WELCOME TO THE 2018-2019 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
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. In particular the Knights are seeking volunteers for two important off-ice activities:
Equipment Manager
The Equipment Manager will be responsible for the distribution in September and the collection in April of the Association’s goaltender equipment needed by the lower level (Tyke- PeeWee) teams in the House League division. The Manager will also be responsible in the Spring for any required equipment repairs and to notify the Association’s Executive on the need to replace equipment for the next season.
Banquet Co-ordinator
The Banquet Co-ordinator would be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the annual House League banquet for the Tykes/Minor Novice to Bantam divisions. This would include booking the venue, arranging for acquiring a number of door/raffle prizes for each division, arranging the delivery of the Esso medals of achievement and the Tim Horton giveaways, coordinating the pizza deliveries and ensuring the set-up and clearing of the banquet hall. This is an end of year role that would involve some time commitment in the early part of April and on the Saturday when the banquet takes place.
Please email a brief note indicating your willingness to take on the role to Scott Lowry, President of the North York Knights Hockey Association at scott.lowry@blakes.com.
HOUSE LEAGUE START DATE
All Knights House League divisions will begin their season on the weekend of Oct. 13-14, 2018. Players/parents will be contacted by their coaches by Oct. 5, 2018. There will be pre-season exhibition games for team balancing in the Tyke – Minor Novice division 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.
