EGMHA Hockey Development Programs
It is important to understand that for all house league games, the EGMHA expects all its Coaches to play their players equally, irrespective of level of skill. Fun and skill development are the primary goals of our Association. EGMHA offers three different programs depending on the age of the player.
Our recreational hockey programs start at different times but generally start at some point in September and go until the end of March. As we get closer to start of September, we will communicate out start dates.
Initiation Program (ages 6 and below as of Dec 31st)
Our Initiation Program is delivered by a professional hockey instructor utilizing parent volunteers, who will be given support to obtain their Hockey Canada credentials to volunteer with the program. All ice times (practice and games) are at the Sharon Arena.
Our Professional Development Coach will have a season development plan designed specific to each age group. The program will be adapted as changes need to be made, all with the ultimate goal of the most positive development of the skaters in mind. The Program covers all aspects of hockey player development: skating, shooting, passing, puck control, core work / balance / agility and increasing the skater’s hockey IQ.
In order to ensure players are adequately challenged, we focus on like skill players being grouped with other like skills players, so players in U7 are into two streams:
- U6 and below sessions:
- beginner players that are either 4 years or 5/6 years old and in their first year of hockey.
- focus is one practices, may eventually move to scrimmage type cross ice games when ready.
- U7 Houseleague:
- players that are 5 or 6 years of age and are more advanced or returning for their second or third year of hockey.
- Focus in both streams is considered recreational, providing equal ice time to all players regardless of skill level.
- There are generally no goalies in these age groups, but as the season develops, U7 Houseleague may want to try letting player rotate through the goalie position. There is equipment available from EGMHA to borrow for weeks players are taking a turn as a goalie.
- All teams are “EG Eagles”; you only play teams from East Gwillimbury
- You do not have to live in East Gwillimbury to play hockey in EGMHA Houseleague
Interlock Houseleague with Georgina Minor Hockey (ages 8 to 12 as of Dec 31st)
- Focus is considered recreational, providing equal ice time to all players regardless of skill level.
- Two age divisions:
- U9 (for players aged 8 and below as of Dec 31st)
- U13 (for players aged 12 and below as of Dec 31st)
- Note for the U9 division, there are no full time goalies, any player that wants to try being a goalie will have opportunities to do so, there is goalie equipment available to borrow from EGMHA for weeks that the player is taking a turn playing goalie.
- All Practices at Sharon Arena generally in the same timeslots
- All teams from EG are "EG Eagles"; away games will be against "Georgina Blaze" teams.
- Home and Away games, home games at Sharon Arena, away games will be played in Keswick or Sutton
- You do not have to live in East Gwillimbury to play hockey in EGMHA/GMHA Interlock Houseleague
Local League (ages 13 and older as of Dec 31st
- Focus is considered recreational, providing equal ice time to all players regardless of skill level.
- All practices at Sharon Arena are generally in the same timeslots
- Games, however, are played at Sharon and other centres participating in local league (“away” centres may include Bradford, TNT, Schomberg, Lefroy, Beeton, Richmond Hill, Innisfil and Nobleking)
- You do not have to live in East Gwillimbury to play hockey in EGMHA Local League
- Regular season runs from October to February. Playoffs determine how far you go (typically into mid-March)
- East Gwillbury is part of the Simcoe Region Local League
- All teams are guaranteed 2 rounds of playoffs
- Costs are higher than Houseleague due to:
- Full ice practices
- Home and Away jerseys
- More officials
Representative Hockey in EGMHA
Representative Hockey (Rep) is where players are chosen through a try-out process to play on a Team that represents the Town of East Gwillimbury and play against other towns, or hockey centres. East Gwillimbury is taking part in a two year boundary amalgamation project with Georgina Minor Hockey. Players are be evaluated to play on AA, A or B/BB teams with Upper York Minor Hockey for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 season. Evaluations are in early May for U10 to U16 teams, and in the Fall for U18 teams.
Please visit their website at: upperyorkminorhockey.com for more information.