U9 Extended Season Information-NEW INFO 1/16/24

Hello U9 Coaches and Managers,

I'm excited to be able to share the details provided by Eastman Minor Hockey regarding the upcoming U9 extended season:

The extended season will commence on February 17th, 2024, and conclude on March 22nd, 2024.

EMHA will continue with the current tiered system for U9 and maintain the existing teams, coaches, and managers. Games will be played on full ice with regular nets and all applicable rules that come with full-ice play. This will be a great opportunity for all U9 players to experience full-ice hockey, but it's important to note that Minor U9 players will be back to half-ice for their 2024-2025 season. 

The extended season structure aims for a maximum of 3 home and 3 away games over 5 weekends, with a minimum target of 2 home and 2 away games. Practice schedules will remain the same and will also remain half-ice.  

Teams wishing to refrain from participating in the full-ice extended season may opt for half-ice exhibition games. Scheduling for the extended season will be managed by the teams themselves and will follow the same scheduling requirements as an exhibition game. 

Coaches from each team are encouraged to assist on the ice with player development during games if deemed necessary, especially for adapting to full ice structure requirements.

All players or teams can opt out of extended season play. If there are teams with only a few players that wish to continue, moving players to existing teams within the association will be an option. SMHA will cover ice rental, referees, and timekeeper costs until March 10th; after that date, any games and or practice costs will be at the team's expense.

Mathew Bannerman U9 SMHA convenor