U9 Novice

The U9 (Novice) program continues to use Hockey Canada’s Long-Term Development Model to focus on development for children turning seven and eight by December 31 of the current year. At this age, players can play in the SBMHA House League division (known as Junior Seals) or choose to try out for the Seals U9 A1 team (which has additional costs).

The season begins with a number of initiation skates, where players have the chance to develop their skating and hockey skills before they are placed on teams for practices and games. There are many U9 house teams registered in SBMHA, allowing teams to share ice for practice and games all in our own catchment area. Players are grouped according to skill for games so players with similar skill sets play against each other. At this age, games advance from cross-ice as played in U7 to half-ice, with a development zone on the other half of the ice. Games have officials and timekeepers and score is kept.  Please note that players who make Seals U9 A1 will be playing other association teams and games will be spread out throughout the city.

Teams have the option of entering different tournaments throughout the season, including a required SBMHA tournament (for house teams) to end the season (SBMHA March Meltdown Tournament).

SBMHA requires a number of volunteers to help run the initiation skates and help coach. If you would like to help coach or assist at our initiation skates, please contact us.

For more information about U9 Hockey, you can view a comprehensive Hockey Canada U9 Player Pathway here.

If you have any other questions about the U9 program, please check out our new FAQ Document or contact our U9 Director (house) or our U9A Director.