Penetang Flames Programming Overview
We are thrilled to provide an overview of our hockey programming for the upcoming season. The following table breaks down the season dates, practice details, and game details for each age group and level, ensuring clear and accessible information for players and their families.
Key Features of our Programming:
Introduction to Hockey
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Players are gradually introduced to hockey through structured initiation and modified ice programs, designed to match their developmental stage and physical size.
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Initiation focuses on helping young players become independent skaters while getting comfortable in full hockey gear, including the use of sticks and pucks.
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Modified ice programming adjusts the size of the playing surface, nets, and game structure to better suit younger players, encouraging more frequent puck battles, improved skating skills (like stopping, turning, and pivoting), and a more engaging and appropriately scaled experience.
Local League Programming
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Local league programming is inclusive of players at all skill levels, creating a welcoming environment where beginners and experienced players can grow and enjoy the game together.
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It offers a lower-commitment option for families balancing multiple sports or other commitments, making it ideal for those who prefer a more flexible schedule compared to representative hockey.
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With a strong emphasis on skill development and team play, local league hockey is both fun and rewarding, helping players build confidence, friendships, and a lifelong love for the game.
Pathway to Representative Hockey
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A clear pathway to representative hockey exists for motivated players, starting with opportunities to serve as Affiliate Players with rep teams, gaining valuable experience and extra ice time.
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Development-focused sessions, such as goaltending clinics and skills training, are offered to help players elevate their game and prepare for higher levels of competition.
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Local League Select teams provide an intermediate step, forming tournament teams from local league players for additional practices and tournament play (availability depends on interest, ice time, and may vary by age group)
Season Dates (Estimates)
| Age Group/Level |
Prep Phase |
Regular Season |
Playoffs |
| U6 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| U7 |
Before Dec 1 |
After Dec 1 |
N/A |
| U8 |
Before Nov 1 |
After Nov 1 |
N/A |
| U9 "LL" |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
| U11 "LL" |
Sept 2-Sept 30 |
Oct 1-Feb 15 |
Feb 15-Mar 28 |
| U13 "LL" |
Sept 2-Sept 30 |
Oct 1-Feb 15 |
Feb 15-Mar 28 |
| U15 "LL" |
Sept 20-Oct 7 |
Oct 1-Feb 15 |
Feb 15-Mar 28 |
| U18 "LL" |
Sept 20-Oct 7 |
Oct 8 - Feb15 |
Feb 15-Mar 28 |
| U21 "LL" |
Sept 15-Oct 15 |
Oct 15-Mar 1 |
Mar 1-Mar 28 |
Practice Details
| Age Group/Level |
Practices per Week |
Length of Practices |
Location(s) |
Breakdown |
| U6 |
2 |
50 minutes |
PMCC, NSSRC |
Weekends |
| U7 |
2 (1 solo, 1 shared) |
50 minutes |
PMCC |
Weekends |
| U8 |
2 (1 solo, 1 shared) |
50 minutes |
PMCC |
Weekends |
| U9 "LL" |
2 |
50 minutes |
PMCC |
Weekdays - 1 evening/Weekends - 1 afternoon |
| U11 "LL" - U18 "LL" |
1 |
60 minutes |
PMCC |
Weekdays - 1 evening |
| U21 "LL" |
1 |
60 minutes |
PMCC |
Weekdays - 1 evening |
Game Details
| Age Group/Level |
Regular Season |
Playoff Games |
Game Duration |
League |
| U7 |
~10-12 games |
None |
22-22 minutes (cross-ice) |
Exhibition Games |
| U8 |
~14 games |
None |
22-22 minutes (cross-ice) |
Exhibition Games |
| U9 "LL" |
TBD |
TBD |
10-10-10 minutes |
GBTLL |
| U11 "LL" & U13 "LL" |
20 games |
6-8 Round Robin + Semi/Final |
10-10-15 minutes |
GBTLL |
| U15 "LL" & U18 "LL" |
20 games |
6-8 Round Robin + Semi/Final
|
10-15-15 minutes |
GBTLL |
| U21 "LL" |
~16 games |
Minimum 2 Best of 3 Series
|
10-15-15 minutes |
SRLL |
Extra Goalie Development - On-Ice (Proposed - Subject to Change)
| Age Group/Level |
Sessions Per Week |
Length of Session |
Location(s) |
Details |
| Goalies - Younger |
1 |
50 minutes |
NSSRC |
Additional Training for Goalies led by Qualified Goalie Instructors / Sessions split by age |
| Goalies - Older |
1 |
50 minutes |
NSSRC |
* - Goalie development provided by association;
Extra Player Development - On-Ice*
| Age Group/Level |
Sessions Per Week |
Length of Session |
Location(s) |
Details |
| U8-U13 |
1 |
50 minutes |
PMCC |
Additional Training for Skaters led by Qualified Skill Instructors |
* - Not included in Registration Fees; Additional costs apply
Association Fees (Proposed - Subject to Change)
Association fees are determined based on age group and team classification, covering essential costs, including:
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Ice rental fees for practices and games
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Referee and timekeeper costs
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Insurance and assessments (Hockey Canada, OHF, OMHA)
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League registration fees for teams
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Paid positions in the association
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Banquet and awards
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Subsidized player and coach development
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Overhead, mileage, and other miscellaneous expenses
Understanding How Association Fees Have Changed From Last Season:
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Age-Based Registration Fees:
As players move up in age divisions, registration fees increase to reflect longer game times and the need for more on-ice officials. This results in a higher share of ice time and officiating costs per player.
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Team Fundraising Allocation:
All team fundraising proceeds will go directly back to each team to cover team-specific fees, not to the association.
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This has always been the practice in PMHA, but is a new process for MMHA members.
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The goal is to allow teams to significantly reduce or eliminate team fees through active fundraising and to reward fundraising efforts more directly.
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As a result, registration fees may appear higher, but families gain more control over team-related costs.
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Included with Registration:
Every player will receive 2 pairs of game socks. These items are included as part of the registration fee.
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Increased Costs:
Hockey Canada insurance fees and officiating costs have seen significant increases this year, and ice time expenses continue to rise annually.
| Age Group/Level |
Registration |
| U6 |
$400 |
| U7 |
$600 |
| U8 |
$750 |
| U9 "LL" |
Est. $825 |
| U11 "LL" & U13 "LL" |
$825 |
| U15 "LL" & U18 "LL" |
$875 |
| U21 "LL" |
$875 |
We continue to wait on Hockey Canada for adjustments to the modified ice portion of the U9 programming. Therefore, we are unable to release a registration fee at this time.
Team Fees
Team fees are determined individually for each team. Team budgets must be approved and signed by the parent group before the season begins.
Since these are budgets, they serve as estimates and may be subject to change.
The estimated team fee per player is calculated by subtracting projected fundraising revenue from estimated expenses and dividing the remainder by the number of players on the team.
Team expenses may include:
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Tournament entry fees
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Additional on-ice and off-ice player development
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Team supplies (e.g., water bottles, practice jerseys)
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Special events and team gatherings
100% of the proceeds raised through association-wide, association-supported or team-specific fundraising efforts (not including tournaments and special events) goes directly toward offsetting team expenses. Teams that fundraise well can significantly reduce or eliminate their out of pocket team fees.