Novice Division Changes
Hockey Canada has made some significant changes to the Novice division for the upcoming season...
It began last year with the changes to the Tyke program for 7-year olds (now called Minor Novice), when games changed to half-ice for the entire season.
This season, similar changes are coming for the 8-year old age group (now called Major Novice).
The first difference is that instead of holding traditional tryouts in September, the entire Major Novice age group will be taking part in an 8 week development period. After that, players will be split into Rep and Local League teams if numbers and interest allow it to happen. Each team will then play about 10 half-ice games until January 15th, 2020.
After January 15th, the team(s) will switch to full-ice games. The team(s) will play about 8 full-ice games until around the end of March. At the end of the season, instead of having traditional Playdown series or League Playoffs, the team(s) will participate in a year-end tournament.
While not confirmed as of yet, the games will probably take place in local geographic areas so as to try to cut down on travel.
Minor Novice (7 years old) players are allowed to try out for the Major Novice division.
Major Novice (8 years old) players are allowed to try out for the Atom division.