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Under 8 Hockey Program
Phil Patenaude Joins LHA For 2012-2013 Season
LHA is very proud to announce that Phil Patenaude will be joining LHA for the 2012-2013 Season as our first-ever U8 Skills Coach. As a former Hawk, Phil knows how important skill development is to the growth and enjoyment of every player. Phil's knowledge will be a great asset to all players and coaches at LHA.
Patenaude played his youth hockey at Littleton until joining the Colorado Thunderbirds for his 2nd year of Midget. After playing two years of AAA, Phil joining the Nelson Leafs in the Kootney International Junior Hockey League in Eastern British Columbia. The following season he joined the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Jr A Hockey League where he helped his team to a 2nd place finish in the RBC Cup (Canadian National Championship). An injury ended Phil's career early and he has since been coaching at LHA. This will be his second season as an assistant coach on the Bantam AA team. Phil has been a head on-ice instructor for two years with LHA's Summer Program.
The Advanced and Intermediate teams should expect to see Phil twice per week at practice. Beginner teams will see Phil an average of once per week. There are times when he will be traveling with the Bantam AA team and may miss weekend practices.
Littleton Hockey Association - U8 Program Overview
LHA's U8 Program is its very foundation - the base upon which it builds its travel and house teams. The USA Hockey Initiation Program is designed for players 5-8 years old. It encourages a non-competitive environment in which children can learn the basic skills without the distractions that are often associated with an over emphasis on winning. Mastery of fundamental skills and the fun of playing are essential to the development of a lifelong interest in hockey.
OBJECTIVES
- Modify the playing environment to meet the needs for this specific age group
- Increase opportunities for players to touch and handle the puck
- Stress participation, fun and skill development
- Increase the practice to game ratio to a minimum of three practices to each game
- Provide a positive environment for learning the fundamental skills of hockey
- Improve the utilization of ice time
LEVELS
The U8 Program is divided into three levels per USA Hockey's ADM. These levels are Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner. LHA uses four weeks at the start of the season to evaluate players for placement in these three levels. Players may be moved between levels to suit their appropriate skill level.
U8 Beginner will typically have one hour of ice on Saturday and one hour of ice on Sunday.
U8 Intermediate will typically have one hour of ice on Tuesday, one hour of ice on Saturday and one hour of ice on Sunday.
U8 Advanced will typically have one hour of ice on Thursday, one hour of ice on Saturday and one hour of ice on Sunday.
U8 Advanced and Intermediate teams will practice with two teams on the ice. U8 Beginner teams can practice with up to three total teams on the ice.
JAMBOREES
When participating in jamborees, Advanced and Intermediate teams play half-ice games while Beginner teams play cross-ice games.
Jamborees are fun gatherings where multiple games are played on one ice sheet. No score is kept and teams will play two to three "friendlies" in an hour slot.
COACHING
In addition to developing young hockey players, LHA uses the U8 Program as a forum to educate and groom future coaches for our association. Coaches are often listed as the most important influences in the lives of young people, so if you have an interst in being on the ice to help in any capacity, I encourage you to contact me for details.
All LHA Coaches are required to complete the USA Hockey Coaching Clinics, USA Hockey Online Modules, registration with USA Hockey, a CAHA Background Check and an approved concussion training program.
Thank you,
Brian TenEyck
HOC Director
303.717.4329
Registration
Registration for the 2013-2014 Season is now open. Click here to register.
Please contact Brian TenEyck (brian@littletonhockey.org) with any questions regarding the LHA U8 Program.
Please contact Dede Cox (ddcstewcapco@comcast.net) with any registration questions.
LITTLETON HOCKEY'S U8 Initiation Program
Littleton, CO 80161
(303) 794-9665.
U8 applications will be
accepted until all levels are full
(Birth Years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)*
2013-2014 SEASON REGISTRATION FEES
U8 – Advanced & Intermediate: $800
U8 – Beginner: $650
* Please note: 2009 birth year registrations are subject to final approval by the LHA Hockey Director and LHA U8 Director
Fees include Ice rental, coaching fees, practice/game jerseys, hockey socks.
For more information please contact Dede Cox, LHA Registrar, registrar@littletonhockey.org
