Hello, my name is Kevin Struik and I am the Initiation Director for the 2016/2017 season.
I have been involved with SPMHA for 6 years. My 2 boys have played at various levels with last year being our 6th consecutive Initiation season. My involvement has included head coaching and assistant coaching. I have always enjoyed being on the ice with the kids and watching them progress. You will be amazed at how much they will improve in a short period of time.
Our number one goal in the first years of hockey is to ensure that our kids want to be at the rink. We want it to be fun and we hope they want to play the game of hockey long-term. The mission of SPMHA is to foster and promote minor hockey and to provide a program to develop the abilities and skills of hockey players at all levels. Therefore, we will focus on having fun and fundamental hockey skill development in our Initiation program. Last year we incorporated half-ice games and smaller nets. I feel this was beneficial for our beginner hockey players for so many reasons. We will continue to follow this model this season.
For those first-time hockey parents, please make sure that your children are equipped with the following hockey gear:
Helmet with full cage - Hockey pants
Neck guard - Shin guards
Shoulder pads - Hockey Socks
Elbow pads - Skates
Hockey Gloves - Stick
Athletic support & can - Hockey bag
Hockey jersey - any type, any color - Mouth guard is optional
Please note that our first evaluation skates will take place mid-September. Once confirmed, I will post the alpha-split evaluation skate times. Please make sure that you have a valid email address on file with SPMHA so you do not miss this important information. First, we will have a non-evaluation skate in order to get the kids moving on the ice and to become familiar with the drills (tentative date is Saturday, Sept 17). Then we will have an evaluation skate to split the kids into teams based on their age, experience, skating ability, etc. (tentative date is Saturday, Sept 24). Please attempt to be at the rink approximately 30-45 minutes before your ice time in order to have enough time to get your little hockey player geared up and ready to go. There will be multiple parents on the ice to help out. In my experience, the more parents we have on the ice, the better. So once the season starts and you are willing and able to help out on the ice with your team, please let your coach or manager know, and they will make the necessary arrangements to get you out there.
I will post information and important dates via this website throughout the year. Please use this website as your first point of contact to obtain information regarding your team. Once teams are assigned and posted, your coach and/or team manager will provide you with all the times, dates and information that you should require via email and your team’s page. They will update your team’s calendar where you will find practice and game schedules. Count on having a team meeting early in the season in order to appoint a team manager, treasurer, jersey parents, etc. Your team may wish to fundraise or simply chip in some seed money to get your team started. For the first 2-3 months, your team will focus on skating and skill development in practices. Games will typically not be played until November/December. 90% of your practices will take place at the Glenn Hall Arena. You may receive some ice slots at the Tri Leisure Centre in Spruce Grove, so make sure to check your calendars.
Please keep an eye on your email and this website for upcoming non-evaluation and evaluation skate times as well as any other important information.
I look forward to a great season and if you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email.
I can be reached at initiationdir@spmha.net.