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Long Term Player Development
Hockey is a fun team sport that fosters new friendships, healthy physical activity and life skills that go beyond the ice.
When kids of all ages start to play hockey, it's all about having fun. As kids advance in skill, fun remains the foundation, through increased competition.
Through hockey, players will make lifelong friends and learn teamwork, dedication, determination, perseverance and commitment.
Athlete safety is our top priority. Hockey Canada governs minor hockey to best protect all of its participants.
Does your child want to play recreationally or competitively? Once a week in your neighbourhood or more frequently? Minor hockey associations are increasingly offering scheduling options for families.
No matter your skill level or experience, there's a team for you.
The Long Term Player Development model sets out a vision for hockey in Canada that takes advantage of the history and culture of the game to increase participation and to lay the foundations of international success long into the future.
The LTPD model for hockey has been developed based on the following principles:
- doing the right thing for the player at the right stage in their development
- adopting a player-centered approach and not treating the development of all players the same way
- viewing player development as a long term process
- aligning player development resources (skills manuals, DVDs) with coach development and education resources so that coaches are doing the right things at the right time
- a need to better educate parents on the hockey development of their child – it is okay for parents to want their kids to get to the highest levels but they need to know the best way to go about it.
