WELCOME TO THE 2016-2017 SEASON!
The executives of the North York Knights would like to welcome back all players, parents and families as another hockey season gets underway. For the families that are new to our organization, a special welcome is offered. The North York Knights Hockey Association’s overall goal is to provide a rewarding hockey experience for each child. The Knights seek to provide a safe and challenging hockey program where children are able to realize their potential through appropriate levels of play. We want each child to develop and improve their hockey skills so as to want to continue to play hockey. The Knights promote participation on a fair and equitable basis for all players. Equal ice time for all is a fundamental policy of the Association. Our goal is to provide a positive and enjoyable environment that encourages respect, discipline and good sportsmanship among coaches, players, parents and game officials while participating in the game of hockey. For the players, the primary goals are to have fun, learn the principles of the game, and learn the importance of team play, good sportsmanship and companionship. For the parents, our goal is to have them positively involved in their child’s development by becoming supportive fans and active volunteers, and by maintaining open lines of communication amongst the players, the coaches and the Association. It is our sincerest wish that all participants in the various Knights programs have a great and rewarding year playing hockey.
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO BE COACHES
The North York Knights is a not-for-profit organization that is entirely run by volunteers. As such, we rely on the invaluable assistance of our parent and non-parent volunteers and supporters to provide the full range of hockey programs for our players. Please help us ensure that every child has an enjoyable hockey experience this season by considering sharing your time, talents and enthusiasm with our players. We would like to thank you in advance for your consideration and hope you will join us as a volunteer for the upcoming House League season.
COACHES
The Tyke/Minor Novice, Novice and Atom divisions of the Knights are in need of a few additional coaches. If you have a child in either of these divisions, please consider volunteering to be a coach (Head or Assistant). While some hockey knowledge would certainly be an asset, at this age no prior hockey coaching experience is required as the priority is making sure the players have fun. Generally the Knights try to pair up volunteer coaches to ensure that time constraints and other commitments can be addressed by the coaching unit. Also, volunteering to coach with a buddy is an excellent way to guarantee that your children will be on the same team! The Knights provide a detailed Coaching Handbook to all volunteers; in the Tyke/Minor Novice division a ‘coaches bag’ that includes pucks, pylons and a white board is also provided. The Knights also have an official Coach Mentor (see Coaching Resources) who would be happy to offer an introductory coaching session to start the season and / or to attend an early practice to assist with its organization. If you are going to be at the arena with your player, why not get out on the ice / bench and join in the fun! If you have not yet expressed an interest in coaching and would like to do so, please let us know by sending a brief email with your child’s name and age to the nykha.knights@gmail.com prior to September 11th.
HOUSE LEAGUE START DATE
All Knights House League divisions will begin their season on the weekend of Oct. 15-16, 2016. Players/parents will be contacted by their coaches by Oct. 7, 2016. There will be pre-season exhibition games for team balancing in the Tyke – Minor Novice and Novice divisions before the Thanksgiving weekend. Coaches will contact parents/players to confirm the time and dates for these exhibition games.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO PLAY HOCKEY
For first-time hockey players, an equipment list can be found on the website at Resources – Equipment List. We have included some additional information about each piece of equipment to help determine the right size and fit as well as a few recommendations for the maintenance of a player’s equipment. For all returning players, please check your skates for fit and sharpness (use the fingernail test), and look for nicks on the blade or loose rivets to avoid a challenging first skate! Inspect all your equipment to see that it still fits, if the plastic padded is cracked (hopefully not) and if any stitching is required.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2016
September 11, 2016 – Meeting for all House League coaches
September 30, 2016 – Refunds, less a $50 administrative fee, for House League registrants only if requested before September 30, 2016 No refunds for House League will be issued on or after October 1, 2016.
October 7, 2016 – Parents/Players receive notice of their House League team assignment from their coach
October 15/16, 2016 – All divisions begin the season with practices and games on this weekend