Page 34 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 86
P. 34
34 Issue #86 January 2020 www.sportsenergynews.com
South Stormont Novice Selects are Dodge Caravan
Kids Playing a New Format
By Christine Ouellet
his season, South Stormont
TSelect Tier 2 and other
Novice teams across Canada are
going through a transition: from
competitive traditional hockey,
to an environment where it is fun
to develop new skills, improve
skating, stick handling, and learn
about fairness.
The objective behind the new
approach, which was enforced
by Hockey Canada for all Novice
teams, is that a child’s first
experience with hockey must At the back from left to right: Rico Bernier and Connor Lacroix
be a positive one. Rules are Middle from last to right: Hank Whitton, Riley Sonne-Holiday, Bryson Winters, Broden Lepera
Front left to right: Anneke Benton, Aidan Renaud (kneeling) and Tekota Square. Missing: Emery McConnell
different and players have greater and Will Barker Photo Submitted
opportunity to contribute to the
game, which in turn will boost their and a pair of four-year-old twins the wildest, wackiest group picture. second place and won another
self-confidence. Skaters play on at home), working full time, and A Dodge Caravan is drawn at the five hundred dollars. This year,
half-ice where it is easier for them devoted 100% to foster a passion national level as a grand prize.” the South Stormont Selects would
to read the game, enabling them for hockey in young children. She Two years ago, the Typhoons got really like to win the grand prize.
to pass fast and act fast. Players says, “I work with a great team: We wish them luck!
learn to make decisions more coach Cory Winters and assistant
quickly, which is very beneficial coaches Brennan Barker, Ian
for them and essential for playing McConnell, and Rodney Benton.
on higher leveled teams. Playing They are super.”
on a smaller ice surface means
The coaching staff fully agrees
they have little room to manoeuvre
and so they must be more creative. with the new philosophy and they
This encourages the kids to be full acknowledge that it is an important
shift. “We tend to relate to hockey
participants on their team.
in terms of scores, victories, and Mat Camm
Manager Shannon Griese identifying the most promising
says, “The focus is now more on player. But that will come later. Team Epping
developmental skills and kids are For the moment, kids are learning Hometown: Cornwall, ON
encouraged to have fun. There how to hold a stick, improve
are no scores kept, no statistics skating, they are learning about
are being generated, and there are fairness, teamwork, how to share
no trophies awarded. All kids are and get along. Everybody gets the
encouraged to touch the puck so same amount of ice time. What is
that everybody can improve their also important is to have fun. You
stick handling skills and each player lose kids if at that age if they are
is encouraged to take a turn in goal. not having fun and Ian McConnell
The games are played 4 vs 4 with 2 is very good at promoting the fun
goalies and they run for 50 minutes, aspect of the game.”
broken in two 22-minute periods. January 27
Player shifts last 90 seconds. This The Novice teams also participate - February 2
new format is a big shift. The in the Dodge Caravan Program
sponsored by Dodge Chrysler,
emphasis is less on the competitive Cornwall
aspect as the kids share the dressing Ram and Fiat. Steve Paquette
explains, “Upon registration, the Civic Complex
room with the other team, the ice,
and even the bench.” team receives five hundred dollars
to be used towards team expenses.
This is quite a challenge for the In addition, we hold a team photo
new manager Griese, mother of four contest. Kids are encouraged to use Info & tickets: www.CurlOnChamps.ca
children (two enrolled in hockey their creativity and come up with 233624
