INTRODUCTION TO THE PATHWAYS HOCKEY PROGRAM
All participating players will be required to wear full hockey equipment.
Jerseys and socks are included in the cost of the program.
Pathways Programs
The first years of hockey should be a positive experience. A fun and exciting start gives young players the opportunity to enjoy hockey for life!
If beginners have fun, develop basic skills, and build confidence, they are more likely to enjoy themselves. However, if their early experience is unrewarding, they may never discover all that Canada’s game has to offer.
Pathways hockey is delivered through a progressive, learn-to-play teaching curriculum. Children learn best through practice drills and skill sessions, as well as informal games like shinny, freeze tag, and obstacle courses.
The skills of skating, puck control, passing, and shooting are introduced and refined one step at a time. The focus is always on fun and skill development, but the early years of hockey should also allow youngsters to experience fitness, fair play, and cooperation.
Young players will develop and refine fundamental movement skills (skating, turning, acceleration), manipulation skills (shooting, puck control, passing), and overall motor skills (balance, coordination, agility) in a fun and safe environment. This approach promotes skill development through self-confidence.
Under 7 Local League Program
- Birth Years: 2018 & 2019 for the 2024-25 season
- Practices: Day TBD
- Games: Half-ice
- League: Teams play in the Kitchener Girls Local League against centres such as Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Fergus
- Scheduling: Early October
- Pre-season Skills Sessions: Start mid-September
- Tournaments: December and March
- Player Gear: Home and away jerseys and socks, which are theirs to keep
For more information on the U7 Pathways program click here.
Under 9 Local League Program
- Birth Years: 2016 & 2017 for the 2024-25 season
- Practices: Day TBD
- Games: Half-ice until January 15, then games will be moved to full ice
- League: Teams play in the Kitchener Girls Local League against centres such as Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Fergus
- Scheduling: Early October
- Pre-season Skills Sessions: Start mid-September
- Tournaments: December and March
- Player Gear: Home and away jerseys and socks, which are theirs to keep
Under 9 Rep Program
- Birth Years: 2016 & 2017 for the 2024-25 season
- Skill Level: More competitive than Local League, with additional practice times and access to Jr. Gryphon development sessions at the University of Guelph
- Practices: During the week, including regular 6:30 am practices (once every 1-2 weeks)
- Games: Half-ice until January 15, then games will be moved to full ice
- Scheduling: Late September - Early October
- Tournaments: GGHA March tournaments, and teams can choose other tournaments to enter
- Fees: Higher than Local League
- Player Gear: Home and away jerseys and socks; they get to keep the socks
For more information on the U9 Pathways program click here.
Under 11 Local League Program
- Birth Years: 2014 & 2015 for the 2024-25 season
- Practices: TBD
- Home Games: Usually Saturday afternoon
- Away Games: Usually on weekends
- League: Teams play in the Kitchener Girls Local League, with 8-10 away games during the season against centres such as Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Fergus
- Scheduling: Completed in late September, with league play starting after Thanksgiving
- Player Gear: Home and away jerseys and socks, which are theirs to keep
Under 11 Rep Program
- Birth Years: 2014 & 2015 for the 2024-25 season
- Skill Level: More competitive teams than Local League, with additional practice times and access to Jr. Gryphon development sessions at the University of Guelph
- Practices: During the week, including regular 6:30 am practices (once every 1-2 weeks)
- Home Games: Generally Sunday afternoons, though U11 may vary over the season
- Away Games: To be determined, effort is made to have weekend games if possible
- Scheduling: Late September/early October, with anticipated league play starting in mid-October.
- Fees: Higher than Local League
- Player Gear: Home and away jerseys and socks; they get to keep the socks
For more information on the U11 Pathways program click here.