and grew.
There is another similar organization in Lethbridge. It isn't advertised, it runs by word of mouth is full and has been around since the 80s.
Organizations like these do exist and they are a great alternative for kids and families who don't have the time and/or money to participate in minor hockey or just don't want their kids in the toxic hockey culture that's slowly being revealed.
Unfortunately these are limited in size or exposure but hopefully more of these organizations pop up in communities across the country because it is a great opportunity for kids to have fun playing the game.