Role of the Player
Following are some guidelines with respect to the role of the player based on age group.
Before the game:
“Sweat the small stuff”
Ages 5 to 8
- Pack equipment with parent(s)
- Pack equipment using Equipment Checklist
- Be ready to go with your bag at front door for whomever is driving
- Socialize with other players and friends
- Eat at least 2 hours before
- Drink water
- Have water for the game - fill your bottle
- Dress in the room with teammates
- Remove all jewelry
- Listen to coaches talk about playing the game
- Go on the ice together with your tteammates
- Bring a second stick to the bench
- Do team warm-up:
- PLAYERS - make sure to stickhandle, pass and shoot "on the goalie" if time permits
- GOALIES - make sure to skate and stretch with equipment on the ice, take shots to feel the puck
- TEAM CAPTAINS - acknowledge officials - shake hands
- Be supportive to your teammates and encourage each other
- Smile! - it is a game
Ages 9 to 12
- Check your equipment at home for skate sharpenings, tape, repair - at least the day before
- Advise parent(s) of equipment needs a day before
- Pack equipment using Equipment Checklist
- Eat 3 to 4 hours before game time
- Dress according to team rules - if none, shirt and tie or turtleneck, team jacket - no baseball caps
- Be ready to go with your bag at front door for whomever is driving
- Socialize with other players and friends
- Drink water
- Have your own water for the game - fill your bottle
- Dress for stretch
- Do team stretch
- Dress with equipment
- Remove all jewelry
- Sit dressed and think to yourself – go through your mental preparation
- Listen to game strategy from coaches
- Go on the ice together with your teammates
- Bring a second stick to the bench
- Do team warm-up:
- PLAYERS - make sure to stickhandle, pass and shoot “on the goalie” if time permits
- GOALIES - make sure to skate and stretch with equipment on-ice, take shots to feel the puck
- TEAM CAPTAINS - acknowledge officials - shake hands
- Be supportive of your teammates and encourage each other
- Listen to coach
- Smile! - it's a game
Ages 13 and older
- Check equipment at home for skate sharpenings, tape, repair - at least the day before
- Advise parent(s) of equipment needs a day before
- Verify schedule and arrange for a lift if necessary
- Pack equipment using Equipment Checklist
- Eat 3 to 4 hours before game time
- Dress according to team rules - if none, shirt and tie or turtleneck, team jacket, dress pants - no running shoes or baseball caps
- Arrive on time
- Socialize with other players and friends
- Meet with coaches if necessary
- Drink water
- Have your own water for the game - fill The Water SOURCE
- Check equipment, tape stick, get skates sharpened
- Dress for stretch
- Do team stretch
- Get dressed with equipment
- Remove all jewelry
- Do mental preparation
- Listen to game strategy from coaches
- Go on the ice together with your teammates
- Bring a second stick to the bench
- Do team warm-up:
- PLAYERS - make sure to stickhandle, pass and shoot “on the goalie” if time permits
- GOALIES - make sure to skate and stretch with equipment on-ice, take shots to feel the puck
- TEAM CAPTAINS - acknowledge officials - shake hands
- Be supportive of your teammates and encourage each other
- Smile! - it's a game
- Tournament note:
- watch other teams
- register with Tournament coordinators
- Exhibition / Pre-season note:
- know which arena you are going to go to
- identify yourself with the coaches
During the game:
“Play for the fun of it”
Ages 5 to 8
- Be ready at face-offs before the puck is dropped
- Drink water at least once a period
- Listen for coaches’ signals and line changes
- Talk to your teammates
- Watch your teammates play and learn
- Respect your teammates
- Between periods, make sure you drink water
- Listen to the coach to understand what to do
- Ask questions if you do not understand
Ages 9 to 12
- Be ready at face-offs before the puck is dropped
- Drink water at least once a period
- Listen for coaches’ signals and line changes
- Be ready at face-offs before the puck is dropped
- Drink water every couple of shifts
- Listen for the coaches’ signals
- Talk to your teammates - repeat team objectives, discuss situations on-ice
- Watch your teammates and learn
- Think of your role, your own game objectives and goals
- Respect and encourage your teammates
- Between periods, make sure you drink water
- Listen to the coach to understand what to do
- Ask questions if you do not understand
- Play with a smile and have fun
Ages 13 and older
- Be ready at face-offs before the puck is dropped
- Drink water at least once a period
- Listen for coaches’ signals and line changes
- Be ready at face-offs before the puck is dropped
- Drink water every couple of shifts
- Listen for the coaches’ signals
- Talk to your teammates - repeat team objectives, discuss situations on-ice
- Watch your teammates and learn
- Think of your role, your own game objectives and goals
- Respect and encourage your teammates
- Between periods, make sure you drink water
- Control emotions and focus - use your mental plan
- Listen to the coach to understand what to do
- Ask questions if you do not understand
- Play with a smile and have fun
After the game:
“Revitalize”
Ages 5 to 8
- Get to your team bench
- Acknowledge and congratulate teammates on-ice
- Leave the ice surface and go straight to the room with official’s guidance
- Listen to the coaches
- Drink water
- Undress, wipe skates and pack equipment in bag
- Acknowledge coaches and teammates
- Meet coaches if necessary
- Socialize and leave
- Carry your own bag to the car
- At home, wash your undergarments, hang equipment to dry and open up skates
Ages 9 to 12
- Get to your team bench
- Acknowledge and congratulate teammates on-ice
- Leave the ice surface and go straight to the room with official’s guidance
- Sit down, take off helmet and gloves - listen to the coach talk about the game
- Drink water
- Eat proper nourishment
- Undress, wipe skates and pack equipment in bag
- Take a shower if the facility has the set-up for it
- Dress properly - shirt and tie done up, turtleneck and team jacket
- Acknowledge coaches and teammates
- Meet coaches if necessary
- Be aware of the next team event
- Socialize and leave
- Carry your own bag to the car
- At home, wash your undergarments, hang equipment to dry and open up skates
- Check equipment for damage
- Eat according to nutrition guideline
Ages 13 and older
- Get to your team bench
- Acknowledge and congratulate teammates on-ice
- Leave the ice surface and go straight to the room with official’s guidance
- Sit down, take off helmet and gloves - listen to the coach talk about the game
- Review objectives, achievements and mistakes
- Drink water
- Eat proper nourishment
- Undress, wipe skates and pack equipment in bag
- Take a shower if the facility has the set-up for it
- Dress neat like upon arrival
- Acknowledge coaches and teammates
- Meet coaches if necessary
- Be aware of next team event
- Be receptive to scouts and agents
- Socialize and leave
- Carry your own bag to the car
- At home, wash your undergarments, hang equipment to dry and open up skates
- Go over goals to see achievement levels
- Check equipment for damage
- Eat according to nutrition guideline
- Tournament note:
- watch other teams play
- check out statistics
- Exhibition / Pre-season note:
- ask coach or manager about next steps for you