Aug 31, 2017 | KKobold | 9135 views
How will Hockey Canada's new cross-ice policy for Initiation Program-level hockey affect my child?
Hockey Canada has implemented a mandatory cross-ice policy for the Initiation Program (IP) starting in the 2017-2018 season. The policy mandates cross-ice (i.e., "half-ice") hockey for players at the Initiation Program age level.
Cross-ice hockey is not new to the WSMHA; it has been a fundamental part of our Association's IP division for many years now. Because of this, little will change for our "Acton" and "May" divisions. Our Hassard and Novice divisions, however, have historically been played over the full ice surface. In order to preserve this, beginning in the 2017-2018 season, WSMHA has implemented the following changes to the IP level:
The "Hassard" and "Novice" divisions will be removed from the Initiation Program level. Instead, a non-IP "Tyke" (formerly "Hassard") level will be reinstated. Likewise, Novice will return as a non-IP level. Tyke- and Novice-level games will use the entire surface of the ice.
Additionally, Hockey Canada has also announced that there will not be an IP Rostered Select program. However, WSMHA will continue with a tryout for formerly IP RS eligible-aged children. Coaches will be selected, and a team will be iced as a "development" team throughout the 2017-2018 season. The Board will be looking at options and more information about this will follow.
Julia La Marca
HL VP
WSMHA