U7 U9

U7 is the division for girls who are 6 years old and younger (kindergarten & grade 1). We typically have two teams in this age group and all U7 girls skate together for practice.

This level is a basic introduction to hockey for our youngest Ravens. Parents with coaching certification are welcome to come on the ice to help.

At this level, the players will learn basics like:

• Introduction to skating
• Proper skating stance
• How to hold a stick properly
• How to fall and get up

Once the player has mastered these basic skills and can comfortably move around the ice, they will progress to:

• Fun small area games
• Start to understand competition
• Further skating skills, stopping, and turning
• Puck handling
• Understanding what it means to be part of a team
• Developing friendships

The U7 program starts in the 2nd week of September and lasts through to early March. Players in this program get 2 practices a week at Richmond Ice Centre and/or Minoru Arena.

U9 is the division for girls who are 7-8 years old (grade 2 & 3). We typically have two teams in this age group.

We are happy to welcome both beginners and experience players. Note that playing U7 before U9 is NOT a pre-requisite.

This level is designed to help players with:

• Skating progressions
• Shooting and passing
• Small area games
• Understanding rules of the game
• Introduction to faceoffs and offsides
• Playing half-ice games (3on3 and 4on4)
• Basic hockey strategy

The U9 program starts in the 2nd week of September and lasts through to early March. Players in this program get 2 practices a week at Richmond Ice Centre and/or Minoru Arena and begin playing half-ice games in December.