Hockey Manitoba along with its member regions and minor hockey associations will endeavour into a new development and education initiative targeted to all Initiation (6-Under) players, coaches, and parents.
The Hockey Manitoba Faceoff Festival will likely be one of the largest and most impactful initiatives the organization has developed in recent years. The scope of the project will see a collective hosting effort by Hockey Manitoba with key coordination by regional bodies and minor hockey associations to provide positive effect on approximately 2500 Initiation players that annually register in the province. With an estimation of 15 host sites across the province hosting these special one day events the goal is to ensure that all Initiation teams, coaches and parents are able to participate in the initiative throughout late-October and November.
Core items of each specific event day will see an on ice session for all teams using the standard cross-ice model for all Initiation hockey, including active coach mentorship and development throughout the day. The launching point of Hockey Manitoba's new Initiation Coach Mentorship program will be through the Faceoff Festival allowing nearly all coaches at the age level to have contact with a qualified coach mentor specific to this stage of hockey development. Also included during the event day are special presentations for parents and guardians covering key topics specific to developing and retaining young children in the game of hockey.
With a revitalized commitment nationally towards the importance of starting kids off right in the game, especially at the Initiation and Novice levels, this initiative will be offered for free because of significant financial contributions by Hockey Canada and Hockey Manitoba. In addition to the great schedule of development and education, the most important aspect that is being promoted is fun. Things like Oh Canada, roster announcements, music, and interactive off-ice activities are all integral elements to the event. All participating players will also receive a special edition CCM Hockey Manitoba tuque featuring the organization's youth mascot logo and word mark.
Over the early part of the 2016-17 hockey season the logistics, planning and organizing will be finalized for the inaugural Hockey Manitoba Faceoff Festival. Host sites including arena venues, hosting personnel, coach mentors, scheduling among numerous fine details will be a major focus for the organization in what's promising to be a truly special initiative unlike any other in Canada to date.
For more information on the new initiative please click here
Program Contacts:
Devin Himpe
Program Assistant, Hockey Manitoba
Trevor Prystupa
Program Assistant, Hockey Manitoba
