U7 Player Pathway

1 U7 Preparation Plan All In OneHow a player gets their initial taste of hockey is crucial. The first few years of hockey must be a positive experience full of fun and excitement.

If the beginner has fun, develops basic skills and builds confidence, there is a better chance they will go on to enjoy hockey for a lifetime. But if a young player has an unhappy, unrewarding experience, they may quit at an early age and never discover the real joy of Canada's game. Every young player should have the opportunity to enjoy hockey for life!

The goal of Hockey Canada is to see the day when every youngster across Canada getting started in hockey will have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from a program designed to meet their specific needs. One that ensures progressive skill development through well-delivered practice sessions and age-appropriate game play in an environment well-suited to their skill level.

A minor hockey association's programming at the U7 level will serve as the foundation upon which the entire minor hockey association is built. Players at every level in minor hockey benefit from getting the ‘right start’ in the game. Programming at the U7 level is a crucial piece in building the skills of house league and rep team players alike.

More than 30 years ago, Hockey Canada developed the U7 programming to ensure a fun, safe and positive hockey experience. It served as a structured, learn-to-play program designed to introduce beginners the basic skills. It also enabled young players to build a solid skill base and become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence and experience a sense of personal achievement – goals achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play. In 1995, Hockey Canada passed a motion requiring the U7 Program to be implemented by every minor hockey association across the country and to change their constitution/bylaws to reflect the creation of a new division in hockey.

"Learning the basic skills at a young age will set the foundation for everything a player will accomplish in the game of hockey.” Corey McNabb, Director of Hockey Development Programs, Hockey Canada.

About

Programming should be delivered through a progressive learn-to-play teaching curriculum that spans the five to six-year-old age group. Children learn best through participating in practice drills and sessions as well as informal and modified games such as shinny, freeze tag and obstacle courses.

The program consists of two levels of instruction, designed specifically for young hockey players. Each level consists of a series of practice plans (lesson plans) that follow a defined path of progressions.

The skills of skating, puck control, passing and shooting are introduced and refined in a progressive one-step-at-a-time manner.

Although the emphasis is on having fun and skill development, hockey at these ages should also allow youngsters to experience fitness, fair play and cooperation.

To ensure a positive experience for the children, a coaching clinic has been designed for the on-ice coaches that focuses on communication, teaching skills, leadership, skill analysis, lesson organization, and safety and risk management.

Program Philosophy

  • Hockey Canada developed the program to ensure that the child’s early experiences with hockey are delivered in a safe and positive experience.
  • The program enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence and experience a sense of personal achievement.

Program Goals

  • To have fun while playing hockey and engaging in physical activity.
  • To learn the fundamental skills required to play the game of hockey.
  • To develop and refine basic motor patterns.
  • To be introduced to the concepts of cooperation and fair play.

U7 Hockey

  1. Playing Surface (REQUIREMENT)
    • All U7 will be played at cross-ice or a maximum size of 100 feet by 60 feet (100x60) for the entire season.
  2. Player Evaluations, Selections (REQUIREMENT)
    • No tiering or evaluations during the off-season phase 
    • Must offer a minimum of four (4) practice/skill sessions prior to formal tiering or evaluations beginning.
    • Must have a minimum of three (3) formal evaluation sessions.
  3. Cross-Ice Game Play Rules
    • 4-on-4 format.
    • 60-minute game length. Two periods with a run-time clock.
    • Timed buzzer or whistle for line changes, shift length not to exceed two minutes.
    • Minimum of one official.
    • No score, standings or stats are kept.
    • Blue or black puck used.
    • Net size – 3x4 or 4x6.
  4. Fair and Equal Ice Time
    • All players and goaltenders should receive fair and as close to equal as possible ice time.
    • Positional Rotation:
      1. All players play all positions (RECOMMENDATION)
    • Goaltender Rotation:
      1. No full-time goaltenders. (RECOMMENDATION)
      2. All players have the option to play goal at least once. (RECOMMENDATION)
  1. Playoffs (REQUIREMENT)
    • There are no playoffs in U7.
  2. Seasonal Structure (REQUIREMENT)
    • Preparation Phase
      1. See Player Evaluations/Tryouts above.
    • Development Phase (up to 12 weeks)
      1. Teams must have a period of development time following tryouts prior to the start of the regular season.
    • Development and Regular Season Phase (Up to 14 weeks)
      1. Recommended maximum of 25 games per year (includes exhibition, league, tournaments and jamborees) (RECOMMENDED)
      2. Seasonal Breaks – season should allow for two seasonal breaks of a minimum of five days without a scheduled game or mandatory practice. (RECOMMENDED)
    • Tournament are Jamboree Format
      1. Jamboree engages players in a fun environment. Games may or may not be competitive and the emphasis is on fun and fair play, no standings are kept.
    • Offseason Phase (end of season to August)