Rec community hockey for kids

[VladtheImpaler]

My guys are not going to the NHL, so I am wondering if anyone is aware of basically rec community hockey leagues for 7-12 year olds? Just looking for 1 weekday evening per week sort of thing where the PIA factor for the parents is low, yet kids get the team sports experience. We have done the research, but either the league is defunct, or too much PIA, or something else is not right. So, if you are in something, please let me know...

[Coach]

For just a once/week thing, you might have to check out some local arena boards and see if there's anyone organizing that type of thing. Outside of just like a free-skate sort of thing, I doubt there's much traction for what amounts to once/week all skill levels scrimmage.

[Lubicon]

If they were a little older there is Rec Hockey Calgary, I think it starts at U13. Most of the local MHA's now have a 'house league' option for younger players as well which is similar. Not sure where you live in Calgary (?) but check out your local MHA and see if the offer it.


https://www.hockeycalgary.ca/stream/...hockey-council

[VladtheImpaler]

Yeah, saw the Rec Hockey thing, but age-wise would be playing with kids basically 2 years older, and not a fan of pre-puberty vs post-puberty. I remember when I played at that age, and we had a 245 lb kid, and a 6'7" kid playing against 80 lb'ers. No good... like EDM.

[calgarygeologist]

There is the Hockey Calgary House League https://www.hockeycalgary.ca/program...y-house-league

It is two, regularly scheduled ice times per week. One is a week night for a practice and one is a weekend game. I believe they have been running this for about 4 years now. I know a few families who moved from community to house league and the kids have enjoyed it. It is easy for families to schedule their lives around those two ice spots.

[Blankcanvas]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

There is the Hockey Calgary House League https://www.hockeycalgary.ca/program...y-house-league

It is two, regularly scheduled ice times per week. One is a week night for a practice and one is a weekend game. I believe they have been running this for about 4 years now. I know a few families who moved from community to house league and the kids have enjoyed it. It is easy for families to schedule their lives around those two ice spots.

This. My kid did it and it was excellent. One practice and one game per week and no pressure if you couldn't make some sessions. It's also sponsored by the Flames which is nice.

[Boblobla]

What about house league with your local association? It is usually a weeknight and one day on the weekend.

Edit: I think I am suggesting the same thing as the link above.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

My kid was in that house league as well. Definitely not the grind that the regular minor hockey can be, and the regular weeknight/weekend is great.

There were a few things I didn’t care for, however. Not tiering the players sounds nice and equitable on paper, but ultimately the talent difference made it hard to coach and set up good practices. While the days were consistent, the times were terrible. Often early, so 4:30 on the weekday and 7:00 am on the weekend. That was for 9/10 year olds, not the really little guys which often get those early times in minor hockey.