ABBOTSFORD

Q. WHAT IF MY CHILD DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO SKATE YET?  Your child will have more success if they are comfortable on their skates. There are skating and intro-hockey programs offered through the local arenas, as well as public skates and stick and puck. Try to get them on the ice as much as possible prior to hockey starting. If your child is older than 8 years, it is recommended that she/he have some skating skill and be able to stop proficiently. 

 

Q. WHEN DOES THE SEASON START?  Rep Tryouts will start in late August.  C evaluations start the weekend after school begins.  Tyke/Novice begins mid-September.  The actual season of games does not start until mid-October, although exhibition and/or balancing games will take place prior to the season start. 

 

Q. HOW LONG DOES THE SEASON LAST?  

Depending on your child’s age and level, the season will end between the end of February and the school spring break in March.  

 

Q. AT WHAT RINK WILL MY CHILD BE PLAYING?  AMHA home arenas include MSA, ARC, MRC, Centre Ice and AESC.  The playing zone for C league is Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack and Hope.  Rep teams will travel depending on the flight they are evaluated in.

 

Q. CAN I SIGN MY DAUGHTER UP?  Yes, by all means!  AMHA is open to boys and girls aged 5-20.  

 

Q. CAN MY CHILD BE ON THE SAME TEAM AS HIS FRIEND?  AMHA is required to roster balance teams and therefore, requests for same teams cannot be accommodated.   Don’t worry, your child will make a bunch of new friends!

 

Q. WHAT DOES “BALANCING” IN HOUSE HOCKEY MEAN?  Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association governs AMHA, like all other associations that we compete with. PCAHA requires that all House teams in an association are as even as possible. This means that all teams should have a balance of inexperienced, new to hockey and experienced players. In game situations, teams should be competitive with one other.  Individual player evaluations take place prior to practice groups being put together. These practice groups will play “balancing” games against each other. Players may get moved from group to group in order to “balance” the teams. PCAHA requires that all teams must be balanced by December 1st . If they deem the teams imbalanced, they will request that the association balances the teams, and have the authority to request which players need to move teams. AMHA will endeavor to put forth balanced teams prior to the start of the season. 

 

Q. I DON’T REALLY WANT MY CHILD TO PRACTICE IN THE MORNING BEFORE SCHOOL. CAN HE/SHE PLAY GAMES ONLY? Because we cannot afford to waste ice, we respectfully request players that cannot commit the time to practice and/or play to please not occupy space that a committed player can use. Practices in early morning or late evening ice will be a reality for many divisions. Ice will be very precious during this time and it is imperative that all members and players do their part to utilize the ice. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a player’s schedule. 

 

Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REP TEAM AND A HOUSE TEAM?  A Rep (or Representative) team is a team that is selected specifically to compete at the top level of the age group throughout the season. AMHA puts forward Rep teams from Atom division up. Tryouts for Rep teams will take place in late August and run through mid-September. Rep hockey takes more commitment from players and parents than House hockey. Rep teams often travel further for games and tournaments and are often on the ice more than House teams. There is also a higher fee for those who play Rep hockey. House teams are comprised of players of all levels. House teams need to be balanced.

  

Q. WHAT IF MY CHILD DOESN’T LIKE HOCKEY OR GETS HURT? WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?  Please see AMHA’s refund policy under Policy.

 

Q. I LIVE WITHIN YOUR BOUNDARIES BUT MY CHILD’S FATHER LIVES IN ANOTHER ASSOCIATIONS BOUNDARY. WE SHARE CUSTODY, SO WHICH ASSOCIATION DO WE REGISTER OUR CHILD FOR?  Each situation individually assessed and we will contact you if there are further documents required (PCAHA has governing rules in these areas).  

 

Q. MY CHILD WOULD LIKE TO TRY GOALIE. IS THIS POSSIBLE?  In Hockey 1-4, AMHA will provide equipment for all children who want to try goalie. From Atom up, children are starting to make the decision to become a goalie or a player full time. Atom and older players will be required to provide their own equipment. 

                                                                                                                                                          

Q. DO I HAVE TO SUPPLY MY OWN EQUIPMENT FOR MY CHILD?  Yes, your child needs to have all of his or her own equipment unless they are playing goalie within the Hockey 1-4 division.

 

Q.  WHAT TYPE OF GEAR WILL MY CHILD NEED:  

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST:

                               

                                Neck Guard (BNQ certified bib style only)

                                Helmet (CSA Certified) do not remove the sticker (must have visor or cage )

                                Shoulder Pads

                                Mouth Guard (optional)

                                Elbow Pads

                                Jock

                                Garter

                                Pants

                                Shin Pads

                                Skates

                                Gloves

                                Stick (should measure up to chin with skates on)

                                Jersey

                                Socks

                                Hockey Bag

                                Sock tape (optional)

                                Game Socks

                                Practice Jersey

Provided:            Game Jersey

 

Q. DO I NEED TO BUY A HOCKEY JERSEY FOR MY CHILD?  Your child will need a personal jersey to practice in. Team jerseys will be provided to each player once the teams are set and are only to be worn for games.

 

Q. DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO WEAR A MOUTH GUARD?  Mouth guards are not mandatory in Canada; however, mouth guards are recommended. 

 

Q. WOW, HOCKEY CAN GET EXPENSIVE! ARE THERE ANY SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE?  You will find links to local groups who offer financial assistance under the Registration tab.

 

Q.  WHY IS HOCKEY SO EXPENSIVE?  Hockey does have higher overheads than many sports.  The rental of a gym for a specified time is generally less costly than the rental of ice. Minor Hockey also incorporates insurance and PCAHA and BC Hockey fees into the registration fees. Minor Hockey minimizes costs by fundraising and utilizing volunteer labour. For example here is a comparison based on advertised prices of recreational sports, for a 9 year old, broken down monthly and per session:

 

Karate   $56 per month           $6.90 per session

Hockey    $91 per month       $10.10 per session

Gymnastics   $50.40 per month        $10.80 per session

 

Q.  WHAT DO REGISTRATION FEES COVER?  Registration fees pay for game and practice ice, insurance, referee fees and the use of a game jersey. A portion of the fees cover the administrative costs of the association and membership fees for PCAHA, BC Hockey and Hockey Canada. Fees are also used to pay for coach development courses and for equipment such as pucks and first aid kits. Teams may collect additional fees or fundraise to pay for tournament entry fees and other team expenses.

 

Q.  WHY ARE PRACTICES AND GAMES NOT AT THE SAME TIME EACH WEEK?  AMHA rents ice for each division. The block of ice for each division will be the same every week. However because teams rotate to play other teams (including teams from Chilliwack, Mission and Hope) practice times must rotate as well.

 

Q. CAN I DROP MY CHILD OFF AT THE RINK AND THEN PICK THEM UP WHEN THE GAME OR PRACTICE IS OVER?  NO, a parent must be present at all times, for safety reasons as well as something as simple as a child needing specific attention from an adult besides the coach during a practice or game. 

 

Q. WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS MEAN?  Initiation or Hockey 1-4 is Hockey Canada's learn to play program.  Generally, Initiation players are grouped into the following age groups. However, players may be moved up or down according to their level of skating ability (Initiation only).
Hockey 1       5 yr olds
Hockey 2       6 yr olds
Hockey 3       7 yr olds
Hockey 4       8 yr olds
Atom               9 and 10 yr olds
Pee Wee        11 and 12 yr olds
Bantam          13 and 14 yr olds
Midget            15-17 yr olds
Juvenile         over the age of 18.
 ***This means they will be the specified age by December 31st.***