Vincent Massey Hockey Skills Program Student/Parent Information Starting September 4th, 2018

Hockey as a Course? 4.5 million Canadians are involved in hockey as coaches, players, officials, administrators or direct volunteers. Research has shown that hockey is the activity of choice of over 2 million Canadians. Over 500,000 players are registered annually. There are more than 1.5 million games played and 2 million practices every year. Vincent Massey can utilize ice time during the day to focus strongly on individual skill development without the focus on team building necessary in minor hockey; the two will work together to improve skills in Canadians favourite pass-time.

Questions Expected From You? What will a traditional on-ice practice look like? How often will on-ice sessions be scheduled? How will students get to and from the arena? What will be done with their equipment? What will students do on off-ice days? How does this course affect their timetable? What does the $250 course fee include? What are the payment options for the course? Will there be any other fees expected from the course?

What will a traditional on-ice practice look like? All on-ice segments are designed with drills and skill development through Hockey Canada. Skill development will be focused on individual skill growth, not group comparison. Pre-tests and post-tests, video analysis, and instructor feedback will be used to assess individual growth and improvement. On-ice packages are updated annually by the qualified instructors. Instructors have a high level of knowledge of the game, including an instructor joining the Hockey Skills Program who was drafted and played in the NHL

How often will on-ice sessions be scheduled? The current model that has been designed by staff at Vincent Massey will include more than 30 ice sessions. This represents more than 1/3 of the course. Sessions are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Sessions run from 7:25am to 8:15am.

How will students get to and from the arena? Transportation to the arena will be the responsibility of the students/parents in the program. Students will have adequate time to arrive to their period 2 classes.

What will be done with their equipment? Equipment storage will be available at the Vincent Massey Secondary School in a secure location.

What will students do on off-ice days? Off-ice days will still meet the scrutiny of the Ontario Grade 10 Physical Education Curriculum, including a Health component every Wednesday. Several activities will be focused on skill improvement as they relate to hockey, including; floorball, hand-eye co-ordination techniques, slideboards, and other core development. Much of the off-ice development will also come directly from the National Hockey Canada Development Program, and Can-Fit-Pro Canada.

How does this course affect their timetable? Yes, but very little. Ice-time availability and school scheduling requires this course to run prior to the first period of the day. This allows the students in the program full access to all of the facilities Vincent Massey has to offer as well as a reduction in ice time cost. This course counts as a Grade 10 Physical Education credit (unless the course was already taken at VMSS or another school in which case it will be granted to another ie. Grade 11 PE credit.

What does the $250 course fee include? The fee includes: Ice time facility rental On-ice instruction by a former first round NHL draft pick

How do I pay for the course? There will be 1 payment option for the course: One-time $250 lump sum payment due September 7th, 2018 Cheques made payable to “Vincent Massey Secondary School” with the student name and “Hockey Skills Porgram” on the memo line

Will there be any other fees expected from the course? A standard Physical Education fee will apply for the required PE uniform ($20). OR Students can wear the Massey Hockey Skills Program dry fit shirt

Do you have any other questions? If so please call David Penner, Health and Physical Education teacher at Vincent Massey and Hockey Skills Program lead coordinator at 519-969-2530.

Thanks for your time and interest!